Lt Cobra Jason I got alot of the parts for my first motor at swap meets and FFP when it was open. I saved and got an intake manifold, save and got heads, saved and got cam and lifters, save and got a 428 crank that was 10-10. I brought the car in 97 at ERA and it has had more miles on the trips on the trailer (12) for changes than I can count, Paint and body work, suspension changes, 5 point roll cage, frame changes for 6 spd. P/S steering rack installed. Any way once you pick your motor and start getting parts, you want to stay with that motor. You will run into other motors you hate to turn down.
Lay out a game plan and stay with it.
If you have good basic car skills you can save money by installing trans, motor, and rear in the car. If you are good with fiberglass, you can do all the body work and painting, again save money. You can also find some nice USED cobras for sale in the 30K complete and on the street. If you build one, depending on which state you live in will need to register the car with the state, some times a pain in the a$$. You might find one that someone lost interest in and great a great deal. Since gumball rally came out I want a cobra, 3 car accidents and 1 divorce. Saving silver in a large 5 gallon water bottle. NO PENNYS.
Good luck with your questand thanks again for the job you do. Rick Lake