[Karl Bebout]

My 496 Chevy is a .060 over bored with a 1/4" stroker 454 in an old NAF body. Its 596#s torque at 3600 RPM make for a wonderfully streetable combo and has pulled the car to a best of 10.74 in the quarter mile. Its only 10 1/2 compression with Edlebrock aluminum heads makes running pump gas no problem. I know that I could have built a Ford engine to give me the same performance but I thought I'd find something else to spend the additional $8-$10K on that it would have cost me.
Jeff is the first guy to admit that his Cobray is not trying to be anywhere near an original set up. It is an exceptionally comfortable, great handling and braking rendition that will provide tons of fun. It won't appear "too big" to 95%of the population unless its parked next to a 90" wheelbase Cobra.
You've stated that you are aware of the flack you'll receive for not going with a more traditional kit and drive train, and there'll be plenty of it, but it'll be pretty hard to hear when most of it will be coming from 'way behind you.