[eschaider]

Al,

While I don't use an FE foundation for my power I have used big blocks for many years in both street and race form. As you begin to close in on your final specs you might explore a big block stroker. The long arm and additional inches give very smooth low speed and part throttle response and a stunning kick in the pants when you stand on the loud pedal. Best of all you get all these good manners and mild compression, and mild camshaft and reliable starts under virtually all conditions in a real fun car to drive.

As to the final selection of manufacturer both of your picks produce very good cars. If I could have afforded it I would have purchased a Kirkham. Stunning falls considerably short of the mark when looking for the proper modifier to describe a Kirkham. Like you I originally wanted to buy a Shelby continuation car. When I tried a couple years ago my attempts to get the Shelby operation to sell one were unsuccessful. I understand now that you can purchase a car in a fairly straight forward manner.

The Kirkhams' cars are truly works of engineering art and the Kirkhams are great people. To finish the car the way I wanted it would have financially strained my Cobra budget. In the end I built a Superformance. Love the car! Something to think about though, - a Kirkham is like the first girl you ever fell for. You will always remember her and some how you can never get her out of your mind. And by the way if you get married to her (at least in this case) you'll be real happy.

I'm sure the last part of this post has done you no good whatsoever but, - think hard on the stroker they are magic.

Ed

<edit> p.s. Welcome to the club!