New guy with basic questions

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Remember, he is looking for "a big block and I would like EFI. I want something reliable." I read "big block" to mean an FE, and he does not want a POS car.

But that conflicts with his price range of $40K in his original post. I haven't seen any Cobras with FE's and EFI for $40K. Have you? The budget constraint has to be the higher priority in his search criteria.

Unless the OP finances the balance of his purchase with, say, a "hard money" loan, which I know you would enthusiastically endorse.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

But that conflicts with his price range of $40K in his original post. I haven't seen any Cobras with FE's and EFI for $40K. Have you? The budget constraint has to be the higher priority in his search criteria.

Unless the OP finances the balance of his purchase with, say, a "hard money" loan, which I know you would enthusiastically endorse.

Precisely why I am pointing it all out. He will not be able to get what he wants for that amount of money. His two alternatives are: 1) Take something else for that amount of dough; or 2) Spend more dough. Neither of those two choices is particularly appealing. And you know my feelings on borrowing money to finance this hobby. To do that you might as well be borrowing money to run smack up your vein. I think he should just throw in the towel and forget the whole thing.

[Emurph]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

But that conflicts with his price range of $40K in his original post. I haven't seen any Cobras with FE's and EFI for $40K. Have you? The budget constraint has to be the higher priority in his search criteria.

Unless the OP finances the balance of his purchase with, say, a "hard money" loan, which I know you would enthusiastically endorse.

Let me back up, I was thinking the 427 maybe not a big block? No car loans on this deal 40 ish is it. I would forgo the bigger motor for nice solid and relaible. Again I'm not a mechanic. Great stuff here. Thanks. I've learned more since I posted this then I have in two weeks of poking around the web
Thanks!

[dallas_]

Originally Posted by Emurph

No car loans on this deal 40 ish is it. I would forgo the bigger motor for nice solid and reliable.

You can find a decent car for $40k. Some here would not be satisfied with that car, but perhaps you can. Many of us are.

Browse Cobra Country to get a feel for what is for sale at what price range.

You will find you can spend more or less than your budget.

But still, the best thing to do is see some cars in person to see what you can get for your money.

[vatdevil]

It's a bit of a drive for you but might consider attending the London Ohio Cobra event in a few weeks. Mank of the manufacturers will have display cars there.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Emurph

Let me back up, I was thinking the 427 maybe not a big block? No car loans on this deal 40 ish is it. I would forgo the bigger motor for nice solid and relaible. Again I'm not a mechanic. Great stuff here. Thanks. I've learned more since I posted this then I have in two weeks of poking around the web.Thanks!

I was kidding about the "hard money" loan because I know Patrick hates financing Cobras.

If it were me and I had the constraints that you've mentioned, then I'd likely pick a Backdraft. You MAY (or may not) need a few more $$$, but you get active factory support and customer service from Jay at Vintage Motorsports, a Cobra that originally came factory assembled turnkey minus (needing only an engine and trans) roller and have very good resale value. My $0.02.

If you want a more "authentic" Cobra than a Backdraft, then you'll have to spend more money for an Superformance. And even higher up on the scale, and more money, an ERA.

The Factory 5 builds are owner-built and unless you're technically-capable and/or a mechanic, then I would shy away from those Cobras. And it sounds like you're not.

[Emurph]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I was kidding about the "hard money" loan because I know Patrick hates financing Cobras.

If it were me and I had the constraints that you've mentioned, then I'd likely pick a Backdraft. You MAY (or may not) need a few more $$$, but you get active factory support and customer service from Jay at Vintage Motorsports, a Cobra that originally came factory assembled turnkey minus (needing only an engine and trans) roller and have very good resale value. My $0.02.

If you want a more "authentic" Cobra than a Backdraft, then you'll have to spend more money for an Superformance. And even higher up on the scale, and more money, an ERA.

The Factory 5 builds are owner-built and unless you're technically-capable and/or a mechanic, then I would shy away from those Cobras. And it sounds like you're not.

That's the kind of info I'm looking for! Thanks, so the factory 5's I'm seeing would all have been home builds and may or may not be done right? I saw a Backdraft on ebay that looks great but asking $51K. They would all have been built turn key? I'm not too worried about authentic. I definitely don't want a kit. My main thing is reliability and a nice quality car, good paint etc. if I have to give up the 427 I guess that is an option. I'm sure withy the weight of the car they are all fast! My Vette was a Z06 with some work done to it and weighed 3000lbs with 450hp. I'd like that acceleration rush which along with the awesome look of these cars is what got me into this. I don't want just another fast car. I want something different without spending 100K. Thanks again for the info you guys are great!

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Emurph

Thanks, so the factory 5's I'm seeing would all have been home builds and may or may not be done right? I saw a Backdraft on ebay that looks great but asking $51K. They would all have been built turn key?

Factory 5's are not factory-builds. They're built by the buyer. Some are top notch, others not so much. There is a separate website for the Factory 5 forum.

FFCars.com : Factory Five Racing Discussion Forum

Backdrafts are delivered from the factory in South Africa to the US as a turnkey minus (no engine/trans, but a roller). The engine and trans can be installed by the buyer or by a shop of the buyer's choice. A great many that I've seen here on this forum are finished (engine/trans installed) by Jay at Vintage Motorsports with engines built by Keith Craft, Ford Motorsport or Roush. And there many others, including Brent at B2 Motorpsorts.

[dallas_]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Factory 5's are not factory-builds. They're built by the buyer. Some are top notch,

Yes. Like this one: (not for sale though)

Slabside goes to a show

But it gives you an idea how nice they can be.

[Three Peaks]

For the budget mentioned, I've seen several Contemporary Classic cobras that had just about everything you are looking for.
Contemporarys are very well built Cobras but they have been out of production for quite some time. Very original looking, great drivers, many with big blocks in them. Keep them on your list if you are shopping.

Also, contrary to some opinions, I've seen some very nice Factory Five cobras built by the owners that would compete with just about any other kit. You just have to do your homework when shopping. Best to take someone with you who knows and understands Cobras and how they are built to help you separate the wheat from the chafe.....

Bob

[mdross1]

You will get a lot of good info from this site use it wisely.Remember this, not all cars are created equal no matter the manufactors name plate especially used.Keep doing your research check out a few cars ride or drive in a few examples.
You can get in trouble with these cars in a hurry not using your head,but a little common sense and gradually working your way up the experience ladder you will be fine.
We all have different experience levels sounds like you will be Okay no matter what you drive.Good Luck in your search this part should be enjoyable weeding through all the info you will need for your choice of Cobra's.

[Emurph]

Thanks! I always enjoy the research and shopping part! I appreciate the info on Vintage Motorsports. I may have to up my budget slightly! It looks like they sell the Backdraft for 35 and I can pick an engine package and get a brand new car! They offer the Coyote engine from the new mustangs. That might be a nice option as far as reliability. Maybe not as cool and powerful as the 427? They also have an EFI 427 which is appealing to me. Seems like you could get a brand new one for 35+20ish? Maybe a slightly used one similar to that would get me close to the 40 number? All good info and greatly appreciated. I do need to see some up close and personal, very good advice. Thanks again!

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Emurph

Seems like you could get a brand new one for 35+20ish?

Now once you get up in the budget area of $50K, you'll start to see Superformance Cobras, which is considered a Cobra that is closer on the authenticity spectrum to an original CSX3000.

I just happened to pick this one, because it's at the top of the list on CobraCountry, asking $48,900, but I'm sure there are many others.

http://www.cobracountry.com/cobra4sa...b-1296x790.jpg

[patrickt]

Throw in an additional wad of cash and you can get a car that has the windshield wipers going in the opposite direction. Seriously. The higher up in the food chain you go, the more you pay for little things like that. If stuff like that doesn't matter to you, then don't pay for it. If you're not sure, then take the time to learn about them before you pay for them.

[lippy]

I am in the process of building an ERA now. When I started this process early last year, I found it enormously helpful to see as many Cobras as possible in person. They all look similar in photos but there are several large and small differences you will see in person, and you can decide what's important to you. I also found that my initial list of wants and needs changed dramatically, and (unfortunately) so did the price of the project. But I'm not planning on building a ton of Cobras in my life, so I really tried to get it right the first time.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Emurph

It would never see the rain so no need for a top or heat or wipers or any of that useless stuff.

As the OP mentioned, windshield wipers aren't important to him or even necessary for that matter.

[Emurph]

Originally Posted by lippy

I am in the process of building an ERA now. When I started this process early last year, I found it enormously helpful to see as many Cobras as possible in person. They all look similar in photos but there are several large and small differences you will see in person, and you can decide what's important to you. I also found that my initial list of wants and needs changed dramatically, and (unfortunately) so did the price of the project. But I'm not planning on building a ton of Cobras in my life, so I really tried to get it right the first time.

Awesome! Congratulations. What made you decide on the ERA over the others? What type of power are you going with? Did you go to cobra events to see the different ones? I can really see the value in seeing them In person. I'm not in a hurry and also want to get it right the first time. I bought a 69 Camaro ss/rs from the internet after looking at a million on line but should have seen More in person. Expensive lesson learned! Thanks!

[henrik]

I have had my Backdraft with a Roush 427 EFI and T-56 magnum for 3 years now - I would go Backdraft any day.

Given what you ask for I would suggest:

1) A new Backdraft with a coyote + blower from Vintage... it will give you more than you can handle interms of power and is solid (or skip the blower and get even more "trouble free" car.
2) find a used Backdraft in the right colour... you can always change engine later...
OR
3) Go all the $$$ way an get a Backdraft with Keith Craft 482 FE EFI...

Remember all the Brands are replicas ... Backdraft has slightly more leg room and has BMW M to control the power :-)

what ever you choose...
- read in here for 200 hours
- try out different Brands
- be carefull... it will try to kill you!

regards
Henrik

[lippy]

I saw some at a ClubCobra NoCal breakfast and in showrooms (e.g., SF Sportscars), and some of the FFcars and ClubCobra members were nice enough to invite me over to see their cars. Once I saw them in person, I narrowed my search to ERA, CSX, and Kirkham as the looks and quality of those three really appealed to me. The main reason I'm doing this project is to do it with my three small children, and the only one of those three that you build yourself is ERA, so I went with that. I've been building it for about a month now, and I'm very happy with the quality and customer service of ERA. If I were to buy a pre-built one, price independent, I think my order would be Kirkham, then ERA, and then CSX. BTW, Brent at B2 is building me an all-aluminum (Pond block) 427/482 solid roller FE. I considered FastEFI 2.0 but ultimately went with a carb. More details here Lippy's ERA #797 build log. PM me if you want to chat.

[Emurph]

Originally Posted by henrik

I have had my Backdraft with a Roush 427 EFI and T-56 magnum for 3 years now - I would go Backdraft any day.

Given what you ask for I would suggest:

1) A new Backdraft with a coyote + blower from Vintage... it will give you more than you can handle interms of power and is solid (or skip the blower and get even more "trouble free" car.
2) find a used Backdraft in the right colour... you can always change engine later...
OR
3) Go all the $$$ way an get a Backdraft with Keith Craft 482 FE EFI...

Remember all the Brands are replicas ... Backdraft has slightly more leg room and has BMW M to control the power :-)

what ever you choose...
- read in here for 200 hours
- try out different Brands
- be carefull... it will try to kill you!

regards
Henrik

From what I've seen so far online I like the Backraft, vintage has a great site and I am 6'2" so a little extra leg room might be nice? I saw the Coyote engine option which I thought was really cool. And would sure be trouble free. But something in me wants a real 427 and I think the EFI would add to the reliability. Vintage has a few nice options.
Thanks