Hi guys, new owner quick question

[artisticent]

I just picked up a Cobra built in the UK and it has a ford 289 in it with carbs. And an automatic ford c4 tranny.
I hate carbs and i am planing on changing out the whole drive train by buying a donor. If i think about the resale of this, could I buy a 1992ish mustang 5.0 and transplant everything. I should say would that be a good idea for resale? What do you guys think is what most guys would want to see in the car if you were gonna spend between 20-35k for a complete one?

Thanks for the input.

[olddog]

Are you in the UK? Where are you located?

Not knowing the maker of the car doesn't help much either.

Is this a 427 body or a replica of a small block car?

As far as engines go, the original SB cars had 260 and 289 engines, and the BB cars had 428 and 427 engines. For value the closer you stick to the original the better. In reality there are more 5.0 block engines stuck in 427 body replicas than there are 427 engines, and even more 351 Windsor blocks (based on the London Cobra show over the years).

Putting a stock 5.0 in a Cobra is pretty boring by most standards and would not impress very many potential buyers. It would work just fine, but it is not a strong engine. As far a resale value goes, I do not think there is a hill of beans difference between the 289 carb and the EFI 5.0. It's personal preference. Replacing the auto with a manual will be a step up in most minds.

Some people like fuel injection, some don't. You see more carbs. EFI is much more expensive to install. You start modifying the engine to make decent (400 Hp) power and you end up replacing just about everything to supply enough fuel to it.

Here is a free tip. The 94 & 95 Mustang have a totally different control strategy in the ECU, and it requires much more skill to tune, with engine modifications.

[olddog]

Originally Posted by artisticent

I just picked up a Cobra built in the UK and it has a ford 289 in it with carbs.

You wrote carbs with a (s), as in more than one. How many and what type?

If this thing happened to have a set of Webbers on it, they may be worth more than the rest of the car.

You need to understand what you have or you may replace top shelf parts with far lesser parts.

[artisticent]

Thanks for the reply guys. A little more info and a couple pics.
Yes I am in Moorpark, CA 93021. I say its a UK built cobra coz its a right hand drive and its british racing green in color. The seller had a history of cobra book and this car was modeled after a cobra on one of the first pages of the earliest cars. The biggest difference i see is the front fender flare is different than the smoother flare of today that starts from the top of the fender.

The reason for the question of the carb is because it idles at 2k on idle in park which causes the car to jump hard shifting it in to reverse. after driving it a little it idles in drive around 1k but will die at a stop. I know the engine itself is very sound. Compression excellent and trans very good.

[artisticent]

Its a Pilgrim kit. 100% to scale (claim)

[artisticent]

QUOTE FROM WEBSITE:
The Pilgrim Sumo is one of the most successful kit cars of all times. Early versions were based on the mechanical components of a Ford Cortina.

I am not sure on the specs of the chassis but im afraid that i may be limited on upgraded rear suspension, drivetrain ETC

[Bartruff1]

It is sure purty.... I think the Old Man hisself had a small block Cobra with a automatic...

[PSB]

Putting in a donor drivetrain would be a really bad idea resale value wise. If you want fuel injection there's lots of options - MassFlo, EZ Fast EFI, etc.

Pete

[artisticent]

Thanks Pete...I'll look in to those. I feel like going touel injection will solve any "running poorly" issues.

[JBCOBRA]

Welcome Artisticent.
Maybe just get it tuned up? I will bet for very little cashish you can get your car running purrrfectly.
Just a thought.

[Clois Harlan]

for around $550 you can get you a 650 Quick Fuel Carb with an automatic choke and you would truely love your Cobra. Check with Summit Racing or talk to Brent Lykins at B2 motorsports. Brent is a great guy that will not steer you wrong.

Welcome to the club and be sure and drive it!!

Clois Harlan

[Dwight]

idle at 2000, it needs the carb tuned would be my guess.

I love fuel injection but it will cost you a lot to convert to FI.

Stay with the carb and get it tuned.

I have own and work on a couple of Cobras with auto's. Hard to sell a Cobra with a auto.

Dwight

[artisticent]

Clois Harlan--thanks for the tips, ill hit em up and get their opinion.
Dwight---yeah, I asked the PO what the couple people's remarks were after seeing it and passing were. he had said that they would want to convert it to manual. any idea what tranny and pedal assembly i would want to look for??

Nathan

[olddog]

That is a lot nicer car than the thread tittle and first post had me picturing.

Leave the 289 in it. Start by either replacing or rebuilding the existing carb. Sounds like you do not know much about carbs, so take it to a good tuner with a chassis dyno. You should be able to do this ~ $1000. Much less if you can do most of the work yourself. You will spend north of $3500 converting to EFI and you will still have to have it dyno tuned to get it right.

Once the engine is running in tip top shape, then decide if you want to swap out the auto for a manual. I would, but I wouldn't be in a big hurry.

[artisticent]

Thanks OLDDOG, at first when I saw the car I thought something was off and I was reluctant to buy it. After more research I realized that the differences were body related due to it being a kit molded from an early cobra. Its not quite as TOUGH as the newer style cobras. After some more research and time I came to really appreciate the look of the car and became fond of the Englishy feel of it. But I always consider the resale value and desirability, so converting it to manual and improving the cooling system are important to me

[vatdevil]

What model carb is it? I would agree with others, try tuning what you have first, assuming its a decent carb and the proper size.

[Dwight]

I would tune the carb and drive it. There are two Cobras with autos in our group. I have driven both and I did own one for a couple of years. They are a pleasure to drive.

Ditto on OldDog's comments


Dwight

[Frank Messina]

A huge vacuum leak could cause a high idle although I doubt 2000 RPM's. On the other hand if the choke is stuck on the high step of the fast idle cam that could cause your problem as well. Very easy to check/fix.