Engine Option (Just For Discussion)

[Joe's Garage]

Originally Posted by Thor maine

When I look under the hood of a very well done Cobra replica, Kit, HotRod shaped like a Cobra and I see a Chevy or a Hemi or Viper V10 or a Buick Grand National V6, Mopar HellCat or some other really cool motor , I think " WOW outside the box Let's go for a ride". I look under the hood and I see a Ford motor I think "Wow super cool, let's go for a ride" Its all good just enjoy the ride!

A little tongue 'n cheek for some of the FE guys who preach what the "correct motor" is, what they have of course, but missed the memo on 427 CID, the double standard gets old.

[Rog246]

Originally Posted by Joe's Garage

A little tongue 'n cheek for some of the FE guys who preach what the "correct motor" is, what they have of course, but missed the memo on 427 CID, the double standard gets old.

Crikey mate, the double standard NEVER gets old.
It's used by politicians and the Church, every single day!

[750hp]

I agree with everyone. NO! I DISAGREE WITH EVERYONE!

What are we talking about?

My Dad and I have owned Cobra bodied "whatever we're calling them" cars and they have had:
351W
355 SBC
454 BBC
398 SBF
427 FE

Loved them all.

[blykins]

Originally Posted by Buzz

By your "logic" that you're passing around here, 90%+ of the cars owned by members here are lowly kit cars. Outside of the tiny minority that own alloy bodied "replicas", all of the rest are composite bodied cars with various mixes of chassis, suspension and miscellaneous other departures from the original cars that disqualify them from being replicas. In that case, WTH difference does it make what powertrain we choose when we're all driving "kit cars" anyway?
You decide that engine brand is the deal breaker, but to others it might be wheelbase, stance, appearance, suspension, rollbars or any of a dozen other criteria. Or maybe it doesn't matter at all. Like everyone else you're welcome to your opinion - just don't try to push it as the gold standard criteria of judgement.

I haven't decided anything. I'm just merely making a point that everyone's ego, pride, and mood are not letting them get.

If someone said to you, "Buzz, I'm giving you the task of making a copy of this '67 427 Corvette. I'm going to go buy the engine for it, what do you want me to pick up?" What would you tell them? A Viper V-10?

That's all I'm saying. There are guys in Club Cobra Land that want to try and duplicate the originals as closely as they can. For them, the engine choice (and everything else) should be obvious. On the other hand, there are also guys in Club Cobra Land that are satisfied with not duplicating the originals. For them, they can reach for whatever engine, transmission, rollbar, wheels, etc., that they want and feel comfortable with it.

Frankly, I don't give a rat's booty which side of Club Cobra Land you're on. It's your own prerogative. I'm not here to dog someone's personal choices or opinions, but just make a very simple point.

Now what is a kit car? IMO, if your car came in a thousand boxes and you had to hand assemble each and every part, then you have a kit car. If your car came as a rolling chassis and you had to stab an engine in it, I can't see that as being a kit. The general population (the non-savvy out there) see a kit car as something you bought and put together yourself.....or that '86 Fiero with a Lambo body kit.

[Buzz]

Thanks for clearing that up ol' buddy! So now if I put a supercharged LS in a Superformance roller, you won't call it a kit car, right?

[blykins]

You say potato, I say potato......

[Buzz]

We agree! Out of curiosity though - question for both you and Craft Engines - putting aside Cobra authenticity which automatically gives the FE the nod, what would be your version of the ultimate Ford based build for maximum, cost-no-object street and occasional strip performance in a Cobra-like car? No limit on cost, cubes, induction, aftermarket blocks, etc.

[blykins]

Probably a 385 series engine with an Eliminator aluminum block.

It's just hard to beat a BBF in terms of horsepower potential.

[fastd]

Blykins,

So how high would you get that 385 to rev? Would you stroke it?

I feel like a lighter engine, that revs to 7k, that feels "light" with 450-475 of crank hp and torque is probably perfect for 2600 lbs era Cobras. Some of the other makes in the 2200 lb area could live with somewhat less.

If we compare with today's cars, the best compliment any car can get is that it is "well-balanced". If your sense of balance is a nose heavy 600+ monster that is a beast to drive than God bless.

[blykins]

If you're just looking for 450hp, then the expense of the engine I was referring to would be in vain....

The 385 series engine with the aluminum block, TFS heads, etc., would literally be a 600+ cubic inch engine and would probably make 800 hp very easily...on pump gas....at 6000 rpm.

The beauty of a big engine is that you don't need to stress it hard to make horsepower.

[750hp]

Originally Posted by Buzz

No limit on cost, cubes, induction, aftermarket blocks, etc.

C and C Motorsports 11.2" 4.9" BS block
B441 Hemi heads
800 cubes
Sheet metal intake.
Carbs / throttle bodies - who cares because they'll probably be above eye level anyway..!

Something like this...


We're putting the Chevy equivalent into a street driven Chevelle. At 805 cubes on 93 octane pump gas, it made 1458hp. Detune the Ford Hemi even more and it'll still be a 1000hp motor. Just right for a Cobra.

[Buzz]

Damm - Craig, would that beast even fit between the fenders? I definitely agree the ultimate setup would start with an alloy 385 based block. Dry sump?

Fastd, that engine with aluminium block and heads wouldn't make the car nose-heavy. Iron block 427 cars are pretty evenly balanced front to rear as it is. It could possibly even end up with a small rear weight bias.

[fastd]

Blykins,

So then what would you recommend for 7k rpm engine that is light with 450ish hp and torque?

[blykins]

331/347 sbf....

I could even make a 289 make that kind of horsepower....would be light on torque though.

[Thor maine]

Originally Posted by 750hp

C and C Motorsports 11.2" 4.9" BS block
B441 Hemi heads
800 cubes
Sheet metal intake.
Carbs / throttle bodies - who cares because they'll probably be above eye level anyway..!

Something like this...


We're putting the Chevy equivalent into a street driven Chevelle. At 805 cubes on 93 octane pump gas, it made 1458hp. Detune the Ford Hemi even more and it'll still be a 1000hp motor. Just right for a Cobra.

That looks like something that would be on the TV show "Street Outlaws"

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by blykins

Now what is a kit car? IMO, if your car came in a thousand boxes and you had to hand assemble each and every part, then you have a kit car. If your car came as a rolling chassis and you had to stab an engine in it, I can't see that as being a kit.

Then there are lot of FFR's and ERA's that are kit cars and not replicas, by your definition. And that makes no sense to me. We all have kit cars and replicas. By SAAC's definition and by the definition of most of the states in US, as their laws relate to registration.

How few or how many boxes does it take to move from kit car to replica? Honestly, I don't see your point at all.

[blykins]

Factory Five will tell you they're a kit car manufacturer.

As for ERA.....I was unaware that they sold cars in pieces.

Honestly, right now, I don't care who gets my point or who doesn't. I'm not like Patrick and don't intend to go 20+ pages arguing about a single letter of a word. I know you enjoy that sort of thing. I've got more important things to do.

I explained my thoughts on the matter. I'm done.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by blykins

I'm not like Patrick and don't intend to go 20+ pages arguing about a single letter of a word. I know you enjoy that sort of thing. I've got more important things to do.

Dang, I was just minding my own business waiting to see if RodKnock knew what PASTICHE meant or not.

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by CraftEngines

I can't tell you how many times we get asked the question, "what is the best engine for a Cobra?" I can give feedback on the Kirkhams and Superformance cars we have built in house. I tell most guys it is a personal preference of 302, 351, FE, or 460. Just curious to get some responses from Cobra owners with real world experiences. Our most popular Cobra engines that we most always have going are 427ci Windsors and 482ci FEs. Let us hear your opinion.

Back on topic. For me this is the only choice for a 427 S/C!

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Bernica

Back on topic. For me this is the only choice for a 427 S/C!

It doesn't even have a coil.