Small block Chevy in a cobra?

[Thor maine]

Well I just had to say something! AC cars Ltd back in the day at least 2 Cobras left their factory with Chevy engines, FACT! They used Ford engines but were not required to, if a customer wanted a Chevy they got a Chevy in their COBRA from the factory. And today AC Cars what ever that means now uses GM LS engines. And a former Shelby mechanic back in the sixties who later went on to build his own Cobra kit car told me that back in the late sixties and early seventies as a privateer racer the trick was to pull the 427 ford and put in a 427 Chevy because as a privateer you could afford to race and win or race and blow a motor and with a Chevy you could afford to be out racing the next weekend and with a Ford sideoiler , well who could afford that with out factory sponsorship?? So a Chevy in a COBRA is not without precedence.

[blykins]

Originally Posted by Thor maine

Well I just had to say something! AC cars Ltd back in the day at least 2 Cobras left their factory with Chevy engines, FACT! They used Ford engines but were not required to, if a customer wanted a Chevy they got a Chevy in their COBRA from the factory. And today AC Cars what ever that means now uses GM LS engines. And a former Shelby mechanic back in the sixties who later went on to build his own Cobra kit car told me that back in the late sixties and early seventies as a privateer racer the trick was to pull the 427 ford and put in a 427 Chevy because as a privateer you could afford to race and win or race and blow a motor and with a Chevy you could afford to be out racing the next weekend and with a Ford sideoiler , well who could afford that with out factory sponsorship?? So a Chevy in a COBRA is not without precedence.

My first statement would be, prove it. Let's see some documentation. Hearsay doesn't count, because I'm sure there have been all kinds of stories passed down over the decades.

Second statement is, if an AC car came with a Chevy, that's all fine and good, but that's not the same as building a Shelby Cobra. Show me a CSX car with a Chevy engine.

[Thor maine]

Originally Posted by blykins

My first statement would be, prove it. Let's see some documentation. Hearsay doesn't count, because I'm sure there have been all kinds of stories passed down over the decades.

Second statement is, if an AC car came with a Chevy, that's all fine and good, but that's not the same as building a Shelby Cobra. Show me a CSX car with a Chevy engine.

Yes you are right AC Cars Ltd had nothing to do with the building of the Cobra and the AC 289 that was sold in Europe and the rest of the world is a completely different car , how stupid of me! How could I had made such a mistake? I am more of the AC built the car , Shelby turned into a world champion race car! A COB or COX will do just fine!

[blykins]

Originally Posted by Thor maine

Shelby turned into a world champion race car!

With a Ford engine.

[Thor maine]

Originally Posted by blykins

With a Ford engine.

And Chevy/GM engines they have never have never won anything??? ( Because I have read that GM powered cars have more titles than all other manufacturers combined, FACT)

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by Thor maine

And Chevy/GM engines they have never have never won anything??? ( Because I have read that GM powered cars have more titles than all other manufacturers combined, FACT)

Dude, I enjoy your enthusiasm, and banter... but that's just NOT true. Unless it was in one form of series.

I'm not a Ford, GM, Hemi, or other fanboy, I just don't care about badges. That said the TRUTH is FORD are the only manufacturer that have won open class races at every level. From F1 to oval series, to rally, to touring car, to truck series, to drag racing, to LeMans to... you name it.

The brand, to their credit has an enviable and unparralle level of achievement in that space.

[peterpjb]

My question is:

are there any reasons to put NOT a Ford 289 into a small block Cobra?

It is one of the most produced, most reliable, winningest and most affordable high performance engines ever.
It has history, prestige and is the ONLY original engine for a small block Cobra (apart from a 260).
It is pretty available at every corner (at least the sixbolt ones) and you can install some real originality into your car.
It was and is used in many racecars as Cobra, GT40, TVR Griffith, Mustang and many others and destroys six figures Ferrari V12 Colombo engines whenever they meet until today.