impure thoughts

[thardin]

Hello all,

I am a new member to this club as of today. I am currently checking out my options for a cobra kit car. I will be building the car myself and have decent fabrication skills. I plan to buy a kit with the intent to race in Autocross events (have never raced). One obstacle is that I am 6'-5" tall.
Anyway, I am looking for some direction. I have been to the ERA factory and am very impressed with their product and the people. I have also checked-out a friends build-up of a FFR kit that he is installing an LS1 and 6 speed into. That is about all for my experience to date, other than reading about them.
The thread tite "impure thoughts" comes from wanting to shoe-horn a 500HP / 600# Torque PONTIAC motor (sitting in garage without a home - sold GTO) into a kit! I am sure some of you are starting to feel ill. I know what I am buying is a reproduction car, but I am more interested in the fact that it is a "kit" that I can introduce my "personality" and "craftsmanship".
I am looking for the following traits in a kit: 1) ability to modify foot boxes to achieve as much room as possibe. 2) ability to set-up and tune car for different courses & events, ie: Autocross vs. Timetrials, etc. 3) Ability to stuff HUGE tread width within the flares (remember 600# torque at 3,000RPM)(straight axle vs. independant) 4) Weight (for racing) 5) Exterior appearance of a true high quality reproduction (love the ERA FIA 289) so people don't immediately dismiss it as a "cheap kit car". 6) Lasty, and least important, is resale value.
Any comments you all may have (other than purists freaking out) which might lead me toward a decision on Manufacturers would be greatly appreciated. I would rather have the 289FIA body style if I coud cram the motor in. By the way, the Pontiac motor is the same size as a 427. Also have concerns about a rear that can handle that much torque.
Thanks in advance for all of your thoughts.

[Hal Copple]

with that much power, your limiting thing is your tire traction, the same issue the rest of us have. I respect the big block Poncho's, and to each his own, but you might seriously think about taking the money from selling your Poncho, and getting something more suitable, ie, lighter, for your replica. You will spend a fair amount of money in custom headers, mounts, and the like, which will go a long way in devouring your savings from using a motor in your garage. Then you have a replica with a non-usual motor.

There will be many many choices you will make along the line, in putting your replica on the road. It is a lot simpler to start with one or the other Fords, and no doubt cheaper, too. For instance, it may be tufff to get your hood closed on that Beastly motor.

But to each his own, and you will greatly enjoy your car. I put about 275 miles on mine in the past 36 hours, i should know.

I honestly feel that it is hard and risky to actually use that much engine in a car as light at the replicas are. You already have a power/weight ratio better than about anything out there.

enjoy your build.

[thardin]

Hal,

Thanks for the response. I will surely consider all of the items you pointed out, as well as anyothers I receive. The pontiac motor is actually a bit shorter (height) than a 427 FE motor according to a chart I have. It does weigh 25# more though. I have had some experience building race car chassis with a friend of mine who has since moved on to a Winston Cup team. Limited experience, but I am very comfortable making minor modifications to the chassis to provide additional room in footboxes, modifying mounts for motor and tranny, and even building custom headers from mandrel bent tubing. I really love the pontiac motors.

The biggest thing I am concerned about is having room in the footboxes to move my size 13 feet on an autocross course, figuring out what rear will handle the torque (solid vs. independant), and finding a manufacturer that sells a "kit" form that can be modified prior to powder coating frame and components. I know FFE and ERA can both accomodate, but not sure which one is the better choice. I would like to deal with someone local to CT as well.

Hal, thanks again for your thoughts and I welcome any others.

[Jake]

I have to agree with Hal about selling the Pontiac engine. It has to be worth a pretty penny for a guy who wants to upgrade his Goat. From a resale position, you will be shooting yourself in the foot by going with the Pontiac. I know of a nice cobra that had a 500 H.P. Olds. in it and the owner could not give the car away. Of course if you just want something different and plan on keeping it forever go for it! Just plan on a lot of extra work on the install and having to fab up lots of extras.

That's my 2 cents, Jake

[Carroll DeWeese]

When you finish, your car will be worth more without the engine than to have the non-Ford engine in it. I say this and I work for General Motors.

Also, I recommend that you check out using the seach function some of the Autocross threads in Club Cobra. If you want the best possible Autocross car, the Cobra is probably not it. If you set the Cobra up for competitive Autocross, it will be virtually undriveable on the street. If you do not mind not being at the top of your class, then you can make it street driveable and have lots of fun at Autocross.

If you want to be the very best in time trials, then you will build and set up your car differently than street driving or Autocross. You might also check out some of the threads on time trials. Many tracks will require modifications to original Cobra specs to race or time trial. For example, the Cobra roll bar will not meet technical specs. You will need a taller, stronger roll bar with a front extention on it as well for passing technical for some uses.

FFR has a kit for a spec racer. Others might be able to suggest other manufactures. Good luck.