New Member Questions

FeWedge · #1 (**permalink**) 05-23-2004, 09:26 AM

Hi Guy’s,

This is my first post to this forum. I have been in love with Cobra’s since I was a child.This last week I finally realized my dream and purchased a Kirkham.

At this point I am leaning toward building a 472-480+ inch tunnel port with a single 4 duel plane intake and C5-BV carb.
I’ve never run a T-port in anything I own and don’t want to build
something that I will hate latter on because it’s soft on the bottom end! I have a lot of experience with Hi-Riser’s and Medium Risers and know what I can get out of them.

What gear ratio do you guy’s like, 3.31 or 3.54’s? I am going to run a big in and big out Wide ratio toploader.

How about the Smith gauges. Any body had problems with them?

I’ve heard that the mufflers in the side pipes are very restrictive. Has any tried A less restrictive pipe that is not too much loader.

Is there a preference on tires? I personally like the look of the Goodyears and Hoosiers.

I would like to try to minimize the parts mistakes on this car. They can get real expensive real quick.

Any help or comments is greatly appreciated .

Thanks, Rob

Ron61 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-23-2004, 09:55 AM

Rob,

Welcom to the club and congratulations on the Kirkham. I can't help much with most of your questions as I can't afford a Kirkham. (Wish I could), so Pat, Turk, Jamo, and the rest will have to help you on most of those issues. As for the tunnel port engine. I had one with dual fours in a car once and the high riser tunnel port intake and hated the thing. It wouldn't run at less than 4500 and was impossible in traffic. I took it out and sold it to a racer. But I think with what you are doing and a single carb. you can make one that will work ok on the street. Some of the guys here are using them, but I really don't know how much traffic they drive in and if you plan to do more crusing than racing, they can tell you the best setups.

Ron

The Dreamer · #3 (**permalink**) 05-23-2004, 10:22 AM

Rob,

Welcome. First, you probably posted in the wrong area for a Kirkham buyer, but Bob has been very helpful to all.

On the rear end, I was going to go with a 3.23 rear when I was thinking of going with a wide ratio toploader. I'm now thinking I will go with a TKO600 when the actually show up (I'm told monday). With the TKO600, I get an overdrive gear that reduces my cruise rpms. Like Tom K says, I don't think there is a bad rear end choice with that transmission. The 3.23 with a wide ratio will give you good cruise rpms and with a big FE, low end torque shouldn't be a problem. Traction will be the problem. Here is a gear calculator I like to use:

Gear Calculator

I believe Kirkhams come with Autometer gauges instead of Smiths.

The Kirkhams also provide a couple of tire choices. I went with the Yokohamas. They are at least T rated.

Good Luck on your choices.

Jim Holden · #4 (**permalink**) 05-24-2004, 08:20 PM

Rob:

My first two ERAs were powered by 428cj motors with Doug Nash (now Richmond Gear) 4+1 trans where 5th is a 1:1 ratio. In the first car the rear gear was 2.88 and in the second 3.08. The gears were evenly spaced. My current ERAFIA has a TKO 5 speed and the gears are not as evenly spaced and frankly 5th with the 3.31 rear is virtualy useless.

Jim

computerworks · #5 (**permalink**) 05-25-2004, 03:08 AM

...moved to All Cobra Talk

Excaliber · #6 (**permalink**) 05-25-2004, 03:25 AM

Top Loader, WIDE RATIO, 3.31 gears, done! With all the torque your going to have you MUST AVOID going to a TO LOW overall first gear ratio. Get it TO low and it WILL be useless and result in "annoying" wheel spin when you least expect it!

Get some SERIOUS tires! This is a MUST! You NEED to have serious traction. I like the old 60's style bias Goodyear BIG white letter tires (traction is outstanding)! Bf Goodrich T/A's? Don't even go there!

Single four barrel, (I know I have DUAL fours, what a pain in the butt).

So the sidepipes take up some horse power? You gonna have 500-600, so whats the problem here? The freakin' car only weighs 2500 pounds! Trust me, it WILL be fast, and your ears will thank you. I'm thinking about getting some QUIETER side pipes and if I'm lucky maybe the motor will LOOSE a few more horse, because,,,, well I have enough to totally fry the tires now anyway!

,,,didn't know the tunnel port came in a dual plane model?

Ron61 · #7 (**permalink**) 05-25-2004, 07:00 AM

Ernie,

He said he is building the engine with the dual plane intake. The one that I had came with the dual 4s and a high riser single plane intake. I removed that very soon and went to a dual plane single carb. and then sold the whole mess as I like to drive in town at less than 80 MPH. I had this engine in a 1965 Galaxie and the motor was built as a race engine so it did what it was supposed to do.

Ron

FeWedge · #8 (**permalink**) 05-25-2004, 01:33 PM

Thanks, for the imput.
The duel plane single 4 tunnel port intake I have was a short track Nascar
intake. From what I have been told they only made 6 of them. Not sure
if thats correct but in any case it's a rare piece.
I think if I keep the motor big enough with the duel plane single 4 it should
have some torque on the bottom end. My engine builder is pushing
for a Hi Riser he hates T-ports
I just finished a 454 medium riser with Webers for my 68 GT500 that
made 605 horse and 625 trq. It's a monster.
If I can come close to it I would be a happy camper.
I may be crazy, but I am still leaning toward 3.54's with the wide ratio.

Rob