How much torque is honestly to much?

[Pman1961]

I know what most of you will say....that you can never have to much hp or torque and I'm an ole muscle head and truly understand. But realistically what is the limits of the SPF other than the transmission? Such as Dana differential, half shafts, etc. When would you say that you've reach that point that you have to baby the pedal to keep from boiling the tires. I currently have the 351w 385hp but I am seriously considering going stroker or possibly just update my heads with Keith Craft Brodix heads cutting down to get compression around 10:1 and a little more cam. I've seen improvements of up to 470hp and 430 ftlbs of torque with similar combinations. Would I be happy or would I wished I'd build that 427 dart block 550hp and torque? Keep in mind this car as long as I own it will never be tracked. I just want to get my nuts off even more than I do in its present configuration. Thanks!

[stuartb]

I have over 500hp and i think it was supposed to have over 500tq. 1st gear almost impossible not to get a little sideways, 2nd pretty difficult also can't just hammer it. So if you just added a little tq youd probably be happy.

[FUNFER2]

When you get on it at a stop light, and you flip it backwards .

[patrickt]

I've always felt the "sweet spot" for torque was right around 500 ft/lbs with a nice flat curve that comes in early and holds strong out to 6000 RPM.

[Pman1961]

Thanks for the responses so far and it is about what I expected....Fun, fun! If I do any mods I just want to make sure that I don't say 'I wished I had'. I've had some serious powerplants in the past but the cars were constructed to handle it. My brother always buys the motors I've had in previous vehicles and I tend to build my next motor a little more potent than the one I sold him. However, the last motor I sold him was a 434 sbc that is 550hp and torque right up there with it! Sounds like fun and maybe a little much in the Cobra because if you can't hook up you're just burning tires. Keep the comments coming!

[kobrabytes]

I have a Kraft built 427 FE (527 CI). Produces 687 ft lbs of torque and 699 HP, seems just about right.

[Ibr8k4vetts]

Originally Posted by kobrabytes

I have a Kraft built 427 FE (527 CI). Produces 687 ft lbs of torque and 699 HP, seems just about right.

But can you use it?

[Pman1961]

kobrabytes...I want to go for a ride and feel the insanity!

[lovehamr]

My stroker 462 will be going to the dyno in a couple of weeks. If it pulls less than 500 I'll be disapointed, if for no other reason than bragging rights!

Steve

[Pman1961]

Steve...I don't know your engine combo but as far as torque goes you should be pulling 500 ftlbs and more right off the bottom. I've heard the saying 400 horse is all you need in a Cobra and anything else is bragging rights. I like the bragging rights idea! Keep us posted

[undy]

I'd say 600+ lbft is pretty sweet..

btw... I use it enough to put a non-reuseable twist in a set of Ford 9" axles
That's 100% street use too, zero track time.. Then those 315/35/17 E/T ET Street drag radials do hook..

[Mdman352]

Originally Posted by undy

I'd say 600+ lbft is pretty sweet..

btw... I use it enough to put a non-reuseable twist in a set of Ford 9" axles
That's 100% street use too, zero track time.. Then those 315/35/17 E/T ET Street drag radials do hook..

Thank you very much!!! Street drag radials DO hook. NO comparison to a conventional tire being used on these cars. My car, from a slow rolling start will smoke 'em through 1st gear and halfway through 2nd, but then it starts happening real fast as the tires hook. Haven't broke anything or twisted an axle but I'm trying
I have 470 HP and 585 FT. in a 9:1 427 (454) FE motor and it is very streetable. My last motor sounded great at 10.5:1 but loaded up in traffic, ran REAL hot, and was getting 4-6 MPG. Consider the use of the vehicle and go from there. 99% of the time we are on the street and for the occasional "get it" moment 500 HP may be more than enough.

[RICK LAKE]

Pman1961 P there are alot of things that you have not thought out. Cobras have had everything from twin turbo SBF to Blown BBC with 1,000+ HP. Alot also depends on how the Frame is engineered. Weather the body is a control member on the chassic for twist and bend. Drive train, unless you are looking at a Quickchange or Franklin rear assembly which will handle 750+ hp and torque and want IRS, Only choices are Jag rearend which stock is good for 450/450 torque and HP. This is with street tires, no slicks, autocross gumballs. A 200 wear number or higher. On the Jag reaend the only way to make it better is to go to a 30 spline carrier, chromemoly stub shafts, a girdle for the carrier caps, Jack plate to support the bottom A-arm mounts, Tie bar from one side to other. and have it setup by a PRO. This will get you into the 600/600 club. IMO this is about the limit that the main case will live with. The traction issue is next with having the car plant and take off and not get tire shake and have the rearend start banging. Transmission also has it's limits with HP and torque. Right now the TKO 600 is the choice here. It's about 500-750 dollars cheaper than a Superstreet Richmond. I have raced my 6 spd richmond on and off for the last 8 years, still works fine. It ratings are only 450/450 HP and torque. My 452 was 448 on torque. The new 482 is 550+ of torque and a little over 500 on HP. I have gone to a G-Force clutchless for racing. Ratings on 800+ on HP and torque. Plan down the road is to build a 498 with a little bigger cam and push the 600+ of torque and 560HP limit and still be very streetable to drive. 500/500 is what some of the orginial drivers said about the SC cobra and it's limit for power. It has been pushed up another 100 on each side. A PRO driver adjusts quickly to the car, 90% of the guys here are in the middle of the driving ability chart. This includes myself. I have not found the new limits yet on the 482, I am not really looking either. With better components for our cobras, wheels, tires, and driving schools, I think that 600 is about the limit. The side note is to treat a cobra like a loaded gun, with RESCEPT and you will get along fine. Start messing around and you will find out how fast this car can turn on you. Ask some of the guys on the forum that have totaled there cars from being foolish I am advancing my cam 2 degrees to kill some of the torque in my 482 motor. Live within your LIMITS and DON'T WORRY about how much you have under the hood. Some guys are very happy with 250HP and 300ft of torque. The funny thing is we will all arrive at the same place within 5 minutes of each other. This is not BULL RUN. There are no winners, just enjoyer of the trip. Rick L.

[Bryan Wilson]

Like the statement in my signature when it doesn't matter what gear your in you have enough torque
cheers,
Bryan

[Wayne Maybury]

I have a 351W, .030" over for 357 cu. in. It was dynoed at 472 hp and 442 lbs of torque. The torque was basically over 400 lbs across the full rpm range so this engine is always ready to go. Having said that, with this amount of hp and torque with only 357 cu in, it is a little bit of a beast to drive in traffic. A 500" motor with the same hp and torque will probably be easier to drive on the street. I have to watch my rpm because it will buck if I let the revs drop too far. Of course it will immediately break the tires loose in 1st or 2nd if I stomp on it.

Will I change the engine? Probably not. Would I prefer a 351 stroked to 392, 408, or 427? Sure I would but I am not willing to spend the money just so that I can say that I have a bigger engine. As it is, on the street I cannot use what I already have 99.9% of the time.

Wayne

[SP01715]

Originally Posted by Pman1961

Thanks for the responses so far and it is about what I expected....Fun, fun! If I do any mods I just want to make sure that I don't say 'I wished I had'. I've had some serious powerplants in the past but the cars were constructed to handle it. My brother always buys the motors I've had in previous vehicles and I tend to build my next motor a little more potent than the one I sold him. However, the last motor I sold him was a 434 sbc that is 550hp and torque right up there with it! Sounds like fun and maybe a little much in the Cobra because if you can't hook up you're just burning tires. Keep the comments coming!

The motor in my SPF is a 434 ci Roush motor. dynoed at 561hp / 548tq. I changed the carb so I am probably making a little more hp than when it came from Roush, but it is about the same as the motor you are describing above. I love the motor in the SPF, but it is almost impossible to hook up. I am thinking of going to some drag radials on the rear for some more traction. Even though it is probably over kill for the street, I would not change anything. It is a great running motor, and has a much nastier cam than the 427R.

[lovehamr]

Originally Posted by RICK LAKE

The side note is to treat a cobra like a loaded gun

Right! Never point it at anything that you don't want to destroy!

Steve

[kobrabytes]

Originally Posted by Ibr8k4vetts

But can you use it?

Never off the line, but once I'm moving it cases quite a stir for the unspecting bullet bikes.

[kobrabytes]

Originally Posted by Pman1961

kobrabytes...I want to go for a ride and feel the insanity!

It does put a smile on your face!

There is another Kirkham owner just about done with his car. He came up and saw mine when I was just finishing up. I hear he has asked Keith to build him an engine with 750 Hp! Ah the fun we have.

[Pman1961]

Wayne I appreciate the response. What are some of the specifics of your motor? Heads, cam, intake, compression, etc. Thanks!