my first disgusted spectator - Page 3

henrik · #41 (**permalink**) 05-22-2010, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatBuckley

You put a WHAT in your Cobra?

hmm... I had to google BBC

As an European my first choice was LS7 (or LS9) - for Power and emission... ended up with the Roush 427 8 stack EFI for the look.

I'm not anal, but I too have "limits" - it is after all a replica...

Most important for me is to keep it as close to the original, but also take advantage of evolution... - hence a mean street car (why I would NEVER put a stereo in

)

Excaliber · #42 (**permalink**) 05-22-2010, 09:36 AM

It's pretty typical for folks outside the USA to put a wide variety of motors under the hood to meet their countries various legal requirements. I have the distinct impression that even in these countries a Ford engine still gathers a ton of respect. It's the best choice if the law's and the budget allow for it, not always the case depending on the country.

In the USA it's easy to run a Ford. You can run a Toyota engine if you want, or make it a front wheel drive Honda with 24" wheels if thats your thing. But you do have a choice, unlike in many other countries where your options are limited.

When I see some of the Austrialia builds I sure admire the ingenuity and work it takes to over come those legal parameters. Like catalytic converters in the side pipes, for instance. There is some serious attention to detail in many of these foreign replica builds.

Chevy in a replica Cobra here in the USA? Pfffttt, piece of cake, no challenge there, no extraordinary "points" for ingenuity. Woulda, coulda, shoulda don't cut it. Shelby went with Ford and AC. It could have have been Austin Healey and Buick, Oldsmobile (an engine Shelby favored as well) or Chevy. It could have been a lot of different combinations, it wasn't. When the smoke cleared it was AC and Ford.

BBfangs · #43 (**permalink**) 05-22-2010, 11:15 AM

I think it is up to the owners ultimate goal as to the best choice for them concerning replicas, it is what they want out of it. I am all for American muscle, which includes Chevy, Ford, AMC, Pontiac, etc. I wouldn't like to see a Honda in an American muscle car but it would be the owners choice. So, Excaliber, are you saying that the engineering (personal design)that goes into a replica cobra, just because it is chevy based and not what was originally matched up gets no respect?

CobraEd · #44 (**permalink**) 05-22-2010, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Excaliber

Shelby went with Ford and AC. It could have have been Austin Healey and Buick, Oldsmobile (an engine Shelby favored as well) or Chevy. It could have been a lot of different combinations, it wasn't. When the smoke cleared it was AC and Ford.

As I understand it, Shelby went to Chevy first, but they turned him down.

I think that if "Chevrolet" were not french, it would be better accepted by the Cobra community.

.

Excaliber · #45 (**permalink**) 05-22-2010, 11:42 AM

Gets no big amount of respect from ME, I can take it or leave it, or move on to the next car at the local cruise in, whatever... Just not my cup of tea, could be worse though. It could have neon lights under the side pipes that blink on and off to the big base speaker booming out in the trunk.

Put some FE style valve covers on that BBC, now that would be interesting, I would certainly pause to look as I passed by and scratched my head. Extra "points" for ingenuity.

Jerry Clayton · #46 (**permalink**) 05-22-2010, 11:45 AM

We build a lot of muscle era engines for many very dyed in the wool straight laced enthusisants---they really turn pale when in our conversations I lead them into a trap about how 100% brand loyal they are to there brand and then point out that most likely the only oem parts in there engine are a camshaft thrust plate or possibly a couple of special headed bolts

My favorite saying over the years has become---the crankshaft doesn't know what the valve cover says ---

Why do the Everette-Morrison cars have the most unusal choice of engines???usually because the 4 in frame is most like original and the C4 vette aluminum suspension is so highly developed and the owners want the cars to PERFORM on the road or track, not setting at a car shw with the hood up

Jerry Clayton · #47 (**permalink**) 05-22-2010, 11:48 AM

Sorry Ernie--I was typing that while you were so It isn't a comment at you about the valve covers

Excaliber · #48 (**permalink**) 05-22-2010, 01:02 PM

No problem Jerry. Much of what I consider appropriate for a replica has to do with the overall look and feel of the end product. If you want to seriously go racing there are a bunch of choices, none of which appeal to me. JBL, for instance, heckuva a race car, looks put me off. FFR is a good choice, hmmm, I'm not a big fan of the perky butt syndrome. I had an Excalibur, the longer wheel base always bothered me.

This time around, my third replica, I wanted something that was close to what it was really like, "back in the day." Thats why I specifically went with a side oiler and then built it like you might find one typically built "back in the day". Solid lifter, OEM iron heads, OEM alloy intake, IRS, top loader. Specs very much like you could find then. I just wanted to experience more like what it felt like back then. I do miss the easy maintenance of the 302 in the Excal, but that was then, this is now.

I recently put a 5 speed in it, but don't tell anyone.

patrickt · #49 (**permalink**) 05-22-2010, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Excaliber

I just wanted to experience more like what it felt like back then.

Then you need to "fix" it so that it unexpectedly breaks down when you're out in the middle of nowhere and so that it overheats a lot when you're in traffic.

Excaliber · #50 (**permalink**) 05-22-2010, 02:20 PM

Hey, THATS why on some days I miss the simplicity of the Excalibur.

Trust me, it's "just like an original" in all the ways that tend to piss me off.

dcdoug · #51 (**permalink**) 05-22-2010, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

Then you need to "fix" it so that it unexpectedly breaks down when you're out in the middle of nowhere

Don't you and your Tremec have that covered for us?

patrickt · #52 (**permalink**) 05-22-2010, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcdoug

Don't you and your Tremec have that covered for us?

You know, on Friday I was marvelling at how nice the Tremec's .64 5th gear along with the 3.54 rear is. There is a huge difference between 2000 and 2500 RPM, noise-wise, in my car. I was way out on I-66, at the beginning of the mountains, doing a conservative 70MPH in the sunshine, hardly anyone on the roads, and at 2000 RPM the engine was downright quiet. I could even drop down to 1800 or so without any misbehavior. It was very, very relaxing. I would absolutely, posively not trade my .64 for either the .82 or a Toploader's gears... so long as it doesn't break, that is.

dcdoug · #53 (**permalink**) 05-22-2010, 02:46 PM

How would the .82 with a 3.31 compare to that (which is my set up)?

patrickt · #54 (**permalink**) 05-22-2010, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcdoug

How would the .82 with a 3.31 compare to that (which is my set up)?

With a 26" tire diameter, those ratios equate to 71MPH at 2500RPM.

dcdoug · #55 (**permalink**) 05-22-2010, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

With a 26" tire diameter, those ratios equate to 71MPH at 2500RPM.

My tach shows I'm turning closer to 2000 RPM @ 70mph. Maybe a touch over that, but not 2,500.

patrickt · #56 (**permalink**) 05-22-2010, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcdoug

My tach shows I'm turning closer to 2000 RPM @ 70mph. Maybe a touch over that, but not 2,500.

There's several Speed/RPM Calculators on the 'net. You can double check me, but I'm pretty sure a 3.31 rear and the .82 5th gear gives you 2500 RPM at 70 MPH. But I could always be wrong....

dcdoug · #57 (**permalink**) 05-22-2010, 03:33 PM

Your right. So I either wasn't looking closely enough at my speed or rpm or I have a .64. Although dealer said it was a .82.

Great Asp · #58 (**permalink**) 05-22-2010, 03:38 PM

In town here I belong to Fords Unlimited and at our shows and events it is ONLY FORD POWERED FORDS. I've seen the members really treat people bad cuz they brought a Brand-X powered Ford.

To each his own, but I would not want to see a Y-motor or a flat head in a Vette either. I wouldn't raise a hissy fit though..

I am REALLY tired of SBC powered street rods.... For God's sake doing SOMETHING with some imagination!

E

patrickt · #59 (**permalink**) 05-22-2010, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcdoug

Your right.

Yes, that phrase should become a "sticky." I'm betting your speedometer is just off. I use my tachometer as my speedometer -- the tach is very accurate. Use a GPS to check your speed. You can check your rear by rotating the tires while it's jacked up. I guess you could check your 5th gear by peeking in to the fork hole while you did that too.

Excaliber · #60 (**permalink**) 05-22-2010, 04:59 PM

They have an annual "all Ford" powered show in Honolulu, BUT, subject to room available they will let a few non Ford powered hot rods sneak in. Parked WAY in the back though.

They also have "Camaro" only shows, so it's all good.

Yeah mine is .82 with 3.31 and I'm running 2500 at 70 mph (corrected with GPS). As MY motor does NOT like dropping below 2000 rpm I had little choice but to go with a .82. It sure is nice, even though the rpm drop is not nearly as significant as a .6 would be. Works well for my setup.