Soo many cobra and .......

hross14 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-19-2003, 06:50 PM

Folks i am new at the Cobra business and i have been/am talking to anybody i can about cobras. I am looking for a durable car that also provide exceptional performance. For the most part i narrowed it down to 2 cars ERA and SPF. However i have been looking at other cars and well frankly do not know what direction to go. What (if any) is your input on other kits in comparison to SPF and ERA. So far from my research i feel that ERA and SPF are the way to go. ANyways input (technically and opinion wise) would be great. Thanks Henry

TerrysSPF · #2 (**permalink**) 03-19-2003, 08:47 PM

Henry: You can't make a bad choice with either ERA or SPF. Both are top notch cars and you would be happy with either.
....Just don't tell the folks on this forum what you want to put under the hood. May God be with you if you do!

Excaliber · #3 (**permalink**) 03-19-2003, 09:38 PM

hross14,,,
Ok, spill it. What kind of motor you gonna run so we know which "camp" to put you in. The Crankoids (SB) or the Gasholes (BB) for openers. Maybe a nice little V6? Yeah, we got some of them too. Psssst,,,,,some guys actually run 4 bangers! Can you imagine????? Ha ha.

Ernie

hross14 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-20-2003, 08:27 AM

Well it will be motivated but it will not be under-muscled. I am going to put a LS1 (LS6 options) W/T-56. Fuel injection and all. BUT this will be MY car and i do not see myself selling it in the near future or distant future. Other than that the car will not undergo anyother RADICAL changes and i will have a 351 built to slap in it if i ever do decide to sell it. But "imagine a world where you have a 1850lbs car with a 400-450lbs engine...thats 2250-2300 pounds and 400+poines and decent gasmilage. Cant beat that hey. Well anyways i think that i will aim for for the SPF overall.

Excaliber · #5 (**permalink**) 03-20-2003, 09:36 AM

uh oh,,,,,potential Crankoid,,,,,,,,Chevy engine,,,,,,,,dark side,,,,,,,

Ernie

hross14 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-20-2003, 10:48 AM

what the heck is a crankoid LOL DArk side....yes i do have a Dark complextion

E-M_Z06_COBRA · #7 (**permalink**) 03-20-2003, 11:19 AM

DO IT!!! Hell ya man! i know of one more person who has that set up. Its a awesome way to go. what type of ls1 motor you planing to use? F-body? Y-body? Truck? If you need any help, or if you have any questions, just send me an E-mail I would be more than happy to help out.

Excaliber · #8 (**permalink**) 03-20-2003, 11:28 AM

ERA or SPF with a Chev motor??? Anyone ever heard of a Chev motor in an ERA? In an SPF? That would be very very rare if at all.

Ernie

hross14 · #9 (**permalink**) 03-20-2003, 11:29 AM

WEll i was thinking about the LS1 from an F body but then i was going to add the PACE Performance LS6 kit. I will save your email for future reference

Russ Dickey · #10 (**permalink**) 03-20-2003, 11:37 AM

I personally think that Chevy-powered Cobras are heresy. I mean, Chevrolet had their chance to power the snakes in late '62, but Zora and the other bow-tie execs told poor Carroll to pi$$ off.

Please don't sacrifice a perfectly good SPF or ERA with a brand-x powerplant. Instead, get yourself a "COBRETTE". Here's the link:

http://www.vipercarparts.com/kits.html

hross14 · #11 (**permalink**) 03-20-2003, 11:47 AM

WE must all remember that we are not driving original cobras. As far as originals go i think that they should stay original. As for a "BOY AND HIS DREAM" this seems like a very nice set up. Do you know of any ford engines that will perfrom the same (i.e. weight, compactness fuel economy) as the LS1?? for roughly the same price? i cannot think of any. IF you didnt want to ruin a cobra then i guess we would all need aluminuim bodies etc....

hross14 · #12 (**permalink**) 03-20-2003, 11:57 AM

What is the difference between putting a Chevy in a cobrett and putting i one in a SPF/ERA?? This will be my custom car and it will take alot of blood sweet and tears to make it a reality. Already got a second job and refied my house (FYI best way to carry debt). i will probably be the youngest guy in cali driving a Cobra that BOUGHT it himself. Dont be made i will probably let you test drive it at a funtion sometime LOL. However, i do appreciate the comments and welcome more...if you have technical and or build quality issues related to different replica/kit cobras they would be even more welcome like what do people think abou the Back draft...etc... iwould really like to hear about other kits also and why people think the strong and weak points are of the various cars.

Russ Dickey · #13 (**permalink**) 03-20-2003, 12:04 PM

Hoss:
I see your point with regards to originality, and respect that. But can you imagine a '63 Grand Sport replica with a 4.6 DOHC '03 Cobra motor in it???

I personally feel that the differences in the LS1 won't make your car perform any better than a Ford powered Cobra. According to the books "How to build your Smallblock Ford", and "How to build your Bigblock Ford", a complete smallblock from the Windsor family (260-351) weighs roughly 425 lbs. An complete FE big block weighs roughly 525 lbs. With modern aluminum heads, you'll shave 50-75lbs off either of those weights. By way of comparison, Fords new engines are a quite a bit heavier. The 4.6 SOHC weighs 600 lbs, and the 4.6 DOHC weighs 500.

Either of the Fords can easily put out 400-450 horsepower. And gas mileage? Is that really a concern? Be honest...

Excaliber · #14 (**permalink**) 03-20-2003, 12:06 PM

It would be financial suicide to put a chev motor in an ERA/SPF. Just isn't done. While your at it, use an automatic trans! A combination like that would guarentee minimal re-sale value, if you could sell it at all!

How 'bout a small block Ford in a 67 Vette? That would be "interesting". You think it would impact re-sale value, or inspire "off the wall" comments? Some combinations of car/engines just don't belong together, replica or not.

Like a Kirkham 427 body style with a Ford 289 or 302, heck even a 351, it just isn't done! And don't even THINK about using a Chev motor in THAT car!!!!

You could, it would be YOUR car YOUR way, but it would be financial suicide if you ever wanted/needed to sell it! It wouldn't be long before you would figure out you should NEVER open the hood in "public" (unless you like verbal abuse).

Gotta have a Chevy? Get an Arntz/Butler Cobra, FRR, Hunter, heck any number of builders, but not ALL builders. Choose the manufacturer wisely.

Ernie

flipper35 · #15 (**permalink**) 03-20-2003, 01:17 PM

MIne is a Shell Valley with a small block Mopar. Most people wouldn't know one engine from another (except my manifold says Mopar). It must be a young guy thing. Go for it.

hross14 · #16 (**permalink**) 03-20-2003, 01:21 PM

Yes it is in some respects (Sorry i m a democrat) This will become my everyday (almost) driver and therfore i am thinking a little green.

Sizzler · #17 (**permalink**) 03-20-2003, 01:34 PM

Didn't I see some news item of $4+/gallon gas in California recently.

I'd go with the EFI LS6 especially as there is no current equivalent offering from Ford that would provide the same ease of installation and maintenance and power. What, an EFI 302? The LS6 would romp it. We're talking factory EFI, right? Servicable at any local GM dealer? The only new engine from Ford that might be considered is the 5.4l, but it's HUGE x HUGE x TALL.

You're building a street rod. There's no originality involved with the engine by this late day and age. Put what you want in it and drive it, most important point, put something in there that you'll actually drive.

hross14 · #18 (**permalink**) 03-20-2003, 02:20 PM

i will take you advice and second that . Not actually the price of gas is at 2.15-2.30. That really sucks though when you consider that my truck only gets 17mpg at best. I am pretty confident that (less 1100lbs) this setup will give me exceptional power and when wanted decent gas milage. o.k. then i have decided that i will put a LS1 (LS6) w/ T-56 in my SPF. I will keep you updated and tell you how it is going. Currently i only have ~10k and by my calculations it will cost me roughly 43-46k. i guess i cant go out to lunch anymore LOL

B/Stock · #19 (**permalink**) 03-20-2003, 03:41 PM

hross14

Good luck on your project. I am looking for a Cobra myself. You say your a young guy and think resale doesn't apply in your case. Let me tell you that resale always applies and should be be a big factor in your decision. You never know whats around the corner.
Personally I think the LS1 is a great engine (have one in the Vette) but I wouldn't touch a LS1 equipped Cobra at any price. Why would you want to take 15k or so off the value of your car?
Good luck whatever you do.

hross14 · #20 (**permalink**) 03-20-2003, 03:45 PM

Money, funny that you should mention that but it is my business...i am an accountant and sometimes you just need to stop thinking about money and remember that you cant take it with you.