Would you swap it? Why?

[Dennis Mosley]

Hi Guys,

After selling Cobras 1(428FE w/8 stack) & 2(427SO) I started building #3. While in the LONG process of building a "semi-scratch" build cobra, a nice driveable Contemporary Cobra deal came up that I couldn't pass. So now at least I get to drive while I build. The Contemporary came with a 460 and C4 tranny. I happen to have a freshly built (picked up from the machine shop in January) FE motor on a stand sitting between the cars. I also have a Lockwood bell housing, clutch, flywheel and Tremec TKO just sitting there....tempting me. I still need a couple of things to finish it up the motor but it's there.

I have already decided to put the TKO into the Contemporary and get the C4 out. New pedal box is already in place.

Here's my dilemma. Should I buy the bellhousing, flywheel, starter and clutch for the 460 and just mount the TKO behind that or should I just slide the FE in with the stuff I have?

As far as cost it's pretty close because I'm going to have to get new headers most likely for the FE if it goes in the CCX as I'm not sure the ones I have for the other build will work and I still have to buy a distributor and other misc stuff.

Downside to putting in the FE is having to change the motor mounts. If I just put the tranny behind the 460 I only have to modify the tranny mount.

I have to deal with the driveshaft either way.

Yeah, I know, it's a terrible problem to have.

What are your thoughts?

[lovehamr]

I'd put the TKO behind the 460 and drive the wheels off of it!

[Dimis]

Cool problem. Here’s my take.

You bought the contemporary for a reason... seemingly to drive one while the other was in progress.

So if it were me, I’d leave it (the contemporary) drivable for as long as it took for me to finish the original semi-scratch build.

Then of course, once that’s done, I’d move my attention to fixing the contemporary and sliding in another FE.

It’s a WIN WIN all round!

Enjoy.

[1795]

I agree with the prior posts in that, you should go the quickest route with the Contemporary and get it back on the road. You got it to drive, right? Not to be another project sitting in the garage. Drive it and use it as a release for those times when the new project gets frustrating.

[bobcowan]

Have you driven it yet? I would leave it alone for now. Sometimes driving an auto is fun. I wouldn't intentionally build a three speed auto. But since you already have it, drive it around for a while and have some fun. Especially if it has a fun shifter to play with when you want to.

[Racer_X]

I side with just swap the transmission so you can drive the car. Enjoy it instead of getting frustrated because you can't drive it yet.

[Seagull81]

Just get it running and driveable. The TCC Spring Meet is just around the corner.

[Dennis Mosley]

Originally Posted by Seagull81

Just get it running and driveable. The TCC Spring Meet is just around the corner.

That's the main reason it's in the garage. Don't plan to miss this year. After being at the first few and even getting the honor of being the 3rd president, I hate when I don't have a car or even worse...have to work! My rooms are booked and I will be there.

[Dennis Mosley]

Originally Posted by bobcowan

Have you driven it yet? I would leave it alone for now. Sometimes driving an auto is fun. I wouldn't intentionally build a three speed auto. But since you already have it, drive it around for a while and have some fun. Especially if it has a fun shifter to play with when you want to.

I have driven it a little. It had a couple things I needed to fix that were just not done to my liking but it was able to be driven. The gas and brake were so far apart that I literally needed to drive with both feet. That has been corrected along with a couple of other issues. I plan on driving it while I gather the bellhousing and flywheel but didn't really like the auto much at all. It may still be in the car for the TCC meet but will be out and replaced as soon as I can timewise and moneywise swing it. That should be a 1 day project except for the drive shaft that I will have to get made.

I think from the comments it confirms what I was going to do and that's leave the 460 in the car and just swap out the transmission.

[joyridin']

I am a glutton for punishment sometimes, but even I wouldn't mess with that.