New member close to getting Kirkham

[TNTaylor]

I have been stalking this ClubCobra board for almost a year, and now that I am within 2 months of taking delivery of a shiny (polished) new Kirkham Cobra, i thought I would introduce myself. I am a serious car enthusiast, had and have many sports cars, but never a high HP car!!

So here is what I am getting: a Kirkham 427 Street, polished body. Some specs are intended towards originality in street cobra's, such as no roll bar, no stripes, no hood scoop, street configured dash, glovebox and door pockets, etc. Other features pfay less attention to exactly a street Cobra, such as really gorgeous billet door hinges, under mount but side exit exhaust, Avon tires, etc.

As for engine, I am getting a Shelby Engines 427 FE stroked to 468ci, with aluminum block, heads, flywheel, etc. I am told it weighs 20 lbs less than an original iron 289! Supposed to dyno around 550 hp, 580 tq.

The wait is killing me!

[MFE III]

Sounds kinda mediocre
Nonetheless, be sure to post pics

[Igofastr]

Sounds like a great spec.

You just don't see that many "street" 427s, so it should really stick out in a crowd...well, being polished might contribute to that, too. Be sure to post some pictures.

I miss my Kirkham almost every day. Great car (except for constantly blowing the fan fuse...but, I imagine the boys have figured that one out by now)

[dallas_]

That sounds amazing!

I think that's what my street car wants to be when it grows up.

[Cashburn]

Sounds like a good starter car.

[MRGEORGE077]

Congratulations! Sounds like it's going to be a sweet ride. Please post photos as you do the build. What color are you going to paint it.

[blown871]

yup agreed.. starter car.. or something to just let your mom borrow when her car is in the shop.
--

GOOD GROCERIES!!
AWESOME!!

.. oh and with out pix.. we don't believe you.

[twin turbo]

Welcome to the madness!

[maurice19]

TNT,
Congratulations on your choice of options.
I like the side exit exhaust a lot for a rowdy street look.

Maurice

[TNTaylor]

Thanks for the comments guys! I will definitely post pix. One question I'd like feedback on is the color of under car, side exit exhaust. Options I see are ceramic coated in black (most subtle), stainless/unpolished, or stainless/polished (most obvious). In this exhaust configuration, other than where pipe exits in front of rear wheel, there is a small amount of exhaust pipe and muffler that shows under car. In order to keep the bottom line of body as "clean" and visible as possible (what I like), I am thinking black ceramic. Thoughts??

I would really appreciate pix anyone can post of under car/side exit exhausts.

Thanks

[rodneym]

Cut to the chase with a great car...and options.
Good move.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by TNTaylor

Thanks for the comments guys! I will definitely post pix. One question I'd like feedback on is the color of under car, side exit exhaust. Options I see are ceramic coated in black (most subtle), stainless/unpolished, or stainless/polished (most obvious). In this exhaust configuration, other than where pipe exits in front of rear wheel, there is a small amount of exhaust pipe and muffler that shows under car. In order to keep the bottom line of body as "clean" and visible as possible (what I like), I am thinking black ceramic. Thoughts??

I would really appreciate pix anyone can post of under car/side exit exhausts.

Thanks

My personal preference is that any exhaust exiting on the side should be black, thus not "interfering" with the profile of the car. Although if I had a street car built, then I'd have the exhaust exiting to the rear of the car in a 427 street car configuration.

[TimG427]

What tires are you going with? I have the Billboard Good Years on mine, but I also have a set of Firestone radials 235 front and 275 back. I'm anxious to try the radials out.

[TNTaylor]

I am certainly not intending to be a purist but I am trying to minimize branding on my car, particularly where I can't find or don't want original equipment. For example, I have heard the price of Smith gauges is high and reliability low, so I have asked Kirkham to supply their own (warranted) gauges, but without the Kirkham branding.

Plus, I have a tricked out Lotus Elise so I pay a lot of attention to handling and David K said he thought that Avons excelled in handling, and they have no white letter branding. So Avons it will be.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by TNTaylor

I am certainly not intending to be a purist but I am trying to minimize branding on my car, particularly where I can't find or don't want original equipment. For example, I have heard the price of Smith gauges is high and reliability low, so I have asked Kirkham to supply their own (warranted) gauges, but without the Kirkham branding.

Plus, I have a tricked out Lotus Elise so I pay a lot of attention to handling and David K said he thought that Avons excelled in handling, and they have no white letter branding. So Avons it will be.

I had a Kirkham gauge go bad and it was replaced w/o question at no cost.

And Avons will be my next tire. They're DOT-approved and V-rated, last I remember, and are considered by most to be the best available tire for our Cobras that run 15" wheels.

[Hawg4Fun]

i vote black on the exhausts too, i just pulled mine to have that done leaving just the last 6 inch turn thats seen as polished ss ( should have done when built but...)
anyway your in for a treat , IMO Kirkhams are the best handling Cobras ever built

[Jamo]

Avons...don't even think about anything else after spending good money on a Kirkham.

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by Jamo

Avons...don't even think about anything else after spending good money on a Kirkham.

Your prefered size please sir?

[TNTaylor]

I am getting 245/60/15 front and 295/50/15 rear

[TNTaylor]

Hope it comes through ok!