Sensible horsepower for a cobra,

[Iain]

Hello all,

I am new to the forum here, and would like some advice on the most sensible horsepower for a cobra. Hopefully it will get some talking about the so many different options of a cobra kit car

Was originally aiming for Porsche cayman speeds, of around 5 seconds to 60 and 165 mph top speed
but I have my eye set on a 427 sbc circa 650 hp further down the road.

So I have a number of questions relating to the above:
What horsepower levels would I need to achieve these numbers?
What is the ideal engine for a cobra for handling, daily driving, with some track time
However, what is the best level of horsepower to be introduced to a cobra?

Does anyone have any ideas, about the best kit car out there?
Factory five - I like the crash sturdy chassis..seems better than all the others I have seen
Dax cobra -have a new chassis though..
New Cobra Spaceframe Chassis

kirkham and other high end cobras make bespoke parts so I gather they would be hard to repair if you had an accident?

5.0 - 289 light weight but limited in hp, a good starting motor?
5.7 - seems ideal weight balance
427 - too big? too much heat?
427 small block - more modern sounds ideal

Chevrolet vs ford? -Chevrolet is much cheaper, but would a custom block be better like nelson racing?
Stock vs strokers - strokers rev faster?
Dry sump vs wet - is dry really necessary for occasional track use?
Multi stage oil pump, are they necessary for track days,

Best gearbox for 350-460 hp and 600-650 hp
Best transaxle for these power levels - was considering a stage 3 tremec tko 600 for the higher levels

Are there any models out there which support traction control or abs, lsds? - I know they aren't supposed to have them, but with higher horsepower levels it would be nice to have some protection, rather than have it tricky to handle and not enjoyable. The idea, was to have a scaled system where it can be turned down then off, and or/the engine with three settings, for the hp output, to make it more manageable on the street, and max power for the track.

Ideal fuel tank size?
Is 100 litres going to effect handling- I have heard of le man style tanks that are huge, 42 gallons but most kit cars dont have that size tank? is there a reason why?

thanks

Iain

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by Iain

Hello all,

I am new to the forum here, and would like some advice on the most sensible horsepower for a cobra. Hopefully it will get some talking about the so many different options of a cobra kit car

Was originally aiming for Porsche cayman speeds, of around 5 seconds to 60 and 165 mph top speed
but I have my eye set on a 427 sbc circa 650 hp further down the road.

So I have a number of questions relating to the above:
What horsepower levels would I need to achieve these numbers?
What is the ideal engine for a cobra for handling, daily driving, with some track time
However, what is the best level of horsepower to be introduced to a cobra?

Does anyone have any ideas, about the best kit car out there?
Factory five - I like the crash sturdy chassis..seems better than all the others I have seen
Dax cobra -have a new chassis though..
New Cobra Spaceframe Chassis

kirkham and other high end cobras make bespoke parts so I gather they would be hard to repair if you had an accident?

5.0 - 289 light weight but limited in hp, a good starting motor?
5.7 - seems ideal weight balance
427 - too big? too much heat?
427 small block - more modern sounds ideal

Chevrolet vs ford? -Chevrolet is much cheaper, but would a custom block be better like nelson racing?
Stock vs strokers - strokers rev faster?
Dry sump vs wet - is dry really necessary for occasional track use?
Multi stage oil pump, are they necessary for track days,

Best gearbox for 350-460 hp and 600-650 hp
Best transaxle for these power levels - was considering a stage 3 tremec tko 600 for the higher levels

Are there any models out there which support traction control or abs, lsds? - I know they aren't supposed to have them, but with higher horsepower levels it would be nice to have some protection, rather than have it tricky to handle and not enjoyable. The idea, was to have a scaled system where it can be turned down then off, and or/the engine with three settings, for the hp output, to make it more manageable on the street, and max power for the track.

Ideal fuel tank size?
Is 100 litres going to effect handling- I have heard of le man style tanks that are huge, 42 gallons but most kit cars dont have that size tank? is there a reason why?

thanks

Iain

Hi Iain.
Welcome to the forum. I see your post is several months old....I just stumbled across it, looking for something else. Firstly, are you still around the place? Secondly, probably a good starting point, what is your budget for a build?
Cheers,
Glen

[LMH]

You're shooting for a better than 5 second 0 to 60?
Basic off the shelf crate small block and 3.5 rear end gears.
Weight is what its all about and it doesn't take much in cars like these.
Larry

[Dwight]

I'll jump in with my opinion

I have small block making 400 rwhp, fast, tires are the problem. Car weights about 2350 lbs without gas and driver.

I get to drive my buddies big block Cobras, 461 to 482 ci FEs. 600 to 620 flywheel hp. Very Fast, they never run out of steam.

I think 600 flywheel hp is just right for a 2400 lb Cobra.

Gas tank. I have a 17 gallon tank and get 20 miles to the gallon. Three hours of driving and I need to get out and stretch. I have driven to the London Cobra Show, 535 miles one way, for the last 9 or 10 years so I know a little about long drives in a Cobra. Good seat is very important. Most Cobra seats are back killers.

Dwight

[CowtownCobra]

He used the words sensible and cobra in the same sentence

[KVenom]

Originally Posted by CowtownCobra

He used the words sensible and cobra in the same sentence

Tee Hee!