newbie looking at superformance

artanis · #1 (**permalink**) 06-30-2004, 07:58 PM

First off, I would like to say this is a well organized website.

that said,

I am looking into buying a superformance mkiii, but I am partial to chevy engines. I particuarly like the world castings 454 sbc. I have two of them already. One in a 57 chevy post, and one in a 32 ford highboy roaster. It's a monster. the 57 dynoed at 473 rwhp. and 478 rwtq. plus, it's a reliable engine too. I use the 57 daily and travel with it every few months. Ive had the 454 in the 57 for a year and a half and the only problem ive had is having to adjust the carb for altitude when i drove to sedona AZ. roughly 3000 miles. however, fuel economy is not one of its strong suits. it'll average 6 to 11 mpg.

anyway, I would like to know if swapping the motor mounts would be a daunting task. I know nothing of ford engines so i'm going to need some advice so i can decide weather to drop in the engine myself or get sombody to do it for me. thanks in advance.

Street Stalker · #2 (**permalink**) 07-04-2004, 04:13 AM

First of all i must say im a ford person. I dont want to affend any bowties out there, but i dont think the 454 is a very impressive motor considering other choices out there. Im in the process of planning out my kit and struggled with the idea of a 460. its 140 lbs. heavier than a 302 but u get 500 hp straight from ford in a stock motor for around 5000.00. Mpg is all in ur gearing and tranny a simple 6 spd will fix the mpg. after researching the 460 and 302 i feel i will end up with a stroked 302 long block from DSS for 3400.00 the parts are very reasonable for the motor and if power is needed a simple pro charger upgrade can easily be done. jus my 2 cents

tpiini · #3 (**permalink**) 07-04-2004, 07:24 AM

Hey Kevin,

I too am a recent convert. After 44 long years on this planet I finally bought my first Ford (Cobra) last week. I've only toyed with Chevrolets until now. Quite frankly, I probably did so because it was easy. Just about everything interchanges in the bowtie line, whereas the Fords take some book reading to figure out what will go into what.

To answer your question, certainly a BBC can be put into a Superformace. If I'm not mistaken, it's smaller dimensionally than most of the BBF's that the Superformance is designed to hold.

But before you make your engine choice, consider the weight. I thumbed my nose at a few small block Cobras until coming to grips with my senses. I ended up buying one with a 289. The car is just so light that I think a small block is a better choice, except, of course, when you're parked with your hood up.

To add perspective, my very sensibly modified 454 Stingray will only turn a 12.20 quarter. My "little" 289 Cobra has made only one quarter mile run and it yanked a 10.93 out of its hat! Of course, the 289 is a little more high strung than the 454.

I'm guessing that you're a die hard big-block guy, judging by your other two cars, and quite frankly, two weeks ago I'd have been right with you in wanting a 454 / 502 / ??? in a Cobra. If you're a hood-up guy, I'd say go for it. If you're a driving guy, anything with 8 cylinders will make you smile in these lightweight cars. I think that it mostly comes down to whatever you like best. There will always be those who will chastise you for putting anything other than a Ford engine into a Cobra. But if you do some research, I think you'll find that Carroll Shelby originally approached the powers at Chevrolet for an engine in his little A.C. idea. They balked so he went to Ford for support. You could always argue that your BBC Superformance is what he REALLY wanted to build!

Tom

artanis · #4 (**permalink**) 07-04-2004, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by artanis

I particuarly like the world castings 454 sbc.

SBC. it's a smallblock, not a big block. I know, its a mind boggler. here's a link.

http://worldcastings.com/new/feature0307.shtml

artanis · #5 (**permalink**) 07-04-2004, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tpiini

My "little" 289 Cobra has made only one quarter mile run and it yanked a 10.93 out of its hat!

Just under 11 seconds!!! with a 289!!!.

I'm planning this cobra of mine to be a daily driver. and I think a 289 would be plenty now that I think about it.

How much power are you making?

tpiini · #6 (**permalink**) 07-04-2004, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by artanis

Just under 11 seconds!!! with a 289!!!.

I'm planning this cobra of mine to be a daily driver. and I think a 289 would be plenty now that I think about it.

How much power are you making?

I'm not really sure. I didn't build the engine and I just recently bought the car. It has very little power under about 2k and really doesn't smooth out completely until 3k. Then it pulls well up to 8k, where the rev limiter kicks in. I've got a pile of receipts for engine parts, but I have yet to sift through them. More than the engine though, I think the gearing is what makes this car go. The guy I bought it from said it has 4.56 gears and I've got a Tremec 5-spd. I also haven't gotten under it to spin the rear to confirm the gearing, but I have no reason to suspect otherwise.

justbetter · #7 (**permalink**) 07-04-2004, 10:51 PM

Though you might be interested, i have the new Superformance MK111 and put a nice new Gen 111 Chevy 5.7 with the T56 6 speed in and still had some room left so fitted a blower too, ( just for fun )
and ended up with a Cobra nearly 50 / 50 balanced, nice and light and 552 RWHP.

Whooo Hooo.

BMK · #8 (**permalink**) 07-05-2004, 05:30 AM

Garrett

My 18 year old neighbour has spent $6,000 on the engine of his Mazda rotary and its just ran 9.51 down the quarter mile.

Tells me there's a high 8 sec. pass in the car once he gets to sort the tree out and get reaction times right.

Hell, no matter what we spend on our Cobras these kids will p!ss us off at the lights. All in a stock looking rotary that owes him under $10,000. (Aust)

Now, when it comes to the corners that's another thing.

Oh well.

Bernie

justbetter · #9 (**permalink**) 07-05-2004, 03:30 PM

Too right Mr B.

Any one can get them to go straight, its the go straight, go fast, brake fast, corner fast, go straight, brake fast, corner fast, go faster compnation that will up set any rocking rotary.

That what we all love about the Nationals.

Street Stalker · #10 (**permalink**) 07-06-2004, 06:01 AM

i dont care who pulls next to me. the cobra has the lightness and the power to stomp most and thing you run in to, and if you do get beatin which doubtfully id like to pull over and see what theyve spent there money on. as for the hood up at a car show i think anyone would be impressed with a modified 302 that can do a low 9 in the 1/4

BMK · #11 (**permalink**) 07-06-2004, 06:35 AM

Hey Garrett

Now I know all this brake fast, corner fast, turn fast, go faster etc. etc. is in the driveway at home. I have heard from your neighbours. Sell the house and move againnn

Look forward to seeing you guys up at the Nationals. I am sure there will be a few you will leave in the distance.

Perhaps these guys on the 'Thread' here should head over to the 'Australian Forum' and see what you 'Dark Side' guys are up
tooo..

Cheers

Bernie

BMK · #12 (**permalink**) 07-06-2004, 06:42 AM

Street Stalker

Just watch the pedal. My first encounter saw me do a 360.

I now ease into it.

That rotary looks like sh!t but goes like hell. Now I have no problems with him.

He loves riding down the street to get milk and papers with me. I find him leaning on the Cobra when I come out of the shop with one or two young ladies talking about the Cobra.

Just wish I had the Cobra when I was his age.

Good luck with your choice of Cobra there - keep working on it, keep searching for the one you are happy with.

Cheers

Bernie