Thanks for all the input, but now I have more questions....
HAL and WILF, you both mention the elec valve acts as a one-way valve, and HAL also about the extra
oil in the pan at idle. Now I'm wondering how long it takes to fill the Accusump after a pressure differentiation. For example, if my engine idles at 50psi hot and runs at 60psi at 3000rpm, during highway driving my engine and Accusump will be stable at 60psi. If I pull up at some traffic lights and the idle
oil pressure drops to 50psi, the Accusump will immediately dump some (all???) of it's 3 quarts into the engine in an attempt to restore the 60psi pressure. When this doesn't happen, wouldn't the Accusump immediately "recharge" itself at the current pressure, and fill itself to a stable 50psi pressure? If that's the case, isn't the
oil pan right away at the same oil level as when the car is cruising along the highway?
WILF - I could flush 3 quarts of oil down the toilet just to check, but you know how touchy those damn greenies are...
RICK - I was thinking just the same thing today while I was measuring up the car. I really don't have a lot of room for my elbow behind the shifter. I've mounted the elec fans in front of the radiator, and that has cleared enough room for the Accusump above the crossmember. If I do go with the manual valve (with some long distance road-racing in mind), I will definitely go for something like the T-Handle you mentioned.
McFEZ - The way Cranky praises you, I wouldn't have thought that you were capable of punting your Cobra off into the infield. You're human after all!!!!!
I see what you're saying about the flow restriction over the length of the hose, and after trying to blow air through 5ft of hose compared to 1ft, I know what you mean.
HAL - While I do like the idea of prelubing, I'm most interested in saving my motor from hurting itself on the racetrack. I do have a Canton road-racing pan with the 4 trap doors and windage tray and crank scraper etc, but I remember Richard Hudgins JBL mention that his cars still see oil surge with these pans. Now, I can't claim to have a patch on a JBL car, but the fact is that these pans aren't a total solution (as also witnessed by Tom T.), so I'm happy to spend a few more dollars to save my bearings/crank/conrods. I have a lot more than a couple of hundred dollars tied up there, so it's cheap insurance. Oh, and I'm with you - I like to have all the bells and whistles on the car!
TOM - I'm glad to hear that the Accusump has been effective for you also. It makes it easier to spend the $$$ when you know that others are happy with the product.
ERNIE - It's been a few months now. Isn't it time another Cobra sat in your garage, or are you waiting to take delivery of the Kirkham raffle car?!?