[round_midnight]

I went to Ca Cobra yesterday to make a decision on engines. Armond had both a 351w 400 hp car and a 427 500+ hp stroker car. I rode in both, and decided to go with the stroker. The acceleration is just breathtaking. Also, I kind of like the lumpy idle. It lets everyone know that there is some serious iron under the hood. I will get a Tremec 5-speed with a mid shifter. I really don't like the motion you need use to shift with the reversed shifter.

So, I ordered the engine today from Smeding. I don't know exactly when I'll get it, though. They're waiting on blocks from Ford.

The curious thing, though, is that I ended up deciding to get a different chassis, #187 instead of #205. They were both sitting side by side in the shop, and I noticed for the first time that #205 has the modern-looking gauges with the bright red needles, and #187 has the vintage-looking Autometer gauges. (Both cars have the same color scheme.) I looked at those new-style gauges and just kind of went yuck! I asked Armond if he could swap them out, and he suggested I just get the other car. So I said ok! #187 also has the advantage that it has already had an engine put in it (which has since been removed), so a lot more of the prep work has been done.

Bushwhacker: I rode in your car. Very nice! It makes the most wonderful noise under hard acceleration!