Big block or small block?

[greg schroeder]

If the plan is to look at the car and cause maximum confusion for others asking if it is real get a basic FE with old looking valve covers and old fashion fuel lines and stuff. Then you can make jokes about it being a real car along with evasive responses avoiding disclosure that the car isn't an original Cobra.

For me the plan was to go with a nice size engine that didn't kill the budget. I wanted the car to be very streetable cruising or a fricken hammer if the throttle is mashed and be able to make a casual start high 10s 1/4 pass without having to destroy the car launching hard. The Roush 427R stroker Windsor, hydraulic lifters, Victor Jr. intake, Pro-Systems carb and AFR heads seems to be the trick just like many of the packages out there. Get a good fuel delivery system and a set of Drag radials.

If the plan was to go faster, sure go for a 500+ cube big block or maybe a twin or single turbo small block stroker. That would be fun particularly if the engine was built as light as a Windsor.

The bottom line is you just gotta do what you like rather than what others like.

[mdross1]

Originally Posted by greg schroeder

If the plan is to look at the car and cause maximum confusion for others asking if it is real get a basic FE with old looking valve covers and old fashion fuel lines and stuff. Then you can make jokes about it being a real car along with evasive responses avoiding disclosure that the car isn't an original Cobra.

For me the plan was to go with a nice size engine that didn't kill the budget. I wanted the car to be very streetable cruising or a fricken hammer if the throttle is mashed and be able to make a casual start high 10s 1/4 pass without having to destroy the car launching hard. The Roush 427R stroker Windsor, hydraulic lifters, Victor Jr. intake, Pro-Systems carb and AFR heads seems to be the trick just like many of the packages out there. Get a good fuel delivery system and a set of Drag radials.

If the plan was to go faster, sure go for a 500+ cube big block or maybe a twin or single turbo small block stroker. That would be fun particularly if the engine was built as light as a Windsor.

The bottom line is you just gotta do what you like rather than what others like.

No doubt there are a lot of opinions some stronger than others.I found over the years it's interesting asking for advise but invariably you will get many different answers and the reasons for them.In my case knew I wanted a big block,just for the grunt at any speed,and for the unmistakeable look when you open the hood of these fantstic cars.My car was built with one thing in mind and that was to please the owner/builder,ME!!
Could care less what critics have to say,my car has all the things I ever imagined a Cobra could be since the first time I ever laid eyes on an SC.Best thing is I built it in my shop my name is on the title and it's parked in our garage maybe 60' from where I am typing this thread.
So no matter what you choose and what to power it with embrace it,enjoy it to the fullest,never forget we only have one shot at this life we cannot do it over.Good Luck, I for one will be interested in what you choose.MDR

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

Originally Posted by mdross1

No doubt there are a lot of opinions some stronger than others.I found over the years it's interesting asking for advise but invariably you will get many different answers and the reasons for them.In my case knew I wanted a big block,just for the grunt at any speed,and for the unmistakeable look when you open the hood of these fantstic cars.My car was built with one thing in mind and that was to please the owner/builder,ME!!
Could care less what critics have to say,my car has all the things I ever imagined a Cobra could be since the first time I ever laid eyes on an SC.Best thing is I built it in my shop my name is on the title and it's parked in our garage maybe 60' from where I am typing this thread.
So no matter what you choose and what to power it with embrace it,enjoy it to the fullest,never forget we only have one shot at this life we cannot do it over.Good Luck, I for one will be interested in what you choose.MDR

I've been reading all this banter back and forth, spit for spat, and I agree with this guy's assessment. Build what you like, for whatever reason you want, and enjoy your Cobra. If they all were the same, they wouldn't be interesting at all, and If you really didn't want to spend much money, you would buy a Miata.