Anybody installed a 5.0 aluminator engine in a cobra?

[MJJ]

Originally Posted by eschaider

There have been two generations of the ModMotor which Ford has used. The first generation was the original ModMotor and with head changes used continuously since 1992. The second is the current Coyote variant of the engine. The one in the link you referenced is a Coyote version of the gen 1 Daytona Prototype engine that broke everybody's brain a couple of years ago at Daytona in their prototype class.

Both the first and second generation versions of the engine are impressive. The most impressive is the supercharged first generation version used in the '03/'04 SVT Cobras. Those engines with only an aftermarket blower (KB or Whipple) produce mind bending performances while idling at 800 rpm getting 24 mpg and passing California emissions.

The extremely broad and flat torque curve the engine produces is impressive and a lot of fun to drive, to say the least. With a replacement for the stock Eaton blower these engines easily produce more than 600 ft/lbs of torque from essentially just off idle.

Here is a '03 Cobra with the original engine still in the car. The engine has never been removed and never had a valve cover removed. It has an aftermarket 4.0L Whipple blower and it weighs 3300 lbs or possibly a little more.

This YouTube video of the car is a final round appearance @ MIR's NMRA meet a couple of weeks ago, click here => MIR Meet The car is the red '03 Cobra coupe in the right lane. The link should open the video up at the 5 minute 10 second point where they show the final round of eliminations. Of course you can always use a smaller Whipple if you don’t want to go that fast.

Both the first and second generations of the engines produce similar power in supercharged form. The first generation however is much easier to work on. If you have to remove the heads on a Coyote generation engine you need to remove all four cams to get at the head bolts/studs and then retime all four cams when you reassemble the engine. On the first generation versions of the engine the heads come off with the cams in place and still properly timed making reassembly a breeze.

These engines tend to be light for what they are. Fully dressed with a blower they come in at about 450 lbs which gives our cars very nice handling characteristics.

While not even close to period correct they are impressive in both performance and appearance. Physically the engine is as big as a SOHC engine so you get the wall to wall engine effect when you open the hood. I suppose you could argue that is has the modern day DNA of its namesake so it has some redeeming lineage considerations.

All in all not a bad choice for fun, reliability and pure performance …


Ed

Ed

Thanks for the info!

We have an 04 modded Terminator already along with a modded 11GT500 and love it, so I am very familiar with those engines. Torque monsters.

Based on what I have learned and my conversation with Jay at Vintage I am pretty sure what direction I will go. I am going to go with the 11:1 5.0 aluminator. With two supercharged cars I am looking for a N/A car.

I am not really concerned about the period correct look in the engine bay. I know it is important to many but not as important to me.

I do love the look of 15" wheels and GY Billboards though.

BTW - I never see myself putting a top,... even a soft top. Is it a mistake not to order one?

Generally How long does it take from order to have a car completed with engine and tranny installed? 3-6 months? Might need to time this to avoid winter.

Thanks

TAG

[eschaider]

Originally Posted by MJJ

Ed

Thanks for the info!

We have an 04 modded Terminator already along with a modded 11GT500 and love it, so I am very familiar with those engines. Torque monsters.

Based on what I have learned and my conversation with Jay at Vintage I am pretty sure what direction I will go. I am going to go with the 11:1 5.0 aluminator. With two supercharged cars I am looking for a N/A car.

I am not really concerned about the period correct look in the engine bay. I know it is important to many but not as important to me.

I do love the look of 15" wheels and GY Billboards though.

BTW - I never see myself putting a top,... even a soft top. Is it a mistake not to order one?

Generally How long does it take from order to have a car completed with engine and tranny installed? 3-6 months? Might need to time this to avoid winter.

Thanks

TAG

Mine is an SPF, TAG, so I don't really have a qualified answer for a Backdraft. Jualwatt sounds like he is a better delivery barometer.

As good as the Billboards look (and they do) the Avons represent a comparable (some say better) radial solution to the which tire question. The Billboards can hunt depending on your alignment set up, where as the Avons tend to be less sensitive to the hunting issue.

These cars are fair weather vehicles, although some of us have been known to get caught in the rain. As a fair weather vehicle the open cockpit experience is very much a part of the overall thrill. If you are particularly sensitive to the sun use sun block.

If you just want to be complete or have insurance for that unexpected down pour the top will assuage your concerns. If you have not gone to the trouble of sealing up your car in all the places that water can (and will) enter you will be almost as wet with the top up as you would have been with the top down. FWIW at least with the top down your windshield does not fog up on you.


Ed

[951mat]

You might consider talking to Larry Goins at JBL if you're at all interested in a JBL. He's doing Corbras and Coupes with 5.0 modulars. PM me for his number.

Mat

[fordracing65]

The Coyote drops right into a Superformance also, all you have to do is order the roller with Mod Motor Mounts, no fabrication is needed, it as simple as pie...

[MJJ]

Originally Posted by fordracing65

The Coyote drops right into a Superformance also, all you have to do is order the roller with Mod Motor Mounts, no fabrication is needed, it as simple as pie...

Good to know. They are a top shelf company. Appreciate the feedback. I know there is one on eBay right now for 70k.

[fordracing65]

Originally Posted by MJJ

Good to know. They are a top shelf company. Appreciate the feedback. I know there is one on eBay right now for 70k.

I would offer $55,000 and work up form there, 60k max, there are so many great SPF cars out there for 40k to 50k, not with the Coyote but it's not worth 25k more to have that engine over say a Windsor, which I prefer over a Mod motor any day, more power and tg, with great reliability...

[fordracing65]

Also lots of great Backdrafts out there for much cheaper also and I mean much, and it is a great car with great handling and looks, unless your really set on a Coyoyte motor look into a good used one with a Windsor, you won't be disappointed.. I have driven both and owned one, they are both top notch cars... My SPF had a DOHC Cammer in it, if I could have done it again I would have gotten a Windsor and never looked back... I would have bought a used one and saved the money over a new one and had just as big of a smile on my face...