There are many good choices for power out there, a cammed LS7 or the recent hemi's pretty impressive. I made my motor decision back in 2010 and went with an all aluminum dart 427w, for me the sweet spot between SB and BB. Since then the options for power have really opened up, God Bless America for the recent muscle car boom! About the only Ford BB I would consider would be a cammer, particularly if I knew I was running up against some chevy BB's ;)

Big Block Ford
 

You would be out to lunch with a Cammer unless you want it for appearance only, the Big Block Chevys will eat it alive. You need to get a Kaase Boss 9 if you want to run with a modern (good heads) big block chevy.

800 HP out of a pond block is not bad but I don't doubt the big chevy's make more. In a cobra I could live with an all aluminum cammer, 1/4 mile really isn't my thing.

Back when I was in high school, we always said a Chevy was like an arshole - everyone had one. So yes, there were millions upon millions made.

There are lots of people my age trying to relive their glory days and getting a 60's 70's car. Since there were so many Chevy's, it seems reasonable that there favorite car would be a Chevy a little more often than the rest.

A small block Chevy is a well designed engine, and has to be one of the easiest engines to build. Tons of parts available for it. Tons of inexpensive parts available too. My son built a 383 stroker for a friend to run on a dirt track for under a grand. He warned him that the cheap parts were junk. That inexpensive cam shaft broke into and destroyed the entire engine. The point, is when you buy good parts, not much difference in price between a Chevy and a Ford.

From my point of view, you can build a Ford engine for a Cobra that will make as much power as you could ever want for about the same money as anything else. Unless you have a compelling reason to use something other than a Ford engine, your a fool to put anything else in a Cobra. Some areas of the world, it is difficult to use a Ford engine, do what you have to. Some people have decades of experience and parts from racing XYZ brand, hey stick to what you know, if you want to. So why do I say your a fool without a good reason, because when you try to sell it, most people are going to deduct what it will cost them to put a Ford drive train in it, from the price they are willing to pay. Not everyone, but most. Not to mention how many rude comments your going to get, and you cannot whip everyone who pi$$es you off.

That said there is a Turbo charged Buick V6 in Chicago that comes to Lundon Ohio every year, and we all love it. I never heard anyone say anything bad about it. Partly because it is very fast and quite unique. A V10 Viper engine is neat to see. There is one bad small block Chevy that we all respect. It's Ok to do, but I wouldn't recommend it without a good reason, and the more unique the better if you do.

I think the days of paying homage to the original are diminishing with time. Exposure to different builds has a way of changing public perception, throw in kit car/replica and what platform do you think you're standing on to justify a ford :)

Is it just me or are you simply trying (by means of polls, being a provocateur, etc) to justify what you have?

You seem to 'have it out' for FEs, 15" wheels...and originality in general.

Just be happy with what you've got. If we all loved what we have better, we'd all be a lot happier ;)

Hmmm... interesting point.

I have only one contention - I love what you got... and I couldn't be happier;)

Just sayin'

Never been too concerned about the resale side of it... suppose if I ever deside to sell it (not likely) I could throw a Ford crate motor in it. I change motors and transmissions about as often as I change socks anyway.

Haha. Thanks, Dimis. Are you finished with yours, yet?

lol, we're on the same page. My last post is a good example of me not justifying what I have. Heck, I even started the "Let's See Your Chevy Powered Cobra" thread. Why? Because the chevy guys catch an inordinate amount of chit from some of the ford guys, I happen to like 'em all.

"Just be happy with what you've got. If we all loved what we have better, we'd all be a lot happier"

Amen to that, my comment had to do with olddog's comment below. May have been true in the 90's but not so much these days from what I see. Quality of motor build will dictate selling price, not motor brand. No need to snub non-ford builds under the umbrella of resale value, younger generation buyers are already jumping all over the latest in high tech motors, who makes it is inconsequential.

Hp
 

1000 is certainly within reach normally aspirated with a single Dominator BBC, who said anything about drag racing, we are talking horsepower. Everything I own except for a boat is Ford powered but you have to be realistic when it comes to engine design.

Well, I was talking HP in the context of these cars as street drivers and the occasional drag strip run. Seems to me 800-1000 HP would belong in a cobra whose forte is the drag strip.

New engine lands next week... Scheduled to be fitted 2 weeks after that...
So effectively, forever a work in progress :o
Thanks for asking.

FWIW:
My choice of engine was simple - FORD because we all know that's how it was in the 60s.

I'm not against other engine choices, they just weren't for me with this build.

When I build me my second however, I'm most likely to put an electric motor in it. Tesla style. ;)
I'm just waiting for the technology to advance some, and the bank balance to recover :o

I think AL427SBF and OldDog both have a point.

From what I can see attendance at SAAC events seems to have dropped over the years. I don't know if membership has dropped. This could clearly be an indication in dropping interest in the "Cobra" as to it's history and interest/concern in Cobra authenticity and accuracy. However, there will always be a segment of the "Cobra" hobby and enthusiast pool that will retain a keen interest in authenticity, provenance, accuracy and history. To those people the accuracy of a correct BB or SB in a Cobra replica is paramount. As more and more "replicas" stray farther and farther from aesthetic accuracy those remaining aesthetically correct may actually have a higher and higher value to those that seek them out.

What strikes me as comical is that as the recipe of new wave "hot rod builders" as they like to refer to themselves stray father and farther away from what a Cobra really is and was how these guys also continue to self servingly refer to their "creations" as "Cobras replicas" which they are not. "Cobras" they clearly are not. These builders continue to further diliute what the Cobra is and was but continue anoint the creations they build as a "Cobras". Ridiculous.

Case in point: Does a square tube chassis car, with inboard rear brakes, BMW suspension components, digital gauges and a Coyote motor even qualify as a "Cobra replica". I know what SAAC definition is of a Cobra replica but isn't there a point where a hot rod having nothing in common or even remotely replicating the original functionally except a plastic Cobra shell doesn't even qualify as a Cobra replica. Isn't it bastardizing the entire concept of a "Cobra replica". Isn't the basic proposition of building or buying a "Cobra replica" to replicate to a large extent or at least to some extent what the Cobra was? Isn't there a point reached where it is more akin to a one off "hot rod" with a shaped plastic body shell merely mimicking a Cobra shape on it or a "T" Bucket with a fake Cobra shell. Substitute a Chevy motor for the Coyote motor and its even more ludicrous to refer to such a vehicle as a Cobra replica more less a Cobra. It becomes a joke. It has absolutely nothing in common with a Cobra or even an honest Cobra replica that seeks to be even half ass aesthetically correct. Nothing. It's it a farce?. It's not even a fakeydoo. Where an owner or builder does nothing to recreate what a Cobra was except put a plastic shell on a chassis that looks like a Cobra how should that be considered a "Cobra Replica" more less a Cobra.

Hey, if the anything with a Cobra shell qualifies as a "Cobra replica" or even a "Cobra" (significant distinction between the two) I will get a Cobra shell from Street Beasts and remove my daughters VW body and make her car a Cobra.

Where do you draw the line?

What's next, putting a plastic Cobra shell on a "T" Bucket, Camaro, VW, Fiat or Mercedes will qualify as a "Cobra". What a joke. :rolleyes:

I don't know what to call those cars but they qualify as neither a Cobra replica or Cobra in my book. :rolleyes: To refer to them as such is a farce.

You want to build a "hot rod" with a Cobra shell that has nothing in common with a Cobra except it's shape then at least have the decency not to call it a Cobra. Call it a Hot Rod with a Cobra shell on it.

It reaches a point where it's BS. Really. :rolleyes:

lol, buried in there somewhere is my earlier point exactly ... Exposure to different builds has a way of changing public perception, throw in kit car/replica and what platform do you think you're standing on to justify a ford.

Now if we're talking continuation cobra from SAI, then at least one can make the case that you have the OEM pedigree to justify a ford, and yes resale will reflect that most assuredly.

Real 1, that is a lot of BS coming from a guy Genuine Shelby Replica. And the first real Cobra came with inboard brakes, And New Genuine ACs come with Chevy engines. So those of us with HotRods that are shaped like a Cobra will just enjoy the ride while you memorize your little book and complain about the dissolution of the Cobra breed.

Uh, actually it's reality not BS. Whats BS is guys with cars having absolutely nothing in common with a Cobra except it's shape running around referring to their cars as Cobra replicas or even worse as "Cobras.

The fact that "genuine" AC as you refer to them are putting Chevy engines in their cars doesn't change what I said. Assuming they are genuine AC's (which their pedigree seems somewhat cloudy) at least they have something in common with the original car and some connection to it i.e. comparable chassis and some historical connection. So with a Chebby engine it's a Cobra replica gone bad but at least it makes some attempt to replicate the Cobra to some degree although going horribly wrong with it's engine bay mix up.

Yes, I do have a genuine Shelby replica. Damn straight. Websters and the facts establish that clearly. SAAC further makes it's genuiness clear as a Cobra. The current production Shelby Cobras are the only cars that qualify as genuine replicas (Websters) while at the same time being genuine Shelby Cobras. No other car can make that claim. Based on Websters no other car even quailfies as a replica or rises to that level. Its SAAC that raises all others to the level of replica based on the evolved common usage of terms.

Yes, you do have a hot rod with a Cobra shape. Correcto. Thats all it is. Period. No argument here. According to SAAC its a kit or Cobra replica if it has the shape of a Cobra regardless of chassis, brakes driveline or running gear. Just don't exaggerate it and refer to it as a Cobra. Now if your car does not even a scintilla of evidence that it duplicates a Cobra other then shape maybe it doesn't or shouldn't cross over to the Cobra replica category. Jeez...Give us something. So if your chassis is an MG, driveline of a Fiat, brakes of a lawn tractor then Maybe give us correct gauges, switch gear, seat belts, brake resevoirs, alternator, regulator, distributor, overflow tank, puke tank....something that duplicates the original car. If there is NOTHING how does that even enter the relm of being a "replica" even by SAAC's standards?

If your car is a Chevette with Cobra shell is it still a Cobra replica? Would this car still qualify as a "Cobra replica" based on the SAAC definition. Are guys with Spf's with correct running gear, ERA's, Backdrafts, FFR and others that made some effort to have their car at least give some nod to the original OK with a Chevettobra also being a "Cobra replica" viewed equally as qualifying for the same catagory as their car? Hey, I don't realy give a rats pututty. I'm just asking since based on what I own I don't have a dog in that fight.

Cheers.

Cobra engine
 

In that case a good LS would do the job better than a Cammer and have about 200 lbs less front end weight. I think replicas are great because you can drive them and enjoy them. Why tie yourself to old designs with poor geometry and dated engine design. If you like the basic shape and fun to drive (read danger factor) have at it and make it what you want it to be. If I were doing a replica I would really go after weight reduction and a super stiff chassis with good geometry, that would be really fun to drive and still look "right" to folks as you drive by. If you are into sitting in lawn chairs at car shows then you can really go after original detail, but to me the fun of these cars is in the DRIVING.
I do not understand making an exact replica but who am I to criticize someone who is building something that they want. It is all about what makes you happy in the car world.

Like I said earlier ...

Real 1 , you must have a PH.D in Cobralogy. Because you PILE . it HIGH. and DEEP.