Considering a Cobra have some questions

[Buzz]

Well said.

[patrickt]

Incidentally, I have been told, by drivers much more gifted than I, that the Avons, while indeed sticking better than the closest competitor, do have one drawback. That drawback is this: When approaching the limit of adhesion, the Avons give you much less warning, and the break is then more "dramatic." Granted, the limit of adhesion is higher than the competition, however, if you do not generally "drive at the limit," and you are one that may benefit from a little notice and feedback from your tires that "hey, this is as about as far as I can go, buddy, or I'm gonna..." -- then you may prefer another tire that, while not sticking quite as well, lets you know when it's time to ease back.

[Bernica]

Yup. Changing tires is like getting a new pair of shoes...you need to walk (or run) in them a while and get used to them.

[RodKnock]

What a bunch of wimps. The guy drives a 2012 Porsche 911S. His baseline isn't a Nissan Leaf.

[lippy]

Maybe I'm just stupid and lucky. My car peaks at 637 HP/569 lb-ft, but (HP) at about 6,500 RPM. Lately I've gone out on several test rides to tune my carb with a wideband O2 meter. This entails WOT or close acceleration onto the highway for brief periods, and also WOT/dropping two gears on the highway. Yeah, it's fast. But, knock on wood, it's never gotten squirrely. BTW, I've only gotten on the car with wheels pointed straight ahead. I know the car is putting out power. I had it dyno'd and got about 500 HP at the rear wheels.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by lippy

This entails WOT or close acceleration onto the highway for brief periods...

Past, say, a slow count to five?

[kevins2]

My engine dynoed at 482 HP at the flywheel and 502 ft.lbs. torque. I haven't had it dynoed in the car (plan to get it fine-tuned in the Spring) so no idea what's actually getting to the rear wheels. The car hooks up pretty well and pulls hard. I've broken the tires loose a few times shifting into 2nd. All but one of those times it just kept pulling straight and the tires grabbed again. Once, it got pretty loose and, although I didn't get sideways, I was close to losing it. Lesson learned - that stretch of road looked just like all the others when I hit second a bit hard. Won't do that again.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by kevins2

My engine dynoed at 482 HP at the flywheel and 502 ft.lbs. torque.

Personally, I think 450-500 HP at the flywheel is the magic sweet spot in these cars when they are not heavily raced. I don't think you get any noticeable benefit above those numbers.

Now, Bill... there's more to these engines than just the HP/Torque numbers. I had mine built with a shorter stroke (4.125") and with light weight Wiseco pistons, light weight aluminum flywheel, and what not, just so it would rev quickly with the old fashioned solid lifters, and old fashioned cam. All of that, not to make more power, but just because I like the sound and it's fun to do on occasion -- but still be drivable in stop and go traffic. Brent sometimes likes to poke good-natured fun at some of that, because he knows he could have built it differently and easily added 100+ horses to the mix. But, the choice is yours....

[blykins]

No, I poke fun at you because you think a shorter stroke makes it rev faster....

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by blykins

No, I poke fun at you because you think a shorter stroke makes it rev faster....

... but you will admit that there is a "split of opinion" on that very issue among the "big three" engine builders on this forum, of which you are one.

[blykins]

Opinions are different than facts. David Brown's 496 with a 4.250" stroke crank would sound like an F1 car compared to yours... ;-)

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by blykins

Opinions are different than facts. David Brown's 496 with a 4.250" stroke crank would sound like an F1 car compared to yours... ;-)

<sigh>... well hopefully Bill has you build him what he wants. You do very nice work.

[blykins]

I'm booked through the middle of next year....

But thanks.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by blykins

I'm booked through the middle of next year....

But thanks.

Never turn down work --- just work harder. Remember, we want you to get rich on us, or at least moderately wealthy.

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by blykins

I'm booked through the middle of next year....

But thanks.

More proof you're too cheap

Originally Posted by patrickt

Never turn down work --- just work harder

Or... Increase your margins a little and let the customer self select.

Work less but your bottom line would be the same

[lippy]

Brent, give us the lowdown on this topic if you don't mind. I also thought that, all else being equal (e.g., lightweight components), an oversquare engine revved better than an undersquare one, but undersquare had the torque advantage.

[AL427SBF]

Originally Posted by lippy

Brent, give us the lowdown on this topic if you don't mind. I also thought that, all else being equal (e.g., lightweight components), an oversquare engine revved better than an undersquare one, but undersquare had the torque advantage.

Bore to Stroke Ratio & Other Design Concerns
.

[Bernica]

I'm at around 500 / 500 at the flywheel with a mid-range cam and 482ci at 10.9:1 comp, which was done on purpose to allow room to grow if I ever got the itch. I sent my engine specs to Blykins and he verified I certainly have that capability, but I really do think I am just fine just as it is for now.

[blykins]

Lip,

Too many variables....but as in everything else, it's not wise to make generalizations.

Lots that go into engine acceleration: weight of rotating assembly, piston ring drag, external component weight (flywheel, clutch, etc.), and most importantly, how much power the engine makes. Take the engine off the dyno and stick it in the car, then you're working with even more variables....rearend ratios, trans ratios, exhaust, amount of air you're able to pull in, etc.

[blykins]

Originally Posted by 601HP

Looking forward to some WOT in the spring with this Lykins 496!

David

Be very careful, sir....