Potential new owner - but questions/concerns!

[twobjshelbys]

There are differences between manufacturers of pedal style (suspended, floor) and seats that greatly affect the size and shape of the driver/passenger compartments.

The first advice I always give to a person who is concerned about fit is to sit in the car you plan on buying. In some cases of volume rollers like Superformance and Shelby they are similar enough that you should be able to tell if you can be comfortable in it. But I would be cautious of others, and most especially any true "kit" that was built by someone as the variations can be great.

I found that the steering wheel on a SPF rested on my lap when the seat was adjusted for comfortable pedal position. The Shelby had plenty of clearance.

Bottom line, don't buy a car sight unseen assuming you will be comfortable in it.


Second on engines: The mindset of most of the people here is that they want a power train that is of the same era as the car. That means a 60s style engine. In small block cars the 289/302 is fine. In the 427 styles, lots still want a FE style (original rebuilt or newer generation aluminum blocks) or a stroked Windsor. In either of these displacements go from 427 and (way) up. For that reason I would suggest that a Cobra with a Coyote will limit your customer base when it comes time to sell it.

My opinion, having owned a 427 style with a Windsor 427, is that the car is fine on the street but I never felt the engine was happy. Those big displacement cammy engines are very happy running all day at high RPMs, but I felt I could feel the cobwebs just growing when it was in city driving. Also some experience overheating of the bigger engines. And finally, the horsepower on the street cars is simply underutilized. I'm considering another Cobra and it would definitely be a small block car.

Good luck! They are a handful but you'll smile every time you get behind the seat. They are so much fun to drive, and if you can master the fact that they want to kill you, you'll be a better driver!

[1795]

A properly tuned big block should not be smelly. If you stand next to it while it is running and it brings tears to your eyes the carb is not set up right. The torque of an FE will allow you to have all the power that you need at lower rpms; you do not need to run it at 4,000 rpms to have power.

With that being said, if you are going to go with a slab side, then bby all means put a 289/302 in it. Will have all the power that you need to make the car go. Make sure that you have the appropriate rear end ratio and transmission to match the engine. You want to be in the power band of the engine. Small blocks need to run at slightly high rpms for power than a big block does. Good luck.

[NewYorkGuy]

Get a corvette. the wife will be happier, no bugs in mouth, air conditioning comforts, modern day mechanics and safety.

if you can, rent a cobra for a weekend, find out if reality meets the dream.

GL

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by NewYorkGuy

Get a corvette. the wife will be happier, no bugs in mouth, air conditioning comforts, modern day mechanics and safety.

if you can, rent a cobra for a weekend, find out if reality meets the dream.

GL

I'm polluting threads? Just stop posting stupid advice, like your above comments, to a potential new Cobra owner about a car you've never driven let alone owned. And have no intention of ever buying.

Are they pet friendly? Seriously that's your concern when buying a Cobra? Really?

BTW, how many bugs have you gotten in your mouth while driving the Cobra? I have gotten zero bugs in my mouth. And who drives with their mouth open anyway?

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Are they pet friendly? Seriously that's your concern when buying a Cobra? Really?

NYG is afraid his pet gerbil will crawl up the exhaust pipe....or some other orifice!