Engine Option (Just For Discussion)

[g8rnbft]

Originally Posted by TheExtreme

I say to run whatever engine you want. Original, yes, an original engine. Otherwise, it doesn't matter and should be up to personal preference. My Windsor just bit the dust and I'm going back with a 408.

Hi Scott - Blair here. Great cruising with y'all in Texas.

[RACERAL]

When I built my first Cobra back in 01, it had a mild 302. Worked like a champ and was always ready to go. Very dependable. But, after 10 years of ownership and bullet proof performance, I sold it. I swore if I ever built another it would have a FE... Fast forward to Oct. 2015, I started my second build and by golly, it has a big old honking 445 FE. Here it is April and I hope to light it off in the next month. I can't wait.

[Thor maine]

The Dodge Viper V10 makes a great choice also.

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by Thor maine

The Dodge Viper V10 makes a great choice also.

Ok. I'll listen... How so?

A powerful engine - yes, maybe.
But a good engine in a cobra - uh, I wouldn't have thought so.

I don't see how it would be anything other than a head ache in a cobra. Imagine all that custom work and those custom parts just to get it to fit.




...and then, it's not even a Ford.

Ok ok ok. Sorry, But I couldn't just leave your bait hanging there...
Especially when you tried to be so subtle about it.

[Thor maine]

Originally Posted by Dimis

Ok. I'll listen... How so?

A powerful engine - yes, maybe.
But a good engine in a cobra - uh, I wouldn't have thought so.

I don't see how it would be anything other than a head ache in a cobra. Imagine all that custom work and those custom parts just to get it to fit.




...and then, it's not even a Ford.

Ok ok ok. Sorry, But I couldn't just leave your bait hanging there...
Especially when you tried to be so subtle about it.

The Viper V10 has already been put in a Cobra, I've seen them. And a V10 with all that tire ripping power is always a good choice and that Carroll Shelby was part of the Viper development as sort of a modern day Cobra.

[blykins]

If you want a kit car, build a kit car.

If you want a replica, build a replica.

[Thor maine]

Originally Posted by blykins

If you want a kit car, build a kit car.

If you want a replica, build a replica.

How about a HotRod that is shaped like a Cobra? With a giant asphalt ripping engine of what ever flavor you like?

[Thor maine]

News Flash, that CSX you buy from Shelby American is a Kit Car. So is the that Kirkham (highest quality) kits. And so is that Superformance, and ERA, FF5, and so on and so on.

[twin turbo]

I never cared for the sound of the Viper engine, sounded like a delivery truck to me. Perhaps with an aftermarket exhaust it sounds better?

[blykins]

Originally Posted by Thor maine

News Flash, that CSX you buy from Shelby American is a Kit Car. So is the that Kirkham (highest quality) kits. And so is that Superformance, and ERA, FF5, and so on and so on.

Even some of the guys with the most trained eyes can't discern between new CSX and Kirkham cars and the originals....they just look newer. But underneath, they are exactly replicas, as I mentioned above.

There are also other degrees of replicating, as demonstrated by the other manufacturers.

When you get into, "a HotRod that is shaped like a Cobra.... With a giant asphalt ripping engine of what ever flavor you like".......then you start getting into this:



Like I said, if you want a replica, build a replica. If you want a kit car, build a kit car.

[Buzz]

Originally Posted by blykins

Even some of the guys with the most trained eyes can't discern between new CSX and Kirkham cars and the originals....they just look newer. But underneath, they are exactly replicas, as I mentioned above.

There are also other degrees of replicating, as demonstrated by the other manufacturers.

When you get into, "a HotRod that is shaped like a Cobra.... With a giant asphalt ripping engine of what ever flavor you like".......then you start getting into this:



Like I said, if you want a replica, build a replica. If you want a kit car, build a kit car.

The issue with this line of thinking is that people would take an abomination like the above and put a gen-you-whine Ferrari steering wheel in or even an engine from an old Dino and huff and puff that it's better or more real than a superbly executed, dimensionally and proportionally correct recreation with an American V8.
It's just blind brand loyalty speaking when folks think a stretched wheelbase, awful looking, live axle kit car with an FE is more of a Cobra than a beautiful, accurate looking replica with IRS and a brand X powertrain.
Its a noble and admirable hobby when an owner painstakingly recreates original details on his replica, but its just ridiculous to pontificate that a mishapen heap with a stroked windsor and dual rollbars is "better" than another kit car because it has a Chevy mill.
Shelby had no brand loyalty whatsoever. He went with whatever deal suited him best at the time. If you're a blind follower of some marketing department's koolaid - then fine, but why care so much when others make different choices??

Having said all that, I really like FE's and well executed details in nicely done Cobra replicas - definitely the most desirable way to go for a 427 replica. I also like the easy power of 385 series engines and while I appreciate the Coyote, I just find it way too big and bulky for its displacement. I like windsor strokers and I love the look of the AC MK VI with its sleek body, modern interior and LS powerplant. I suppose I'm more obsessed with the look and "spirit" of the Cobra than its (debatable) brand heritage.
At the moment, for me the ultimate engine build for an old-school looking replica would be an alloy Dart or other aftermarket Ford-based big block with +/ - 600 HP, stack EFI, beefy internals and good street manners.

[Thor maine]

My poor boy a "replica" will never be the genuine article, no matter how much you want or try or make it to be!

[NewYorkGuy]

They re called replicas because calling them Kit cars cheapens the value of the cobra hobby business. Manufacturers and engine builders gotta eat.
Anyways, this post should stay on target, about Kraft engines. They are new ownership, leadership.

[Thor maine]

Good Point! Keith Craft does engines to the highest quality. Also if you look at his site along with Ford engines he also does Big Block and Small Block (strokers of all sizes) GM Chevy engines.

[Thor maine]

Well said Buzz.

[blykins]

No, my point was that you can absolutely have a replica if that's what you want. The definition of replica is an exact copy. And no, it's not the original, but there again, that's not the definition of *replica*. There are absolutely exact copies out there of factory 60's Cobras. They don't have viper or Chevy engines.

If that's what you want then that's fine. If you want something else then that's fine too, but by definition, it's not a replica.

[blykins]

Buzz, I hear that argument a lot: that Shelby went to different engine manufacturers, thought about using different engines, etc., but the fact of the matter is that the engine that ended up in the original cars were Fords. And if you really wanna get picky....it's either a 289, a 427, a 428, or in one case....a 390.

That's the point that I keep trying to make....you can have your car any way that you want. However, if you want to make it true to the original, you can replicate it to the point where no one could tell the difference. If you want to use other engine families, or stretch the wheelbase, or this and that....then don't get your feelings hurt because your car is labeled as a "kit car". The general public sees that as the same as the '86 Fiero with a Lambo body kit, or a VW disguised as a Porsche.

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by blykins

And if you really wanna get picky....it's either a 289, a 427, a 428, or in one case....a 390.

Don't forget the little 260 that started it all

[Joe's Garage]

Originally Posted by blykins

... There are absolutely exact copies out there of factory 60's Cobras ...

Ok, I'll bite - point out one that is an "exact copy" of a 60's cobra.

[blykins]

Joe, that's not a hard thing to do buddy....

Check out Computerworks' car.

This isn't difficult.....I bet there are 20-30 on Club Cobra alone. Find a continuation series CSX or a Kirkham, with a painted aluminum body, skip the fancy billet stuff, put an FE in it with a Toploader.

Easy.