Small block Chevy in a cobra?

[Chicagowil]

Its interesting (to me anyway) to see the responses here. I am also in the process of building a Locost (Lotus) 7 replica. These cars have been around since 1959 when Colin Chapman wanted to put a high performance car within reach of the "average Joe".

On the Locost 7 site guys are installing all kinds of engines in their cars, BBC, SBC, BMW, Miata, BBF, SBF, Rotary, Mazda, Toyota, Motorcycle motors and anything else you can imagine. One guy is installing a V12 Jag motor!

The original cars started with British Leyland motors and then switched to European Ford 4 cyl motors and finally a Ford/Cosworth headed 4 cyl from the factory.

I am personally installing a BL (MGB) motor for a "period" take, plus the engine/trans were given to me for free.



The interesting thing to watch on that site is the amount of support and cheering whenever someone new comes aboard with a new take on how to build their vision.

And talk about performance! These cars end up under 1400 lbs with a SBC or SBF motors. Some have the original type live rear axle/unequal length front suspension. Others have more exotic IRS and race style inboard coilover shocks on both ends. They are killer autocross cars. One guy is building a BBC alloy motor car in his penthouse apartment In Canada! Quite a site to see his photos. They are also road racing at some tracks in all sorts of classes.

Bottom line, they all embrace what everyone is doing. Because they can!

Thom

[t walgamuth]

Originally Posted by Chicagowil

Its interesting (to me anyway) to see the responses here. I am also in the process of building a Locost (Lotus) 7 replica. These cars have been around since 1959 when Colin Chapman wanted to put a high performance car within reach of the "average Joe".

On the Locost 7 site guys are installing all kinds of engines in their cars, BBC, SBC, BMW, Miata, BBF, SBF, Rotary, Mazda, Toyota, Motorcycle motors and anything else you can imagine. One guy is installing a V12 Jag motor!

The original cars started with British Leyland motors and then switched to European Ford 4 cyl motors and finally a Ford/Cosworth headed 4 cyl from the factory.

I am personally installing a BL (MGB) motor for a "period" take, plus the engine/trans were given to me for free.



The interesting thing to watch on that site is the amount of support and cheering whenever someone new comes aboard with a new take on how to build their vision.

And talk about performance! These cars end up under 1400 lbs with a SBC or SBF motors. Some have the original type live rear axle/unequal length front suspension. Others have more exotic IRS and race style inboard coilover shocks on both ends. They are killer autocross cars. One guy is building a BBC alloy motor car in his penthouse apartment In Canada! Quite a site to see his photos. They are also road racing at some tracks in all sorts of classes.

Bottom line, they all embrace what everyone is doing. Because they can!

Thom

I had one of those. lt was about the same color too. It was built by Del Long perhaps the winning-est Modified autocross builder. Mine had a Acura k20 with some mods putting out about 250 hp with a flat torque curve from 2000 to 9000 rpm. Weighed about 1250 and had pull rod suspension in front and a Winters all alumninum rear end with quick change gears. It has now won about 15 National championships with better drivers than I am.

Good luck on your build! (Del started with a Locost too).

[1795]

Yes, those Lotus 7's are fast on a road course. They handle well and do not need much horsepower as they are so light.

[t walgamuth]

Mine came off a corner....well, you'd swear it was lifting the front wheels off the track.

[Alfa02]

I had a retired-FF (Forsgrini, Look that car up, 4-were built ) that took on the Lotus 7's clones, in E-mod. 800lbs. close to 200HP Kent motor, Mk6 Hewland, 8" front tires, 12" rears, that car took care of all the "Loti" I had quicker reaction's back then TommyRot.

[Buzz]

Tom, I had a drive in a Toyota powered Lotus 7 clone years ago and it felt like a big, very fast go-kart. That Forsgrini must've been a real trip to drive!

[Alfa02]

You bet'ha Buzz, the most fun you could have in a minute to a minute & half, depending on track length This little FF, geared low, could pull 0-100 in 8.1, 1/4mile 11.9 @ 121mph, and pull 1.27 G's on a 200' skidpad. The most fun you could have with your clothes on 200HP bored out to 1698cc. Kent motor sounded MEAN, 2-45mm DCOE webers, big cam, etc.etc, I had a air box on the Webers that said This part SUCKS Oh what fun that was. Cheers Tom.

[xb-60]

I'm serious now....it's amazing what you can do with a little ol' Kent engine!

Cheers!
Glen

[Mike I]

Mike I: I used to have a Cobra and got rid of it just because I'm a purist. I don't like Chevy engines, I don't like TKO's, I don't like twin roll bars, I don't like 18" wheels, I don't like 95" wheelbases, etc, etc. It got to me to the point where I gave up because the amount of effort that I was putting into making the car more original was futile. I also don't like "tribute cars" or "clones".

Then what are you doing here? Serious question, since very few cars discussed on this site adhere to your phony notion of purity.

And no hurt feelings here, I don't confuse enjoyment of automotive pursuits to childish emotional equivalence as you and olddog eagerly relish. I don't give a rat's ass what you think about anything at all, but you talk BS trash as though you hold some sort of moral high ground and you deserve to be called out for doing it.

To you olddog, based on your idiotic rantings, all I care to say is that you need to seek help.

[blykins]

Originally Posted by Mike I

Then what are you doing here? Serious question, since very few cars discussed on this site adhere to your phony notion of purity.

And no hurt feelings here, I don't confuse enjoyment of automotive pursuits to childish emotional equivalence as you and olddog eagerly relish. I don't give a rat's ass what you think about anything at all, but you talk BS trash as though you hold some sort of moral high ground and you deserve to be called out for doing it.

To you olddog, based on your idiotic rantings, all I care to say is that you need to seek help.

What am I doing here? Because I like cobras and build a lot of engines for cobra guys.

Calm yourself down and go back to your safe space.

[Mike I]

Originally Posted by blykins

What am I doing here? Because I like cobras and build a lot of engines for cobra guys.

Calm yourself down and go back to your safe space.

9k+ posts, I guess this is your safe space, sorry for intruding.

[blykins]

Originally Posted by Mike I

9k+ posts, I guess this is your safe space, sorry for intruding.

Yep, I've been here a very long time.

Everywhere is my safe space because I feel that anyone should be able to speak their opinion without being attacked by someone that gets their feelings hurt easily.

If you don't agree with me, then say so, and backup your premise.

But saying that there are replicas and there are kit cars isn't anything to get wadded up about. It's simply the truth of this industry.

[olddog]

Originally Posted by Mike I

Then what are you doing here? Serious question, since very few cars discussed on this site adhere to your phony notion of purity.

And no hurt feelings here, I don't confuse enjoyment of automotive pursuits to childish emotional equivalence as you and olddog eagerly relish. I don't give a rat's ass what you think about anything at all, but you talk BS trash as though you hold some sort of moral high ground and you deserve to be called out for doing it.

To you olddog, based on your idiotic rantings, all I care to say is that you need to seek help.

So I have the audacity to disagree with your position, and I am an idiot that needs medical help.

I had no idea that publicly stating "a replica of an iconic car with a rich history should at least have an engine from the same manufacturer," was being a purest and talking BS trash. My bad.

I have consistently said a Cobra should (not must) have a Ford engine, but if not, at least be creative or have a good reason to put something else in it. Hardly the position of a purest, I might add. I take the most issue with mindlessly sticking a SBC in a Cobra.

So please help me to understand why a Cobra should have a Chevy engine installed. Please state why a Chevy engine is the best pick for a Shelby Cobra kit car. Be as passionate as you want. I will not judge. I really want to understand where I went insane.

[Mike I]

Originally Posted by olddog

So I have the audacity to disagree with your position, and I am an idiot that needs medical help.

I had no idea that publicly stating "a replica of an iconic car with a rich history should at least have an engine from the same manufacturer," was being a purest and talking BS trash. My bad.

I have consistently said a Cobra should (not must) have a Ford engine, but if not, at least be creative or have a good reason to put something else in it. Hardly the position of a purest, I might add. I take the most issue with mindlessly sticking a SBC in a Cobra.

So please help me to understand why a Cobra should have a Chevy engine installed. Please state why a Chevy engine is the best pick for a Shelby Cobra kit car. Be as passionate as you want. I will not judge. I really want to understand where I went insane.

No interest in being drawn into a battle of wits with an unarmed man.

[Mike I]

If you don't agree with me, then say so, and backup your premise.

I've said so, what's more to discuss. Guys like you argue for the sake of argument.

[olddog]

Originally Posted by Mike I

No interest in being drawn into a battle of wits with an unarmed man.

That's what I thought.

Your position is so obviously correct that you do not need to explain it.

You put words in my mouth (figure of speech) that I did not say.

You try to shut me up by pointing out my Cobra is far from a copy of an original, when I never said it was nor was that ever the subject.

You attach me personally, when I eloquently pointed out what an asinine argument that was.

Is that because you cannot defend your position? Talk about me assuming to have the high moral ground.

I think your next step might be to contact the moderators, and ask I be kicked out. After all I am an idiot in need of medical help. Do you have a re-education camp you could recommend?

Reread post #6. I said it was partially tongue-in-cheek.

[Thor maine]

I can't seem to be able to load pictures? Tips?

[blykins]

Originally Posted by Thor maine

I can't seem to be able to load pictures? Tips?

I use Flickr.

You can email them to me and I'll post them for you if you wish.

[t walgamuth]

The best help for a grouchy attitude is a brisk ride in the country in a Cobra.

[Mike I]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

The best help for a grouchy attitude is a brisk ride in the country in a Cobra.

I think I'll do just that...