Small block Chevy in a cobra?

[Alfa02]

This is Fun gentlemen I also happen to own a Mazda RX-7 that has a 302 Ford, T-5 Transmission, that look's like Ford & Mazda were together to build this, from the outside it look's stock. At the car show's 99% of the people say Cool Car that's is one of the nicest conversion, who did it? Did Ford & Mazda do this (Prototype?) No one seems to care now that Z-cars & Rx-7's are now worth money, that I've had this done, ruined a perfectly good Rx-7, except the 1% that are Drifter's, that say it should have a rotary in it, to which I say, well your Mommy dress's you funny, and pull up your pants . Glad to see no one's feeling are hurt, we need to stick together. Cheers TommyRot.

[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.