Small block Chevy in a cobra?

peterpjb · #1 (**permalink**) 05-23-2020, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olddog

But if it is a total loss, a piece of history would be lost forever.

PS

Any car that is in pristine original condition is worth more than one that was wrecked and repaired. Let's just say a 20% reduction in value. So a 2 million dollar car would loose $400,000 in value, and a $150,000 car would loose $30,000 in value. Even though the cost to repair them would be the same the economic loss is quite different.

Even though the economics says crashing an original is worse, my real reason is risking a lost piece of history forever.

how many are in original condition and never damaged? 2%? normally any original car was damaged or modified, so it is pretty meaningless if you damage it again, total losses aren’t existent btw, only if you had placed all your paperworks in car when it totally burns

Ace23 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-23-2020, 07:23 PM

I wouldn’t think twice about a Chevy engine if that is what you want. A nice stroker LSX block making 700hp+ On pump gas with a hydraulic roller and OEM fuel injection would be pretty awesome.

olddog · #3 (**permalink**) 05-24-2020, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ace23

I wouldn’t think twice about a Chevy engine if that is what you want. A nice stroker LSX block making 700hp+ On pump gas with a hydraulic roller and OEM fuel injection would be pretty awesome.

There are gobs of FE making 700hp and more. In fact Shelby built two with ~900 hp. The surviving one (his personal untouched Cobra) went at auction around $6,000,000.

People put EFI on FE too. You don't like FE? Well a EFI Windsor can easily make 700 Hp. Want something newer? You can make 700 hp out of a Modular to.

Exactly what is so awesome about it?

Ace23 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-24-2020, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olddog

There are gobs of FE making 700hp and more. In fact Shelby built two with ~900 hp. The surviving one (his personal untouched Cobra) went at auction around $6,000,000.

People put EFI on FE too. You don't like FE? Well a EFI Windsor can easily make 700 Hp. Want something newer? You can make 700 hp out of a Modular to.

Exactly what is so awesome about it?

Just a personal opinion based off no facts. I would think the LS platform would be more reliable than an equally powered FE build based on the thousands of them running around. I also would expect the availability of the OEM electronics and fuel injections setup to be far superior of anything available for an FE. I have zero issues with a higher powered FE but I assume you really pay to play at that level.

If it’s a higher HP build I was driving all the time I want something I can easily get parts for and people know how to build. I have a dart block windsor but I will be making a change at some time as I want a bit more power...I’m running around 575hp/575tq with a t56 and 4.30 gear. I haven’t come across many 700hp+ pump gas Windsors that are not running rollers or higher compression. I spoke with Jim Kuntz before he passed and he convinced me he had a recipe. I now see that Bennet Racing located in AL offers a 445w windsor that looks like a nice offering.

I may have missed the original post but the value of one of these cars doesn’t mean much to me. I view them all as kits or replicas. I just want it to be fun to drive. So whatever floats your boat is good with me.

maui · #5 (**permalink**) 05-24-2020, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ace23

Just a personal opinion based off no facts. I would think the LS platform would be more reliable than an equally powered FE build based on the thousands of them running around. I also would expect the availability of the OEM electronics and fuel injections setup to be far superior of anything available for an FE. I have zero issues with a higher powered FE but I assume you really pay to play at that level.

If it’s a higher HP build I was driving all the time I want something I can easily get parts for and people know how to build. I have a dart block windsor but I will be making a change at some time as I want a bit more power...I’m running around 575hp/575tq with a t56 and 4.30 gear. I haven’t come across many 700hp+ pump gas Windsors that are not running rollers or higher compression. I spoke with Jim Kuntz before he passed and he convinced me he had a recipe. I now see that Bennet Racing located in AL offers a 445w windsor that looks like a nice offering.

I may have missed the original post but the value of one of these cars doesn’t mean much to me. I view them all as kits or replicas. I just want it to be fun to drive. So whatever floats your boat is good with me.

not your LS comparison but

among the challenges for the FE engine v a big block chevy is bore spacing (4.630" v 4.840") Simply put, the extra real-estate from having the bore further apart allows for bigger components/features the the cylinder head, runners, valves, etc.

The 385 blocks have similar bore spacing to the Big Chevys (a little more actually, 4.900"). The FE is kinda the small big block of the group.

Chevys have a .210" advantage, and 385's have .270" over the FE. Thats not something you fix with porting and cam selection.

TomP · #6 (**permalink**) 05-24-2020, 07:35 PM

I call a Chevy engined Cobra an AC Delco so an electric one would be an AC DC

joyridin' · #7 (**permalink**) 05-24-2020, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ace23

I wouldn’t think twice about a Chevy engine if that is what you want. A nice stroker LSX block making 700hp+ On pump gas with a hydraulic roller and OEM fuel injection would be pretty awesome.

Mine is 850 hp, and you can drive it easily in traffic or on a 95 degree day. On top of that, it gets 22 mpg on the highway on pump gas.

Ace23 · #8 (**permalink**) 05-24-2020, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joyridin'

Mine is 850 hp, and you can drive it easily in traffic or on a 95 degree day. On top of that, it gets 22 mpg on the highway on pump gas.

That is awesome and I am jealous of that power and fuel mileage. I haven’t been on the site in awhile but if I recall you were running a turbo setup. I’ve never been in a turbo cobra. I’m more of a NA or twin screw supercharger guy. I would love the option for a blower on my windsor. I had a 600hp turbo charged Hayabusa that made 320hp on pump gas...what a riot.

joyridin' · #9 (**permalink**) 05-24-2020, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ace23

That is awesome and I am jealous of that power and fuel mileage. I haven’t been on the site in awhile but if I recall you were running a turbo setup. I’ve never been in a turbo cobra. I’m more of a NA or twin screw supercharger guy. I would love the option for a blower on my windsor. I had a 600hp turbo charged Hayabusa that made 320hp on pump gas...what a riot.

No, it is supercharged. If it was turbo, it would be in the 4 digit horsepower range with ease. I like the sidepipes and it would have been a nightmare to run all the plumbing.

If E85 were easy to find around here, you could probably add another 75-100 hp with that, but it is non-existent. So pump gas it is.

Ace23 · #10 (**permalink**) 05-24-2020, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joyridin'

No, it is supercharged. If it was turbo, it would be in the 4 digit horsepower range with ease. I like the sidepipes and it would have been a nightmare to run all the plumbing.

If E85 were easy to find around here, you could probably add another 75-100 hp with that, but it is non-existent. So pump gas it is.

Are you running a centrifugal setup
Or something like an LS3 with a whipple on it?

Strangely enough we don’t have E-85 in Memphis. If we did I would be running 13.1 compression N/A with an e85 carb or something.