JBL Big Block Poll

Richard Hudgins · #1 (**permalink**) 07-21-2003, 08:15 PM

Ok Folks,

Since I am getting a lot of pressure from JBL Dave and a rather large group of rabid FE folks to design a JBL chassis which would allow the fitment of a BIG BLOCK, (and of course a Modular Ford motor) I would like everyone to vote on the issue.

Now some points about the design:

1. The chassis would use the same front and rear suspension layouts and components as the current chassis. (There would be some differences in front spring rates and roll rates, but not much, as the weight differences are really quite small when you look at the overall package.)

2. There would be some loss of footspace. The footboxes are 17 inches wide in the current design. I would have narrow these to 15 inches to accomodate the BB stuff.

3. The engines will become stressed members. (All engine fitments, SB, BB, Modular.) This will not increase vibration or noise over the current design. We have a number of solid mount engines in service and they do not introduce any additional vibration as the harmonic periods of the chassis and engine are rather far apart and not multiples of each other.

Therefore, please vote.

Please help me either put this thing to rest for once and all or convince me to get off my dead ass and succumb to market pressure for a BB JBL.

Tom T. · #2 (**permalink**) 07-21-2003, 08:37 PM

Thumbs' up. Way up.

TT

Edley Rondinone · #3 (**permalink**) 07-21-2003, 08:42 PM

Richard, would that be the FE BB and the 460+ BB as well?

Richard Hudgins · #4 (**permalink**) 07-21-2003, 10:18 PM

Edley,

Yes, the 460 as well.

JBL Dave has a alloy 460 block and a pair of the biggest cylinder heads I have ever seen that he will put in the first chassis. (Boss something or other.)

That is if the poll convinces me to design up the beast.

Turk · #5 (**permalink**) 07-21-2003, 10:25 PM

YES. What took you so long?

TURK
You mean some people actually putting small blocks in their Cobras? Noh!

BANDIT 1 · #6 (**permalink**) 07-21-2003, 10:26 PM

Since small block Cobra's "suck" and I have always heard how the JBL chassis is so nice, it seems like a 520+c.i. big block would be the perfect match.

I hear the JBL chassis is the "state of the art" Cobra chassis around, 427 FE engines and top loader 4-speed transmissions are for the museum and car shows, it is only logical for the "ultimate" JBL Cobra to have a 385 series (429/460) big block!

Ant · #7 (**permalink**) 07-21-2003, 11:56 PM

Well it good to know what you like, and be biased, whether you are a big block fan or a small block fan.

I dont know how the small blocks suck, figuratively, when a well put together small block and good car combination will more than likely have a the big block car in its rear view mirror on the racetrack!!!!!!

My opinion is that both are great, one for agility, nicer sounding, and the other for the riproaring, pavement ripping effect.

decooney · #8 (**permalink**) 07-21-2003, 11:56 PM

Richard,
IMHO, stick with a high-end small block setup for the JBL. FE's and other big blocks are okay in an exact replica Cobra, but not in a JBL. Your car just seems right with a small block the way the rest of it is set up. The word "Balance" just comes to mind there... John Marsey's car with that Boss 302, Yates heads, is a nice combo! Also, a nice custom fuel injected / supercharged small block would be very interesting in a JBL. How about that? i.e. Supercharged 351W/396 fuel injected, stroker JBL should do it!

CowtownCobra · #9 (**permalink**) 07-22-2003, 06:08 AM

My question is, which will be the fastest on a road course?

Mr.Fixit · #10 (**permalink**) 07-22-2003, 07:30 AM

Well, it will improve sales a tad if the big block crowd can finally shove one into a JBL. I think big blocks ought to remain in replicas, and the race cars get hot small blocks. Oh well, some folks need a nose heavy cobra that doesn't handle as well as it could.

grumpy · #11 (**permalink**) 07-22-2003, 07:33 AM

Richard,
Not to stir up controversy about the FE/W Ford crowd, we have started building a FIA based car to add to our SC type cars for just the opposite reason. Slowed sales in FE/Lima blocks and a surge in the Windsor demand.
Isn't it funny how the "market" reacts to builders in certain areas. Not counting the raging debate over the BIGBLOCK versus the SMALL BLOCK crowds that still goes on.
What's the angle, it won't go any faster?
grumpy

BANDIT 1 · #12 (**permalink**) 07-22-2003, 08:00 AM

I was only joking about the small block "sucks", I just wanted to get the small block people's attention.

By the way, whom cares that the small block Cobra is better at the road course events? I have always said that a very small percent of these cars ever see the inside of a road course. When your sitting at the light and some mama's boy is sitting next to you revving daddy's Viper engine up and the small block Cobra your driving get's smoked by two or three car lengths, I quess you can say that mine is faster on the road courses. When your in a big block Cobra and you look over at the guy in his Viper taunting you , your girlfiend asks if she should hold your drink and you say "nah", this won't take long. A couple seconds later the Viper owner catchs up and ask's "what's the engine in that", you chuckle "no stinking small block that's for sure" and continue on your way...

Tom T. · #13 (**permalink**) 07-22-2003, 08:25 AM

People who buy JBLs use them at the race track. Aluminum block FE in a JBL=Wowee Zowee!!!

TT

Mr.Fixit · #14 (**permalink**) 07-22-2003, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BANDIT 1

A couple seconds later the Viper owner catchs up and ask's "what's the engine in that", you chuckle "no stinking small block that's for sure" and continue on your way...

The one time I played with a Viper, and blew his doors off, he followed me a few miles untill I pulled into a gas station where he had to know "what I had under the hood?"
"Just a small block." I tell him, he didn't believe me, I opened the hood and to his amazement there was a single carbed 351W.

there are just as many fast small blocks as there are slow big blocks

Dirty Harry · #15 (**permalink**) 07-22-2003, 08:42 AM

I feel another 9-pager coming on! This could go on for days. Oh well...cheap entertainment, I guess.

rdorman · #16 (**permalink**) 07-22-2003, 09:45 AM

What is a "harmonic period"? It that when ones wife doesn't suffer from PMS or when I am out of town for the monthly event?

Rick

BANDIT 1 · #17 (**permalink**) 07-22-2003, 12:14 PM

MR. FIXIT:

I am just having fun! A small block Cobra owner is like a guy with a small peni$, he is always quick to defend how well he can do with so little...

Mr.Fixit · #18 (**permalink**) 07-22-2003, 12:17 PM

I thought we were going to start the BB vs. SB debate. I think it's a required topic once a week, I'll have to check the by-laws.

avanti-176 · #19 (**permalink**) 07-22-2003, 12:47 PM

I thought it was the other way around. I thought the guys with the Big Blocks were just compensating for the lack of inches elsewhere

(that is what I was told I must be doing when I bought my 'Vette)

Have a good one,
Dan

PSB · #20 (**permalink**) 07-22-2003, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BANDIT 1

When your in a big block Cobra and you look over at the guy in his Viper taunting you , your girlfiend asks if she should hold your drink and you say "nah", this won't take long. A couple seconds later the Viper owner catchs up and ask's "what's the engine in that", you chuckle "no stinking small block that's for sure" and continue on your way...

It's even better when he catches you and you can say - you just got beat by a small block, and you get to watch him

:

http://www.ffcobra.com/ubb/ultimateb...=022464#000000