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[mattr762]

The 302W and 351W are so close in cost it's amazing that a choice would be needed between the two.

grumpy,
The only reason I mentioned the 302 is because I assume that most people that get a Factory Five also purchase a 5.0L Mustang donor car and simple use that engine. While the guys that have a non-donor cobra would get a 351 or bigger. An I correct in my thinking?

[Deanr]

Thanks alot for the the responses. I'm fortunate enough to have a "carchick" for a wife and she's ok'd the project but told I need start the fund seperate from the vacation fund.

Clay and Blackjack I will take you up on your offers in the near and hopefully warmer future. I look forward to meeting yall and getting more hands on info.

Thanks

[BLACKJACK]

HEY, RICK - - -

WE'LL LOOK FORWARD TO A VISIT WITH YOU AND YOUR DAD. I'M SURE WE'LL FIND SOME KIND OF EXOTIC TROUBLE TO GET INTO THAT DAY.

THE VIENNA INN IS ON MAPLE AVENUE IN VIENNA. T.C. WILLIAMS H.S. IS IN FAIRFAX. THE VIENNA INN IS CLOSER TO MADISON H.S. THAN ANY OTHER.

LEST US KNOW WHERE YOU'LL BE STAYING AND WE'LL GIVE YOU EXACT DIRECTIONS OR COME AND PICK YOU GUYS UP.


ALL - - -

ONE THOUGHT ON ERA/CONTEMPORARY/UNIQUE VS. THE REST OF THE INDUSTRY. IF YOU'RE GOING TO BUILD AN ERA 427 WITH ANYTHING OTHER THAN A 427 OR 428 BIG BLOCK YOU'RE GOING TO LOSE A LOT OF MONEY IF YOU EVER DECIDE TO SELL IT.

MY ERA WITH A 427 SIDE OILER, DUAL HOLLEY FOUR BARRELS, 4 SPEED TOP LOADER, JAG REAR, ETC. ETC. JUST RECENTLY APPRAISED FOR $72,500.00 REPLACEMENT COST. THE SAME CAR WITH A 390 FE ENGINE WOULD BE ABOUT 5K TO 7K LESS. WITH A STROKED 351 (427 C.I.) IT WOULD BE ABOUT 55K TO 57K TOPS.

WHEN PEOPLE PURCHASE A "PREVIOUSLY OWNED" ERA, CONTEMPORARY OR UNIQUE THEY EXPECT A CERTAIN LEVEL OF P.C. (PERIOD CORRECTNESS). THAT'S WHAT CREATES THE INTEREST IN THESE BRANDS TO BEGIN WITH. THE MORE "P.C." YOU BUILD INTO THE CAR TO BEGIN WITH THE BETTER YOU'LL BE IF YOU EVER SELL IT. ADDITIONALLY, THE MORE P.C. THE QUICKER IT WILL SELL - BY A LONG SHOT - AGAIN BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THAT PARTICULAR MARKET IS LOOKING FOR.

NOW - HAVING SAID ALL THAT - - - THE MORE P.C. YOU BUILD INTO IT THE MORE TIME YOU ARE LIKELY TO SPEND IN THE GARAGE INSTEAD OF ON THE ROAD.

THERE ARE SOME ABSOLUTELY STUNNING FACTORY FIVES IN THE CAPITAL AREA COBRA CLUB - MORE THAN ANY OTHER BRAND (PROBABLY). I MEAN REALLY GREAT LOOKING COBRAS THAT ANYONE WOULD BE PROUD TO DRIVE. WITH A LOT OF THESE GUYS IT'S NOT THE "SAVINGS" - IT'S THE CHALLENGE AND THE PLEASURE OF THE BUILD. (RAIN MAN, RIPPER AND THE REST HAVE ALL GOT MORE MONEY THAN GOD). DEPENDING ON THE AMOUNT OF WORK THE OWNER WAS WILLING TO DO SOME OF THESE GUYS HAVE GOT LESS THAN 25K IN THE CAR INCLUDING A NICE PAINT JOB. WITH MOST OF THE RUNNING GEAR RECOVERED FROM LATE MODEL DONOR CARS THE RELABILITY FACTOR GOES WAY UP - -NOT TO MENTION THE CONVENIENCE OF READILY AVAILABLE PARTS WHEN SOMETHING DOES BREAK. (I SPENT ABOUT FIVE HOURS ON A RECENT ROAD TRIP TRYING TO FIND A MECHANICAL FUEL PUMP FOR AN FE ENGINE).

PERFORMANCE - SOMETHING NEAR AND DEAR TO ALL OF OUR HEARTS - IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT TO MAKE OF IT.

THE FACTORY FIVE GUYS - WITH THEIR "SMALL BLOCKS" THROW A BIG BLOWER ON THEM AND THEY'LL EMBARASS A LOT OF BIG BLOCK GUYS. MY ENGINE AT ABOUT 550HP WITH A 13:1 COMP. RATIO WON'T TAKE A LOT OF "GUFF" FROM ANY COBRA. HOWEVER EVERY TIME I JAM MY FOOT INTO IT - IN THE BACK OF MY HEAD I'M CALCULATING HOW MUCH IT'S GOING TO COST ME IF THE DAMN THING FLIES APART. (PROBABLY IN THE AREA OF 20 TO 25K). THE FFR GUYS, ON THE OTHER HAND ARE ABSOLUTELY CAVALIER ABOU IT. IF THEY DISINTEGRATE THEIR SMALL BLOCK THEY SIMPLY JACK UP THE BLOWER AND FOR ABOUT $500.00 BUCKS - TOPS - THEY SLIDE ANOTHER DONOR SMALL BLOCK UNDER IT.

THERE IS A LOT TO BE SAID ABOUT ALL OF THE DIFFERENT BRANDS. THE DECISION COMES DOWN TO :
** WHAT DO YOU WANT TO USE THE CAR FOR??
** HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DRIVE IT??
** HOW MUCH ARE YOU WILLING TO (OR ALLOWED TO) SPEND ON IT.
** IS IT GOING TO BE A DAILY DRIVER - AT LEAST IN THE "NICE" MONTHS??

PUTTING MORE MONEY INTO IT IS NOT NECESSARILY GOING TO MAKE YOU HAPPIER WITH YOUR COBRA. ONCE YOU DECIDE EXACTLY WHAT ISSUES ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU YOU CAN MAKE INTELLIGENT CHOICES.

GOOD LUCK - AND - Y'ALL HAVE A REALLY GREAT DAY.

BLACKJACK

[clayfoushee]

What Blackjack said in his disseration above is dead-on correct in my opinion....wouldn't disagree with a word, and based on a lot of experience.

Rick, I wasn't at the fling last year because I didn't have my car yet. But, I will be this year as will CACC in force. We'll be at the CC, despite it's lack of an "official endorsement." I'll also likely be at the Unique Homecoming if Alan and Maurice decide to do it, which I think they will. Look forward to meeting you.

Dean.....I have a heated garage and a lift, so no need to wait for warmer weather if you want to check out the car. You're welcome anytime! You should also come out to the Vienna Inn some Sat morning.

[rdorman]

Jack, I spoke with my step mother and she knows where the Vienna is. Says it is about 19 miles away. I really hope you guys do your breakfast that week end. It would be great to hook up. Everytime I go some where any more I try to find the local guys.

Clay, heated garage and a lift! You stink Be sure and bring a good supply of your favorite head ache and stomach remedies to the Fling! Or you can just do what I do, hair of the dog that bit you. The evenings in the parking lots are one of the best of times.

Rick

[clayfoushee]

Rick, I know, that's what my wife says, even built a bedroom suite above it. The way I look at it, I just gave her the rest of the house.....LOL. Hair of the dog is the only thing that works for me, and I've heard all the stories...don't worry I'll keep up!

CACC does the Vienna Inn virtually every Sat. morning, and there's almost always a big group there, so I'm sure it'll be happening that weekend. Unless there's a downpour, you and your Dad will also see a lot of Cobras. I don't get to VI that often, since it's an 1.5 hr. haul from Annapolis, and my body loves the bed on Sat. morn.

[rdorman]

'.. a bedroom suite above it..'

Does the bedroom have glass floors and mirrored ceilings?

Rick

[clayfoushee]

Damn......wish I'd thought of that! Oh well, it's too late now, I don't want to rip the floors out and have to live with all that construction dust

[Steve Riley]

Welcome Matt,
I've got an Everett-Morrison that is almost done with a 418 stroker in it, and a top-loader 4-spd. I have gotten so much help and advise here on questions and problems I have dealt with, believe me you've come to the right place.
Steve Riley