Big Block vs Small Block, a Cobra quandary

[RodKnock]

FE and ERA, what's not to like about that? Too easy of a question. Next!

[Fordzilla]

There's no choice to make, It's Big Block all the way!!!

[ROUSHAC]

Bill, the green car - for an obvious reason in my case.

[Buzz]

I can't for the life of me see why an experienced Cobra afficionado would pose this question other than for the sheer entertainment value of the responses, so, in the spirit of entertainment - here it is.

Two cars presented, no prices, so cost is not a factor and no build process to consider. A small block FFR vs. an ERA with an FE. No offense to FFR - they are the best at what they do - but the choice is ridiculously academic.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by Buzz

I can't for the life of me see why an expreienced Cobra afficionado would pose this question other than for the sheer entertainment value of the responses, so, in the spirit of entertainment - here it is.

Two cars presented, no prices, so cost is not a factor and no build process to consider. A small block FFR vs. an ERA with an FE. No offense to FFR - they are the best at what they do - but the choice is ridiculously academic.

Just as with other questions I've posed lately, this one is designed to make each member think before posting. Clearly they are two separate manufacturers, but the main reason for not listing them was to keep the bias (as stated above) of each manufacturer out of the equation. Instead trying to focus on drivetrain packages being offered as a comparison of the package and not the manufacturer. Posted on several different forums, the response (except for those seeking a hidden meaning here on club cobra) are all quite similar in nature.


All except Ned (nedsel on club cobra) on the SAAC forum who made a concerted effort to point out that we were talking about kit cars and not original Cobras ..............


Bill S.

[Buzz]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

Just as with other questions I've posed lately, this one is designed to make each member think before posting.

Sounds to me like you're telling me I was absolutely right.

[tkb289]

This may be a bit simplistic of an answer to the Hypothetical question ... but I would base the choice on how the cars actually were to drive. Take each one out for a test drive and based on the handling, performance and overall feel of the car, then make a decision.

An aside ... many years ago, I had (2) '65 fastback Mustangs. The first was a plain 'C' code 289 with an automatic. The second one was a GT350 look alike, more power, 4 speed and some of the other goodies. The look alike was the clear winner on paper, but in actually driving and owning the cars, the plain 'C' code was the better car.

Just my .02


- Tim

[REAL 1]

One is an effort to truly replicate what a BB Cobra was and how it performed. The other has nothing to do with replicating the essence of a BB Cobra and is purely a hand built/custom hot rod that superficially looks like a BB Cobra and stops at that. But if thats what floats your boat...

SB belong is 289 bodies. Anything else is just wrong.

[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

SB belong is 289 bodies. Anything else is just wrong.

Perhaps you haven't heard of the 25 original Cobras known as the AC 289 Sports. They used the coil spring chassis with the 289 engine.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by A-Snake

Perhaps you haven't heard of the 25 original Cobras known as the AC 289 Sports. They used the coil spring chassis with the 289 engine.

Clearly he has not, his judgement is clouded by his own personal bias towards smaller engines in these cars . Rumor has it he was scared by a small block Cobra as a child and has steered clear of them ever since


Bill S.

[REAL 1]

Cute and somewhat funny.

Yes, I have heard of the AC small block cars in coil sprung chasis. They are not really representative of what a BB car or SB car is classically accepted and understood to be. They are an anomaly.

I will concede SB cars can be very fast. No issue with that.

[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by REAL 1

Cute and somewhat funny.

Yes, I have heard of the AC small block cars in coil sprung chasis. They are not really representative of what a BB car or SB car is classically accepted and understood to be. They are an anomaly.

They represent 2.5% of all the original Cobras built, or about 1/2 the number of BB comp. and SC Cobras produced. Based on that I guess you would say that the six 289 Daytona Coupes are also an anomaly and are not "classically accepted" as SB cars.

[RodKnock]

Bill, buy the ERA before Evan gets this thread closed.

What about the COX and COB cars...uh, here we go again...

[REAL 1]

No, the Daytonas were were SB's in a SB chasis with a Coupe body. And yes the Daytona's were also anomolys. They were not the norm and very special cars. Were they not???

Apples and oranges. Daytona was a SB Cobra with a special coupe body. The AC coil cars were SBs cars in BB bodies.

[A-Snake]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

What about the COX and COB cars.

Rod...

The COX & COB prefix exists in both leaf spring and coil spring cars. It denotes whether the car is LHD or RHD. The second digit of the chassis number,(COX & COB cars), 60xx or 61xx, denotes if it is leaf or coil spring chassis.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Bill, buy the ERA before Evan gets this thread closed.

Not to worry, both will be "in house" by the end of the month. Then I get to shake down each one and decide which I can keep and which one will have to go.


Bill S.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by A-Snake

Rod...

The COX & COB prefix exists in both leaf spring and coil spring cars. It denotes whether the car is LHD or RHD. The second digit of the chassis number,(COX & COB cars), 60xx or 61xx, denotes if it is leaf or coil spring chassis.

Thank you.