What is the best Cobra Kit to buy?

[steve286]

Thanks for all the great feedback. I have been looking on Ebay and it seems as there are quite a few Backdraft Cobra's for sale. I have not heard anyone comment on these cars. Are they not that great? Any feedback is appreciated.

[Rich A]

Originally Posted by steve286

One other question is what do you guys prefer a big block or small block car? What are the pros and cons of each?

Steve286,
Some other questions that aren't brought up during a build.

How far do you plan to drive the BB or SB (gas stops).
Price difference for BB or SB parts.
Insurance coverage for BB or SB Cobras.

[steve286]

Still new at this. How do I respond to a question and have the answer put in the question box the person asked? It always seems when I respond it gets put at the bottom of the thread.
I do not plan to drive the car overly far, just more in town driving to car shows etc. I have not even thought about insurance yet. What is the average you guys pay for collector car insurance for a BB or SM car?

[DWRAT]

Originally Posted by steve286

Still new at this. How do I respond to a question and have the answer put in the question box the person asked? It always seems when I respond it gets put at the bottom of the thread.

To respond like this just click the "QUOTE" box which is in the post your waiting to respond to.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by steve286

One other question is what do you guys prefer a big block or small block car? What are the pros and cons of each?

There are literally a thousand threads on the topic of the big block versus small block engine choice. In fact, if you wait long enough, you know someone will post another thread on the topic.

We've hashed out the big block Ford versus small block Ford, Ford versus Chevy, BBC and SBC, SOOOOOOOOOO many times, I just and think .

I'd research it using the search function.

[genolan]

Steve
I have a Backdraft and love it. As everyone mentioned before you buy one get a quality pre inspection buy someone who knows Cobra's it will save you a lot of money in the long run. If you could I would let Jay at VMS look it over or better yet buy a new or used one from him and you will have support if anything turns up. The other good feature of Backdraft is they hold value well and you can go to there website and order parts.
Insurance is relatively cheap in the range of $350-$600/ year depending on driving requirements.
Good luck and drive slow to you get her tamed!

[olddog]

Originally Posted by steve286

One other question is what do you guys prefer a big block or small block car? What are the pros and cons of each?

When Shelby started the Cobra, they had the 260 cid small block and shortly after they were all the 289 cid SB. Since that time, the 302 cid later called the 5.0 ltr replace the 289. Ford also made two taller deck 351 cid. The Cleveland and the Windsor, with the later being the taller deck height. The 5.0 is commonly stroked to 347 cid, and with an aftermarket 4.125 bore block, you can take it to over 360 cid. Likewise with the 351 Windsor it is commonly stroked to over 400 cid, and with an aftermarket 4.125" bore a 427 cid is common. It can be punched to 4.155, and it will go over 450 cid. Pretty big for a small block.

The 427 Cobra came with both 428 and 427 engines. This family of engines are call FE. In their cast iron form, quite heavy. All aluminum is almost as light a a SB. These engines are commonly stroked to 482 cid and can go bigger. Ford later made a 429 cid and 460 cid engine family called the 385 series. These BBs are physically larger than the FE engines. They are commonly stroked to 532 cid. The 385 series is arguably the lowest cost easiest engine to make huge power, but it takes a shoe horn and magic mirrors to fit one in a Cobra, but it is done. The FE is arguably the most expensive engine option, and it is a very complex design that required more talent to build. It has a lot of reliability issues, mostly caused by builders who are not up to building an FE. They can be just as reliable as any other engine when built correctly, other than an annoying tendency to mark its territory pissing oil (most but not all).

Bottom line SB are lighter without spending big dollars for an aluminum block. Less cubic inches means less torque. Although, if you want to, you can make as much power, with less torque, by spinning lots of RPMs, it makes a finicky street engine with bad manors. You can build a SB with more cid than an original 427 Cobra, and have torque and Hp that would make an original envious.

So in summary, you have options out the wazoo! I did not mention 351/400 modified truck engines or more modern (now obsolete) modular engines. The new Coyote is even an option.

[steve286]

Originally Posted by olddog

When Shelby started the Cobra, they had the 260 cid small block and shortly after they were all the 289 cid SB. Since that time, the 302 cid later called the 5.0 ltr replace the 289. Ford also made two taller deck 351 cid. The Cleveland and the Windsor, with the later being the taller deck height. The 5.0 is commonly stroked to 347 cid, and with an aftermarket 4.125 bore block, you can take it to over 360 cid. Likewise with the 351 Windsor it is commonly stroked to over 400 cid, and with an aftermarket 4.125" bore a 427 cid is common. It can be punched to 4.155, and it will go over 450 cid. Pretty big for a small block.

The 427 Cobra came with both 428 and 427 engines. This family of engines are call FE. In their cast iron form, quite heavy. All aluminum is almost as light a a SB. These engines are commonly stroked to 482 cid and can go bigger. Ford later made a 429 cid and 460 cid engine family called the 385 series. These BBs are physically larger than the FE engines. They are commonly stroked to 532 cid. The 385 series is arguably the lowest cost easiest engine to make huge power, but it takes a shoe horn and magic mirrors to fit one in a Cobra, but it is done. The FE is arguably the most expensive engine option, and it is a very complex design that required more talent to build. It has a lot of reliability issues, mostly caused by builders who are not up to building an FE. They can be just as reliable as any other engine when built correctly, other than an annoying tendency to mark its territory pissing oil (most but not all).

Bottom line SB are lighter without spending big dollars for an aluminum block. Less cubic inches means less torque. Although, if you want to, you can make as much power, with less torque, by spinning lots of RPMs, it makes a finicky street engine with bad manors. You can build a SB with more cid than an original 427 Cobra, and have torque and Hp that would make an original envious.

So in summary, you have options out the wazoo! I did not mention 351/400 modified truck engines or more modern (now obsolete) modular engines. The new Coyote is even an option.

Why does it seem like many of the cobras I have seen online have rebuilt motors under 10K miles. Do the motors just not last that long in these light cars or is it because they have been run hard?

[Rich A]

Originally Posted by steve286

Why does it seem like many of the cobras I have seen online have rebuilt motors under 10K miles. Do the motors just not last that long in these light cars or is it because they have been run hard?

Hasn't been driven much.

[wkooiman]

Originally Posted by olddog

The FE is arguably the most expensive engine option, and it is a very complex design that required more talent to build. It has a lot of reliability issues, mostly caused by builders who are not up to building an FE. They can be just as reliable as any other engine when built correctly, other than an annoying tendency to mark its territory pissing oil (most but not all).

Nice post, except for this comment. Yes, they are more expensive. No, they do not have reliability issues. They are not that much different than any other pushrod V8.

The one that impresses me is the Ford modular. My brother has a 2003 Cobra with minor mods, and it will do over 500HP to the rear wheels all day long. I've heard of them making much more than that too, but you never hear about them splitting a block like stock 302/351 engines do if you push them over 500HP.

For "the look", nothing looks more at home than an FE. Of course, that's just my opinion.

[Danr55]

Originally Posted by wkooiman

For "the look", nothing looks more at home than an FE. Of course, that's just my opinion.

Truer words have not been spoken on this thread.

[olddog]

Originally Posted by wkooiman

The one that impresses me is the Ford modular. My brother has a 2003 Cobra with minor mods, and it will do over 500HP to the rear wheels all day long. I've heard of them making much more than that too, but you never hear about them splitting a block like stock 302/351 engines do if you push them over 500HP.

They (OEM blocks) have been drag raced at 2000 hp. I have not heard of the 351 block splitting like the 302. They split between the main and cam bearings. The taller deck of the 351 gives them more meet. The modular block has no cam bearing, being on overhead engine. That gives the modular block an advantage.

[cycleguy55]

And Ford Racing has the z460 - 460 CID Windsor crate engine with 575 HP and 575 lb. ft. torque. 450 lbs. of YEE HA!

Originally Posted by olddog

When Shelby started the Cobra, they had the 260 cid small block and shortly after they were all the 289 cid SB. Since that time, the 302 cid later called the 5.0 ltr replace the 289. Ford also made two taller deck 351 cid. The Cleveland and the Windsor, with the later being the taller deck height. The 5.0 is commonly stroked to 347 cid, and with an aftermarket 4.125 bore block, you can take it to over 360 cid. Likewise with the 351 Windsor it is commonly stroked to over 400 cid, and with an aftermarket 4.125" bore a 427 cid is common. It can be punched to 4.155, and it will go over 450 cid. Pretty big for a small block.

The 427 Cobra came with both 428 and 427 engines. This family of engines are call FE. In their cast iron form, quite heavy. All aluminum is almost as light a a SB. These engines are commonly stroked to 482 cid and can go bigger. Ford later made a 429 cid and 460 cid engine family called the 385 series. These BBs are physically larger than the FE engines. They are commonly stroked to 532 cid. The 385 series is arguably the lowest cost easiest engine to make huge power, but it takes a shoe horn and magic mirrors to fit one in a Cobra, but it is done. The FE is arguably the most expensive engine option, and it is a very complex design that required more talent to build. It has a lot of reliability issues, mostly caused by builders who are not up to building an FE. They can be just as reliable as any other engine when built correctly, other than an annoying tendency to mark its territory pissing oil (most but not all).

Bottom line SB are lighter without spending big dollars for an aluminum block. Less cubic inches means less torque. Although, if you want to, you can make as much power, with less torque, by spinning lots of RPMs, it makes a finicky street engine with bad manors. You can build a SB with more cid than an original 427 Cobra, and have torque and Hp that would make an original envious.

So in summary, you have options out the wazoo! I did not mention 351/400 modified truck engines or more modern (now obsolete) modular engines. The new Coyote is even an option.

[likenu2]

Now I dont profess to know even half of what some of the guys on this forum know, being new myself, but I have to agree with what eschaider said at the top of this thread, the nicest one that you can afford. Also having been in the hot rod world, just sold a 33 chopped ford coupe, you cant build them what you can buy them for in my opinion. Try looking for a bail out, divorce, or estate. They are out there if you look hard enough.
Just my opinion,
Joe

[1985 CCX]

The "Exact" on this site and Cobra Country.

[likenu2]

Very Very well said Bernica, I think that you hit every nail on the head with your post.

Steve286, Having owned many many Corvettes, and while they are really a great car, you step up to a Cobra. In my mind the pinnacle of sports cars. As Bernica this is a race car on the street and you have to tame it. Besides there is no fun unless you can play with it now and then (easy boys we are talking about the car here ) I have a friend that has a Backdraft car and he loves it. I think he has a SB 351 in his. I would prefer a SB because there is less push in the corners. I have a SB 427 in mine and it is way fast enough. It is basically a roller-skate with a big motor on it.
Joe

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by likenu2

Very Very well said Bernica, I think that you hit every nail on the head with your post.

Just to be clear, those are not my words. That writeup belongs to Hal Copple. I pull it up and read it often and it still cracks me up! It does nail it on the head!

[Rickd]

Make sure you check out Cobra Country .. most active internet site for selling cobras. Will also give you a good idea of "the market" for different makes.

[Danr55]

You can't register a car in Arizona for street use with a salvage title.

[Chicagowil]

Though I am new to the Cobra Kit ownership (just purchased my 1st a couple of weeks ago). I have visited most of the kit companies over the last 15 yrs and always try to capture the 1st ride in a real 427 when I was 16! What I purchased today is quite different as to what was important to me when I started. I am almost 63 and have been "Hot Rodding" cars since I was 15! faster was a mantra! Now I want some comfort to fit my fat old 6'2" body with an artificial hip!

And I offer this-
Remember- this is a passion, not a planned expectation.

Like women, you do not control them, always respect them and sometimes they will surprise you with the more joy and fun then you can even imagine! Just pick them with what they are today and what you predict they will be like as you go life together!