Supercharged LSA motors under $11K again

[750hp]

For those who kicked themselves for missing out when LSA motors jumped from $10800 to $13000+ overnight, they're a great deal again.

[leroy17]

Nice, thats a whole lotta factory power for not a lot of coin.

[muzzza]

Leigh, You're right........I reckon you ought get one !!....I'm sure you could fine something to plant it in ?? Murray

[Paintwerks]

Thais is where I bought my LSA from earlier in the year.

Speak to Harry. Tell him Simon from Paintwerks referred you. Great business to work with!

Out of interest Craig, where was this deal advertised?

[750hp]

Saw it on the Performance Garage Facebook page tonight.

[Beejay]

This would bolt straight into my Nova.

Must resist the urge!

Ben

[leroy17]

Do not resist the urge.

These would bolt into many things. An IS350 would make a killer daily.

[zoltrix77]

Just a question to all here?

I've been skimming over the cobra forum for a few years now and I've seen a big increase in the use of what I'd call extreme engines, eg supercharged LS and modular engines.

What's the fascination with enormous horse power? I mean most of these cars only weigh about 1100kgs! A 600hp engine gives it a better power to weight ratio than a V8 Supercar. Even they have trouble getting getting the power to ground using super sticky race compound slick tyres.

No offence intended to any one, different strokes and all, but is this simply a "mine is bigger than yours" competition? I really can't see a way in which that power can be used very often at all. I'm lost if electronic traction control is used, as to me, what I love about these cars is the lack of any electronic driving aids.

I personally am also a fan of normally aspirated engines, there is just something so crisp about the way they operate, especially at the top end. My personal favourite engine for a Cobra would be an LS7, but I'm also under the impression that's way more than required for a street car that will do the occasional track day.

I'm interested in hearing people's opinion on this and those that have gone this way, what the thinking was. I'm still looking to build a car in the future and want to get inside people's head. Unfortunately, it's hard to to drive 5 different Cobra's with 5 different engines to get a feel for what would work. I have a clubman car at the moment with "only" a 125hp (500kg), and while I would like more power, I'm of the opinion that any more than say 160-180hp would be pointless unless you've got it on a track, even with 125, it's so capable in the twisty's that not much could stay with me, even the bikes.

Flame suit on.

Adam.

[T.L.]

I paid close to $19,000 all up for my LS3 with a harrop supercharger on it, now it's pretty much 1/2 price.

Great engine though and I'm sure it will have many uses in many cars going forward.

The thing I love about it is that it's pretty tame. You don't have a big block weighing you down or some engine with a cam so lumpy it almost impossible to drive, yet when you want to take it to a track it will preform well. You can then tootle along on the roads back home in 5th and go to over take someone and it will get up and go.

I only find traction an issue when the tyres are cold, I run kuhmo eKU36's (315 on the rear) and once warm they grip well.

I also love the sound of it as it winds up past 2500rpm

[damage]

Big cubes big horsepower big grin. I went big because it's not an everyday driver and weellllllllll why the hell not.

[Tonus72]

Hi Adam

The LSA is a dream engine.

The Cobra is a dream car.

Simple

Although I am planning an LS3 - seems a little underdone in this company

Tony

[spookypt]

My prediction is cobra nats 2015 king cobra will have one of these under his bonnet!

And yep way too much power....when too much is never enough! :-)

[zoltrix77]

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-9cT0bDsaM[/ame]

ITBs on an LS7 is more of my thing.

Adam.

[Donunder]

Flame suit not required Adam.

What you say is correct, and at the same time not correct.

I once spoke with a respected long-time builder of Cobra replicas and posed exactly the same questions you've raised. He told me (and this is about ten years ago) that he thought 350 hp was about the ideal useable limit for a street-driven Cobra. More could be had, obviously, but then the free-n-easy fun factor morphed into something more demanding of a higher level of skill.

On the other hand I had the opportunity occasionally to ride in what was at the time one of the most powerful Cobras in the country -- think north of 750 hp -- and I have to say the feeling was in every instance just totally electric and exhilarating -- something that I'm so glad I experienced. The car was way above my ability and I'm not sure I wouldn't have come to grief in it at some time had I owned it, but the memory of those particular rides will remain with me always.

I too drove a little clubman for a while back in the day -- a Centaur track car that I loved. I agree that it's hard to describe their abilities to someone who hasn't driven one. Great cars. The Colin Chapman/ Gordon Murray factor embodied in something that gives more bang for buck than you can imagine.

But back to the present ..... my Arntz has an old big block developing probably 350 hp or so, and to answer your main question, yes, I'd like just a little more. Today's braking and suspension components, to say nothing of the tyres available, make around 450 not unmanageable for a street car. You don't have to mash it every chance you get, and for me the torque from such a motor, not the horsepower would make my car a more enjoyable drive.

[Wazza]

Hey Zoltrix77,

What you say is right...there are a few really impressive high hp engines getting used in the new Cobras now, and yes...they're probably getting carried away with having WAY more power than they need to....but....as long as you are a capable driver,and the rest of the car is built to keep up with the big HP...they should be ok.

I like the "bang for buck" that you can buy off the shelf with the new LSA engines....but I couldn't be happier with my choice..(LS7).

I've already done about 18,000 kilometres in the first year,and i recon it is just a brilliant engine.

I know there are other engines that will produce more HP and more torque,but as you said earlier, there is probably no real NEED for a squillion horsepower.

Mine comes in at 466 rwhp, and 712 nm (525 ft lb) torque, but it is a real kitten to drive in traffic, and I don't want any more than I've got already.

No vibration,no rocking and rolling,just a super smooth TON of power.

I've got 315 Kuhmos that grip pretty well,once they've warmed up,but easily break traction at 80- 100 kph,so as long as you keep your wits about you,it's a pretty cool feeling when you put the foot down,and that torque sits you back in the seat,as it squirms about underneath you as you give it a bit ....ie under strong acceleration.

I chose the LS7 for a couple of reasons...

I wanted a 427 cu in engine , and with the restrictions on what I could get past registration,needed to be EFI.

I also wanted power WITH reliability ....

I had plenty of years with my first Cobra, always fiddling with the car to make sure it ran right,and this time I just wanted to be able to jump in the car ,hit the start button,and drive the car as much as I wanted,without having to check on things constantly.

After reading everything I could find on different engines, I couldn't get the LS7 out of my head.
It was a bit like when I was about 16 years old, and couldn't get enough of the Street Machine type magazines, day dreaming about what hot cars I would love to have.

I just really loved reading about all of the detail they went into, and how every part of the engine,seemed to be so well designed and constructed ( hand made ).

Don't get me wrong...LSA's look like they're are a great engine, they are more powerful,and about half the price of what they wanted for an LS7 back when I was buying an engine..( mind you the price has dropped since then...typical!!).....but I just love the LS7 to bits.

Have a read of the attached links, if you're interested...the first one is pretty detailed, about 4 pages of fun facts....it's car porn to me !!


http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/cor...7-engine-info/



LS7: The Largest, Most Powerful Small-Block Ever Built

Heres My "donk"....



Cheers,
Warren

[Paintwerks]

I bought the LSA because believe it or not, it will actually cost only about $1K more than a vanilla LS3......once you factor in the price of condenser core needed for the supercharger.

I know it's a lot of power. I can live with that.

[zoltrix77]

Okay,

I have some idea now, its basically, because you can!

Fair enough!

Adam.

[750hp]

Latest pricing - brand new HSV LSA motors now under $10k with a flexplate, or another $700 with a flywheel and twin plate clutch.
SPECIALS SEPT 2014