BDR Engine/Trans selection

cobrak · #1 (**permalink**) 01-27-2005, 08:36 AM

I am interested in a BDR. I want to investigate the whole cobra package before I purchase. So............ What engine/trans should I install. I want it to be very very reliable and very very streetable but of course there is that side of me that says, get as much HP as I can. I was thinking 400 HP should be good. Are there any engines I should not use. Who should I buy the engine from and who should I stay away from.

cobrak

Goober · #2 (**permalink**) 01-27-2005, 09:51 AM

I have ridden in a few BDRs and the 351 W seems to be a good all around motor. Go for the stroker 392-427 and you can get HP up to 550+ if you want. Hook it up to a TKO gearbox or the new TKO 600 and it will scream. You can buy a 392 Ford Crate with 430HP or get a Roush/Keith Craft stroker with 550+HP. Your wallet is the limit.Believe me, 400 HP will scoot these light cars right along.
The Ford crate now has a warranty and used Forged pistons. The Roush has a 2 year warranty.(limited, read the fine print).
Basically any of these engines are pretty good. I have some friends that have the 302 versions, some stroked to 347 and most of them wish they should have opted for the 351 choice.
Call Reg in Florida and he can advise you.
Just my 2 cents

Mark

cobrak · #3 (**permalink**) 01-27-2005, 10:01 AM

Mark;

The fords come with used forged pistons. Should that concern me. I see that you are a Superformane Cobra owner. Ant thoughts on Backdraft.

cobrak

Blittleton · #4 (**permalink**) 01-27-2005, 02:25 PM

cobrak, I like the 351w stroked motor, plenty of hp and not alot of weight. What you put into the motor is what you basically get out of it. 450hp to 500hp should be easily obtained with a stroked motor. Just be careful of the wrist pin bore on a piston isn't in the oil groove, eats up the oil.

Cashburn · #5 (**permalink**) 01-27-2005, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cobrak

Mark;

The fords come with used forged pistons. Should that concern me. I see that you are a Superformane Cobra owner. Ant thoughts on Backdraft.

cobrak

I think that is a typo and he meant the engines "use" forged pistons... they are not used parts.

Goober · #6 (**permalink**) 01-27-2005, 04:26 PM

Cashburn, you are right. Just a typo. In the past Ford used a cast crank and cast pistons and offered no warranty. Now they use new forged pistons and offer a warranty.
Blittleton is correct that 450-500HP is easy obtainable.

Goober · #7 (**permalink**) 01-27-2005, 04:34 PM

Cobrak, I did a ton of research on the BDR before buying a SPF. I drove to Dallas and checked out the dealers car and drove it. They make a good car and the BMW suspension is good. Anybody tells you that is won't take the torque from the V-8 is wrong. I don't think they've broke one yet. I wasn't impressed with the finish but maybe I'm a little fussy. From what I hear, that has improved. There seems to be a lot of little things go wrong (read the Backdraft manufactures thread) but nothing serious. Buy the time I added knockoff wheels, top, toneau, side curtins,heater, orignial smith gauges, oil cooler, and a few other things, the price was bumping SPF and I felt the SPF was a better car with a larger network. I also feel the re-sale on the SPF tends to be better. (just from watching eBay). The fit and finish is great and uses no used parts. The BDR rear ends are used.
Don't let me put you off. They are both excellent cars. Depends on what you want. Just buy either one or any other Cobra and start having fun.

Mark

niles · #8 (**permalink**) 01-27-2005, 04:49 PM

Do you want the experience of building one or just buying a turn key?

This & other requirments will point you in the right direction
gn

trs900 · #9 (**permalink**) 01-27-2005, 05:51 PM

I have the 430hp stroker and yesterday took an old friend for a ride.. I let it row off from a stop in 1st then nailed it and layed 2 nice even stripes of rubber on hot black top with the 80/20 3:10 rear end & 315/45/17 drag radials .. he about shi** himself .. I have heard of others complaining about doing a 1 wheel burn out but I dont seem to have that problem... I feel get as much HP as you can offord but dont go over board and take away from the driveability of car.. you want it to hook up & go straight.. not sit there and do donuts.. also worth mentioning is the fact that my engine runs very smooth from 1100 RPM idle to 6000 rpm.. no stumbles or flat spots.. instant throttle response..

Nor Cal Al · #10 (**permalink**) 01-28-2005, 05:00 PM

I'm sorry I havn't had time to read all the above responses but I chose to buy all my drivetrain from Ford. I got the 392, the Tremec, scattershield, clutch, starter, pullys and lots of small items. My dealer had it shipped to a local freight depot and picked up the cost of freight. everything worked except fitment of the scattershield. You've heard about them on other threads.

Very happy. Goes like stink. Used the Holly Street Avenger 770 recommended by Reg.

cobrak · #11 (**permalink**) 01-31-2005, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Goober

Cobrak, I did a ton of research on the BDR before buying a SPF. I drove to Dallas and checked out the dealers car and drove it. They make a good car and the BMW suspension is good. Anybody tells you that is won't take the torque from the V-8 is wrong. I don't think they've broke one yet. I wasn't impressed with the finish but maybe I'm a little fussy. From what I hear, that has improved. There seems to be a lot of little things go wrong (read the Backdraft manufactures thread) but nothing serious. Buy the time I added knockoff wheels, top, toneau, side curtins,heater, orignial smith gauges, oil cooler, and a few other things, the price was bumping SPF and I felt the SPF was a better car with a larger network. I also feel the re-sale on the SPF tends to be better. (just from watching eBay). The fit and finish is great and uses no used parts. The BDR rear ends are used.
Don't let me put you off. They are both excellent cars. Depends on what you want. Just buy either one or any other Cobra and start having fun.

Thanks for the input.

I agree that the fit and finish is better on the Superformance. Unfortunately I do not fit in the Superformance. I am currently trying to see what simple modifications or adjustments I can make to be more comfortable in the BDR.

Cobrak

Mark

Boudy · #12 (**permalink**) 01-31-2005, 10:51 AM

I would be careful pushing more than 450 to 500 HP. If you want to drive the car, and I mean drive it, too much HP is bad. I like to spin the tires, toss it sideways, and just plain flog the thing. It hard to do this with too much HP. Things get out of hand very quickly.

Now if straight line slick roasting in the 1/4 is your thing, have at it.

Boudy

uncltodd · #13 (**permalink**) 01-31-2005, 12:53 PM

CobraK, I'm gonna be straight up with you.

If I were to buy or build a second Cobra replica, it would be a BDR...

But it would have a dead-stock injected 302 with an auto tranny.

I have been punching a clutch for 40 years. The thrill is gone. Well, sort of.

In a 2400 LB car, that 302 will smoke 9 out of 10 other cars on the road.

Plus Momma could drive it every day, friends could drive it (briefly) and not be intimidated, and any powertrain repair costs get moved one decimal point to the LEFT, not the RIGHT.

Keep in mind that #139 is in the paint shop after I went through a barbed wire fence, the local cops have a hard-on for me, and my left-rear wheel fell off in front of 2,000 college students.

I have had a wild 1,100 miles, trust me.

I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Go look at my posted pics.

UT