What gears to use? - Page 2

ERA535 · #21 (**permalink**) 04-15-2002, 08:21 AM

Snake -

Regarding cables for your tach and speedo.....

Do you really have a mechanical tach? The last time I saw one of those was on a Formula Ford I once raced about 20 years ago!

As to the speedo cable, how long does it have to be? There are quite a few different cables available - I believe ERA gives the part number for a Mustang unit and it runs out the firewall and then over the bell housing to the right side of the trans to the hook up at the trans. The cable I use has a little extra length even....

Dwight · #22 (**permalink**) 04-16-2002, 05:15 PM

SNAKE,

I JUST STARTED DRIVING MY CAR AND I'M GEARED 3.55 WHICH IS TO LOW FOR STREET DRIVING. I HAVE ABOUT 350+ HP AT THE FLYWHEEL IN A 5.0 EFI. I COULD HAVE USED 3.27 GEARS. OH YES MY TIRES ARE 26" IN DIA.

justa6 · #23 (**permalink**) 04-16-2002, 06:52 PM

Renman,

Ever give any thoughts to tossing the Top Loader and getting a Tremec. That way if you like 1:1 you just leave it in 4th OR if you get tired of it "buzzing" put it up into 5th and let your motor relax a little. I definitly wouldn't toss the rear end gears although it would be cheaper.

ERA re your>>>If you are running a 302 and want to smoke the tires you not only need 5.36 gears but you must make sure to put 175 X15 tires on the back. And make sure you inflate them to about 35 psi<<<

I take it you wouldn't "like" my even smaller 274" V6 Buick but if you'd like to see what "small" motors can do go to Run & Gun this year.

Regards,

ArubaCobra · #24 (**permalink**) 04-16-2002, 07:15 PM

BLYKINS, I am running the 427 W stroker (640 HP)you are planning on building , with aclose ratio toploader, and 3.55 gears in my Unique. At this point i am going to change to a wide ratio toploader, and then go to 3.07 gears. If you plan on using the 3.73 then make sure you have a gearbox with an overdrive, other wise you will be turning over 3600 rpms at 70 mph.
with the 3.55 i am turning about 3200 at 70 mph. the 3.07 will bring that down to about 2900 and with the wide ratio my first and second gear overall ratios will still be very close to what they are now

blykins · #25 (**permalink**) 04-16-2002, 07:23 PM

I think I'm going with a Tremec 3550 TKO. It's got a .67 5th gear last time I checked. It should do fine with 3.73's. Dad's Mustang Cobra has a 4.11 rearend with a T-45...it tachs around 2800 at 70 if I remember correctly.

Thanks for the tip though. It's nice to see someone running the setup I plan to run. I'll probably be sending you lots of messages in the future.

What kind of compression are you running? Mine's supposed to make around 550 with 10:1.

Thanks again,

Brent

Double Venom · #26 (**permalink**) 04-16-2002, 07:38 PM

Here you go blykins!
pick your gear and your center section:
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/assets...ader_anniv.gif

DV - 300 Cobras is NOT enough!

T-shirts, MUGS,<--- really, really cool, RAFFLE TICKETS FOR THE DAYTONA COUPE ARE NOW AVAILABLE!

ArubaCobra · #27 (**permalink**) 04-16-2002, 07:53 PM

BLYKINS, you can find my engine specs in th 7th post of this thread. http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/show...threadid=11001
I am running a calculated compression ratio of 11.5 :1. here in Aruba our pump gas is 95 octane, so I have no problems.

ERA535 · #28 (**permalink**) 04-16-2002, 07:54 PM

justa6 -

The ONLY reason you can even be anywhere near the 8 cylinder real cars in performance is because of the turbocharger!

Snake · #29 (**permalink**) 04-16-2002, 10:23 PM

Hey Dwight! Ya...!! Your probably right for the 3.27 gears...I've got
a friend that's got some gears....not sure what they are yet....but I'm going soon to check it out...he also is the guy that is painting my Snake.
Thanks buddy.
Snake.

Dominik · #30 (**permalink**) 04-16-2002, 10:40 PM

:-)
I am not sure if one can smoke tires with a 6-cyl ...
;-)

(I am not questoning anybody's hp)

just kidding, but it does not have to be a 175. just use any old tire. they scream like hell, although I am not sure if they smoke ... - and if one really wants this, or maybe I am tooold for this

dominik, from hell (I mean south.africa)

hey, talking about power:
what can i expect froma 427 SO with 10.5 cr, no head work and REED cam XS292-300-10A3 (242° / 251°, .524" lift)

CobraEd · #31 (**permalink**) 04-17-2002, 04:59 AM

Its all about horsepower, not engine bulk!

justa6 · #32 (**permalink**) 04-17-2002, 06:22 AM

ERA,

I don't use no "stinkin" Turbocharger

. Take a look at my picture gallery and you'll notice that the mini motor has a plain old Holly 4 barrel carb.

Just a 6 cylinder Buick that runs 10.8 at 124 with a little more room for improvement. The reason for using it was to have a motor that was relatively small cubic inches (and cylinders) that can hold its own against almost any V8. Now if I wanted it to go low 10's or high 9's then it would get a 150 shot of nitrous.

I'm still undecided on going to that next step. It would be fun though...But its kind of nice to be able to go fast with no "Power Adder".

By the way the Buick Motor I'm using is NOT the Grand National motor.

Regards,

CobraEd · #33 (**permalink**) 04-17-2002, 06:34 AM

Like I said, . . . . It's about horsepower not engine bulk!!!

Bob, I looked at your pictures. Your car is way cool!

Ed

ERA535 · #34 (**permalink**) 04-17-2002, 07:56 AM

justa6-

Just kidding - I have seen your pics and just thought I would harass you a little! (Anyone who has the b*lls to put a 6 in a Cobra HAS to get a little harassment!)

Your engine is fantastic.....!

Pat Buckley

justa6 · #35 (**permalink**) 04-17-2002, 08:18 AM

Yeah Pat your right... It was kind of a weird thing to do.

But I knew this version of the Buick V6 could put out over 500 HP in race trim (compression 14 to 1) so I thought a "detuned" version could get close, dyno'd at 473 with 11.5 to 1 a "mild" short track cam, etc.

So far I'm really happy I did it though. Its different and runs great. In fact it runs too cold. I've got to find a way to get the oil temp up. It won't go over 150 on the street with the cooler blocked off. That isn't good for the motor. Any thoughts?

I like ALL Cobras but have to tweak the V8 guys once in a while<G> Although I'll readily admit that a V8 would still be the best way to go in a Cobra in most cases.

Regards,

klayfish · #36 (**permalink**) 04-17-2002, 08:27 AM

Justa6,
So what happens when you go to car shows, etc... and remove your hood? Do car guys look in there, get that confused expression, then start counting plug wires "1...2...3...4...5...6...wait, that can't be right, let me start again...1...2...".

If you're getting that kind of power from the engine, I think that's awesome. Great job.

I'm hoping to get my car to a dyno sometime soon. I'm really curious what kind of horsepower it has. I have no clue. It's a Jasper Engines H.O. 302 with Edelbrock Performer intake, 650 Edelbrock carb and upgraded ignition. I'd guess around 240-250 hp. or so at the engine, but that's just a guess.

Steve

blykins · #37 (**permalink**) 04-17-2002, 09:01 AM

Hey Bob, you are running a thermostat right? If so, maybe you should change to a high-temp thermostat....just a thought...

ERA535 · #38 (**permalink**) 04-17-2002, 09:08 AM

Yeah, an oil thermostat is the best way.

I have the same problem, the darned needle barely moves off the peg unless I idle in traffic for a while. I ran without a cooler and it didn't make any appreciable difference, so blocking it off doesn't do squat.

Pat

justa6 · #39 (**permalink**) 04-17-2002, 10:23 AM

Thanks for the input.

Yes I am running a water thermostat although I'm going to switch it up to a 180 from a 165.

The oil thermostat won't work as I've got a dry sump system. All the oil that feeds the engine goes through the Filter and then the cooler. One of the problems, IMO, is that my external oil tank and ALL those #12 and #10 Stainless lines radiate heat like crazy. Plus this motor is designed to run at sustained high RPM and survive it was used at Indy as the Menard Stock Block and at Busch series racing. When drive it on the street its just loafing along.

There is also a line of thinking that says to get max horsepower is to have "Cool water, Hot oil".

I think I may just bypass the cooler altogether and insulate the stainless hoses and tank. GOD I HATE to hide all those hoses as they look really good, IMO...Not to mention the hours I put into making those suckers<G>

Thanks for the input guys,

Dominik · #40 (**permalink**) 04-17-2002, 10:33 PM

justa6,

low 10s with 124 mph ... - excellent!
that's my time and speed, but I used a 496 for that ...

I also would put in a higher rated thermostat.
hot water heats oil.

my car ran too cold all the time, probably due to the aluminum block.

dom