I was lucky to be able to rent a garage stall at Infineon for this weekends SAAC-35. Ya'll stop by if your at the track. Kei is sharing the garage with me, black on black, CSX8000. I just put my number on the car today, #44, see ya there.
Ernie
On the BB/SB question, I first set out to build a 427/BB Cobra. As I got to looking at the build cost, though, I realized an FE was going to be very expensive, and this occurred at a time when my "Cobra fund" was getting tighter (think: post internet-bubble stock options...). I realized that a SB car was more in my budget (After Ernie swooped in and bought that 427 ERA from the infamous "First $25K Takes it" thread. See picture above...) I got to looking at the 289FIA by ERA, and completely fell in love with the shape of the 289FIA over the 427.
Rarely do I wish I had more power---okay, maybe a little bit. My 289FIA still stuns virtually anyone that sees it, and it has enough giddyup to keep me satisfied---for now. I'm sure I'll be up for a KC stroker on the inside of 36 months, though.
The nice thing about a 289FIA (other than it has a small block, heh, heh, heh) is that the body shape is a bit different than most of the Cobras people usually see running around, which are predominately the 427 body shape. I like being "different".
Cobra Make, Engine: SPF2984 MK111, Roush 511 IR FE 8 Stack, Dynoed: [flywheel] 572HP at 6000 , 556# Torque at 4700, Bowler 4R70W Auto Transmision. Tires: Mickey T's S/R 26.0x10.0x15.0 F ,26.0x12.0x15.0 R Color, Bleck, because they told me it was Bleck, at the factory.
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Big is decidely better and is never too much of a good thing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by stimpy
Are the big block cars overpowered?
I know that HP is (like certain anatomical features) USUALLY thought of by most of us as being an end in and of itself WITHOUT diminishing marginal returns.
More is always better.
But are the big-block cars too much of a good thing?
I would think that the balance of a small block, while still producing more than adequate HP for almost any real world situation, would just make more sense day to day given the handling advantages as well as the practical (gas mileage, repair bills etc.) considerations.
I have also heard that the big-block cars can be tricky where overheating (both engine and driver) are concerned.
But I have never owned (or even driven) either one.
What do you guys think?
Do you big-block guys ever wish you had a little LESS under the hood (or wherever, as the case may be)?
How does real-world ownership experience inform the decision of how much power is enough?
TIA for the input.
Stimpy, in a man's world its big vs small. I just had an opportunity, thanks to SandyC from the Arizona Cobras to hear what my 511IRFE will sound like vs the Anvil iteration, being a small block sound provided by Roush. BB's sound like rolling thunder. I guess it boils down to what you want, big ass noise and power or something less. Like I said big vs small. In the end however its whatever rings your bell. My two cents. tin-man
These things are awesome no matter whether BB or SB, or whatever else you choose to go with it. I spent 4 years researching here, talking to owners, reading books, looking to gain whatever I could to make a decision. Being a guy who grew up in the 60s with all the big block stuff, I keep going back to "I really want a BB".....and that's what I got. Great power, great sound and way cool. At the few shows I've been to, I realize from the questions most folks probably don't know or can't tell the difference.
After having driven it for several months, the BB was the right decision for me. However, my buddies with SBs sure seem happy with theirs and have just as much fun. If you're looking to buy/build, the reality is it just boils down to personal preference. You'll gain great knowledge here, but ultimately it's your call.
My C5 Vette SB puts a smile on my face, but my BB SPF puts it on bigger and and for much longer!
Good luck with your search.......there's sure a lot for sale at very good prices on Cobra Country!
__________________
Joe
Have fun and enjoy life, because when it is over, it is too late!
Great points, usage type and gear ratios especially
I will be using the car daily, mostly to go to the gym (great way to get psyched).
With me, it is all about the aluminum, balloon tossing aside.
I really don't even care if it is a Cobra--there are other all aluminum cars to be had like the Lynx (D and C type Jag) and a few limited run copies of the 550s Spyder James Dean drove under a tractor.
I just figure the Kirkhams have done it long enough and in sufficient quantity to be the best of the alternatives.
There is just something about hand wheeled (and I know some parts of it are stamped now but that is life) superleggera type cars that represent an era in motoring that will never be equaled by space-ships and computer chips.
I just don't understand why anyone would want a sports car with a paddle shift.
Again, chocolate and vanilla.
Thanks again for REALLY great feedback, I'll be heading back to the nursing home now.
Cobra Make, Engine: SPF2984 MK111, Roush 511 IR FE 8 Stack, Dynoed: [flywheel] 572HP at 6000 , 556# Torque at 4700, Bowler 4R70W Auto Transmision. Tires: Mickey T's S/R 26.0x10.0x15.0 F ,26.0x12.0x15.0 R Color, Bleck, because they told me it was Bleck, at the factory.
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You are one cool dude listening to the wife.
Quote:
Originally Posted by stimpy
I hear ya on the big vs small, in a man's world.
My wife WILL, however occasionally explain to me that BIG can have drawbacks.
Lets just say there are some things that Big won't get a chance to try, just because it's big.
Stay cool
Stimpy, its whatever rings your bell, Good Luck. tin-man
Ten years ago my motor made about 280 to the rear wheels.
Now it makes 402 rwhp. That should be about 500 flywheel.
I love it, fast for a 2315 lb car, with me and a tank of gas 2660 lbs.
I have several buddies with 427's and 428 strokers, 600 to 620 flywheel hp.
I have driven their cars. No over heating problems, no real differents in front end weight problems. Each car handles a little different but on the street, I can't tell a big differents.
I have seen a few Cobras with big block motor set 4 or 5" to the front of the car. They may have a handling problem but I have never driven them. I Don't know.
Gas mileage, I get 18, they get 12 - 14. Pennys differents.
I think a Cobra should have 500 to 600 flywheel hp. If you like to hamner it every now and then.
We have several buddies who have stock 302s in their Cobra and they enjoy them as must as the rest of us. Their cars look great, they cruise around, they win trophies at the shows, everyone takes pictures of them going down the hiway.
Max horsepower is not neccessary for most Cobra owners. But for some of us it is the Cobra.
Dwight
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''Life's tough.....it's even tougher if you're stupid.'' ~ John Wayne
"Happiness Is A Belt-Fed Weapon"
life's goal should be; "to be smarter than inanimate objects"
Yes, so major mods are required to fit it in a Kirkham. Plus, they're about $25,000-$40,000 for a complete original or new repro engine.
I don't think a cammer will fit in any of the Cobras very easily. It's better to have it built to receive it. Major changes to footbox and steering configurations. Plus, it might be easier to pull the engine than to change the plugs in place.
I don't think a cammer will fit in any of the Cobras very easily. It's better to have it built to receive it. Major changes to footbox and steering configurations. Plus, it might be easier to pull the engine than to change the plugs in place.
They sure are cool though.
Yes, I'll have to do footbox mods, change the header configuration and steering linkage, and I'm sure a bunch of other stuff, but I may do it someday...when I hit the Powerball.
The SOHC (or Hemi for you Mopar fans) is the ultimate.
Cobra Make, Engine: Superformance, Roush 402R and CSX 6029
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I have a small block SPF (Roush 402R i.e., 351W) and a big block Shelby (427 FE). The cars are different but both sound great and both are loads of fun. As for the engines, as someone previously pointed out in this thread, the average car show spectator often cannot tell which is which (SB or BB?) by sight or sound. On a couple of occasions, when I have told someone that I do have both a sb cobra and a bb cobra, and I start up the sb, they think it is the bb. As I said they do have a different sound but both sound awfully good to me.
Overpowered? No. I can put it to the floor gently and get a lot of accelaration not just wheel spin. My engine is aluminum with aluminum heads, I have never felt as if the car is nose heavy, it feels very balanced. My 88 Mustang GT plowed a lot at the limit in a corner and the Cobra does not. Somestimes it understeers and sometimes it oversteers (without the use of the gas pedal).
I think the too much engine is more a cam/intake/carb problem than cubic inches. if you have a race setup (huge lift/duration, huge carb, single plane intake), it may not run well on the street whether it is a 302 or a 550. . .. mine a little much for the street, if I were to do it again, I may "decam" it, but I would still have a big block. . . .love the torque...
those are my 2 cents worth, but what do I know. . . .
Horsepower
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