SOHC Kirkham

vector1 · #1 (**permalink**) 02-14-2011, 08:40 AM

40k to drop on an engine, if you're worried about resale then don't drop the k, find somebody else's, lot of nice high dollar setups out there taking the hit with engines that'll do everything the cammer will do with the hood closed. be worth more with a warranty but we all know how warranties work in the hot rod/racing world, there is a reason for this, so the value drops with each step out the door...

Motorhead27 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-14-2011, 10:42 AM

To clear some things up, I'll go into detail on a few things. One, I don't have the cammer right now, but my plan is to use this engine. To me, there is no other engine for a Cobra, because it's my favorite engine. I know I don't need that kind of power in a Cobra. As for the resale cost that I brought up initially, it was used only to help make my choice easier. I have no intentions of actually getting into all of the things involved with a resale. Interior aside, I'd get more for a Krikham with a cammer than a FFR with a cammer when the build costs roughly the same. In this case, a roller FFR costs me almost the same as a roller Kirkham. The reason is due to the nature of the parts in the FFR. Some of them are the very best you can put into a FFR for strength and reliability. The cost to build the FFR, including the paint job, about $60,000 not including the interior, engine and transmission. The cost to "build" a Kirkham the way I want it, roughly $63,000 before paint. I know the custom interior would devalue a Krikham, which is why I'm prepared to write that expense off should I ever sell the car. While a full paint job might not seem the best idea with a Kirkham, it won't look bad either. It's just not that common is all, many like the shiny aluminum and for me, it was too much shiny.

I'm here to learn about Kirkhams, I posted what I plan to do with it mainly to give anyone interested in this conversation, a basis to work off of. I don't plan on racing the car, just enjoying it. I like hearing the opinions you guys have as well. I know a modern looking interior isn't for most with this car. Many of you like the Cobra because it has that all business, no comfort feel to it. I just see it as lacking refinement. I know, the Cobra is supposed to be unrefined, raw, brutal and scary. I think it would be cool to see and drive a refined, raw, brutal, scary, civilized, comfy, tame beast. Mixing exact opposites in one car, if done correctly, could be really nice. Old school meets new school. Here is another interior I really like, is out of the norm, but still looks good and gives the car a refined look.

patrickt · #3 (**permalink**) 02-14-2011, 10:58 AM

Joe, I thought you had the cammer sitting in your garage. Be that as it may, you do realize that your total all-in cost is going to be well north of $100k, right? And if you had to turn around and sell it tomorrow, you will be handicapped by the fact that your car has undergone "cammer" modifications as well? I have an idea what your car would then be worth, but frankly, I have more respect for RodKnock's assessment of the numbers -- and I'm sure he'll chime in with those shortly. Chances are his quotes will be pretty darn close to what you can realistically expect to get. If you're comfortable taking that kind of hit, then by all means build it your way. You only go around once in life, and if cammer in a painted Kirkham with a funky interior is what you want, then that's it. But be advised, it will cost you more than you think it will....

RodKnock · #4 (**permalink**) 02-14-2011, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

Joe, I thought you had the cammer sitting in your garage. Be that as it may, you do realize that your total all-in cost is going to be well north of $100k, right? And if you had to turn around and sell it tomorrow, you will be handicapped by the fact that your car has undergone "cammer" modifications as well? I have an idea what your car would then be worth, but frankly, I have more respect for RodKnock's assessment of the numbers -- and I'm sure he'll chime in with those shortly. Chances are his quotes will be pretty darn close to what you can realistically expect to get. If you're comfortable taking that kind of hit, then by all means build it your way. You only go around once in life, and if cammer in a painted Kirkham with a funky interior is what you want, then that's it. But be advised, it will cost you more than you think it will....

Just round ball park numbers, but a new 482 is about 20K +/- depending on who builds it and what extras you buy. The Cammer will be about $40K +/- and then you'll have to add the modfications to the car (e.g., footboxes, steering linkage, headers/exhaust, etc.). If someone else is doing the work, I would bet that you'll add another $5K-10K to the install the Cammer.

As a buyer, I would be willing to pay a premium for the SOHC engine in a Cobra, but would I be willing to pay a premium of $25-30K? Probably not.

I want a set of magnesium Halibrand wheels. Fran Kress will hopefully be making them soon and his price is $4,000 for a set. Trigos/Vintage wheels are about $1,500+/- (not exactly sure since my Kirkham came with them). If I sell my car someday, will a buyer pay me an extra $2,500 for magnesium wheels? Probably not. Most people couldn't care less or they couldn't tell the difference, but for the fact that a buyer may say "your aluminum wheels look like they need a good polishin'. But hey, I want magnesium wheels!

csx4910 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-14-2011, 11:27 AM

A cammer cost is about the same as my Roush 511 and I can promise you you won't build a Kirkham for $120K with a cammer. The build costs on a nicely optioned KMS and a csx fiberglass car are very similar. By the time you figure in install cost of $10-15K for engine and powertrain on top of the componet costs and a custom interior, you will be $130K easy