Newbie - Engine Question

[SPF1061]

Chris -
Everyones comments and observations so far are pretty much spot on. If you've spent months researching options, you should have a pretty good handle on the +/-'s of the different available replicas. SPF is a great choice for your stated intended use. As others have said, call Dennis Olthoff. He is a straight shooter and will point you in the right direction. One observation, if you really intend a lot of extended cruises, gas mileage can become a real factor. I bought SPF1061 new from Dennis 11 years ago. I've logged 63,000 miles. I started out with a 392 Ford Motorsports stroker. "Good" performance. 22mpg is a pretty big deal if you are going to do a lot of long range highway cruising. This was a mild mannered, well behaved motor with a little more oomph than a stock 351. I continually had Dennis make performance mods trying to get a bit more out of it until I grenaded it (36,000 miles) racing at Carolina Motorsports Park. Dennis replaced it with a Roush 427R. BIG performance leap. Lot's more fun to track and drive for short blips. Much less fun as a highway cruiser. 10mpg makes long trips expensive. It is also on the ragged edge running 93 octane. It is much happier when I mix a few gallons of 110 octane into every tank.

[crASH]

Originally Posted by SPF1061

Chris -
It is also on the ragged edge running 93 octane. It is much happier when I mix a few gallons of 110 octane into every tank.

Cobra Braggin'- Just FYI, there's a 100 octane pump close to my house if you ever come to the Raleigh get togethers.

[Cobra Braggin']

Thanks Crash! I'll keep that in mind.

Cobra Braggin'
"Cobra Man For Life"

[Cobra Braggin']

Thanks so much for the tips and reaffirmation comments regarding my questions. Based on everthing I've heard about Dennis Olthoff, I'm sure he'll point me in the right direction with engine choices etc. I know for sure that I plan to take my wife on some long cruises visiting other states across the US so, the mpg will definately be a major factor when making my final decision on which way to ultimately go engine wise. I know I will have some limited track use so I can have that experience but for the most part, I'll use my SPF Cobra for daily use and long cruises. Thanks!!!....

Chris

[Silverback51]

Originally Posted by Cobra Braggin'

Thanks so much for the tips and reaffirmation comments regarding my questions. Based on everthing I've heard about Dennis Olthoff, I'm sure he'll point me in the right direction with engine choices etc. I know for sure that I plan to take my wife on some long cruises visiting other states across the US so, the mpg will definately be a major factor when making my final decision on which way to ultimately go engine wise. I know I will have some limited track use so I can have that experience but for the most part, I'll use my SPF Cobra for daily use and long cruises. Thanks!!!....

Chris

At least for me, the gas mileage would be the last thing I would consider.

Our last long trip was over 2500 miles and I averaged 8.5 MPG, but every mile was with a smile on my face.

[Cobra Braggin']

Amen to that!!!! I'm looking forward to having a smile just like as much as possible...