Newbie - Engine Question

[mattpatt]

Just 2 more cents for you. I did a very thorough study before buying a new cobra from Lance at Hillbank (great group of people by the way). For me it's an occassional, mildly driven street machine with occassional high spirited street duty (let's say 2000-3000 miles/year). Someday maybe some track training - but not interested in track as a hobby. But I DO appreciate pride of ownership and am very techincially inclined. Given that I bought a replica so trying to match "authentic" wasn't in the cards. So I opted for technical enhancements that still maintain the basic look and spirit of the car. My choice of engines was a Keith Craft SBF all aluminum 427 (554 hp, 580 ft-lbs torque). It's lighter than the 289s that won al the races (~51 - 52% on the rear wheels) - best handling, best acceleration. It is truly a 427 (true to the namesake). The power/weight ratio is ~the same as the originals (less power, less weight) - performance is downright awsome. Costs less than a Roush even though the KC too has very good parts. I got the aluminum block upgrade and it was still a bit less than a Roush (even with shipping). Some folks have said the KC is really rough on the low end. I had them tune the cam down a bit (from the 580 hp catalog version), added a 2-plane air-gap manifold and then added vacuum advance and some idle tuning (not finished with the carb yet) and the engine is quite smooth (5th gear - .83 Tremec) at 40 mph with 275-40x18 tires. At 1200 miles of breakin I'm getting ~15 mph on the highway (8-9 around town). Finally, I decided on KC because they are a single shop - controlled by Keith (but they are a long ways away if there's a problem). I had a few shipping issues and they sent replacement parts out right away - very positive experience with KC. Roush is huge - has many builders so I think they can't control quality as well - BUT they can, and do, quicky handle any problems you have (so I've heard).

Fiinal note. I've had limited dealing with Dennis O (parts and advice) - always top notch. I'm in California and, fortunately, live close to Eric Voss - has done some work for me and is absolutely great.

SPF is, IMHO, one of the top replicas you can own so - congrats on your choice.

And good luck on the rest of the decisions you'll make - but be assured there isn't a decision that's really bad. It's all good.

Matt