New guy....needs lots of advise.

[Noel]

Guys, This is my first post. After reading through the archives, i have not been able to get nuts and bolts answers to my basic questions. First, here is my deal: I don't own a cobra...yet. I also don't know a ton about the different parts, but I do have a basic working knowledge (example: I don't know what a"side oiler" is). I'm ready to pull the trigger but really need some help first. I've been leaning toward a Superformance from D&M motorsports...now here is where I'm hurtin: what do I put in it and why? I've never had anyone tell me simple answers to what I assume are simple questions, like what is the actual difference between the small block and large block? which one is faster? does one require a different transmission than the other? Every source that I've checked says something like "there are many different opinions", but nobody has told me why. Also, everyone seems to know a ton about these cars except for me. I've bought the book "the complete guide to cobra replicas" and watched the DVD "Bitten by the Snake", but it didn't tell me anything that I can really use, like: a Backdraft Racing is better than a Superformance, or Rousch engines suck, don't buy one (just an example). All they say is "check out your options", nothing that I can really use to make a buying decision.

I want the car to be really fast, I already own a fast car but want this to be the beast of the two. Good news: my budget is fairly large, I'm comfortable paying toward the high end of what these things go for. I just don't want to build one of these then, realize I made a bad decision (or overpaid), and have to end up swapping engines or whatever. So...........with all of that said if you guys were to build one of these puppies, with 60 or 70k to do it with, what would you do? why? Would you pick the Superformance? Why/why not? I'm totally open, and would really appreciate whatever advise you guys have.

Thanks in advance, Noel