CI Discussion
 

Here is an interesting thread discussing the size of an engine a guy wants to put in his Cobra. He's planning on a setup similar to what Mike has but is questioning if he'll have enough HP.
Look especially at message #12 for some suggestions!
http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/small-block-talk/74141-should-i-sell-my-347-go-393-windsor.html
Ralph :MECOOL:

Ralph
This is what I have been saying all along. This is why I like my 3 cylinder GEO motor so much.
Rich ;)

Engine too big
 

The engine in my Excalibur is only a 302 with 225HP. It can burn rubber and get sideways if you want-but it doesn't over heat. Has air conditioning to.

On the road rally i noticed some of the big blocks shut down when we had to look over the map and directions-the little 302 had no problems and i didn't have to turn it off once.

Now iam not saying i dont like the big blocks but the bigger the engine and the more HP the more problems there seems to be.

Bigiron

I know exactly what your where coming from bigiron. I to had a stock 302 225hp Excalibur. And get this, the Excal was FAR more likley to get sideways or spinout than my 500 plus horse ERA. I not only did SCCA 'cone racing' with the Excal I also competed in official 'Drifting' matches at the local race track.

So why was the Excal more 'frisky' than the BB ERA? Gearing mostly, followed closely by poor traction.

The ERA is geared MUCH higher (65 mph in 1 st) and has bigger more sticky tires. The horse power is 'controllable', the ride (due to IRS) is substantially better. The ERA is night and day faster (11 second 1/4 vs 14 second 1/4 mile).

Now don't get me wrong, I loved the Excal. Sold it to a friend and I STILL get to drive it on occasion. I wouldn't hesitate to buy it back if the timing and price were right. Somethings about the Excal I PREFER over the ERA!

The cars are just totally different. :D

I hear what you are saying and am building another engine/car to allow me to use pump gas etc... I think Ralph and his 3 cyl GEO is a bit too far though. I need the GEO engine as the starter on the monster engine.
I think a hair dryer may be the answer. I have found a very cool set up that allows cockpit adjustment to change boost levels. Turn a knob and add 5 more pounds of boost when you feel froggy. 5 pounds to go to the store and 5 more or 10 pounds to get home when in a hurry. best of all worlds

Did somebody say "Hair dryer"?

www.gnvenom.com

www.gnspyder.com

In the last year , I have driven several makes and various engine sizes/ HP

The best balanced seemed to be the 351/392 versions of the Foed small block--the larger engines just seemed heavy on the front end--they would definitely benefit from a weight loss plan--alum heads/manifolds/water pumps, smaller lighter radiators, removing unnecessary oil coolers and remote filters, and maybe even a lighter wheel/brake combo

A carbon fibre hood, lighter valve covers and aluminum bell housings would remove another 50-60 #

Jerry

The size of the steering wheel and ratio of the steering gear is also a consideration. I found the Excal more difficult to 'turn in' (and more likely to bite you when it did) than my ERA.

But the point is not lost, consensus seems to support the concept that a SB is better on the track. Well, maybe, maybe not. For the AVERAGE replica getting the proper suspension setup is significantly more important than what kind of power plant you run.

If were talking a 'full race' setup (not typical for most of us), a BB on a weight reduction diet can come very close to the weight of a SB. Perhaps a SB is easier to 'dial in' the suspension. Perhaps it's more forgiving? So that kind of brings us full circle as to 'which is best'. Coming out of the 'hairpin' at the end of the straight the BB torque was VERY welcome, I can tell ya that for sure! :D

Small Block vs. Big Block
 

The answer on what to do with your engine in a Cobra replica reallly depends on the purpose behind the build of your car. There seem to be various objectives when building a Cobra replica. I seem to be in the minority but the purpose I had when building my car was to be as close to the original car as possible down literally to the smallest screw. My objective was to recreate the actual experience of driving a Cobra from the 60s.

There are a few things that defined the Cobra including an aluminum body, toploader transmission, but nothing more defined this car than the Ford 427 side oiler. This engine was the primary reason that the Cobra became what it is. Sure its big and heavy, it gets hot when standing still for too long in the summer but it is the real deal and for me that's what it is all about. Its all part of the Cobra experience.

So is it true that "the bigger the engine and the more HP the more problems"? This can be very true but so far I have had more reliability with my Cobra with a 427 SO than I did with my Pantera with a 351 Cleveland. The bottom line is that it all depends on your purpose and if engine originality is not a concern then a smaller option is great but if it is important to you then you don't have a choice on what engine to put in your car.

Rich