RE: PH Heroes: AC Cobra
Discussion
Well.. concentrate on biceps/triceps and you might be ok.. the 428 motor from the FE family (like the famous 427)is a BIT lighter,looks visually identical to a 427, with 500+ horse these cars FLY; well actually their fast with 300, my car has c.400 from a 393 stroker, more power than I could ever use driving sanely.. great fun!
Try Mike Huddart (www.huddartengines.co.uk) for all your American V-8 needs,years of experience and some of the most famous Cobras use his engines.
Paul.
Try Mike Huddart (www.huddartengines.co.uk) for all your American V-8 needs,years of experience and some of the most famous Cobras use his engines.
Paul.
Edited by runt on Tuesday 8th April 21:44
There's a new crate engine that was featured in a recent Hot Rod Magazine that I think would be ideal for a Cobra replica. It's a 331 screamer. It's not your typical 331, either. Those are usually rebuilt production 302's that are overbored to 4.03" with a 3.25" stroke. This one uses a siamesed block with a 4.125" bore and a 3.1" stroke, and it really revs. I can't find a link to it. I believe it's a Ford Racing crate engine. I wouldn't want a big block in such a light car.
Miguel
Miguel
Chainguy said:
runt said:
That 460 block would have featured in a full size sedan ie Mercury Brougham, Ford T-Bird etc in another life, its extremely heavy so in a Cobra replica, steering/balance will be compromised, many many V-8 options available, but that one might not be your best choice; boat anchor!
Paul/runt.
Thanks Paul, appreciate the heads up. I always thought it really needed to be 8 litres and above for a Cobra rep, hence why that choice. Also, as I say, I say a Cobra rep years back with an 8+litre in it utterly rip the head off everything else it was tracking against. Hence why the love for them Paul/runt.
Edited to say, I'll look at this bad laddy then:
http://www.proformanceunlimited.com/specs/428_525H...
Edited by Chainguy on Tuesday 8th April 21:09
It's an 'FE' Engine, so has the right 'Look' unlike the '385' series.
There's only one way to do a Big Block Cobra and thats as original as possible, otherwise if not careful you can end up with a dreadful 'Custom Car' with Mahogany dashboard & cream leather seats with red piping, that sort of thing.
http://www.keithcraft.com/engines/482_FE_Aluminum_Crate_Engine.html
Edited by THX138 on Wednesday 9th April 07:45
Have to agree with THX and Dinkel, actually th great fascination with the whole Cobra scene is that: 'Variety is the spice of life..'
My inspiration was the two 427 cars the late John Woolfe owned in the sixties; racer GTM 700F, and road car GTM 777F,so my car had to be black (with black seats, carpets, Halibrands..) and an absense of 'bling' BUT.. whatever floats your boat, I am always chuffed to meet any Cobra fanatic whatever his interpretation, and whichever motor he's using (hopefully a V-8!)
After all, if your not open to influences, your only half alive.
A perfect stablemate for my black Dax would be a Hawk 289, Viking Blue or Silver, revvy little 302 and chrome wires!
Paul/runt.
My inspiration was the two 427 cars the late John Woolfe owned in the sixties; racer GTM 700F, and road car GTM 777F,so my car had to be black (with black seats, carpets, Halibrands..) and an absense of 'bling' BUT.. whatever floats your boat, I am always chuffed to meet any Cobra fanatic whatever his interpretation, and whichever motor he's using (hopefully a V-8!)
After all, if your not open to influences, your only half alive.
A perfect stablemate for my black Dax would be a Hawk 289, Viking Blue or Silver, revvy little 302 and chrome wires!
Paul/runt.
That's an unusual 289 rep, perhaps someone on here will enlighten us as to; manufacturer.
The RV8..once again, an ideal motor for these cars; compact, lightweight, good torque output, parts easy to source, and sounds great gargling on large bore exhausts!
Any owners of genuine AC Cobras visiting these forums; love to hear of your experiences?
The RV8..once again, an ideal motor for these cars; compact, lightweight, good torque output, parts easy to source, and sounds great gargling on large bore exhausts!
Any owners of genuine AC Cobras visiting these forums; love to hear of your experiences?
Thanks for the photos Dink, had to take my one for a quick wiz after reading all this - I still need a strong cup of coffee before and after – and I am going to be deaf for a week after a “trundle” through the local tunnel! It’s not been out the garage since it was MOT’d in Feb – started first time good as gold.
As others have said, the 460 is a heavy engine, but it is a very cheap way to a lot of power. I’ve put flat-top forged pistons in, balanced and lightened bottom end, ported the heads, lumpy cam, roller rockers and a big Holley on top - I don’t know how much power it makes but it puts a smile on my face!
Be aware that these are quite tall engines - to keep it low in the chassis I have chopped the sump down and put wings on it with baffles in to keep oil capacity, I didn’t want a bigger bonnet scoop on top so the chokes were cut off the carb to get the bonnet shut with a filter on, and getting the exhausts in around the chassis tubes was very tight - it is a big wide engine and only just fits in the rails. I think it’s a modified V8 Sherpa van radiator in it which keeps it cool even when stuck in a tunnel somewhere in London, eh Dink? A nice alloy one is on the cards at some point.
The RAM chassis is so strong and well balanced my nerve gives before the grip does! It will go round bends faster than is sensible, as long as you are gentle and progressive on the power – the back is more likely to go than the front, then when it’s all straight hang on tight and give it a push! Don’t forget to respect these things – they bite back very quickly – ask Barry and other “very experienced” Cobra pilots! I’ve had two moments, but take it easy and they are wonderful fun.
After the disappointment of Snetterton being rained off, Cheng finally got the Thunder Road Cobra on the track last weekend for its first race after its “rebuild”. If you thought it was awesome before wait ‘till you see it now! The chassis is a work of art, still with its very aggressive attitude its got more ducts & vents (as per GPG 4C - I hope it has more luck at Spa than GPG 4C did first time round – it didn’t even make it on to the grid!). It was good to see it out again, the handling looked a bit lively, although Cheng does drive Lydden Gerry Marshall style! All was going well until an electrical fault led to retirement from the first race. The second race was abandoned just as they were sitting in assembly ready to roll on to the grid – 6” of snow fell out the sky and nobody could see the track! Barry had to drive his 289FIA over 100 miles home in a blizzard!
Oh for some nice dry weather – I might even get it painted this year!
As others have said, the 460 is a heavy engine, but it is a very cheap way to a lot of power. I’ve put flat-top forged pistons in, balanced and lightened bottom end, ported the heads, lumpy cam, roller rockers and a big Holley on top - I don’t know how much power it makes but it puts a smile on my face!
Be aware that these are quite tall engines - to keep it low in the chassis I have chopped the sump down and put wings on it with baffles in to keep oil capacity, I didn’t want a bigger bonnet scoop on top so the chokes were cut off the carb to get the bonnet shut with a filter on, and getting the exhausts in around the chassis tubes was very tight - it is a big wide engine and only just fits in the rails. I think it’s a modified V8 Sherpa van radiator in it which keeps it cool even when stuck in a tunnel somewhere in London, eh Dink? A nice alloy one is on the cards at some point.
The RAM chassis is so strong and well balanced my nerve gives before the grip does! It will go round bends faster than is sensible, as long as you are gentle and progressive on the power – the back is more likely to go than the front, then when it’s all straight hang on tight and give it a push! Don’t forget to respect these things – they bite back very quickly – ask Barry and other “very experienced” Cobra pilots! I’ve had two moments, but take it easy and they are wonderful fun.
After the disappointment of Snetterton being rained off, Cheng finally got the Thunder Road Cobra on the track last weekend for its first race after its “rebuild”. If you thought it was awesome before wait ‘till you see it now! The chassis is a work of art, still with its very aggressive attitude its got more ducts & vents (as per GPG 4C - I hope it has more luck at Spa than GPG 4C did first time round – it didn’t even make it on to the grid!). It was good to see it out again, the handling looked a bit lively, although Cheng does drive Lydden Gerry Marshall style! All was going well until an electrical fault led to retirement from the first race. The second race was abandoned just as they were sitting in assembly ready to roll on to the grid – 6” of snow fell out the sky and nobody could see the track! Barry had to drive his 289FIA over 100 miles home in a blizzard!
Oh for some nice dry weather – I might even get it painted this year!
Edited by 460 COB on Saturday 12th April 01:29
460 COB said:
. . . I think it’s a modified V8 Sherpa van radiator in it which keeps it cool even when stuck in a tunnel somewhere in London, eh Dink? A nice alloy one is on the cards at some point.
. . .
Oh for some nice dry weather – I might even get it painted this year!
Cheers Wayne, had my piece of Yank today: several Caddy's, '78 Camino with extra beef: spanker! - love that car, snaps soon - '98 Vette, ultrabrutal Chevy Cheyenne:. . .
Oh for some nice dry weather – I might even get it painted this year!
It had the same gearknob as those evil twin Spa6 C2 Vettes! Fooook did that thing go, lift off in 2nd gear . . . Vette drives like a family car really . . . Old Yank beef for me. Twas for a dealers photoshoot BTW.
Tooley was quite something eh? We both were so glad we could get some speed after what 30 mins of tunnelhell!
Re: paint.
Think about that one Wayne . . . don't make it too nice 'n shiney
runt said:
Any owners of genuine AC Cobras visiting these forums; love to hear of your experiences?
Here's mine - an AC Cobra 212 S/C:
Built by AC Cars in 2000 as homage to the 427 S/C - it has the same power to weight ratio - its a beautifully constructed car - the bodywork is Carbon Fibre. Its has an interesting history and is quite a famous car in AC circles...driven mainly by the fact that no one brought one and hence its the only RHD car to exist (one LHD was also made)
Had it for four months now and love it to bits - aim to go to a few car events this year (Goodwood Breakfast Clubs / Le Mans Classic etc) so just waiting for the weather to improve so I can take it out
Edited by duggan on Saturday 12th April 20:04
Thanks guys for all this info,as said Barry and Cheng were unlucky there, you can never be sure of the April weather and when you have no roof..its a big concern..
Wayne's mods to accommodate the 460 show that where there's a will, there's a way, his 'Cobra drivers' guidelines'are worth re-reading, you can never take these machines for granted, I rarely drop down to second above 20 mph as the pull is so strong even in the upper gears, and if its wet.. I don't go out!
Glad to hear Duggan is enjoying his AC, any owners of old (1960's) cars on these forums?
And to any potential Cobra buyers out there; take the plunge; you'll not regret it (and you'll never be bored..)
Paul/runt.
Wayne's mods to accommodate the 460 show that where there's a will, there's a way, his 'Cobra drivers' guidelines'are worth re-reading, you can never take these machines for granted, I rarely drop down to second above 20 mph as the pull is so strong even in the upper gears, and if its wet.. I don't go out!
Glad to hear Duggan is enjoying his AC, any owners of old (1960's) cars on these forums?
And to any potential Cobra buyers out there; take the plunge; you'll not regret it (and you'll never be bored..)
Paul/runt.
Slow response from me on the question from Chainguy. I've got a GD. Bought it after test driving at least a couple of each Ram, AK, Dax and GD. All four cars look good, with their own merits. My final choice wasn't price based but more so upon the feel of the cars. Having owned a few TVRs, I knew where I wanted some things to be the same and other things to be better. In my view, I picked the GD based purely on the ride and handling with spirited driving on uneven B-roads AND around town at a leisurely pace. It definitely has something right in the way it manages to be pliant when hitting uneven surfaces, yet firm enough to put power down early in a bend. Built mine with 520 BHP, but then changed the cam down to a slightly milder one which gives a dyno proven 475bhp & 470 lb/ft. Actually quicker in this set up as can generate power earlier in the rev range and over a wider band. Also easy as driving a family hatch in traffic.
All V8 Cobra's should sound sound good. My personal choice of standard GD under-slung twin exhausts was because I like to drive it a lot and could not get used to the peculiar sensation, with 'side pipe' cars, of hearing the drivers side exhaust predominantly, even when there is a good wall to the nearside. PM me if you'd like more details. In any event, I don't believe that there was much difference in build costs. I think I've got the build up spreadsheets somewhere.
All V8 Cobra's should sound sound good. My personal choice of standard GD under-slung twin exhausts was because I like to drive it a lot and could not get used to the peculiar sensation, with 'side pipe' cars, of hearing the drivers side exhaust predominantly, even when there is a good wall to the nearside. PM me if you'd like more details. In any event, I don't believe that there was much difference in build costs. I think I've got the build up spreadsheets somewhere.
I know what you mean re; exhaust note,I have sidepipes and I only hear the 'eight'if I'm standing outside the car,I needed the ground clearance though for the driveway to my garage, so it had to be sidepipes,otherwise I would have had underslungs; I don't really find the sidepipes aesthetically pleasing on any of the Cobras, real or replica.
Paul, I see you arent too far away, and any one with a cob - Cheng & co should be at Brands 21/22 June, even if he's not there should be 3 or 4 other cobras out with the SRGTC, see u there?? We could make a bit of a "thing" of it!
Keep a eye on the dates at www.srgtc.org.uk
Keep a eye on the dates at www.srgtc.org.uk
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