AC Cobra Replica questions
Discussion
Been having a loo over the net at ones for sale, Im not a car builder ....
1) Whats the better engine the Chevvy 5.7 V8 or the Ford 5.7 V8 and out of interest what what american ford has a 5.7?
2) Whats the process to get a kit cat SVA'd where are the testing stations are there many or just one in central england?
Cheers for your replies ;o)
1) Whats the better engine the Chevvy 5.7 V8 or the Ford 5.7 V8 and out of interest what what american ford has a 5.7?
2) Whats the process to get a kit cat SVA'd where are the testing stations are there many or just one in central england?
Cheers for your replies ;o)
Tuscaholic said:
Been having a loo over the net at ones for sale, Im not a car builder ....
1) Whats the better engine the Chevvy 5.7 V8 or the Ford 5.7 V8 and out of interest what what american ford has a 5.7? Bold TextEither/Or really, Ford Side Oiler is the original, therefore anything "Ford" is more original than a Chevy. Chevy is more popular due to the amount of tuning kit available for them over here. Yank Ford with 5.7...nothing modern! either get a cut out and re-build or ask over on the cobra forum about which dealers to use (and a couple to avoid)
2) Whats the process to get a kit cat SVA'd where are the testing stations are there many or just one in central england? Bold Text SVA being phased out and replaced with IVA, centre's all over England (tend to be same place that the Trucks get their version of an MOT)
Cheers for your replies ;o)
1) Whats the better engine the Chevvy 5.7 V8 or the Ford 5.7 V8 and out of interest what what american ford has a 5.7? Bold TextEither/Or really, Ford Side Oiler is the original, therefore anything "Ford" is more original than a Chevy. Chevy is more popular due to the amount of tuning kit available for them over here. Yank Ford with 5.7...nothing modern! either get a cut out and re-build or ask over on the cobra forum about which dealers to use (and a couple to avoid)
2) Whats the process to get a kit cat SVA'd where are the testing stations are there many or just one in central england? Bold Text SVA being phased out and replaced with IVA, centre's all over England (tend to be same place that the Trucks get their version of an MOT)
Cheers for your replies ;o)
Neither engine is 'better', but asking the question is like asking someone what the best beer is 
Original Cobras had big block Fords, but the vast majority of replicas use small blocks (Ford or Chevy) for cost reasons, availability of parts and better handling due to the lighter weight.
Some people get very touchy about having a Chevy engine in a Cobra replica, but I say unless you're setting-out to build a 100% authentic replica, it doesn't matter. 99.9% of Cobra replicas built are not faithful to the original in a multitude of areas, so it makes no sense to me to criticise engine choice (Chevy vs Ford) when so many areas of the car are likely to be unoriginal.
Personally, I have a 350 Chevy (~450bhp) in mine and have no complaints! Small block Chevy parts are generally a little cheaper than their Ford equivalents, too.
Original Cobras had big block Fords, but the vast majority of replicas use small blocks (Ford or Chevy) for cost reasons, availability of parts and better handling due to the lighter weight.
Some people get very touchy about having a Chevy engine in a Cobra replica, but I say unless you're setting-out to build a 100% authentic replica, it doesn't matter. 99.9% of Cobra replicas built are not faithful to the original in a multitude of areas, so it makes no sense to me to criticise engine choice (Chevy vs Ford) when so many areas of the car are likely to be unoriginal.
Personally, I have a 350 Chevy (~450bhp) in mine and have no complaints! Small block Chevy parts are generally a little cheaper than their Ford equivalents, too.
Tuscaholic said:
Cheers Ian but does anyone know the length and width need to check my garage to see if it will fit :O)
Oh Ian I know the best beer - everyday day drinking Stella - with a Ruby - Cobra - Cheers :O)
Cobras are pretty small... mine fits in my rented single garage with loads of room to spare. You'll be fine.Oh Ian I know the best beer - everyday day drinking Stella - with a Ruby - Cobra - Cheers :O)
ian_uk1975 said:
Tuscaholic said:
Cheers Ian but does anyone know the length and width need to check my garage to see if it will fit :O)
Oh Ian I know the best beer - everyday day drinking Stella - with a Ruby - Cobra - Cheers :O)
Cobras are pretty small... mine fits in my rented single garage with loads of room to spare. You'll be fine.Oh Ian I know the best beer - everyday day drinking Stella - with a Ruby - Cobra - Cheers :O)
Also Ive seen a few and they dont have wet weather gear(hood) and tonneau what does it cost roughly to buy?
Thanks for all feedback :O)
Tuscaholic said:
Guys,
Jim said the 5.7l engine from ford was nothing modern, what about the Mustang engine is this a good engine for the AC Cobra... ??
If you're talking about the modern, fuel-injected, Mustang engines, they're good engines and would doubtless be very dependable and have excellent driving manners, but they're not very powerful as standard (200-300bhp max, depending on the exact engine). Also, personally, I don't think a modern fuel-injected engine is in keeping with the Cobra theme. To me, what makes a Cobra is the lumpy idle, the noise and the rawness of a big, carb V8. Modern injected motors can be made like this by installing a big cam, but then you're into custom mapping sessions and more expense.Jim said the 5.7l engine from ford was nothing modern, what about the Mustang engine is this a good engine for the AC Cobra... ??
I should add that, performance-wise, it depends what your yard stick for comparison is and what you're accustomed to. A Ford 302 (Mustang engine) with 230-250bhp will give you about a 1:1 power/weight ratio (ie. about 230-250bhp/ton). This would still make for a quick car (if you're into 0-60 figures, then 0-60 in about high 4s given sufficient traction). For comparison purposes, this would put the car very close to a Ferrari F355 in acceleration terms. However, I drive a Corvette C6 as my daily driver, so I'm accustomed to a very powerful RWD car already. Therefore, my Cob is now running IRO 400-450bhp with a much better power-to-weight ratio than the Vette, so is bloody fast by any standards. So, if you're used to hot hatches or family saloons, a 250bhp Cobra will feel like a rocket. If you're used to seriously quick cars on a daily basis, then it might not feel quite so quick in comparison. Having said this, the Cobra is a TOTALLY different driving experience... the noise, the wind in your hair, the heavy steering, zero driver aids and the sheer sense of occasion as you strap yourself into a 4-point harness all make the car a real adrenalin rush to drive. Mine feels more akin to trying to wrestle an Amazonian alligator. The Vette is a cute little kitten in comparison!
Edited by ian_uk1975 on Wednesday 18th March 08:52
Edited by ian_uk1975 on Wednesday 18th March 08:54
Ian is absolutely right, my TVR Chimaera 450 with 260 hp felt rapid until I took delivery of the Dax from DB Replicas, around 400 horse from unstressed 6450 cc Ford, torque to weight ratio in these cars is formidable, like nothing i'd previously tried, best car yet, have one you'll love it forever!
Paul/runt
Paul/runt
Tuscaholic said:
Guys,
Jim said the 5.7l engine from ford was nothing modern, what about the Mustang engine is this a good engine for the AC Cobra... ??
Not really, the modern ford is very wide across the heads making it difficult to fit.Jim said the 5.7l engine from ford was nothing modern, what about the Mustang engine is this a good engine for the AC Cobra... ??
I'm running a Chevy LS1 in mine, modern fuel injected yada yada, but essentially an old school design (cam in block, 2valves per cylinder) with Fuel injection, fitted with a nice lumpy cam for the tickover effect :-)
Jim
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