Cobra Newbie Questions

[PaulWarner]

Hi,

Having sold a very troublesome MR2 Turbo im now looking to get myself a Cobra. At the moment im looking at the different kits on offer though I am leaning towards the Dax at present.

What I would like to find out more on is engines, there seems so much variation its difficult to know which to pick, Chevy, Ford, Rover etc.

Are there any good sites/books anyone can recommend. I will want to take my Cobra on the track so decent power is required, but I have heard that big block engines can ruin the handling due to weight?

I read the Dax De Dion chassis review in this months Kitcar which seems pretty impressive with an even more impressive 8.3L Chevy V8, how sensible is that sort of engine choice?

Any hints/tips/info greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Paul

[kdavies3]

Hi Paul, and welcome.
This really is the how long is a piece of string.
All down to personal choice, driving needs and style.
I'm quite happy with my Dax (Mk4) with it's 450 ish horses, it's scary enough for me.
I do like the look of the De Dion myself.
The original 427's weren't renowed for their cornering abilities and earned the title of "The widow Maker" The Big Block Ford side oiler is a heavy old lump, the small block Fords and Chevy's are lighter but not much.
RV8 is much lighter but very expensive to get serious 400+ horsepower without NOS or a supercharger.
The more recent Chevy and Ford small blocks are all ally so come in lighter may be the way forward.

hope this helps.

http://animatedgif.net/flags/-flags-uncat/Wales.gif

Kev Davies
Dax, 383ci Chevy Stroker, Tremec TKO
South Wales

[Kelvin]

Looking through the old post will deliver all your answers but i will try to help, Which kit did a biased review on buying a cobra a little while ago, the choice of chassis is dependant on how much you want to spend and how you want it to handle/look.

If you are looking for pound per bhp then you will be looking at yank lumps, the rover can give the power but it will cost more as there has been more research into chevy/fords. These days fords give as much power as chevy's. If you want to keep weight down then a chevy Ls1 engine in a GD Euro would be a light car. Rob would be the best person to speak to as he's into all of that stuff.

To be really happy and know that the car you have got is the car that you want, then go around to all of the manufacturers and see how there cars handle and feel, ask people who live near to you to take you out and the problems they have had with the build and the after sales of the company.

Everybody thinks that there make of cobra is best, so dont be to biased by what too many people say, anyway there all wrong unless they own a GD {-} {-}

Hth
Kelvin

GD 383 stroker (For Sale )

[Rodders]

If GD our so good why are you selling it????

[Kelvin]

To buy another but instead get the Euro with a Ls1 engine and hopefully a charger.

Hth :9

Kelvin

GD 383 stroker (For Sale )

[robert]

Buying a better GD, I am doing much the same thing. {-} {-}

[Kelvin]

Still going for the T70 ?

How come you came in after Andy in the Video

Kelvin

GD 383 stroker (For Sale )

[Mike]

{-} {-} {-} :} :} :}
Mike
Ahhh...I see the screw-up fairy has visited us again

[PaulWarner]

Hi,

Thanks for all your replies, I emailed Dax and they got the 8.3L Chevy from RePower. It would weigh roughly 330/340Kgs so quite a heavy unit.

Thanks again,

Paul

[robert]

Yep, big blocks can be quite heavy.

A small block is significantly lighter and will deliver sufficient HP for the insane people on this forum.

Around 450hp from a Stroked 350 chevy is a good combination, as you get the performance and the driveability both low down and in the upper rev ranges.

450 HP is IMHO the best output for road and track, as above this figure on the road can be quite demanding, depending on how yoyu drive( yes, go on then lads, I have opened myself up for this one)

A 350 chevy or a 351 ford will cope with an easy 600HP+ but it does get to be a bit of a bitch to drive, however the driveability is inter-related to the chassis you are intending on going for.

HTH