Good engine supplier ??

[pcoghlan]

OK, the kit has been ordered a few days now and already here I am with my first post!

I am building one of the first few Cobras (GD) in Ireland and have just heard the pleasant news that there is no SVA test here So, although I have a long list of things tha I needn't worry about, the one thing I apparently do need to equip the car with is a catalytic converter(s). A pain but not a show stopper.

Based on this I am trying to decide which engine to go with. I dont want to start another Ford v Checy v Rover thread and am sure I will err on the side of Ford (289, 302, 351C etc, or possibly even the 427/428SCJ/429 etc if available).

I wanted to talk to a couple of good suppliers to get advice re the catalytic converter thing. Can anyone recommend a good company, preferably in the UK but the US is fine too? Looking to match the engine to a Tremec.

I have been advised by Andy in GD that I am better off looking at smallblock EFI engines (weight plus cat requirement etc) so think it is worth a couple of calls to get it right.

Thanks for any help,
Paul

[Judas]

Hi Paul,
I've got some bad news for you I'm afraid.
A kit car in Ireland needs to get a 'Certificate of Conformity' from the
Department of the Environment. This is our version of the SVA test.
I got this info from the VRO in Rosslare. Also, when the car is finished they will slap on VRT - even if you use a reconditioned engine/gearbox etc. as it is a 'new' car in their eyes - totally unfair! The VRO people will send you a form that you fill up withdetails of engines, kit price, extras etc. They will then make an assessment of VRT based on this and an inspection.
I am in the position of deciding what Cobra Kit to build and am leaning towards the Pilgrim Sumo at the moment. What made you go with the GD?
Also, I heard from Pilgrim today that another guy from Dublin is taking delivery of a Pilgrim Sumo kit in a couple of weeks - so soon there will 3 of us in the Dublin area building cobras
We should get each others numbers so we can help each other out - what do you think?
Anyway, this post is long enough so good luck with the build
Later
Pat

[pcoghlan]

Pat,

Thanks for the reply. Sorry to hear about the conformance certificate, what a pain. I met up with a DAX owner here in Dublin and he had no such issue? Simply MOT'd it, paid VRT (@€15k ) and got his number plates.

I originally opted for the DAX but after speaking to Robert and visiting GD up near Nottingham it was a no-brainer and I bought a GD427 last week. For what I wanted (everyone has different needs) the GD is perfect. Great chassis, semi-monocoque body versus the lesser flimsy body shell, helpful and knowledgeable people. I opted for the GD Euro, a few more pennies but for driving on bumpy twisty roads (i.e all Irish roads!) it is worth it. The suspension is far superior to the aged Jagua version but again this is not always going to be relevant to some people.

I want to have a crack at some track days (Mondello etc) and may even try to participate in a few races so again the better performance was of interest to me.

I may have just found my engine and am heading over to London this weekend for a few hours to check it out (429SCJ - 540HP!)

There is another Cobra in Dublin (DAX) built in 94-98, nice guy. Let me know how you progress with your build. I am expecting a delivery in late August/early September and am looking forward to devoting much of my winter to the build with the intention of completing it in time for next summer.

Great idea about swopping numbers. When are you likely to get your order placed?

Paul

[robert]

Paul

With a Small block Ford or Chevy you will get a 50/50 weight distribution, with the 429 you are looking at, it will upset the balance of the car somewhat.

Have a chat with Ken Coleman at EDA on 01977 516622 for some info and pricing on a 550hp 377 Chevy as used in the GD racer.

Robert
Forum Admin

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[wilf]

Paul - I am a bit puzzled by the "need a catalytic convertor" line you wrote.

If your car would have to pass emissions tests (at MOT or any other time) relevant to a catalytic converter fitted vehicle, then the only way you will do that is with closed loop EFI - possibly a more modern Ford 302, or Chevy equivalent. No way will you do it with a carb-equipped engine.

You won't, at least not without serious expense, be able to use an older engine like a 429 - they were never cat-equipped, so you won't easily find the efi equipment for them.

If the car just has to have a cat fitted, but no emissions testing is to be done, that is another matter (hint - open up the cats, remove internal matrix, weld them up again).

I am just not up enough on the Irish regs to be able to advise properly, I guess.

Wilf

[pcoghlan]

I guess I was getting a little carried away with the 'biggest is best' motto!

I used to play with mucles cars some years back so the big block SCJ engines and 427 sideoilers alweays held an appeal for me.}> However, I am wise enough (read old!) to listen. I will ring ERA on Monday and see what they can do for me. Andy at GD has emailed me a couple of times today expressing similar concerns, great minds...

One little point, does tuning a smallblock to these levels cause any issues in terms of reliability?

Wilf, re the catalytic converter thing I am going to do what I should have done in the first place. Call the Dept of the Environment, get the relevant regs and purchase an engine based upon the full knowledge! I was told that a cat was needed by about the only running Cobra owner in Ireland I am aware of.

I need to read up on catalytic converters too. Dumb as this may sound I didn't realise that EFI was needed to have one functioning properly.:+

Thanks guys,
Paul

[robert]

Paul

Ken does build an engine with both power and reliability. My GD and the racer both have around 550hp, and there have been no problems with either.

The SRGTC guys all use Ken for aspects of their build, be it full engines or just dynos', so that whould tell you something about him.

Best Regards

Robert
Forum Admin

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[wilf]

Paul - let us know how you get on, and what the actual regs are in Ireland. Don't depend on just one opinion, which may be more or less informed.
If you have to go the EFI route, then a good place for advice would be the FFR forum in the states (www.cobraforum.com) The engine of choice for those cars is the ex-mustang 302 efi. Lots of them fit superchargers too.

Wilf

[pcoghlan]

Wilf,

I have created a new post related to building a Cobra in Ireland in the general forum covering the very few regs that exist. A productive morning and it now seems that a catalytic converter is NOT needed and neither is any form of testing other than the MOT which dosn't occur for 4 years!! The certificate of conformity is ONLY for production runs in excess of 500 cars.

Sounds amazing I know but I got it straight from the horses mouth. They realise it is unusual and are starting to talk about an SVA style test with a view to introducing it in the next few years. An incentive to build and register quicker me thinks!

Rob, thanks for the input on the engine. I will ring them this morning.

Paul

[Jesus]

Hello Paul,

Congratulations for getting a GD, I am building one (jag) and I am very satisfy.

About the engine. Go for a SB, like Robert said with a SB the weight balance will be pretty good, and I am not sure if a BB will fit fine in the GD chasis, each time I asked Andy he always recomend me a SB, and perhaps because he used to run with Chevy, he recomend me a Chevy too. Other thing is that a well tuned SB will give you as much power as a BB with a lot of lessweight and volume.

And this is my option SB chevy. In any case, ask directly to andy, he will recomend you the very best option for your car.

Jesus
GD, Granada, Spain.