If YOU built a 427 Shelby Cobra replica, what engine etc ?

[427HISS]

Since Ford and Carroll built the (427 body style) Cobra's with 427 & 428 FE engines, I decided to build mine with at least, .....the original type engine.
Building mine per exact replica was not my way, as they were pretty boring. I admit, I love show, shine & brall. I used small silver flake in a blue base 3 stage paint, not rattle can's, original type wheels, but half polished, radial tires not biasply, leather seats, tilt wheel, 304 highly polished stainless steel side pipes like I have, etc....

Engine. 1967 428 FE, modern components inside and out, stacked EFI, not mechanical Weber's, 5 speed overdrive tranny, not 4 speed top loader, solid live rear axle (not IRS)     Square 2x4 boxed frame, not round tube etc...

To each it's own, but I could not,....have anything but a Ford engine. A lot of people are using a Chevy LS and have seen a few having a HEMI, both are great engines, but not in mine. This year, I have a new 428 to go in the car, but because of only the cost of FE blocks and all parts, I almost,....went with a 460 based engine. The FE is close to twice the cost to build, with less power. But, I came to my senses.  lol....

It's not perfect, not exactly my dream car & engine, but money was/is a major issue. If money was not an issue, I'd build a Shelby/Kirkham 427 body style, stainless frame, all CNC suspension etc,. with either a new aluminum Shelby FE block, heads and intake, a new all aluminum BBM aluminum side oiler, heads & intake with a EFI stack injection like I have, or a twin supercharged engine like the "Super Snake" , but using modern Paxton's and
electronics, and a 6 speed overdrive tranny.

So, if you built a 427 Shelby Cobra, what engine, drivetrain, suspension, paint etc,....would you build ? 
Kevin

[Yellow Truck]

Someone needs to put an FE in a vintage Corvette. If I'm at a show and I walk up to a nice 30's Ford I get a thrill from seeing a flatty in it, but I can accept a 302 or an FE. If I see a SBC it is as if the car disappeared before my eyes.

A Shelby needs an original SBF or an FE, preferably an FE. You have a lovely one.

BTW, I have always wondered - I'm 6'4", and most of that is leg. Are these cars for more modest sized humans or can a big galute drive one comfortably?

[cjshaker]

Just my opinion and tastes, I like clean graceful lines, but I think the original 427 Cobras with the Competition styling (no bumpers etc) is as close to perfect as it gets. Beautiful clean lines, with no add-on gadgets that detract from the styling. If I were to build one, I'd stick as close to that original Competition style as I could. And boring is probably the last adjective I'd use to describe them!

[AlanCasida]

Given the weight of those I think a 428 will be plenty. My personal preference would be a 428 , maybe 427 if finances permitted with a factory sidewinder intake, a toploader and maybe a 3.25 or 3.50 rear gear. No side pipes and Guardsman blue with no stripes. Since I would build one as a cruiser I wouldn't need steep rear gears w/od trans and cruising down the road at 2600-2800 rpm would be about right...for me.
Sounds like you have a nice combination...enjoy and by all means put a lot of miles on it!

[FElony]

Early 70's psychedelic paint job, gasser straight front axle, no engine, Turbonique drag axle, 1969 Barbi Benton on passenger seat.

[427Fastback]

In the late 80's and early 90's I built 427 Cobra replicas for 2 different companys...I did both square tube and round tube frames...If I was to build one and for what ever reason could not use a FE my first choice would be a 351C.I have driven them all from 302-511 Fords and a few 427 BBC....Other than the torque and obvious thrill of driving one with a real 427FE(I did quite a few) I have to say I had a lot of fun driving 351C powered cars...JMO....Cory

[thatdarncat]

Someone needs to put an FE in a vintage Corvette.

It's been done lol.

[blykins]

A replica is made to replicate.  Otherwise you have a "kit car". 

This is why I sold my Cobra.  It was a replica and I could never get it close enough to the real thing to satisfy myself. 

IMHO, a "replica" Cobra needs a 289 or a 427/428, with a Toploader.   Just my two pennies and this is strictly a matter of opinion.

[wowens]

I vote for the Turbonique Drag Axel. They fascinated me back then and still do.

[wowens]

FE, 428, hyd cam, mild build, drive the snot out of it.

[garyv]

A 289 or 427 backed up by a toploader. 

garyv

[hwoods]

back in the 80's, anyone remember the 1980's, I was visiting some relatives outside Atlanta.  I asked my cousins husband how far was Kennesaw GA from there and he replied about 45 minutes.   I said we  are going there tomorrow.  we walked in thru the wrong door, and ended up  in the shop of Cobra Restorers.   There were about 10 or 15 Cobras in various stages of repair. My cousins husband was not really a car guy, so I started to explain that there at that time to my limited knowledge about 13 companies that made Cobra Replicas.  One of the guys in the shop overheard me and interrupted,  "oh no, these are all originals"  Big jaw drop on my part.   I have pics of these cars somewhere at the house

[chilly460]

I prefer low key looking combos, just accenting the best from OEM appearance, generally stay away from billet and anything polished. 

The car I'd go something like a British racing green, no stripes.  I like Guardsman Blue, but it's a very common color obviously.  No stripes for me. 

Engine, I'd go Tunnelwedge to have an OEM type intake that would still support the combo.  482ci, CNC BBM/Survival type head, solid flat tappet, chromed Pentroofs.  Cam would be in the upper 250s mid 260s duration, 10.5-11:1 compression.  I'd want something that would have the meat of the powerband 4000-6000rpm, peak 6300 or so, could stretch to 7000 if really needed.  Exactly what would be needed to screwing around on back roads.  Tremec TKO600 with the short 5th gear, probably 3.91 gear or so. 

[BattlestarGalactic]

A friend has an Arntz Cobra.  It was built with a SBC originally, then got a SBF.  When my friend bought it, he converted it to a 428.  I've never ridden in it, but it's stupid fast and he already took out some mailboxes with it.  I haven't seen the damage, but I guess it is only a few marks and a cracked windshield.   Another friend has a Superformace Cobra with a 650 hp 427ci Windsor.  Again, it scares the hell out of him, I've only seen him out once in it, but we don't cross paths very much.

I'd have to have it old school, FE(whatever CI) and a toploader.  It just wouldn't be "the experience" without it.

[chilly460]

Hmm, Wallace calculator says 2800lb (car and driver) cobra would do 9.48@142mph if you got it to hook.  Guess that would be a little scary with short wheelbase, stiff suspension and tires. 

I've been in a ~600hp small block 427 '63 Fairlane, with two guys it probably weighed 3500-3700 , with a mild 3.50 gear that thing was plenty stout.