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. 

[Heo]

About the trans... a friend have a 70 corvette with a supercharged 468.
He blew the T 10 and put in a 6 spd ZF together with the supercharged engine, took alot of modification to fit it
He says everyone said thats the trans to have but the most waisted work i ever done,
 a two speed would suffise beacuse i start in third  and shift to 6th
not the same tq in a N/A 428 but the corvette is much heavier than the cobra
so....Does some one realy need more than 4 spd besides from bragging rights??

[mbrunson427]

I'd have to do the dual paxtons. Saw the "Super Snake" at the Shelby place in Las Vegas a few years back. After seeing that, you can't un-dream it.


This one was at my friends house a few weeks back. We had a couple drinks, so going for a ride in it wasn't advisable. It's built out by Roush. Has a new coyote 5.0 in it with a VMP blower. Advertised at 650hp. T-56 transmission. That would be a pretty hard combo to beat quite honestly. Unless you're stubborn like me and would make a 482 cube FE with twin paxtons, struggle through tuning it for 2 years, and still try and convince myself it's better than having all the modern stuff 

I loved the color.

[machoneman]

A brand new 460 CID 9.5"deck 351W based engine. A modern 5-6 speed stick tranny. A Ford 9" rear (for strength) although a IRS based rear using 9" parts would be best.

https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-6007-Z460FFT

[Stangman]

A guy I work with has a backdraft cobra same color as the one in front of the castle a couple of
posts back with silver stripes. It’s got a very strong 347 with a TKO in it and it honks and handles.
If you were to close your eyes and listen it sounds like a 427. But I’m not sure who said it earlier,
If the car don’t have what it’s supposed to have in it then I just lose interest in it. Not that it isn’t a nice car and I would never put anyone’s car down because that’s what they either bought or built and that’s what they love and who am I to change that. That being said 427 or 482 with Toploader  I think
it would drive better with the independent suspension but can that handle 600/650 horse, if not
9 inch with 3.50 gears. At 2500 lbs wow gives me goose bumps .

[427HISS]

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?

I agree. Can you imagine what people would say it a FE was in any Vette, Cuda...etc ? 
My LoneStar has a 4' floor pan and stretched 4" in the cockpit. I'm 5'9" and can't touch the firewall. At a show, a man that loved my Cobra and said he's wanted one, but was too tall at 6'3". He tried to sit in a nice Midstates Cobra, but was too tight. I told him to sit in mine, and although he raised the tilt steering wheel all the way up, he shouted, "allright" !  Lol

I then said start it, he said, "are you kidding". Wish you could have seen his smile and excitement. After the show I let him drive it. It was a special day.

I don't know if you at 6'4" can fit, but check LSC or if you are ever around my neck of the woods, come by and see if you fit.
Omaha/Lincoln Nebraska.

[Yellow Truck]

I agree. Can you imagine what people would say it a FE was in any Vette, Cuda...etc ? 
My LoneStar has a 4' floor pan and stretched 4" in the cockpit. I'm 5'9" and can't touch the firewall. At a show, a man that loved my Cobra and said he's wanted one, but was too tall at 6'3". He tried to sit in a nice Midstates Cobra, but was too tight. I told him to sit in mine, and although he raised the tilt steering wheel all the way up, he shouted, "allright" !  Lol

I then said start it, he said, "are you kidding". Wish you could have seen his smile and excitement. After the show I let him drive it. It was a special day.

I don't know if you at 6'4" can fit, but check LSC or if you are ever around my neck of the woods, come by and see if you fit.
Omaha/Lincoln Nebraska.

Sigh, I guess I'll have to just admire them from a distance. Maybe I should try out a Pantera some time.

[427LX]

I tuned up a friends Cobra that was built back in 2006 with a Ford Racing 460 crate engine with the aluminum Cobra Jet heads and with a 5 spd and 3.73 gear with drag radials as his road tires it would scare the heck out of you,as a passenger, in 3rd gear. 1st and 2nd was useless under any heavy throttle.
He wanted me to "tame" it down by putting a 750 Holley DP carb on in place of the Barry Grant 950 before he sold it to his brother who hadn't handled any power like that.
That didn't slow it down hardly and made the throttle response even better!

[cjshaker]

I loved the color.

Dual Paxtons would make it a nightmare to work on. And there's just NO way to use that much power in one of these cars.

But that color is my favorite on these cars! I saw an original many years ago that was this color. It was the most awesome looking Cobra I'd ever seen, but it didn't have any of the add-ons that this one has. I'd ditch the stripe, get rid of the chrome on the jack plates, get rid of the ugly black paint on those rims and paint them a stock looking magnesium color, and probably even ditch the side window wings. Anything that's added just detracts from the natural beauty of the design, IMO. Of course I'd have to have a 427 in it.

[BattlestarGalactic]

The only one to have...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fnl4Y-nYdJE

Who wants all the amenities of a late model car?  What's the fun in that?

[hwoods]

Super Snake  Carroll Shelby builds Cobra for Bill Cosby  (sorry about your  legal problems Bill)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gd4kszgcK9E

[427LX]

I'd go with a 427 inch Windsor build. 550-600 HP and 500+ Torque and less front end weight!
Of course the big Windsor is my specialty.

[chilly460]

I loved the color.

Dual Paxtons would make it a nightmare to work on. And there's just NO way to use that much power in one of these cars.

But that color is my favorite on these cars! I saw an original many years ago that was this color. It was the most awesome looking Cobra I'd ever seen, but it didn't have any of the add-ons that this one has. I'd ditch the stripe, get rid of the chrome on the jack plates, get rid of the ugly black paint on those rims and paint them a stock looking magnesium color, and probably even ditch the side window wings. Anything that's added just detracts from the natural beauty of the design, IMO. Of course I'd have to have a 427 in it.

Agree with your style, black sidepipes, that gold tone magnesium look, no wing windows...keep it clean as possible. 

[blykins]

I'd go with a 427 inch Windsor build. 550-600 HP and 500+ Torque and less front end weight!
Of course the big Windsor is my specialty.

A 427 inch Windsor is a small Windsor these days.  I don't think I've built a 427 in a long time.....have all been 434's, 445's, and 460's.

[BattlestarGalactic]

Super Snake  Carroll Shelby builds Cobra for Bill Cosby  (sorry about your  legal problems Bill)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gd4kszgcK9E

I still have the album "200 mph".   Classic.   

[427LX]

I'd go with a 427 inch Windsor build. 550-600 HP and 500+ Torque and less front end weight!
Of course the big Windsor is my specialty.

A 427 inch Windsor is a small Windsor these days.  I don't think I've built a 427 in a long time.....have all been 434's, 445's, and 460's.

Yes there is always more to be had but for what I do on the street at 2950 lbs it's like a go kart now!

[Saltshaker]

I have a A&C with a 428... 411rwhp 282S cam, C4 Heads w/CJ valve 280 @.600 int, Port matched RPM and a 750dp reworked by Nickerson Performance. W/3.50’s best time was 11.42 on drag radials
TKO600short OD cruises @70..2700rpm...got 22k on it
Jon

[philminotti]

I built the motor for my Kirkham street car... No sidepipes or roll bar.  It does have a scoop and an oil cooler which makes it sort of a mongrel... Not quite a street car and not quite an S/C.  But it's what i wanted.  I built a Pond 482, ally heads, 248/252 hydro roller and FAST sequential multiport EFI through a TKO600.  Makes me smile.  That's all that matters anyway.

[cammerfe]

Nice pic but it's so big you have to view it in small pieces. Seems to be a nice car.

KS

[427HISS]

I built the motor for my Kirkham street car... No sidepipes or roll bar.  It does have a scoop and an oil cooler which makes it sort of a mongrel... Not quite a street car and not quite an S/C.  But it's what i wanted.  I built a Pond 482, ally heads, 248/252 hydro roller and FAST sequential multiport EFI through a TKO600.  Makes me smile.  That's all that matters anyway.
[/quo3te]

Love it !

I also like the sound of under the car exhaust, and coming out the side of the body.

[427HISS]

Nice pic but it's so big you have to view it in small pieces. Seems to be a nice car.

KS

Same happened to me when clicking on the pic. On this tablet I can just use my fingers to spread the pic to any size I need.

[chilly460]

Right click and hit "Open Image in New Tab" if you're on a Laptop/PC

[HTM101]

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!

Your description reads pretty close to my car's setup.  Over the years I've re-done it to resemble the full competition Cobra.
original-style 4" round tube frame
FE engine
David Kee aluminum case wide-ratio Toploader with big input shaft
IRS with 3.70 rear
42 gallon fuel tank
dual vintage Stewart-Warner 240A electric fuel pumps mounted in trunk, mechanical fuel pump at the engine
twin batteries behind the passenger seat
6-pin wheels with knock-offs
satin black roll bar, side pipes and quick-jacks
Goodyear Eagle bias-ply tires

The car is red with white stripes.  If I ever repaint, I'd stay with the red but delete the stripes.

 

[427HISS]

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!

Your description reads pretty close to my car's setup.  Over the years I've re-done it to resemble the full competition Cobra.
original-style 4" round tube frame
FE engine
David Kee aluminum case wide-ratio Toploader with big input shaft
IRS with 3.70 rear
42 gallon fuel tank
dual vintage Stewart-Warner 240A electric fuel pumps mounted in trunk, mechanical fuel pump at the engine
twin batteries behind the passenger seat
6-pin wheels with knock-offs
satin black roll bar, side pipes and quick-jacks
Goodyear Eagle bias-ply tires

The car is red with white stripes.  If I ever repaint, I'd stay with the red but delete the stripes.

Please post some pics.

[mbrunson427]

Kevin, I posted a story a while back that you might be interested in. Those pictures popped up today on my screensaver and I remembered this.

http://fepower.net/simplemachinesforum/index.php?topic=5592.msg60363#msg60363

[HTM101]

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!

Your description reads pretty close to my car's setup.  Over the years I've re-done it to resemble the full competition Cobra.
original-style 4" round tube frame
FE engine
David Kee aluminum case wide-ratio Toploader with big input shaft
IRS with 3.70 rear
42 gallon fuel tank
dual vintage Stewart-Warner 240A electric fuel pumps mounted in trunk, mechanical fuel pump at the engine
twin batteries behind the passenger seat
6-pin wheels with knock-offs
satin black roll bar, side pipes and quick-jacks
Goodyear Eagle bias-ply tires

The car is red with white stripes.  If I ever repaint, I'd stay with the red but delete the stripes.

Please post some pics.

Here are a few.

[cjshaker]

Two big thumbs up on that Cobra. Understated is the way to go with those cars. What could you possibly add that would make it look better? Absolutely nothing, IMO.

[Cyclone Joe]

I loved the color.

Dual Paxtons would make it a nightmare to work on. And there's just NO way to use that much power in one of these cars.

But that color is my favorite on these cars! I saw an original many years ago that was this color. It was the most awesome looking Cobra I'd ever seen, but it didn't have any of the add-ons that this one has. I'd ditch the stripe, get rid of the chrome on the jack plates, get rid of the ugly black paint on those rims and paint them a stock looking magnesium color, and probably even ditch the side window wings. Anything that's added just detracts from the natural beauty of the design, IMO. Of course I'd have to have a 427 in it.

Agree with your style, black sidepipes, that gold tone magnesium look, no wing windows...keep it clean as possible.

Does anybody know the color code or name to that shade of red?