Cobra replica engine choice?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,609
Likes: 18
From: Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Originally Posted by Bordaine
Not that I want to give away my ideas, but I have always had the idea of putting a Lightning engine in a kit Cobra. Fast and will get 20MPG. If I ever get ride of my AMC's, that will be my next project. 
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 755
Likes: 0
From: Meriden Ct
But the AMC's are SO MUCH FUN, nobody knows what they are.
Q- Is that a Mustang?
A- NO its an AMX made by AMC.
Q- Who's that?
It is fun, even with people who know about AMC an insist that the engines where made by Ford (ie. the 360 and the 390). You never know how far away the Cobra project is. Almost bought a rolling chassie on Ebay. Just because I always wanted an AC
Steve
Q- Is that a Mustang?
A- NO its an AMX made by AMC.
Q- Who's that?
It is fun, even with people who know about AMC an insist that the engines where made by Ford (ie. the 360 and the 390). You never know how far away the Cobra project is. Almost bought a rolling chassie on Ebay. Just because I always wanted an AC
Steve
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 871
Likes: 0
From: Perkasie, Pa.
If I had my way I'd be going with a Roush 427. Nice engine, Check it out:
http://www.roushparts.com/pdf/427R.pdf
http://www.roushparts.com/pdf/427R.pdf
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,985
Likes: 0
From: Nebraska
Due to having a Book on Shelby and unless the author left something out Shelby never put a 428 in the roaderst the original was a 260 then the next yr came the 289 and after that they shoehorned the 427 in there. I believe 68 was the last yr for the cobra. But he did have left over frames and now the csx 4000 cobra's are a continuation that he now builds. Now the cobra mustangs got 428's the latter part of 67 thru 70 but a very few GT 500's got 427's by mistake in later 67. Those are very rare. So for your Cobra put in whatever you think will suit your needs.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Thomasm67
Due to having a Book on Shelby and unless the author left something out Shelby never put a 428 in the roaderst the original was a 260 then the next yr came the 289 and after that they shoehorned the 427 in there. I believe 68 was the last yr for the cobra. But he did have left over frames and now the csx 4000 cobra's are a continuation that he now builds. Now the cobra mustangs got 428's the latter part of 67 thru 70 but a very few GT 500's got 427's by mistake in later 67. Those are very rare. So for your Cobra put in whatever you think will suit your needs.
The 428 was used, in place of the 427 in some cars. Also a good engine, just not quite as powerful as the 427 side oiler, but cheaper and easier to access. The 428 looked very close to a 427, to most people.
My reference is p. 125 of Shelby Cobra, Gold Portfolio, put out by the English, Brooklands Pub., Co.
Les
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 0
From: Maple Ridge B.C. Canada
my friend built a cobra kit car about 5 years ago,his car has a fe 428cj a 5 speed and 9 inch diff.it is very fast!!! where ever we stop, a crowd gathers around the car.the first thing asked is always the same,"is that a real cobra?".the next question asked is,"what kind of engine does it have?" the 428cj always impresses people.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 35
From: Kansas
Originally Posted by lesmore49
The 428 was used, in place of the 427 in some cars. Also a good engine, just not quite as powerful as the 427 side oiler, but cheaper and easier to access. The 428 looked very close to a 427, to most people.
My reference is p. 125 of Shelby Cobra, Gold Portfolio, put out by the English, Brooklands Pub., Co.
Les
My reference is p. 125 of Shelby Cobra, Gold Portfolio, put out by the English, Brooklands Pub., Co.
Les
I do remember reading many years ago that some 428 were used because the 427 was in high demand or that the production was extremely low or maybe both. At the time I bet the owner would claim that it was a 427 though because 428 weren't thought of quite so highly. Now it might be worth as much or more because of the rarity......
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 3
From: McNairy county, TN.
Originally Posted by petes79f150
Stopped at the store to get a cuppa joe this morning, looked across the street, and there was one on the lift at a......ready for this?.......JiffyLube. 
New User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
while i dont have my oil changed at walmart, at least the oil is getting changed. i believe there are alot of people in the masses that dont even bother with routine maintenance. at least it is an option for some people.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 3
From: McNairy county, TN.
Originally Posted by km57
while i dont have my oil changed at walmart, at least the oil is getting changed. i believe there are alot of people in the masses that dont even bother with routine maintenance. at least it is an option for some people.
). But a specialized vehicle that kneeds a little more attention to certain operating systems needs a tech that understands these needs. Thats all i was poking at.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
I vote FE 390. They're a dime a dozen, and can very easily (and cost effectively) be built to 400hp, and be very streetable. I have one in my truck! A fully dressed FE weighs in at 625lbs. Replace the heavy iron intake with an aluminum one and you can take 60lbs off that. The casual passer by wont be able to tell the difference between that and a 427. Looks good, performs good, is cheap to build, bulletproof, looks right in an AC Cobra... there ya go!
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
My only concern about a 390, would be the amount (and the expense) of perf. parts availability.
Expense because the 390 was never used as a perf. engine as say, the small block ford V8, and therefore parts may be harder to find, tha range of parts maybe less, and the cost may be more, because the less you make of anything, usually, the more it costs. Same amount of research, engineering , etc., going in, but less numbers to sell, and harder for the mfctr. to recoup the investment back, so he has to bump up the price.
I still, feel, that the 289 or 427 SO/428FE would be the best match. Mostly because this is what tradionally came in these cars, when orig. made.
But the choice is up to the guy, whose car it is, and whose money is going to be spent.
It will be a beautiful car, no matter what.
Also consider side pipes. Nothing like a Cobra with side pipes, unless, of course it it a 63-67 Corvette, with side pipes.
Expense because the 390 was never used as a perf. engine as say, the small block ford V8, and therefore parts may be harder to find, tha range of parts maybe less, and the cost may be more, because the less you make of anything, usually, the more it costs. Same amount of research, engineering , etc., going in, but less numbers to sell, and harder for the mfctr. to recoup the investment back, so he has to bump up the price.
I still, feel, that the 289 or 427 SO/428FE would be the best match. Mostly because this is what tradionally came in these cars, when orig. made.
But the choice is up to the guy, whose car it is, and whose money is going to be spent.
It will be a beautiful car, no matter what.
Also consider side pipes. Nothing like a Cobra with side pipes, unless, of course it it a 63-67 Corvette, with side pipes.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,113
Likes: 0
From: the side of a mountain
Originally Posted by lesmore49
My only concern about a 390, would be the amount (and the expense) of perf. parts availability.
Expense because the 390 was never used as a perf. engine as say, the small block ford V8, and therefore parts may be harder to find, tha range of parts maybe less, and the cost may be more, because the less you make of anything, usually, the more it costs. Same amount of research, engineering , etc., going in, but less numbers to sell, and harder for the mfctr. to recoup the investment back, so he has to bump up the price.
Expense because the 390 was never used as a perf. engine as say, the small block ford V8, and therefore parts may be harder to find, tha range of parts maybe less, and the cost may be more, because the less you make of anything, usually, the more it costs. Same amount of research, engineering , etc., going in, but less numbers to sell, and harder for the mfctr. to recoup the investment back, so he has to bump up the price.