Midwest Classic Insurance

Visit our community sponsor

Thanks Thanks:  2
Likes Likes:  3
Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12
Results 41 to 70 of 70

Thread: Engine choice input wanted.

  1. #41
    Ol Skool
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    upstate NY
    Posts
    816
    Post Thanks / Like
    Hmmm, an interesting conundrum. Aluminum heads on an FE long stroke with small EFI throttle body. RPM limited to 5000. Very long intake runners and tri-wye headers. Torque band tuned around 1500 to 4000rpm. Lighten rotating assembly. Think F250 truck approach. Maybe even sleeve bore down. Very rarely do you really need more than 4500 rpm on a street driver. Throttle response makes an engine feel more powerful than it is. You can customize your fuel curve within limits using integrated ignition timing so why not go with the FE if that's what you want.

  2. #42

    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    312
    Post Thanks / Like
    You know, this will be my first build, so i have decided to keep things simple. I don't want to do any temporary stuff, after all, the car will be inspected again two years after completion. So I will only use the 428 if they will let me run it as it is. If not, I will go with a small block and a good five- or six-speed manual.

  3. #43
    BadAsp427's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2018
    Location
    Greeneville, TN
    Posts
    1,177
    Post Thanks / Like
    Not sure what BluePrint Engines can do as far as shipping to you, but give Johnny a call at BPE. This is their 302 option for the Factory Five Roadster. They may even work with you on options and get you closer to your max HP numbers. Tell him Carl sent you... LOL he will get a good laugh from that... Seriously. Plug and Play Engine/Trans combo...

    Mk4 20th Anniversary #8690 (#8 of 20) Purchased 8/18/18----Build Started 8/19/18
    Build Thread Click Here / Registry Entry Click Here / BluePrint Engines 347ci / TKO600
    Carb/Heater/Heated Seats/Cruise Control/Drop Trunk & Battery/Custom Cubby

  4. Thanks BluePrintEngines thanked for this post
    Likes BluePrintEngines liked this post
  5. #44
    Senior Member Todd Buttrick's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Posts
    135
    Post Thanks / Like
    Quote Originally Posted by RR20AC View Post
    Oystein, Why not get a 289 kit an add a 289. Would be a corner carver like you wanted and have all the attributes of an original Cobra and fit with regulations too.
    Nailed it! When you're finished with your build, you're going to want to drive the piss out of it. 289/Roadster with a small block will be driven MUCH more than any BB.

  6. #45

    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    312
    Post Thanks / Like
    Man, just sitting here thinking about my options and planning is exciting. I appreciate all the input, it is very helpful.

  7. #46

    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    312
    Post Thanks / Like
    Davekp, are you in Florida?

  8. #47
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Merritt Island, FL
    Posts
    254
    Post Thanks / Like
    Quote Originally Posted by Oystein View Post
    Davekp, are you in Florida?
    Yes, but not close to Cape Coral. I'm in Merritt Island.

  9. #48

    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    312
    Post Thanks / Like
    Quote Originally Posted by davekp View Post
    Yes, but not close to Cape Coral. I'm in Merritt Island.
    Ah, i see. Thats not just around the corner. I have been to Daytona Turkey run, and i usually go to Lakeland for the Carlisle Fall event, but haven't been around your neighbourhood before. We have a house in Cape Coral, but we do drive around a little bit when we're there over some time.

  10. #49
    BluePrintEngines's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Location
    Kearney, NE
    Posts
    292
    Post Thanks / Like
    Quote Originally Posted by BadAsp427 View Post
    Not sure what BluePrint Engines can do as far as shipping to you, but give Johnny a call at BPE. This is their 302 option for the Factory Five Roadster. They may even work with you on options and get you closer to your max HP numbers. Tell him Carl sent you... LOL he will get a good laugh from that... Seriously. Plug and Play Engine/Trans combo...
    Thanks Carl! I knew I liked you!lol

    We can ship an engine or combo about anywhere. Or, we can also ship to a freight forwarder of the buyers choosing within the states.

    @erlihemi we do have some very nice 302's and 306's that would help with the horsepower goals you need to hit.

    all of our pre-done packages can be found here. (click on the engines tab)
    https://factoryfiveengines.com/

    i have even made some special exceptions piecing kits together using the engines on... https://blueprintengines.com/collect...-crate-engines since we have a few more HP levels on the "normal" BluePrints for customers overseas that need lesser HP than the FFR kits.

    anything we can do let me know.

    [email protected]
    Check out our crate engine offerings at www.factoryfiveengines.com
    Give us a call at 1.800.483.4263

  11. #50
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Posts
    183
    Post Thanks / Like
    Quote Originally Posted by Oystein View Post
    Ah, i see. Thats not just around the corner. I have been to Daytona Turkey run, and i usually go to Lakeland for the Carlisle Fall event, but haven't been around your neighbourhood before. We have a house in Cape Coral, but we do drive around a little bit when we're there over some time.
    Hi Oystein, we have a house in Cape Coral as well. Unfortunately, my Roadster is not here, as our full time house is in Nova Scotia, Canada.

  12. #51

    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    312
    Post Thanks / Like
    Quote Originally Posted by BluePrintEngines View Post
    Thanks Carl! I knew I liked you!lol

    We can ship an engine or combo about anywhere. Or, we can also ship to a freight forwarder of the buyers choosing within the states.

    @erlihemi we do have some very nice 302's and 306's that would help with the horsepower goals you need to hit.

    all of our pre-done packages can be found here. (click on the engines tab)
    https://factoryfiveengines.com/

    i have even made some special exceptions piecing kits together using the engines on... https://blueprintengines.com/collect...-crate-engines since we have a few more HP levels on the "normal" BluePrints for customers overseas that need lesser HP than the FFR kits.

    anything we can do let me know.

    [email protected]
    Hi Johnny.

    When i eventually decide on what engine to use, i'll make sure to contact you if i end up not using the 428.

  13. Thanks BluePrintEngines thanked for this post
  14. #52

    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    312
    Post Thanks / Like
    Quote Originally Posted by Driver_WT View Post
    Hi Oystein, we have a house in Cape Coral as well. Unfortunately, my Roadster is not here, as our full time house is in Nova Scotia, Canada.
    You should bring it to Florida... Wish i had a car over there, but we rent the house, so we need the garage space for our guests...

  15. #53
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Tampa, Florida
    Posts
    170
    Post Thanks / Like
    When I built my Roadster I wanted a car that was very quick from 0 to 60, well mannered, agile and fun to drive. The purpose was to take drives on the weekend to look at the scenery and have fun with my wife. I went with a 302 Explorer motor that I converted to carb and used a stock 90 Mustang cam. I added a Canton oil pan and some chrome. It was tuned on a dyno and produced 258HP and 285LBs torque. After completion I have given many prospective builders a ride and all have been impressed with the acceleration and drive-ability. Some have copied my build and others have continued with the high horsepower motors. With the car pointed straight I can smash the throttle in 1st gear, hit 2nd all the while the rear of he car is wiggling slightly. When I reach the top of 2nd I'm going 60 and it all happened very fast. I live in a city environment so 3rd gear is only a blip before I back down. The point I'm trying to make is a mild 302 build can be very fun, fast and easy to live with. Your HP restriction will in no way limit your fun, but may save your life and increase your enjoyment. My car has been on the road for 7 years and I'm happy with my choice.
    Mark III complete kit ordered 12/03/2007, received #6351 1/22/2008 Homemade mods: driver footbox extension with deadpedal and dimmer switch, widened passenger footbox, brake reservoir mounting bracket, under trunk storage box, custom dash and dash extension, heater forward box, custom glove box, under dash switch panel, Explorer motor carb conversion, first start 7/10/2010, off to paint (Performance Automotive) 11/20/2010, finally home 5/7/2011, Graduated 11/22/2011

  16. #54
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Posts
    183
    Post Thanks / Like
    Quote Originally Posted by Oystein View Post
    You should bring it to Florida... Wish i had a car over there, but we rent the house, so we need the garage space for our guests...
    Well, it is a three day drive and I would have to buy a truck and a trailer to bring the Roadster to Florida. We just bought a 2006 Mazda MX5 for a Florida convertible. It is a fun little car - handles great and goes pretty good.

  17. #55

    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    312
    Post Thanks / Like
    [QUOTE=Rootbeer Roadster;357490]When I built my Roadster I wanted a car that was very quick from 0 to 60, well mannered, agile and fun to drive. The purpose was to take drives on the weekend to look at the scenery and have fun with my wife. I went with a 302 Explorer motor that I converted to carb and used a stock 90 Mustang cam. I added a Canton oil pan and some chrome. It was tuned on a dyno and produced 258HP and 285LBs torque. After completion I have given many prospective builders a ride and all have been impressed with the acceleration and drive-ability. Some have copied my build and others have continued with the high horsepower motors. With the car pointed straight I can smash the throttle in 1st gear, hit 2nd all the while the rear of he car is wiggling slightly. When I reach the top of 2nd I'm going 60 and it all happened very fast. I live in a city environment so 3rd gear is only a blip before I back down. The point I'm trying to make is a mild 302 build can be very fun, fast and easy to live with. Your HP restriction will in no way limit your fun, but may save your life and increase your enjoyment. My car has been on the road for 7 years and I'm happy with my choice.[/QUOTE

    It all depends what I'm allowed to do. Plan A is similar to what you've done, but since I already have the 428' I owe it to myself to explore my options. Still no answer from Norwegian DMV....I do think 300ish HP is plenty in such a light car. I want to go with the IRS, and will then also have to use the 17"wheels. Combined with coilovers, I think it will be very agile yet well behaved.

  18. #56

    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    312
    Post Thanks / Like
    Quote Originally Posted by Driver_WT View Post
    Well, it is a three day drive and I would have to buy a truck and a trailer to bring the Roadster to Florida. We just bought a 2006 Mazda MX5 for a Florida convertible. It is a fun little car - handles great and goes pretty good.

    The Mazda is an excellent car for sure. I usually rent a Mustang convertible. There's something about driving topless in Florida that brings out a huge grin on my face.

  19. #57
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Merritt Island, FL
    Posts
    254
    Post Thanks / Like
    300 hp in the cobra is nearly the same power to weight ratio of a current base Corvette C-7. Plenty fast!

  20. #58
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Merritt Island, FL
    Posts
    254
    Post Thanks / Like
    Remember also, your gear ratios (trans and diff), can have a big affect on how the car feels when accelerating. Throttle response can affect it too.

  21. #59
    Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Ozarks
    Posts
    66
    Post Thanks / Like
    Quote Originally Posted by davekp View Post
    300 hp in the cobra is nearly the same power to weight ratio of a current base Corvette C-7. Plenty fast!
    C7 performance should produce a smile. I didn't realize that 300HP would get one close to high 11s nudging 120.

  22. #60

    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    312
    Post Thanks / Like
    Quote Originally Posted by davekp View Post
    Remember also, your gear ratios (trans and diff), can have a big affect on how the car feels when accelerating. Throttle response can affect it too.
    Yep, I'm aware of those things. I'm thinking a smooth shifting 5 or 6 speed with a nice overdrive ratio on top, and hopefully some tall gears in the rear for good acceleration, but I may well be wrong. With a small block I was thinking 8 stack injection, mostly because it looks cool, but it's pricey, and I've read about low end stumble and poor drive ability, so maybe a throttle body FI like Fitch would be better. When I decide on engine, I will for sure search the forum and ask more questions..

  23. #61
    Senior Member Avalanche325's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Jax Beach, FL
    Posts
    2,103
    Post Thanks / Like
    Big block and corner carver do not go well together. Adding weight and adding horsepower at a set ratio only does one thing. It reduces the handling and braking capabilities of the car.

    With a power to weight ratio limit, the best thing that you can do is to keep it lightweight and bring power close to the limit. Small block is the way to go for this.

    As you may have noticed, the first thing Americans want to do with rules is find a way around them. It would be easy to knock off 100+ HP for testing. However, what people that haven't lived overseas don't realize is that some places actually enforce their laws, and have severe penalties for breaking them. In New Zealand, get caught street racing three times and your car goes to the crusher.

  24. #62

    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    312
    Post Thanks / Like
    Quote Originally Posted by Avalanche325 View Post
    Big block and corner carver do not go well together. Adding weight and adding horsepower at a set ratio only does one thing. It reduces the handling and braking capabilities of the car.

    With a power to weight ratio limit, the best thing that you can do is to keep it lightweight and bring power close to the limit. Small block is the way to go for this.

    As you may have noticed, the first thing Americans want to do with rules is find a way around them. It would be easy to knock off 100+ HP for testing. However, what people that haven't lived overseas don't realize is that some places actually enforce their laws, and have severe penalties for breaking them. In New Zealand, get caught street racing three times and your car goes to the crusher.
    In general I will agree with you with the big block vs corner carver issue. My reason for asking the question in the first place is that I read in one thread about battery placement in the Roadster that its weight distribution is rear biased. Since I have this 428 available, I started wondering if putting it in the car actually would make it more balanced compared to a lighter engine. It seems though that the general consensus is to go with the small block.

  25. #63
    Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Ozarks
    Posts
    66
    Post Thanks / Like
    Quote Originally Posted by Avalanche325 View Post

    As you may have noticed, the first thing Americans want to do with rules is find a way around them.
    It is embarrassing how little respect average Americans have for laws, rules, regulations and guidelines. There is no excuse. Not only do we have elected officials creating so many fine ways to make us better people, many of these officials make the sacrifice of violating their dictates so that we can see how seriously they are punished when they find a way around the results of their legislative efforts.

    https://www.investors.com/politics/c...ff-back-taxes/

    http://www.nbcnews.com/id/10794604/n.../#.XGXFqLhMEzs



    I have no way to verify this but when I worked in California, an employee at one of my customers (a large defense company) laughed at how their Detroit division obtained a Michigan license plate for Arnold to put on a vehicle that could not legally be operated in California.

    And poor Ted Kennedy. Leaving the scene of a fatal traffic accident cost him the presidency. He had to settle for being election to the Senate seven time post that 1969 mishap.
    Last edited by kpeterson; 02-15-2019 at 01:43 AM.

  26. #64
    Senior Member Avalanche325's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Jax Beach, FL
    Posts
    2,103
    Post Thanks / Like
    Quote Originally Posted by Oystein View Post
    In general I will agree with you with the big block vs corner carver issue. My reason for asking the question in the first place is that I read in one thread about battery placement in the Roadster that its weight distribution is rear biased. Since I have this 428 available, I started wondering if putting it in the car actually would make it more balanced compared to a lighter engine. It seems though that the general consensus is to go with the small block.
    OK. Let's get to it......

    The typical thing that you read in magazines "perfect, 50/50 weight distribution" is utter nonsense. It completely depends on the particular car. These cars are specifically designed to have more weight in the rear. That is why the engine sits so far back. The engine could easily be much further forward. These are front mid-engine cars for a reason. To get the weight in the rear where you need it. Put the battery in the rear also.

    If you look at specs on modern race cars, supercars, etc. A majority of them have a rear weight bias.

  27. #65
    Senior Member Duke's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Taxachusetts
    Posts
    401
    Post Thanks / Like
    Not sure I follow all the regulations you have to go through correctly, but my 2 cents for what it's worth:

    It sounds like it's a one-time test to be come road legal. If it were me, I would build the engine/combo I want then when it came time for testing I would choke the engine down and get it dynoed exactly where it needs to be/add some lead plates to the trunk as needed. Pulling a lot of timing out and putting a lot less air/fuel through should be able to choke the motor down by 100-150hp or more. Once its right on target with a local dyno tuner, get it tested and pass all the regulations. After that, 'upgrade' it accordingly.

  28. #66

    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    312
    Post Thanks / Like
    Quote Originally Posted by Avalanche325 View Post
    OK. Let's get to it......

    The typical thing that you read in magazines "perfect, 50/50 weight distribution" is utter nonsense. It completely depends on the particular car. These cars are specifically designed to have more weight in the rear. That is why the engine sits so far back. The engine could easily be much further forward. These are front mid-engine cars for a reason. To get the weight in the rear where you need it. Put the battery in the rear also.

    If you look at specs on modern race cars, supercars, etc. A majority of them have a rear weight bias.

    I dont really know what the weight distribution is. Would be really interesting to see some numbers for the different configurations, eg. Big/ small-block, Battery up front/ In trunk.

  29. #67

    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    312
    Post Thanks / Like
    Quote Originally Posted by Duke View Post
    Not sure I follow all the regulations you have to go through correctly, but my 2 cents for what it's worth:

    It sounds like it's a one-time test to be come road legal. If it were me, I would build the engine/combo I want then when it came time for testing I would choke the engine down and get it dynoed exactly where it needs to be/add some lead plates to the trunk as needed. Pulling a lot of timing out and putting a lot less air/fuel through should be able to choke the motor down by 100-150hp or more. Once its right on target with a local dyno tuner, get it tested and pass all the regulations. After that, 'upgrade' it accordingly.
    Well, there is a re-inspection of the car two years after completion. I'm not gonna make it too complicated anyway, so i will build it legal the first time around. I don't want to risk any problems with the inspectors.

  30. #68
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Merritt Island, FL
    Posts
    254
    Post Thanks / Like
    I gave the results for my car a few days ago.
    See "Corner Weights" thread.
    Dave

  31. #69

    Join Date
    Jun 2017
    Location
    Norway
    Posts
    312
    Post Thanks / Like
    Quote Originally Posted by davekp View Post
    I gave the results for my car a few days ago.
    See "Corner Weights" thread.
    Dave
    Thank you, that's really helpful. That is not with a full tank, so i should probably be able to shoot fro about 300 HP. I got a reply from our DMV, and it seems they are really strict with the hp-limits, so small block it is I suppose..

  32. #70
    Senior Member CraigS's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Blacksburg, Va
    Posts
    4,707
    Post Thanks / Like
    302, standard T5 gears and 355 diff will be tons of fun. The 355 will make 2nd and 3rd pull quite strongly while keeping 1st still usable. The .6x 5th gear will make for nice cruising. Yeah, it's a pain to be limited but you will have a great car.
    FFR MkII, 408W, Tremec TKO 500, 2015 IRS, DA QA1s, Forte front bar, APE hardtop.

Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Brown County Customs

Visit our community sponsor