meatheadgn

I just finished putting an LS6 Crate engine and 4L65E automatic trans into a Cobra Kit car for my wife to cruise in. The car is all done and waiting for the painful government approval so we can drive it.
I also have a cam/heads ZO6 that makes about 560 rwhp depending upon the dyno and day.
My Corvette buddy insists that the Cobra will spank the Z in a 1/4 mile dig. I figure that the Cobra will wiegh around 2100 to 2200 lbs with a stock LS6 with headers and ported throttle body. I say that the Cobra will not have a chance especially as the speeds get over about 70 or 80mph. I know that this is purely speculative but it is a Tuesday afternoon at lunch time so why not???

What do you think?

What car would be faster from a dig and from the roll?

Sandman93

I’ve seen a Cobra replica with a 427 Roush with 550hp spank a ZR1. However, most that have the Cobra have R compound rears and they hook perfectly. Most replicas are putting down 430rwhp (approximately). Mathematically it would look like this as an “example”:
Z06 (3200lbs stock + 180lb driver) = 3380
3380 total weight with 430rwhp (stock) = 11.005 ¼ mile approximately hooking perfectly.
3380 total weight with 500rwhp = 10.466 ¼ mile approximately hooking perfectly.
3380 total weight with 525rwhp = 10.296 ¼ mile approximately hooking perfectly.

Replica (2200lbs + 180lb driver) = 2380
2380 total weight with 430rwhp = 10.303 ¼ mile approximately hooking perfectly.
So in theory in order to beat the Replica in a ¼ mile race you would need at least 525rwhp in order to compete. These figures are all speculations and will vary from atmospheric temperatures, humidity etc. Plus I am no expert but HP to Weight is always the key here and the Replica has the Z beat hp to weigth ratio in stock form.
Food for Thought of course..

00transamnh

Simple... your wife puts the cobra into the wall at the 100' mark and the Z blows right on by.

Z hands down.

Unreal

Cobra should make good power after a tune. Stock ls6+ intake/tune/port TB/headers/side pipes/no cats should make good power. If the cobra can hook I bet it is faster than the Z in a 1/4 mile. Drop the cobra off with me for a day and I can report back my more scientific findings.

meatheadgn

UNREAL that is mighty nice of you to volunteer. Actually the Cobra is a miserable little car to drive. I mounted the seat as far back as I could and even put a tilt column in it and I still do not fit in it. I think the wife is terrified of the car and we just took it around the block for its maiden voyage on Saturday.
I guess it is all about HP to wieght ratio and hooking it up. I think that I may just run drag radials on the Cobra all the time as it will never be ran in the rain....no top, no rain. I think that this may tone the car down so it is easier to drive and to keep the wife from doing a death spiral on the interstate.
I guess when it comes down to it I will have to run it down the track and see what it will do and then compare it to the Z.

Hirohawa

You have got to post pics of that Cobra!

Are LSX engines common in Cobra Builds?

Also think your car will win in the 1/4.

GMuffley

Weight advantage= Cobra win.

kingpinfarr

I know this is a Z forum, but I want to hear more about the Cobra. Is it a FFR or someone else? What did you have to custom fab? Did you go emissions legal or no cats?

I'm in the planning phase for a 521 (stroked 460) Efi Cobra with a T56 right now. Engine procured, just need to piece together the rest.

Love this thread!

meatheadgn

I am a devout GM guy so I had to put an LS engine in it lest I be disowned by my family and friends. Plus I got a great deal on a brand new LS6 crate engine, trans, computer, harness, alternator and bracket from a guy that was building a 1961 Vette and changed directions to go with a supercharged LS7.
I even painted the car Cooksey Crystal red metallic tint coat with silver stripes. The LS engine dropped in the car easily. It has a ton of room and I can do a cam change (if needed..) without removing the radiator. I built the headers and had to do some work on the mounts but overall it was a great, easy swap. I had to some work on the tunnel to fit the automatic but it was not a big deal. I used Autometer C2 gauges with the blue backlighting with a Cherry wood dash. I am not sure whose kit it was as I picked it up as a roller, less engine & trans, dash, interior and column from a distressed buyer at the last minute. I really was not planning on building a Cobra but opportunity knocked. It has been a neat project and I even put some brushed aluminum "LS-6" badges on the front fenders where the Cobra 427 emblems should go. I also put a chevy bow tie radiator cap and "old school type" Corvette finned coil covers painted to match the car. I am sure that some Cobra enthusiasts think that there is a special place in hell for folks like me...
I will try to post some pictures.

Unreal

I can drop off your tranny jack and take pictures tonight if you want. We got to do some stuff with the ECU like the CASE learn and turn off some more CE lights whenever you want to do that.

FrankTank

1,000lb is a lot of weight advantage.. if the Cobra makes close to the Z power-wise, then my bet is on the Cobra

kingpinfarr

Ford, Chevy, who cares?! Fast is fast. Can't wait to see some pics!

meatheadgn

That sounds good about tonight. I still need to work on the front to rear brake balance but having you do some more tuning magic would be great. I truly appreciate you coming over to tune and hopefully take some pictures as I am sure I am not smart enough to post them up.
I have not quite decided how to wash the car as it is open and I do not want to hose down the interior...
I figure that the engine makes about 450 Hp at the crank based upon what I have read. I did not make it emission legal as I am trying to get it titled as a 1965 car. We really need more government regulation in our lives........

Sandman93

look up backdraft cobra

Sandman93

Unreal

As long as it isn't caked on mud I would just sponge bath it or use some waterless carwash product. See you later. Maybe I'll drive my Z over so it can pose in some of the pictures with the cobra and your Z.

Wulverine

I would love to see some pictures of the cobra! My money is on the cobra from a dig, and the Z from a roll.

Unreal

Uploading photos right now. First time I've seen it all together. Car is gorgeous.











And just because I just waxed it, here is my z06.

Hirohawa

This is just too awesome!

I have always wondered if a Corvette engine could be put into a Cobra - The only real Ford part of the original anyway. I'm sure secretly Shelby always wanted to put a 427 Chevy Big block in back in 65.

setxws6

Underhood shots please