What I suddenly want as a side project...

[Sykohtic]

So we all know the story of the Shelby Cobra. Mr. Shelby one day says "I'm gonna build my own race car!". He picks up a couple bodies from a British lightweight sports car manufacturer that makes a cute little roadster called A/C Cobra. He takes these A/C Cobras, and jams a Ford 427 big block Cobra Jet between the fenders. Bazinga, the Shelby Cobra and its legend are born. This gave me an idear...

Find another British sports car and jam a beefy american v8 between its fenders. Why not? So I thought, "There are tons of British sports cars from the 60s and 70s running around, so which one should I pick? MG? Nahhh... too ugly for my taste outside of the elusive MG-C... An Austin-Healy? A possibility if they all either weren't Sprites, which could barely fit a 200 lb man in them, much less a carb'd V8 (and though I'm sure you could MAKE it fit, the balance would be SO bad, it would make the Shelby Cobra look like a Porsche) or worth are 30 grand... So as far as big players, that leaves us with... Triumph. In not a big TRx fan... but the Spitfire, now there's an option. Roadster, decently long nose, relatively easy to obtain, and weighs like a feather." SO I hop on and search up for a Spit on the list, and something more peculiar comes up with it... a car I's forgotten... the Triumph GT6. And though I'm having to save money for one down the road, I found my candidate.

The GT6 already has a taller bonnet to accept a taller engine. It has very appealing and race looking aesthetic with the fast back. It has a successful racing history, having at least once taking its class a Le Mans. Suspension, diff, tranny, all that crap I don't need, probably gonna have to custom fab in things like that to handle the V8 in the front and the horsepower.

It's been done before, a V8 in a Triumph lol but I want one. I want to make my own little Cobra thingy. Plans for now involve a Mopar 340 small-block punched out to a 408, making about 350-400 horsepower and sending it back to either a Ford 9 inch or Corvette rear end through a 4 or 5spd (havent decided yet) tranny (likely a Mopar product lol) and tying it all together with a custom lightweight driveshaft. If I go for the Vette rear, I'll probably opt to fab in an independent rear suspension, which will be much much better for handling as it won't be as massively tail happy as its going to be. I'll probably up the fuel tank size in the rear to try and balance the car's new-found nose weight, but it'll be rather fun to drive :twisted:

Anyone else got in suggestions or crazy ideas like mine?????

[nickflic3]

So basically




I just want a Factory 5 Cobra kit car with a Nelson Racing twin turbo. More simple lol

[Sykohtic]

So basically




I just want a Factory 5 Cobra kit car with a Nelson Racing twin turbo. More simple lol

Indeed, basically, though minus the bug catcher through the hood lol and yeah more simple, but probably a bit more expensive. Anything Factory 5 is cool as hell though!

[Pac1373]

I have considered a similar project, the only things holding me back at this time, in order are;Common sense, fear, and Money.

that is not to say I won't actually try it at some point...

Spitfire, or TR-6 were my go to starting point as well. love to have something sports-car esque' with a bit of jam.

maintaining balance/handling will be challenging I think.

good luck.

[E30_Pare]

Ive seen an original survivor a/c cobra. Cool little car, and the owner was a judge for Pebble beach concur d'elegance. The best part is they race the thing on vintage style hoosiers.


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[flyboyx]

the dodge 340 isn't a very good choice i don't think. it sounds kind of like an "engine on a budget" kind of project. perhaps you picked that one because it is sort of period correct? in the end, its your project, so if you do actually ever get around to it, you should build it how you like.

i would suggest something aluminum to save weight on the front end. ls2 for example.

i don't know if it would fit, but dohc and aluminum would be even better. perhaps the ford engine used in the late model mustang gt would be nice. i think they make close to 400hp out of the "box". so much lighter and better weight distribution.

in my opinion, i would definitely use an independent rear suspension. a/c cobras originally used jaguar rear axle if i remember correctly.

with an engine that size, it would be safe to assume the balance of the triumph drivetrain won't be able to cut the mustard. there isn't any sense in making it go fast if it won't turn fast as well.

[einhander]

Why not just put all of your money in a bucket and then set it on fire?

[e34john]

Datsun roadster.

But if I were to waste money swapping and building something up I would just go get another roundie.

[AndrewBird]

http://www.britishv8.org

[marshallnoise]

http://www.norotors.com/index.php?PHPSESSID=38c75642a99e0bf3c4d53cd4c93f3cda;wwwRedirect

[3vilE30]

This thread needs more Jensen Interceptor

[E30_Pare]

Ive worked on a jenson interceptor before. The idea of the car is rad, but the execution is below sub par. Haha.


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[flyboyx]

here's one that sold recently on egay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1967-Triumph-GT6-Project-Car-Good-Barn-Find-Condition-/221347426677?forcerrptr=true&item=221347426677&nma=true&si=LjI2TTfNIEsdAS6D8amwGhDt7PU%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

its rough but perfect for this sort of project.

[Shangsta]

the dodge 340 isn't a very good choice i don't think. it sounds kind of like an "engine on a budget" kind of project. perhaps you picked that one because it is sort of period correct? in the end, its your project, so if you do actually ever get around to it, you should build it how you like.

i would suggest something aluminum to save weight on the front end. ls2 for example.

i don't know if it would fit, but dohc and aluminum would be even better. perhaps the ford engine used in the late model mustang gt would be nice. i think they make close to 400hp out of the "box". so much lighter and better weight distribution.

in my opinion, i would definitely use an independent rear suspension. a/c cobras originally used jaguar rear axle if i remember correctly.

with an engine that size, it would be safe to assume the balance of the triumph drivetrain won't be able to cut the mustard. there isn't any sense in making it go fast if it won't turn fast as well.

For this build I would recomend a aluminum block ls motor. It is way more compact than dohc fords. The 4v ford motors are very wide, I laughed every time I brought my cobra to meets with old timers who knew nothing would ask if it was a bigblock

[Conki]

I always liked the looks of the Triumph TR6 actually, one day I'll build one. Would go with a straight 6 tho (S52 would be bad ass), either NA or turbo.
I love projects like these.