Cobra Autox Engine

[Cobra 498]

We just finished a rebuild of my aluminum 498 cid Ford FE with some improvements after breaking a roller lifter axle last August at Laguna Seca. I am pretty happy with the results considering that the design of FE engines is basically from a 1950's era dump truck, and it is normally aspirated.
The dyno used is located in the Detroit metro area and is relatively conservative. As an example they recently dynoed a Yates/Roush cup engine and it made 810 HP, Yates dynoed the engine at 850 HP.


Results: 600 lb/ft or more from 4000 rpm to just under 7000 rpm
over 800 HP from 7000 to 8000 rpm with a peak of 827 at 7500 rpm
peak torque of 640 lb/ft at 5750 rpm about 100 lb/ft more than a cup engine but obviously lower rpm too.

I am also putting in Baer 6 piston front brakes with 13" rotors in front and larger wheels 11.5 front and 12.5 rear with 315x18 fronts and 335x18 rears.

Should be quite a ride in a 2300 lb car.

[Bryce]

awesomeness.

Are you going to try to get an invite to optima again?

[Cobra 498]

No, I will be selling the car next year (have an offer I cannot refuse) and it would be too risky to go on a road course with it. Another problem, I am older than dirt and don't have the reflexes to run with the big dogs. Just going to run it in a few events and then pull the engine and trans to put in a Howe Chassis Mustang for track day fun. The new owner wants all the original stuff plus the modified suspension. He will return this car to original condition and build a second Cobra using my modified suspension and other spares. It comes with 3 sets of brakes, and 20 wheels along with an original unmolested side oiler and lots of other crap I have accumulated over the years. The Mustang will be a little heavier but I can put much bigger tires on it and aero down force that the Cobra never could have. I need a new project to keep my interest and me alive.
Thanks for asking

[RobNoLimit]

Sounds really strong. Glad to hear your still playing with them toys. I shudder to think what kind of purse it would take for a trip back to optima. - Tina and I still laugh about that. Stay well.

[Cobra 498]

Thanks Rob,

One of my goals is to run one of your events at the kart track or elsewhere, probably in exhibition because my tires won't be legal but would be fun anyway. Hope to see you guys sometime in the future, I haven't seen Hell Boy yet that will be interesting also.

[72BBSwinger]

Super Cool! That is one healthy FE motor no doubt. Curious what brand roller lifter broke, and what brand you are using to replace it? Always dug the FE motors since they had the distributors in the front and shaft rockers like any well engineered engine should, hee hee.

[Cobra 498]

I had older model comps, replaced with GS-875 (8620) light weight, the engine was about 6 years old and I should have changed lifters and springs but thought I could get 1 more event in, Wrong. We looked at the Iskandarian bushing lifters but could not find anybody with enough experience with them to make a decision so went with the Comp stuff which has a better steel in the axle now. Even considered the larger diameter rebuildable cup lifters but availability at the time and reboring all the lifter bores to larger diameter killed that idea.
I use individual T$D rockers on raised port Blue thunder heads rather than a single shaft, but the distributor is still in the front where it should be.