2.0 liter high performance engine for Cobra kit car - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

cmac2012 · #1 01-10-2024, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 87tdwagen

I would agree with others, the expectations of a Cobra doesn't align well with your project. In the sense that a Cobra buyer is looking for a loud V8, and mostly would tend to lean towards a 427 as part of the mystique of owning one. Otherwise it'll be a hit as much as a Countach kit-kar built on a VW beetle chassis and engine IMO.

If you want to stay in the classic look, you might consider a BMW 2002ti and putting a E30 M3 engine in that, or even a later six version. There will be greater aftermarket support and doubtful that there would be a negative impact on resale since it is truly in keeping with the character of the car and brand.

For strictly racing purposes in the smaller displacement range it will be hard to beat a Miata, Honda2000 or Toyota MR2 platforms for parts and mod support.

Either way, ideation is a fun stage.

Maybe I would feel differently if I drove one, but I’ve always thought the 427 was overkill for a car the size of a cobra. A 289 makes a lot more sense if you were going for a V-8. I think it likely that the best bang for buck, not to mention actual doability would be with an LS.

My second E30 had its cherry body beat to hell by a rear ender on the freeway. It’s still ran, but I didn’t have the room to do anything productive with it. I ended up selling it for salvage, 500 bucks. I had a nibble from three young guys who wanted to put it into a 2002. I told them that getting the ECU all set up could be a chore. They said they were going to get some sort of intake manifold made to attach three 2 barrel carbs. Part of their motivation was having a car that didn’t need to be smogged. I think it’s pre-1975 for gassers don’t need to be smogged.

87tdwagen · #2 01-11-2024, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmac2012

Maybe I would feel differently if I drove one, but I’ve always thought the 427 was overkill for a car the size of a cobra. A 289 makes a lot more sense if you were going for a V-8. I think it likely that the best bang for buck, not to mention actual doability would be with an LS.

My second E30 had its cherry body beat to hell by a rear ender on the freeway. It’s still ran, but I didn’t have the room to do anything productive with it. I ended up selling it for salvage, 500 bucks. I had a nibble from three young guys who wanted to put it into a 2002. I told them that getting the ECU all set up could be a chore. They said they were going to get some sort of intake manifold made to attach three 2 barrel carbs. Part of their motivation was having a car that didn’t need to be smogged. I think it’s pre-1975 for gassers don’t need to be smogged.

Personally I like the 289 Cobra, that was the original incarnation, to pay homage to. The LS is well... an awesome platform that can be practically installed into anything. Support makes this an ideal engine, plus as Tom mentioned, can be changed in displacement quite easily at reasonable cost.

If you're interested check out https://www.bmw2002faq.com
The 2002 crowd loves the S14, fuel injected or carbed. Very popular conversion.

Regarding smog testing, I dont know the regs for a kit car in your state, but I would imagine there is leeway given the number of them built and titled, and with all sorts of engines. I would expect they are exempt from standard testing, not being a production car. Something to investigate for sure.