If I were wanting to build a Cobra look alike I would stick with Ford engines. If building a 427 replica I would use a 427 side oiler and build it as much like the original as I could.

A fellow last fall had a lovely cobra replica at one of our SCCA autocross events at Terre Haute. It looked just right. American racing blue with wide white stripes. It had a 427 small block ford (I suppose based on the cleveland). It may have been aluminum. It was running big fat Hoosier A6's.

The driver it turns out knew how to drive too and it was the first Cobra replica that ever beat our top C stock Miatas and such. And he beat us by seconds.

( Course it ran in a modified class, cannot remember which one), but it was a lovely well worked out sweet handling car which lept at the caress of the gas pedal.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.