My Cobra now has an engine!! (tons of pictures)

[pyronuc]

So I decided to go with Engine Factory to build my motor. It was a bit more money, but they seem to have good reviews. Plus I like that the engine is fully built by certified people that know what they're doing, then fully run test it, break in the cam and lifters, and get everything all dialed in and tuned up. Literally a drop-in-and-drive motor. I probably would have been able to build up a long-block myself, but these guys have experience, and know what parts work well together to make a solid motor. Either way, their customer service is top-notch in my experience. They took time to talk with me on the phone, answer questions, and more importantly, ask ME questions to find out exactly what I was looking for and what I needed to build me the right motor. Not only that, but during the build they took plenty of photos along the way to email me, they sent me a video of the engine running on their test stand, and included a dvd walk-through of my engine showing all the specifics and hook-ups. They also sent all the documentation and paperwork for everything, as well as their guidelines and instructions for hooking everything up properly.

So here's what I got. I went with a 347 stroker, built off of a 302 block. Since I bought my kit used and partially assembled, and the previous owner ordered it with 302/351 mounts and 302 headers, this seemed like the best way to go. Should be plenty of horsepower and torque for a cruising hot-rod machine that sees a little bit of "spirited driving." Not the biggest out there, but I think it will be awesome. So, Engine Factory took a 302 seasoned block, and built it up as a 347 stroker. It's got Edelbrock RPM heads, Edelbrock RPM air-gap intake, Holley 650 Ultra Double Pumper carburetor, Canton oil pan, MSD billet distributor and MSD coil, March under-drive polished pulley set, chrome alternator, and Cobra air cleaner and valve covers. They also installed my clutch, Quick Time bell housing, and a mini high torque starter, and got everything properly aligned. It's ready to slide a transmission into it, bolt it up, and go.


Pictures of engine assembly:

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine001_zpse87fca3e.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine001_zpse87fca3e.jpg.html)

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine002_zps93af19d0.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine002_zps93af19d0.jpg.html)

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine003_zpsdbd2b290.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine003_zpsdbd2b290.jpg.html)

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine004_zps10232d51.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine004_zps10232d51.jpg.html)

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine005_zps7ef836c5.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine005_zps7ef836c5.jpg.html)

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine006_zps5227ff1e.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine006_zps5227ff1e.jpg.html)

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine007_zps53880e6c.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine007_zps53880e6c.jpg.html)

[pyronuc]

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine008_zpsede8cd38.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine008_zpsede8cd38.jpg.html)

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine009_zpsd49a72ed.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine009_zpsd49a72ed.jpg.html)

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine010_zps86023bc0.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine010_zps86023bc0.jpg.html)

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine011_zps93cfe83b.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine011_zps93cfe83b.jpg.html)

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine012_zps994a4158.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine012_zps994a4158.jpg.html)

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine013_zps052717be.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine013_zps052717be.jpg.html)

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine014_zps16af2903.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine014_zps16af2903.jpg.html)

[pyronuc]

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine015_zps75631662.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine015_zps75631662.jpg.html)



And here it is fully assembled:

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine018_zpse6f3b47e.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine018_zpse6f3b47e.jpg.html)

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine016_zps86f71e5a.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine016_zps86f71e5a.jpg.html)

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine017_zps80e2fee8.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine017_zps80e2fee8.jpg.html)



Running on the test stand (man, it looks cold with all that New Jersey snow out back!!):

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine019_zps5314ba04.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine019_zps5314ba04.jpg.html)

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine020_zps5d40c718.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine020_zps5d40c718.jpg.html)

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine021_zps46b46a3e.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine021_zps46b46a3e.jpg.html)

[pyronuc]

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine022_zps2fdc754e.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine022_zps2fdc754e.jpg.html)

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine023_zpsfa2ec878.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine023_zpsfa2ec878.jpg.html)



Being delivered to my house. Happy day!!

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine024_zpsd670ecde.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine024_zpsd670ecde.jpg.html)



Wonder what could be in this big-*** box? :D

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine025_zps2cdbf41a.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine025_zps2cdbf41a.jpg.html)



Seems like there might be an engine in here somewhere under all this stuff...

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine026_zps5e7dd4b8.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine026_zps5e7dd4b8.jpg.html)



Engine Factory definitely wanted to send me ALL my boxes...

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine027_zps437359a7.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine027_zps437359a7.jpg.html)

[pyronuc]

Like unwrapping a giant, expensive, super cool Christmas present!

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine028_zpsa18b967d.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine028_zpsa18b967d.jpg.html)

And here it is, in all its glory!!

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine029_zpsf6519524.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine029_zpsf6519524.jpg.html)

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine030_zps190538b3.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine030_zps190538b3.jpg.html)



The next day, I got it hoisted off of the pallet, and bolted up some heavy-duty casters to the steel skids Engine Factory installed to the mounts. It will still be a few weeks or so until I can get the transmission mounted and engine installed in the chassis, so this allows it to be rolled around in the meantime. Of course... I just HAD to test fit the headers, you know, to make sure everything lines up nice. This thing looks like a work of art. So stoked. I can't stop drooling over it!

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine031_zps2431a523.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine031_zps2431a523.jpg.html)

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine032_zpsbfae8530.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine032_zpsbfae8530.jpg.html)

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine033_zps812e52d6.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine033_zps812e52d6.jpg.html)

[pyronuc]

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine034_zpsde700dcf.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine034_zpsde700dcf.jpg.html)

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine035_zpsdc8e1c5a.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine035_zpsdc8e1c5a.jpg.html)

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine036_zps3884dd0d.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine036_zps3884dd0d.jpg.html)

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n373/pyronuc/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine037_zpsfced5c03.jpg (http://s337.photobucket.com/user/pyronuc/media/Cobra%20Engine/347Engine037_zpsfced5c03.jpg.html)


So, now that I have my motor on-hand, I figured it was time to get off my butt and order my transmission. I'm going with a Tremec TKO-600, the TCET-5008. Won't be long, I'll have this beast installed in the chassis and be well on my way to getting FFR-8000 on the road!

[pyronuc]

Video of my engine running on the test stand, courtesy of Engine Factory.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151954932828990

[WIS89]

Adam-

She looks great! What a nice present.

Thanks for all the pictures. Can't wait to see her installed!

Regards,

Steve

[seagull81]

Mmmmm, engine porn! I love it.

[pyronuc]

Adam-

She looks great! What a nice present.

Thanks for all the pictures. Can't wait to see her installed!

Regards,

Steve

Unfortunately, not a really present. At least not one that I didn't have to buy myself, lol. My wallet is still stinging a little, but it's gonna be worth it in the end.

[Dan Babb]

Looks great....seems like it's really close to the specs of the motor I'm working on putting in my car.

What is the HP & torque that the motor put out on their engine dyno?

[68GT500MAN]

That engine looks and sounds great!
Doug

[David Hodgkins]

SWEET motor!

I get you with the stinging wallet. That's one thing about looking at this as a hobby; you can spread your purchases over time and get stuff as you need it. I still remember the first time I got mine started, with a little help from my forum friends:
http://ffroadster.com/images/Engine/Reaction.png

:)

[pyronuc]

What is the HP & torque that the motor put out on their engine dyno?

Well... That's a good question. I don't know whether or not Engine Factory has an engine dyno, but I did ask about having the engine run on one when they got done with the cam break-in and engine tuning. They said they won't do it, and they don't recommend dyno testing the engine until it has had at least 500 miles on it to seat the piston rings and break everything in. I'm kind of skeptical, because I always though it was sort of customary to dyno test an engine after building it, and I don't think a few WOT pulls on an engine dyno should hurt. But...it is what it is. Believe me, once it's all said and done, the car will be placed on a chassis dyno so I can see what I've got at the wheels. Engine Factory did run the configuration on "Desktop Dyno" and they claim it should be around 425 hp and 450 ft-lbs at the crank. Those numbers seem reasonable, and what I would expect, but sadly, I have no documented numbers.



I still remember the first time I got mine started, with a little help from my forum friends

Can't wait to get mine to the point I can crank it up for the first time. So exciting!

[Raceral]

Very good pictures, thanks for sharing

[skullandbones]

pyronuc,

At least you can experience this over and over again with all the pics to document the event! It's like reliving your vacation. I'd blow one up and put it on the garage wall.

Thanks for sharing the pics,

WEK.

[edwardb]

Well... That's a good question. I don't know whether or not Engine Factory has an engine dyno, but I did ask about having the engine run on one when they got done with the cam break-in and engine tuning. They said they won't do it, and they don't recommend dyno testing the engine until it has had at least 500 miles on it to seat the piston rings and break everything in. I'm kind of skeptical, because I always though it was sort of customary to dyno test an engine after building it, and I don't think a few WOT pulls on an engine dyno should hurt. But...it is what it is. Believe me, once it's all said and done, the car will be placed on a chassis dyno so I can see what I've got at the wheels. Engine Factory did run the configuration on "Desktop Dyno" and they claim it should be around 425 hp and 450 ft-lbs at the crank. Those numbers seem reasonable, and what I would expect, but sadly, I have no documented numbers.

Engine looks great! Congratulations. I always love the "seasoned block" descriptions. I guess it would be after 20 years... Your power estimates sound about right. I would guess closer to the 400/425 number with those heads and carb. But still should be very strong. Don't exactly understand the cam break-in concern. It's a hydraulic roller, right? Those don't need break-in like the older flat tappets. Most modern ring packages are seated and broken in very quickly according to my engine builder. So you're right, it probably could have been dyno'd right away. But running it 500 miles or so and getting an early oil change is a nice safe route, and probably not a bad idea.

It is a little unfair though. Both of my first starts (one already happened, the other in a few weeks hopefully) will be engines that I assembled from a short block. Your first start in the car will be much less stressful. ;)

[pyronuc]

It's definitely a full roller motor. I can only assume they are hydraulic lifters, because I think pretty much all of them are these days, but I don't know that I have anything in writing to say that. But it's definitely a roller, and not a flat tappet setup. I don't remember if they said camshaft break-in was one of the concerns, or if I'm just remembering warnings about flat-tappet cams and crossing the two up. But Engine Factory did definitely say break in of the engine and piston rings, etc. was of concern, and why they don't do, or recommend, dynoing the engine until after 500 miles. They definitely said to change the oil at 500 miles, and said to stick to non-synthetic for at least the next 3,000 miles. Once it's all broken in I intend to go with a high quality synthetic.

But yeah, I think maybe 450 ft-lbs might be a little on the high end, but it should be anywhere around 425, give or take, on up to 450 ft-lbs, I would expect (at the crank, obviously). Either way, for a short-wheelbase car in the 2300-2500 lb range, those hp and tq numbers should be pretty sporty.

Good luck with firing up your next engine! I've definitely seen this one crank up and run nicely a few times with the videos the Engine Factory guys sent me. So I feel pretty confident as long as I get everything hooked up right it should run like a beast, lol.

[nomansland]

Gorgeous! Is it tacky to ask what this thing cost?

[cgundermann]

26230
I also purchased a 347 fuel injected 450 horse motor from The Engine Factory!

[jayguy]

Wow, and it sticks to the ceiling! :D

[2FAST4U]

Engine porn! Sounds sweet!

[JL1958]

Great looking engine.

[pyronuc]

Gorgeous! Is it tacky to ask what this thing cost?

Maybe...some people are a bit testy with prices, but it doesn't bother me. This one cost me somewhere between $10k - $11k. Could I have maybe gotten the same thing a little cheaper? Possibly, especially if I built it myself. But for a complete turn-key running engine set up exactly how I wanted, with clutch and bell housing aligned and installed, I figured the price was agreeable. More than I would have liked to pay, but for someone who knows what they're doing to build it and work with me to figure out exactly what I wanted/needed, and deliver the whole package, it was worth it to me. I think they did a good job, especially with the little details I would never have thought of myself. I can't wait to get it installed and fire it up for the first time!

[306rangerfordguy]

Looks Nice!