Once our Mustang arrived at Cobra Automotive, shop owner Curt Vogt called us and said that we had made a good buy. He felt that, this time, we had a good starting point for our vintage race project.
He had more good news for us: How about an engine? Curt had just pulled a Group 3-legal Ford 302 V8 engine out of a 1967 Cougar as the owner wanted to move up to the faster Group 5 class.
This engine, based on a Dart SHP block, featured a number of useful upgrades like a Victor JR intake, MSD distributor and SRP pistons.
We were offered that engine for $7500–and also promised that it was still relatively fresh and made 500 horsepower and 393 lb.-ft. of torque. Going with the used engine would quickly solve one of our biggest hurdles. We did the math and realized that we couldn’t duplicate that vintage-legal engine for that sum. We just needed a Holley carburetor–easy.
So, our plan: Drive up from our Florida base to Curt’s Connecticut shop. Once there, we could scavenge used parts from his multiple warehouses and then strip the Mustang’s interior so we could finish the roll cage. Then we’d take the car home for assembly and final prep.
So in a separate post I'm questioning $7800 for brakes but then I read this and find $7500 for a race engine to be a pretty good deal.........I'm so fickle.
Realistically you could spend 10-20K (or more) for a race motor so yeah that's a pretty good deal.
What's up with the funky, extended water pump and accessory drive on the crank pulley?
Let me know when you're going to Connecticut - if the timing is right I might be able to meet up and lend a hand
In reply to HotNotch :
Dry sump crank pulley location?
In reply to HotNotch :
Looks a lot like a Jones Racing belt drive system (or similar) where the alternator is driven off of the water pump instead of the crank.
This project is really shaping up nicely, and it's only just begun!
As a 1965 Mustang Fastback owner and Vintage Racer for 40 years (on and off),
I'll enjoy your efforts with the Mustang.
However, I will not buy the suggestion a 500HP 302 (W) Ford engine is "Vintage Legal."
....maybe "Vintage" 1995....Maybe...
Yeah call me curious on that engine. Hot Rod made 500HP to the crank on an iron headed 302 - but it took a 150 shot to get there. Otherwise best they were able to get was around 375 at 6000 RPM. I guess if you are spinning it to the moon that will help, but by 6500, the horsepower was already dropping off.
I am guessing that will spin closer to 8000 to make that kind of power.
Can't speak to the improvements on Fords but Datsun engine builders are now getting 10-15% more than they did back in the day and all all of the mods would / are 100% legal with the rules of the day.
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