2008 Cobra Jets belong in Stock

[Fred Popov]

Please, whatever you do, don't force the CJ into Super Stock. It belongs in Stock just like the GT500 that IS a production car. I want to see what it is capable of before its rearend gets chopped up for bigger wheels and before wild cams and intake manifolds get stuffed into it.

I am not saying that the 425 hp is not too low and it definitely should be factored appropriately. From the pictures that I have seen under the hood of these cars, there is a lot of power left there. I see that the power steering pump is on and so is the crank driven water pump. I also see some emission stuff like the crankcase ventilation going to the intake. 500 hp just like the GT500 is not unreasonable.
Someone also mentioned reorganizing the classes so that the A class starts at 5.0 or 6.0instead of 8.0....Great idea!

[Evan Smith]

Bruce,

I am not a representative of Ford, I am only posting my opinion, just like you. I happen to work on a Ford magazine and I race a Ford, but I really am just a car guy. I think it is very cool that the guys at Ford have an interest in Stock Eliminator and they have done quite a bit to help Ford Sportsman racers, such as upping the contingency money and helping with parts. I stated that I agree that the cars are under-rated, but as we all know, this has been going on for a long time. Ford is playing the game that we, and the manufacturers all play. There are other combinations in NHRA Stock that are grossly underrated—some have never even been run hard, such as the Ford Lightning.

I disagree, however, that NHRA should dyno the engines unless they do ALL engines. The fact that you are willing to give up your own engine for testing is meaningless unless EVERY Stock racer does the same. And even then, how can you draw a conclusion based on one engine from only testing each engine type? It doesn't matter if the CJ engine could make 1,000 hp unless NHRA is going to dyno all engines and then factor all engines based on the results. Frankly, it is a moot point as I seriously doubt NHRA is going to set a new precedent for factoring Stockers. I certainly realize that you want to know the full capabilities of the CJ, but I would like to know the same thing about my competition. So would every racer.

Since I don't on a CJ I can't post hp numbers. I have been to one dyno session and since I don't own the car I can not post the hp numbers. That would not be fair.

Evan

[Jeff Lee]

Originally Posted by Evan Smith

Ed F.,

You can look at the engine specs on line and see the differences, but in a nutshell, the CJ has less compression by a full point (which is a big deal even with a blower), smaller valves, smaller cams and smaller throttle body.

Evan

Evan,
You need to have a staff meeting on this! Seems to be some ambiguity on the specs between the GT500 & the CJ500 engine specs. But for the real tech heads, it's all on-line at www.nhra.com .
(From Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords online 02/11/2009, see complete article and source @ http://www.musclemustangfastfords.co...jet/index.html )

"...Ford delivers the Cobra Jet cars with a glaring 400 horsepower (nudge-nudge, wink-wink), a rating far under the combination's potential thanks to Ford Racing electronically controlling output so that it fits in the rules. Let's be realistic, the engine is a GT500 powerplant with a TVS blower, larger throttle body and MAF sensor, and long-tube headers amongst some other minor details. The 400 horse rating is far less than what that engine could produce with a little bit of a workout on the chassis dyno...."

Seeing that Ford Racing is "Ford Racing electronically controlling output", I'm still sticking to my prediction of 9.38 @ 142 that will ultimately be unleashed from these Shelby's, err, Mustangs!

And one last thing and then I quit, if these were labeled "Shelby's" with the "lite-weight drag-pack" option instead of Mustangs, I wouldn't have any beef.

Congratulations on Ford putting together one helluva package!

[Tom P]

Ford did that with the 428 Cobra Jet too but it's been worked out fairly. The engine relies on boost rather than RPM and if that is limited so is power. These things have tiny 3 1/2" bores and huge 4 1/4' strokes.

The Shelby GT500 could just as well have been called the Mustang Cobra but marketing it on the Shelby name and heritage seems to have worked well for sales. Check the window sticker on one and see where they are shipped from.

[Evan Smith]

Jeff,

Respectfully, Ford wanted to run Stock because it wanted a car in the top class. NHRA has reserved the top class of Super Stock for Chrysler products only, so why should Ford build a car to be second fiddle? I disagree with the SS/AH-only class, because it is unfair to other manufacturers and racers who would like a shot at the lime-light. In addition, Ford wanted to build a turn-key racer, much like it does in road racing. We all know this would be out of the realm of a OEM to build a turn-key Super Stock car.

So. where does the CJ really belong? Perhaps Super Stock is a better place, that is certainly a good argument.

If Chevy or Chrysler builds a car that fits the current guidelines I am all for it no matter where it falls. I would be pissed if I raced a "A" or "AA" car, I'll admit that, but any racer gripes should with NHRA, not Ford or the guys racing them. If the cars fly like all of you are predicting, then I'm sure NHRA will take action. I can't speak for NHRA, but I'm sure it doesn't want egg on its face over this.



Evan