E-Rod in a Shelby Cobra? Why Not?

When Carroll Shelby originally proposed stuffing a big V8 between the fenders of an AC Ace, his first choice was a small-block Chevy. Fearing competition for the Corvette, GM said no, Shelby turned to Ford instead, and the rest is history. Or at least it was – now Superformance has rolled back the clock on that particular missed opportunity by mating their MKIII licensed Shelby Cobra replica chassis with GM Performance Parts’ new E-Rod LS3 powertrain.

The result? A Cobra that is 50-state legal, without resorting to a wheezy 302 pulled from a Fox-body Mustang. Some adjustments must be made, like provisions for the ECU, OBDII port, returnless high pressure fuel system, and keeping all the emissions-critical intake and exhaust plumbing in an EPA-approved configuration, but it’s still easier than slotting that first 260 into an Ace back in 1961, let alone cramming an FE in there.

The best part is 430 factory-engineered LS3 horsepower, and a Cobra that starts when it’s cold and when it’s hot. No sacrifices must be made to convenience, durability, or the environment – a far cry from Cobras of yore, and even most other replicars.

If the experiment proves successful, look for future E-Rod powerplants under the hood of Superformance’s other offerings – LS3 Corvette Grand Sport, anyone?