Considering a Cobra have some questions

[JoeT]

I'm "only" at 400hp for my Factory five running goodyear F1's and IRS, and recently thought about selling for a 991TT. I drove the 991TT and although fast (very fast) it was no where near the feel of the FFR.

With the 991S having less power than the twin turbo version, I suggest finding someone local that will take out out in their car. I'd like to jump in power to 600hp, but the reality is that most of that would be lost in tire spin anyways. In 4th doing 60 a stomp on the skinny peddle easily breaks the rear free

If you were closer, I'd let you drive mine just to get the feel for "only" 400hp

[Detroit Bill]

Originally Posted by JoeT

I'm "only" at 400hp for my Factory five running goodyear F1's and IRS, and recently thought about selling for a 991TT. I drove the 991TT and although fast (very fast) it was no where near the feel of the FFR.

With the 991S having less power than the twin turbo version, I suggest finding someone local that will take out out in their car. I'd like to jump in power to 600hp, but the reality is that most of that would be lost in tire spin anyways. In 4th doing 60 a stomp on the skinny peddle easily breaks the rear free

If you were closer, I'd let you drive mine just to get the feel for "only" 400hp

A 991 Twin Turbo (tt) is the other car on my list. I did have a photo of that car hanging on the wall when I was a kid. The problem is that that raises the bar in a difficult way. Now to feel like you are pushing the car you would have to do 120 in the turns. I am planning on trying to to take one for a ride before I make any decisions. Thanks for the sound advice.

[lippy]

A 991 TT is just a very different car. I like them both, but wouldn't consider a 991 TT as a substitute for a Cobra, or vice versa. Also, to be honest, I'd just as soon have an S coupe vs a TT.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by lippy

Also, to be honest, I'd just as soon have an S coupe vs a TT.

Lip, you should lie more often then. No on the TT? Wow.

[lippy]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Lip, you should lie more often then. No on the TT? Wow.

I happened to see a new TT yesterday, of all places, inside a mall. $190k. Yikes. Great car, but for the additional (and hypothetical) cost it wouldn't be worth it to me. Instead, I'd get as close to a base S as I could and drive the wheels off it, maybe 150k+ as my daily. I have experience with turbos and am not convinced you can do that with a TT. If I did buy a turbo, it would be a much cheaper one - maybe a Cad ATS-V or CTS V-Sport, or a "Sally" M3. But I would still keep the Cobra and drive it as much as reasonably possible.

[Detroit Bill]

Originally Posted by lippy

I happened to see a new TT yesterday, of all places, inside a mall. $190k. Yikes. Great car, but for the additional (and hypothetical) cost it wouldn't be worth it to me. Instead, I'd get as close to a base S as I could and drive the wheels off it, maybe 150k+ as my daily. I have experience with turbos and am not convinced you can do that with a TT. If I did buy a turbo, it would be a much cheaper one - maybe a Cad ATS-V or CTS V-Sport, or a "Sally" M3. But I would still keep the Cobra and drive it as much as reasonably possible.

A turbo is an intense machine. I drove a 997 when I bought my car. It is hyperspace! It also is on rails, you could get pretty nutty in that car.

[Detroit Bill]

Originally Posted by lippy

I happened to see a new TT yesterday, of all places, inside a mall. $190k. Yikes. Great car, but for the additional (and hypothetical) cost it wouldn't be worth it to me. Instead, I'd get as close to a base S as I could and drive the wheels off it, maybe 150k+ as my daily. I have experience with turbos and am not convinced you can do that with a TT. If I did buy a turbo, it would be a much cheaper one - maybe a Cad ATS-V or CTS V-Sport, or a "Sally" M3. But I would still keep the Cobra and drive it as much as reasonably possible.

I have driven a CTSV and a 997 tt and there is no comparison. No CTSV for me.

[lippy]

Originally Posted by Detroit Bill

I have driven a CTSV and a 997 tt and there is no comparison. No CTSV for me.

Of course. Apples and oranges. But for the $53k my friend just paid for his CTS-V Sport (not full V), it is a *great* car. Any if my experience with GM is any indication (I drive GM trucks), it will far outlast any new German car and require far less maintenance.

[Bernica]

I don't know Porsche-speak or the nomenclature so much, but I did get an awesome ride in an GT3 RS that was just incredible and most definitely NOT like what we are driving! Like being in a slot car or a video game!

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Bernica

I don't know Porsche-speak or the nomenclature so much, but I did get an awesome ride in an GT3 RS that was just incredible and most definitely NOT like what we are driving! Like being in a slot car or a video game!

We have a GT3 in the neighborhood... and the owner is getting a free ten day vacation.... Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth convicted of reckless driving - The Washington Post

[Detroit Bill]

Originally Posted by patrickt

We have a GT3 in the neighborhood... and the owner is getting a free ten day vacation.... Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth convicted of reckless driving - The Washington Post

Its not like they are not going to
Hear you coming in s cobra.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Detroit Bill

Its not like they are not going to
Hear you coming in s cobra.

I've actually been pulled over a few times in the Cobra, but always because the troopers wanted to look at the car, not because I was doing anything wrong. In these parts, we take speeding pretty seriously.... Never Speed In Virginia: Lessons From My Three Days In Jail

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by patrickt

I've actually been pulled over a few times in the Cobra, but always because the troopers wanted to look at the car, not because I was doing anything wrong. In these parts, we take speeding pretty seriously.... Never Speed In Virginia: Lessons From My Three Days In Jail

Think I posted the story a few years ago, but I was out running and had to stop at the 76 for gas. Then, two cop cars show up and parked in front and back of the car. Thought I was in trouble, but they actually said "hey, we can all hear that thing from a mile away and we have radios so we all call each other and you have a big number 5 on it! Not hard to miss! We just want to get some pictures of it.! They were great guys.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by Detroit Bill

First question (I have several). I am going to guess these cars are a bit squirrely. Short wheel base, light, lots of power, stands to reason. I am good with squirrely but how squirrely is it?

Second question. If it is a handful does swapping out to 17 or 18" rims with modern rubber make a dramatic difference? I understand it is not period correct but it still looks good.

I'll start with thouse two questions and see how it goes.

Thanks

Bill

I see later that this diverges, but I'll give my answers to your direct questions.

Answer 1 part 1: Yes, they are squirrely. Consider that your Cobra wants to kill you every time you drive it and drive it accordingly. Be especially cautious in colder weather since most of the tires people use are hockey pucks in colder weather.

Answer 1 part 2: You don't say but most people who look at Cobras want a 427. They have lots of horsepower and torque (and it is the torque that usually gets you in trouble). Seriously consider what you want to use the car for. In driving my car on the street the engine always felt like it was dragging down - you could never give it enough RPM to keep the cobwebs burned out of the exhaust. As a result I found myself driving most of the time in lower gears at higher RPMs. If the primary use is as a street car I strongly encourage you to look at one of the 289 series vehicles. I'm considering a new Cobra and it will likely be a small block car.

Answer 2: Stick with stock sized tires. (At least you didn't ask about putting a Chevy engine in it).

The Cobra really likes to oversteer - rear end breaks loose and you go around in a circle. Lots of horsepower on acceleration (and it doesn't even have to be a great amount), or lots of torque on deceleration especially when combined with a downshift without RPM matching and heel-toe shifting is very difficult to do with the pedal configuration on a Cobra.

[Detroit Bill]

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

I see later that this diverges, but I'll give my answers to your direct questions.

Answer 1 part 1: Yes, they are squirrely. Consider that your Cobra wants to kill you every time you drive it and drive it accordingly. Be especially cautious in colder weather since most of the tires people use are hockey pucks in colder weather.

Answer 1 part 2: You don't say but most people who look at Cobras want a 427. They have lots of horsepower and torque (and it is the torque that usually gets you in trouble). Seriously consider what you want to use the car for. In driving my car on the street the engine always felt like it was dragging down - you could never give it enough RPM to keep the cobwebs burned out of the exhaust. As a result I found myself driving most of the time in lower gears at higher RPMs. If the primary use is as a street car I strongly encourage you to look at one of the 289 series vehicles. I'm considering a new Cobra and it will likely be a small block car.

Answer 2: Stick with stock sized tires. (At least you didn't ask about putting a Chevy engine in it).

The Cobra really likes to oversteer - rear end breaks loose and you go around in a circle. Lots of horsepower on acceleration (and it doesn't even have to be a great amount), or lots of torque on deceleration especially when combined with a downshift without RPM matching and heel-toe shifting is very difficult to do with the pedal configuration on a Cobra.

I think there may be adjustments to be made in the suspension. But a modern tire is worth the change. I think it can look good also. May be sacrilege but I have have P zeros on the Porsche and I think they (or a tire like it). On the cobra.