Which Cobra Handles Best?

[cobrakiwi]

Originally Posted by Cracker

Yep. It sure would...

You need to be more detailed...read the posts, the words, the claims. LOL symbols lose there affect when not backed up with facts. Just sayin'...

BTW: What is your ride(s)? Curious.

T




No more modified than Morris creation...agree?

Hey your the one with all the claims, No?

I'm just putting my money on the other horses. Just saying!


My ride is a Toyota Tacoma, and no I don't think it's the fastest one in the world.

[twobjshelbys]

cracker == troll.

[Buzz]

Wow - this thread sure got a second wind!
The fundamental issue that I was discussing was the claim that all Cobras - original and replica (with the exception of the "outliers" )- are tail-light "hot-rods" with archaic suspension and further, the declaration that CSX3170 is incapable of favorable comparison to even "semi-racy modern machinery".
Cobras are not tail light; 3170 kicks butt today, and there's nothing especially archaic about the MKll coil spring suspension with disc brakes and independent rear.

All wheel drive and electronic traction/pitch/roll/yaw control light years ahead? Sure - but semi-racy, more modern machinery like Cracker's "old 914" don't have those either. A well engineered and constructed Cobra replica - and there are quite a few of them out there - is a capable performance car by basic standards, but to varying degrees like many newer platforms - almost any car, really - they require modifications and upgrades for serious high performance driving or track use.

The old, original-style chassis design lacks the driver protection that is now legislated on newer cars, so additional bracing and cages are needed. Ditto for any Mustang, Camaro, 914 or Corvette from the 70's to the 90's, though the full body construction of the larger coupes make them inherently "safer" in a crash or rollover.

Are there limitations to the basic design? Yes, of course - but it's not simply the "short wheelbase". There are cars with similar wheelbases that track very successfully. Its the wheelbase/track ratio that comes with built-in handling characteristics in a light weight, high power application like a Cobra, and that can be partially mitigated by lowering the COG and widening the effective track. etc etc etc.

Bottom line is that current high performance cars out of the box are expectedly far safer and better handling than out of the box original-style Cobras, but dissing them off as hot-rods, the best of which can be blown into the weeds by even an old 914 is just inflammatory bull$hit. The "old 914" is far, far from stock, but any Cobra with performance upgrades or mods is dismissed as a "ringer" or an "outlier". Clearly, Cracker has considerable experience and racing cred - but none of that makes the dismissive, opinionated BS any more acceptable or valid. At least he admits to being a pot-stirrer, so that gives some context to it all.

Having said all of that, its great to see the makings of some friendly competition and kudos to both CSX3170 and Cracker for trying to make it happen. Opinions and back and forth aside, this could be some really good stuff.

[1795]

While my car certainly does not have a modern suspension and design, the transverse leaf springs and girling brakes do provide for a fun ride and performance on the track. I was not pushing it in my first time out at Watkins Glen, but the car did handle well and I finished in front of a 1969 Corvette and a Porche. As I become more familiar with the car and get it fine tuned, who knows what I will be finishing in front of?

[Buzz]

Beautiful car and a fine example of a well engineered and built Cobra! You must be over the moon finally driving and enjoying it after all of the planning and building.

[Cobra #3170]

Originally Posted by Cracker

How much racing have you done? All racing classes are rule-goverened...otherwise, Frankenstein cars with 800+ hp, big tires and brakes are brought - but not in this case due to safety and value. Build a Cobra within reasonable parameters and see which platform is best. Original suspension run originally to cars required - mine has torsion bars - nothing wrong with them - 1970's technology still works.

A race car with a Cobra body on top is not a Cobra...sigh.

T

I think that it is ironic that you are calling cars with suspension and engine modifications not a Cobra. Your 914-6 has major body modifications, rear wing and a front splitter that are far beyond 1970's technology. I am betting that is not an original 2.7 L engine either. My Cobra has the exact shape that it was delivered with and with the exception of wheels is identical in appearance to it's 1965 delivery appearance. My Porsche is also in as delivered condition no extra aero or flares there either. Since you don't consider aerodynamic modifications as effecting early technology perhaps we should bring Morris's Cobra into the mix. Do you think you could match his lap times around Road America?

[LMH]

914-6's were 2.0L.
Carry on!
Larry

[cobrakiwi]

Looks like this might be some competition!

SUPERFORMANCE MKIII EARNS TITLE OF WORLD

[Buzz]

Outlier!!

[Dominik]

in 2004 I bought a 1996 South Africa built "LDS" Cobra. LDS built racing cars in the 60s already.

Weight was 2.233 lbs, 302 cui, 290 hp and AP brakes from a Ford Sierra V8 with the McPherson struts in front and homemade rear control arms. BFG threaded tires.

I had 100 laps of "tourist-day" experience driving my '91 964 RS in Hockenheim, and the Cobra came within stock Porsche 911/930 times after 30 laps in Killarney (Cape Town).

Raced the day later against John Atkins in his 289 and could have won the 2nd heat, but decided NOT to loose it in turn 2 and possibly slide into him, even though he went wide to give me space. My car was already sold, his quite expensive..

What I am saying, this was an excellent car for a novice to have a lot of fun.

I also chased a 400 hp 2004 911 along the 100 mph bends on our backroads. But you didn't hear that from me.

[Buzz]

This thread brought back memories and prompted me to look up GaryJettrike's build thread of the first of the awesome handling XCS Fusion Cobras. Not everyone's cup o' tea, especially the purists; but if I'm looking for a truly fast and capable, modern incarnation of a Cobra (as opposed to the usual Shelby 427SC replica) this would probably be it. Everything from chassis jig to road test video and race against a 545hp Aston Martin.
new space frame chassis