Which Cobra Handles Best?

[csense]

cancel

[Buzz]

I'd say CSX3170 is a contender for the title. Check out this and several other threads from the owner who goes by the same name here on CC. His original Cobra has been treated to a long list of suspension mods and adjustments with goal of optimizing slalom/autocross performance:
CSX3170 at Scottsdale Goodguys

The best handling Cobra is likely going to be one whose owner has invested some time, research and $$ into setting it up in a way that mitigates and/or leverages the physical traits inherent to the car.

Out of the box best handling Cobra? There are brands like the XCS Cobra in the UK that take the already sharp handling Dax De Dion chassis to a whole 'nuther level with their patented camber compensation and anti-roll (CC & AR) technology at all four corners:
XCS Designs
Road test report here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaxCu-OmnqI

Absolute Pace in Australia build an accurate looking Cobra replica with an aluminum semi-monocoque chassis and inboard rocker suspension system. No hard data on handling performance though:
http://www.absolutepace.com/images/brochure_pace427.pdf

There are others - like the ground-hugging JBL with its race bred chassis and suspension, which was billed as more "Cobra-inspired" than an actual replica. Not sure how easy it would be to acquire one of those.

Be careful with that street racing thing though - no matter how great a handling Cobra you end up building or buying. We've seen some very unhappy endings to that story over the years...

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by csense

What Cobra handles best

The question, as posed, is a bit vague in nature.
Perhaps narrow it down to:
What small block Cobra handles best on the street?
What big block cobra handles best on the street?
What Cobra handles best on the road course?
What cobra handles best at highway speeds?
What Cobra handles best on hill climbs?

There are roughly 50 other "what cobra handles best" situations, so until you narrow down your question to a specific venue, we cannot really respond with any confidence we knew which venue and style of Cobra.


Bill S.

PS: Having owned FFR, Unique, SPF, Contemporary, FFR, and ERA,(BB and SB and everything in between except for a new Coyote motor) for me, as an all around car, my last FIA ERA (all aluminum 4.6L 64V mod motor pwoered) with the competition suspension wins hands down, that would be on the street, at WGI and VIR, hill climb, but not drag racing or autocrossing as I did neither with that particular car, where I have with several of the others I've personally owned. Personally, 3 years later, I still kick myself in the behind for selling that car.

[twobjshelbys]

What are you really asking? Is this among the various Cobras (which aren't going to vary all that much) or are you trying to compare to say a modern Miata?

[csense]

cancel

[csense]

cancel

[vector1]

I guess we're bench racing, all you have to do is look at the design and suspension, if you want the real thing, I can do that too....JBL.

Nothing like it out there. Probably never again either. Considered more of a roadster then a replica though, so there is your out.

[mrmustang]

Then the standard "upgraded" competition suspension from ERA in a Street/Slabside or 289FIA Configuration is what you want. Personally, I would not bother with a Rousch 427 stroker motor, but a more streetable, modern day coyote motor coupled with a 5/6spd, and some decent "Hoosier radial" street tires. Suspension and brake wise the "Comp" suspension (an option worth having) and the wildwood brake option is the way to go for your "spirited" driving style on the Tail of the Dragon although, people as you describe running "The Dragon" soon find themselves either over the side, or in jail recently, so let's hope you were just describing the feel you are looking for an not your actual time on the mountain. If not, then at this point, I'll bow out, as your wannabe racer, overly aggressive style of driving on the street will get you, and possibly myself killed when you decide that leaving 1-2/10ths is no longer good enough for your "ego". If I've read into your post above all wrong, then I'll be the first to apologize, but so far, that is the vibe in which you have brought to this forum and this thread.

Bill S

PS: You want to feel the need for speed and the thrill of racing, take it to the track, as that is where the real men race their cobras, real or replica.

[csense]

cancel

[cobrakiwi]

Check out some of these videos,
You like watching cobras race?

Also as mentioned csx 3170, Morris, Kirkham 259 (if I remember right) search these guy's/cars on YouTube.

There where also a couple hard core HiTech's that could scoot around a track as well, I'm sure they could handle street/road driving as well.

I doubt there would be to many superformance or era's etc keeping up with these boys!

Not to bad for cars running original style type suspension, or based off.

[Morris]

It is impossible to buy a Cobra that handles like a real
Road Racing Cobra......

The suspension, steering, and lack of chassis stiffness is not good enough to be predictable on these cars.....

And you don't have enough knowledge to build a National Competitive vehicle....so you might want to get a vehicle that has all those thing worked out and you just push a button to save you when the car goes out of control.....

At the present time the times we've run at various tracks are faster then the GT-2 times and mid pack on GT-1 times.....and that's on fast tracks like Road America .....and slow tracks like Gateway StL....

Sorry to be so honest.....but better to be honest and alive then foolish and dead...

Morris/KMP259

[xb-60]

Which Cobra handles best?

Correct answer is ...."mine"

[ERA2076]

Originally Posted by Morris

At the present time the times we've run at various tracks are faster then the GT-2 times and mid pack on GT-1 times.....

Wow -

chr

[Cracker]

Of course Morris could not be more accurate - a Cobra by nature, with its short wheelbase, light rear and archaic suspension is a poor handling car. I honestly have never seen one that is remotely quick around a track - Morris's car would obviously be an outliier...

A REAL competent race shop can do wonders with a car - suspension have to be calibrated and designed around the entire package - it is truly an art. Not being able to get away from the old suspension would make it difficult for many to ever be quick - not matter who is fine-tuning them.

Back in the day - 15+ years ago when I was running around in these things - the JBL had the most promising chassis.

Tony

Originally Posted by Morris

It is impossible to buy a Cobra that handles like a real
Road Racing Cobra......

The suspension, steering, and lack of chassis stiffness is not good enough to be predictable on these cars.....

And you don't have enough knowledge to build a National Competitive vehicle....so you might want to get a vehicle that has all those thing worked out and you just push a button to save you when the car goes out of control.....

At the present time the times we've run at various tracks are faster then the GT-2 times and mid pack on GT-1 times.....and that's on fast tracks like Road America .....and slow tracks like Gateway StL....

Sorry to be so honest.....but better to be honest and alive then foolish and dead...

Morris/KMP259

[Buzz]

Most Cobras, including big blocks are pretty neutrally balanced (50/50) front to rear because of the rearward placement of the drivetrain. The 289's had an archaic leaf-sprung suspension, but the redesigned 427's were brought up to date (circa back then) with their coil-sprung chassis.

The often repeated myth that Cobras are nose-heavy and tail-light is just that: a myth. The limitations they face are in their dimensions; wheelbase and track, along with poor high-speed aerodynamics and the old manual brakes and steering.

Absolutely true that a competent suspension guru could do wonders - as evidenced by Morris's Kirkham and by CSX3170, who is generally holding his own and kicking butt with an original Cobra against late model, race-tuned machinery.

[Cracker]

Cobra's are hot-rods...they were back in the 60's and still are today (especially the kit-cars out-there). Anyone who has spent a considerable time on the track will understand that there is a UNIVERSE of difference between a competent, reliable track car and that of a "hot-rod". There was a time when I thought the multiple Cobra's I owned would have been more of a true performance car - that was before I knew anything - now I do.

I have also seen first hand what it takes to make a Cobra effective on the track...it means you make it generally un-Cobra-like. Not a knock in the least but so many changes have to be made that it changes the essence of the original concept. For those who attempt to drive their "hot-rod" in anger, whether on the street (highly ill-advised) or track, please be very careful.

I currently own arguably the most powerful Cobra on the planet and it has an ugly 12-point cage (but oh so necessary). A cobra that was actually meant to go-fast, properly, must also have massive modifications to keep the pilot alive in a mishap. They are not safe in typical dress...its all for show. Function takes the lead step in a real performance car - even in a Cobra...

Tony

[Buzz]

Originally Posted by Cracker

Cobra's are hot-rods...they were back in the 60's and still are today (especially the kit-cars out-there). Anyone who has spent a considerable time on the track will understand that there is a UNIVERSE of difference between a competent, reliable track car and that of a "hot-rod". There was a time when I thought the multiple Cobra's I owned would have been more of a true performance car - that was before I knew anything - now I do.

I have also seen first hand what it takes to make a Cobra effective on the track...it means you make it generally un-Cobra-like. Not a knock in the least but so many changes have to be made that it changes the essence of the original concept. For those who attempt to drive their "hot-rod" in anger, whether on the street (highly ill-advised) or track, please be very careful.

I currently own arguably the most powerful Cobra on the planet - along with its 12-point cage. A cobra that was actually meant to go-fast, properly, must also have massive modifications to keep the pilot alive in a mishap. They are not safe in typical dress...its all for show. Function takes the lead step in a real performance car - even in a Cobra...

Tony

CSX3170 is a hot rod? I think not . And although it has had extensive suspension mods and adjustments, I'm sure it's still very Cobra-like.
Not all replicas are created equal, so while there is iron in your words, it doesn't apply to all. GS-Cobra in Germany builds an awesome performing replica that looks the goods from the outside, but uses up to date date tech for everything from drivetrain to tires. XCS Cobra (UK) does as well, but both (XCS even more so) feature refinements that deviate from the original in feel and performance.
I also can't agree that the signature Cobra features are "all for show". While there are replicas being built with exaggerated fender bulges, cosmetic roll bars and shiny sidepipes that are more a styling exercise than anything else, true (and well-replicated) 427 Cobras have fender bulges to accommodate big tires and suspension travel under low-slung coachwork. The roll bar was functional (inadequate by modern standards, granted) and the sidepipes were there to allow large diameter exhausts without compromising ride height and ground clearance. They happen to look good but they were not conceived for styling or show.

The most powerful Cobra on the planet - I remember your epic KC dyno challenge thread from a while back, but I couldn't find anything on this car. Can you fill us in on the details? Is it the one in your album with the moon capped wheels? I'd love to hear more.

[Snake2998]

Any car handles only as well as its suspension is set up.

Nobody should drive on public roads at anything like 8 10ths - things are too unpredictable around the next corner and you could put others at risk so need much higher safety margins than the 2 tenths you leave yourself.

If you are bored with track driving why not try autocross - the track changes each time and its all about car handling and diver skill plus power and less about high speed.

[MesaMaui]

I don't think it's just what is the best brand or suspension design it comes down how good the car is sorted and dialed in and even with simple parts you can have a pretty good running Cobra on the track. I'm racing a factory 5 Cobra with the 3 link rear axle, QA1 Shocks and Eibach Springs and I'm very happy how it performs against the other Kirkhams and Shelby Continuation cobras in my running group. I don't see any suspension or handling disadvantage against these cobras but they have in the Big Block AP class usually more HP than me.
BTW the Cobra is for sale because im almost done with my new race car.

Here is a video from my last Sovren race in Kent WA where I have not raced before

https://youtu.be/Mw4C20kUZLU

And here at Willow Springs with VARA

https://youtu.be/kHJWh4ebVMA



Maui

[1795]

If you really want to experience the thrill of driving on the edge, get on a race track. Go to a race school and get a license. Road racing is not like NASCAR, you actually have to learn how to negotiate left and right hand turns, changes in elevation and inconsistent corners. Pushing the limits on country roads will sooner or later get yourself or someone else killed or seriously injured.

When you race, you also get to compete against other drivers without the typical track day rules concerning passing zones. It will get your adrenalin rushing.