Hi. - Page 2

t walgamuth · #1 (**permalink**) 02-18-2018, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COBRANIP

Congratulations! Beautiful machine.
May I make a suggestion.....the strength in the VSE chassis is in the transmission tunnel (the "backbone"). It appears the underside of your transmission tunnel does not have a structural cover (to complete the "box"). The transmission mount for my VSE was welded to a plate that enclosed the transmission tunnel from the bottom. You could do that or with some square tubing "triangulate" some bracing for the bottom of the transmission tunnel. Just a suggestion.

Again, beautiful machine and I love the induction system.

Do you have pics you can share of yours? I wondered about that myself and have been thinking of a plate there like my Bugeye sprite had all those decades ago.

t walgamuth · #2 (**permalink**) 02-18-2018, 06:51 AM

It's here. Wooo hoooo
!

t walgamuth · #3 (**permalink**) 02-18-2018, 03:50 PM

So I just measured the
WB and it is 90". the unit which holds the brake, clutch and gas pedals is a very rugged aluminum fixture which is three times as strong as anything on my Forumula Ford or Lotus 7. I also discovered that while it does not have any insulation on the inside of the wheel wells it does on the outside, lucky it does as there is only about a half inch between the exhaust header and the wheel well. Yikes!

I looked at the open tubes which are situated to accept a steel tube to form a roll bar. They are nearly 3/16" wall thickness and have an ID of 1 15/16".

Cracker · #4 (**permalink**) 02-18-2018, 07:50 PM

Congratulations Tom! What a fun day...take it slow and enjoy the ride.

Tony

t walgamuth · #5 (**permalink**) 02-18-2018, 08:11 PM

Thanks Cracker!

Millsy · #6 (**permalink**) 02-19-2018, 12:53 PM

Awesome, CONGRATS

t walgamuth · #7 (**permalink**) 02-19-2018, 01:03 PM

thanks millsy!

COBRANIP · #8 (**permalink**) 02-21-2018, 03:12 PM

I'll see if I can't get you a picture. Also, with the same logic and thinking the rear most end of the transmission tunnel should have a brace at the bottom.

t walgamuth · #9 (**permalink**) 02-21-2018, 07:16 PM

under the tunnel

Ron61 · #10 (**permalink**) 02-22-2018, 03:31 AM

Now the fun really begins. Congratulations and that is a really nice looking cobra. Thanks for the pictures.

Ron

t walgamuth · #11 (**permalink**) 02-22-2018, 03:59 AM

Thanks Ron!

I look at that point where the rear angling links attach and want to connect those two seel members. I also want to put a flat cover over the bottom of the tunnel. I love the aluminum chassis but am a little intimidated by it. I am more reluctant to drill holes in it than I would be with steel. I also want to weigh it pretty badly.

COBRANIP · #12 (**permalink**) 02-23-2018, 02:30 AM

T Walgamuth, you have a private email.
My bare frame weighed 202 lbs.

t walgamuth · #13 (**permalink**) 02-23-2018, 04:41 AM

That's what his book said too. Thanks Nip!

t walgamuth · #14 (**permalink**) 02-23-2018, 08:54 AM

Total weight with half a tank of gas 2083#. F/R 50/50 with me in the drivers seat. Cross weights pretty much perfect. With me in the car its a little heavy on the left. with two its a little heavy on the
right and it would no doubt be a little more heavy in the rear. I'll probably move the battery to the rear if I can find a place strong enough to hole it.

I borrowed a set of scales from one of my scca autocrossing buddies to weigh it. When I first put it on the scales the cross weights were way off. So I checked the scales for level and the right front was about 3/4" low. When I put a spacer in to correct that all the weights came right in.

I guess maybe Herb and Matt did know how to build a race car!

t walgamuth · #15 (**permalink**) 02-26-2018, 10:36 AM

Its getting pretty warm here today and sunny. I think I'll get the cold blooded snake out and drive around in it.

Ron61 · #16 (**permalink**) 02-26-2018, 10:40 AM

That sounds great. It is very cold for us here now and also somewhat wet. Have a fun drive.

Ron

Millsy · #17 (**permalink**) 02-26-2018, 10:43 AM

Watch how many beeps and thumbs up you get. I finally got to go for a cruise last Tues, 73 in CT in Feb lmao. I got 4 thumbs up and 2 beeps during a 45 minute drive. ENJOY

t walgamuth · #18 (**permalink**) 02-26-2018, 10:59 AM

Its about 46 f and sunny. That's warm for me!

I'll have my winter coat and my favorite Elmer Fudd cap with ear flaps down.

Buzz · #19 (**permalink**) 02-26-2018, 11:10 AM

Don't overcook it on the first drive, but I'm really anxious to hear your impressions of the chassis dynamics and handling. As a (Pontiac) Trans-Am enthusiast when I was much younger, Herb Adams was well known to me for his VSE Firebird performance and handling upgrades. Naturally, when my interest turned to Cobras, I was keen to read anything I could get my hands on about the VSE Cobras. Congrats!

t walgamuth · #20 (**permalink**) 02-26-2018, 02:12 PM

Well, its a handful. It's not really running right and when the carbs clear it lights up both tires. Also there seems to be some torque induced steering, which is a little unsettling. The PO had the chassis adjusted to give an inch more ground clearance. I am wondering if some of my links need adjusting now to compensate.

It seems to possibly be running rich on the idle circuite and lean on the primary circuits. If I let it rev to 3000 it pops and backfires through the pipes.

Not very relaxing to drive. It looks fabulous though and casual observers I hope missed my grim concentration.