Which Company makes "best" replica?

[jdean]

It is highly probable that JBL makes the strongest standard frame in the Cobra replica business, and they have even tested it. "....very stiff (minimum 24 HZ frequency) chassis with torsional numbers above 4500 lbs per degree". If anyone wants to bet differently and get theirs tested, put me down for 100 bucks on the JBL side.

Oh yeah, and this even goes for the other suspension parts like control arms, mounting points etc.

[Excaliber]

Round stronger than square? NO WAY!

...my moneys on the JBL, by the way, and will someone get Jamo a screen cleaner.

[bdeutsch]

Pound for pound, round tubing is stronger than square tubing. Of course, there are different ways to measure strength.

If you bend a square tube across the corners instead of across the flats, see what happens. Failure starts at the corners because the stress gets high there without supplying a lot of moment to take the load, because there isn't much material out there in the corner. So, if you know the orientation of the load, square is probably better. If not, or if there are many possible loads, then round is better.

Important thing to remember is that strength goes down rapidly with an increase in length ; by the square of the length in fact.

No desire to argue, suspect it comes down to a discussion of strength versus weight.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by bdeutsch

No desire to argue, suspect it comes down to a discussion of strength versus weight.

Said perfectly. Harumpf!

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

Many race cars in the fifties and sixties used round tubing in their construction including Ferrari, Maserati, AC (Shelby), Kurtis and Watson Indy cars and dozens of others. In the seventies, racers started using rectangular tubing because a crash usually limited the damage to a localized area (impact area). A round tube race car was usually trashed after a hard crash, whereas a car made from rectangular tubing had only to replace a front or rear clip, as is done even now with Nascar Cup and Modifieds. I think rectangular tubing was pioneered by Detriot auto makers for passenger cars in the twenties and thirties, and they were tanks.
Back to Kirkham, in my opinion they use 4 inch round tubing because it is as the originals were made by AC/Shelby, and thus are the more accurate replica. I'm not beating up on ANY Cobra here (no pun intended), as they all have their highlights.

[Excaliber]

Indeed the recent changes for the NEW ERA's is pretty impressive. After all, what do you to make a car all ready 'perfect' even better?

[RodKnock]

As far as I know, there's no dispute in/on Club Cobra that ERA is an awesome product, but to state that it's the most modern and best engineered Cobra on the market is arguable and you do say that it's your opinion. I know that many of the Cobra companies such as SPF, FFR and Kirkham have changed their product over time to make their cars better. I know the Kirkham better than the others, since I own one, and I know the Kirkhams have continually made improvements to their car including making it the lightest on the market. I think, but I'm not 100% sure. Based on a thread by Joe at Kirkham, the latest Kirkham's with an aluminum FE are about 2,150 lbs. I have no idea what a ERA weighs, but I'm guessing that it's about 300-500 lbs heavier. That extra weight may buy you higher frame rigidity, but at the expense of a heavier car.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I have no idea what a ERA weighs, but I'm guessing that it's about 300-500 lbs heavier. That extra weight may buy you higher frame rigidity, but at the expense of a heavier car.

You are correct. ERA's typically run around 2500lbs or so. Mine is 2550 with half a tank of gas, me not in it, iron BB, alum everything else.

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

Does 'lighter' make it 'better'? Unless it's a race car, I think not.
"The beat goes on"

[RodKnock]

I said the "I know the Kirkham better" and I said I think the Kirkham is lighter, but I did NOT say that lighter makes it better. It may be better it may not be better, but extra weight doesn't guarantee better either.

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I said the "I know the Kirkham better" and I said I think the Kirkham is lighter, but I did NOT say that lighter makes it better. It may be better it may not be better, but extra weight doesn't guarantee better either.

No offense taken. KMP cars are beautiful replicas.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by ZOERA-SC7XX

No offense taken. KMP cars are beautiful replicas.

Yes, but they're the only "replica" listed in the Shelby World Registry.

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Yes, but they're the only "replica" listed in the Shelby World Registry.

Who gives a puck about the snake oil salesman's 'World Registry'?

[ENTDOC]

Originally Posted by ZOERA-SC7XX

Who gives a puck about the snake oil salesman's 'World Registry'?

mostly those without a car in it

[Ronbo]

I guess the real argument is "strong enough"...

For an 1100hp engine the added weight and rigidity would be of benifit, although handling and braking would suffer. Certainly traction is a problem and a heavier car would "plant" better. If your priority is off the line then the extra weight would help. I don't think anyone makes a worse frame than AC did...

"better" is a subjective idea, depends what your intentions are. In this case a dollar figure was thrown out that basically knocks out the higher priced replicas so why discuss the merits of $60k ~ $160k cars?

The fellow stated this was to be something for tooling around town in and wanted something comfortable. (I have no recomendation for this!) The best we can do is steer this fellow away from the shabby mfg's and let him decide what is best for him. (not us)

This is supposed to be a fellowship not a competition, save that for the track.

[jperickson2001]

"This is supposed to be a fellowship not a competition, save that for the track."

This is an excellent point. We all have our own criteria for what suits us best and we need to remember we didn't get a Porche, Corvette, or Viper (although some of you probably have each of them!). Our passion lies with the Cobra and we need to welcome each other regardless of our taste, bankroll, and manufacturer preference. From a Fiberfab to an original 60's car, we all share the same interest. Lets put away our separative ways and drive down that road of life in peace-John

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by jperickson2001

Lets put away our separative ways and drive down that road of life in peace-John

Of course I'll do my best to pass you at every opportunity....

[jperickson2001]

Just don't give me the one finger salute as you do it! -John

[Excaliber]

"Better", in regards to Kirkhams is a relative term, I think they've gone down hill in the past few years! To much 'billet', to many modern parts, better is more accuratly defined as 'more correct' in my world of Cobra replicas. Gimme that old time Girling brakes religion.

Perhaps Rodknock was referring to the SAAC registration? I'm not sure the new Team Shelby registration even recognizes Kirkham (like I give a puck if it does or doesn't).

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

"Better", in regards to Kirkhams is a relative term, I think they've gone down hill in the past few years! To much 'billet', to many modern parts, better is more accuratly defined as 'more correct' in my world of Cobra replicas. Gimme that old time Girling brakes religion.

I forget which Kirkham is the engineer, but the bulk of their improvements seem to be what their clientele want. I didn't like that they moved the shifter forward and started using a straight shifter and I didn't like the new sidepipe muffler design, but you can have your Kirkham anyway you like it. The more original, the more expensive.

About the Girling brakes, I remember David or Tom saying in a thread that the Girling brakes have about 3,000,000 parts more or less. However, I prefer the big Wilwoods for safety reasons. To each his/her own.