New Arntz owner

Cobra13 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-30-2013, 07:52 PM

I'd like to announce I'm the happy owner of an Arntz Cobra

I purchased the partially completed kit from Jason out of Avila Beach, Ca. I have been busy sorting what is needed to finish and have completed the engine build. The Jag rear-end is being re-worked by Kurt at Hamilton Industries. He is converting to Wilwood Dynalites and vented discs.
This is my first post ever on a forum. I hope I'm welcomed into your Arntz/Butler forum. David

750hp · #2 (**permalink**) 08-30-2013, 10:44 PM

Welcome to the forum David! You bought a nice car with some really nice pieces included. If you decide not to use that hardtop, let me know!

You'll find an interesting mix of owners on the Arntz/Butler forum, from the lazy guys like me who have just bought one and enjoy it, through to guys like Arthur and Russ who know every nut and bolt intimately.

The Arntz chassis is a heavy duty piece, the body shape looks great, and with that monster small block of yours it will be an eye opening car! It sounds like things are well underway, so progress pics would be really interesting.

What colour are you planning to paint it?

Cobra13 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-31-2013, 08:53 PM

Three things swayed me to this Cobra...the engine position farther back, the structural reinforcement in the doors, and the hardtop(sorry 750hp). The color will be titanium(very dark silver) with black stripes. It came with grey vinyl seats and door trim, not sure if I am going to stay with this...I'm leaning toward black leather Racetech seats. I will post some progress pics as soon as I figure out how to attach.

Thor maine · #4 (**permalink**) 08-31-2013, 09:09 PM

Are you going to switch the front end for a better design like the Fast Cars IFS?

joyridin' · #5 (**permalink**) 09-01-2013, 06:35 AM

His was the Type IV car wasn't it? Just be careful hacking it up in any way as finding parts for that particular model may be a little hard. He would know better than any of us what is different.

What kind of trans are you putting in it and what rear gears does it have? Are they converting it to outboard brakes?

Cobra13 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-01-2013, 10:52 AM

I'm going to stay with the MGB front for now...it has the modifications Ron Butler did with his cars, tubular upper A arms, remote shock mount, sway bar. Maybe down the road, if necessary, I will swap out front end. The rear brakes are remaining inboard, but Wilwood .81 vented rotors and Dynalite calipers moved to rear mount. Original caliper location now has Wilwood spot emergency calipers. I am mounting venting housings to the front portion of center diff fed by electric fans, a little involved but kinda cool.

Cobra13 · #7 (**permalink**) 09-01-2013, 01:30 PM

The tranny is a TKO 26 spline wide ratio. Rear gears are posi 3.31. I know I want to use a hydraulic throw out bearing...and have not decided on clutch make/type(single or dual disc).

lal Naja · #8 (**permalink**) 09-22-2013, 12:09 AM

Congratulations on your acquisition. Fun is in your future.

I've not been on the forum lately as I'm spending all my spare time driving. Normally we drive to commute, or to get somewhere and it's just a part of daily life and often a chore.

But driving a Cobra is driving you want to do. And I've been doing just that. I put on 1200 miles of smiles. So glad to be at this point.

Enjoy yours too.

Arthur

Donunder · #9 (**permalink**) 09-23-2013, 01:41 AM

Arthur, congratulations on getting your car up and running.

The commonly accepted ratio for driving to working on the car is ten to one I believe, so you have plenty of driving to do to balance the equation.

Hoping you chalk up lots and lots of miles in the lovely fall months.

arntztype4 · #10 (**permalink**) 12-29-2013, 10:36 AM

Arntz only had 16 type 4 cars. He hacked up several of them for his development work. I was fortunate enough to buy one from him when he was at Sears Point. Have not been on this website for a long time. Have a lot of parts for these car for sale. Don't know how to get them on this site to sell. Have any ideas?

RallySnake · #11 (**permalink**) 12-29-2013, 01:55 PM

Arntztype4,
Do you have any front suspension parts to replace the MGB stuff?

RallySnake · #12 (**permalink**) 12-29-2013, 02:06 PM

Cobra13,
Kurt Hamilton does great work and built a killer rear end for me. Three things: with the TKO overdrive trans it' hard to use the 3.31 gears. You can't shift to 5th unless you are going more than 80 mph. I went with 3.73 and it works good. However, 3.50 gears are the best compromise between acceleration and gas mileage.

Have Kurt weld gussets in the lower A arms. They sometimes break at the weld and can kill you. Mine almost did!

Have Kurt make an undertray for your rear end. It holds everything together and reduces flexing.

Good luck with your car. I have been driving mine for 27 years and it keeps getting better.

RS

joyridin' · #13 (**permalink**) 12-29-2013, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arntztype4

Arntz only had 16 type 4 cars. He hacked up several of them for his development work. I was fortunate enough to buy one from him when he was at Sears Point. Have not been on this website for a long time. Have a lot of parts for these car for sale. Don't know how to get them on this site to sell. Have any ideas?

The easiest thing to do is take pictures and start a Photobucket account. You upload the pics, copy the URL on the right side of the picture, and paste it in your post.

I am looking for some parts also. Mostly interior items and possibly a set of the original Arntz side pipes. A guy said he had a set over a year ago, sent me a few emails, but never got back to me.

750hp · #14 (**permalink**) 09-26-2013, 03:19 PM

Which heads are you using now?

Cobra13 · #15 (**permalink**) 09-26-2013, 08:49 PM

They are AFR 225's with 2.08 intake, 1.60 exhaust. He CNC's for more flow. Hope they work out...lots of rework and cost!

750hp · #16 (**permalink**) 09-27-2013, 03:29 AM

Good choice!

SoTxButler · #17 (**permalink**) 09-27-2013, 09:05 PM

Cobra13, congratulations on the type IV Arntz. Jason knows everything there is to know about the Arntz/Butler cars. You got a good one and rare.

There is always help on this forum if you need it. Sounds like you are making good progress.

Anybody out there going to "Cruizen the Coast" in Biloxi. There will at least be two Cobras, a Butler and a Backdraft, both from McAllen. Let me know if you're going to be there. Staying at the Hard Rock.

Welcome aboard.

750hp · #18 (**permalink**) 11-08-2013, 03:44 AM

David, are you selling the Arntz already?

1966 427 S/C AC Cobra - $17500 (SF East Bay) - Craigslist
This unfinished Cobra is one of only sixteen original Arntz's TYPE 4's. A Cobra ... this may in fact be the only unfinished Arntz TYPE 4 Cobra left ...
losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/4124494576.html

Cobra13 · #19 (**permalink**) 11-14-2013, 09:54 PM

Not my post. I'd lose my shirt and then some at that price!! I have no plans to sell, just enjoy!

Cobra13 · #20 (**permalink**) 12-27-2013, 08:05 PM

Sorry I have not posted any progress pictures...I'm a little tech challenged! Can anyone point me to some tutorial on posting pics? Thank you