I want a cobra, how and why

[boxhead]

I did not realize Martin was offering workspace and tools to build his kits.
For someone in a small shed, this is a fantastic offer.
And to have the kit supplier and or other builders nearby sure would help to "nut out" and options.

Originally Posted by Hoity

Hey Dimis, had a brief glimpse of your old shiny thing today, very impressive. Look forward to seeing the whole car, will pop in on a Saturday and hopefully catchup then.

Had a good chat with Martin today, there are a lot of Cobras in various stages of builds. Walked away from there trying to decide why you wouldn't do a Kenmer. Access to up to ten other Cobras being built at the same time, free use of the equipment, u pay for what u use.
Approx 1100kg finished weight, ford 302windsor, 5.4l and 5.0l coyote engines all seen today installed.
I can buy the basic kit and essentially build it on site from start to finish, with an expert tradesman/toolmaker/engineer available for advice.
Bbq and beers every Saturday, does it get any better than this!

Anyway back to my spreadsheet, lol

[Hoity]

Originally Posted by boxhead

I did not realize Martin was offering workspace and tools to build his kits.
For someone in a small shed, this is a fantastic offer.
And to have the kit supplier and or other builders nearby sure would help to "nut out" and options.

I spent 2 hrs talking to Martin yesterday at the factory. If my memory serves me correctly there would of been 6 cars at the factory in various stages of build, others arrive on Saturday for stuff. You pay as you use from what i understand, specialist tools i think martin lets you use, hand tools spanners etc not sure. But overall a very supportive environment, saw all the ford v8's and a chev installed in chassis. Martin can custom fit stuff as well, or modify to your specific requirements. Typically no welding after the chassis is painted, you would be unlikely to hit a problem that hasn't already been dealt with. some cars have been there 12 months, obvious small volume supplier, but very attentive to the customer and totally supportive in getting the car finished.

[albanycobra]

Sticking with a Ford motor is a good idea...I just couldn't fit a LS motor and yet I fully understand why people do. The Old 302 Windsor out of an AU Falcon is still compliant and fits easy into these cars, no stress. You can run the standard EFI to get started then upgrade later.
My bet is most of the kits will end up similar pricing once completed, paint will cost same, motor and gearbox will be same, also wheels and gauges. The decision will be can I out lay 30k to get started ( eg Pace) or can I afford half that?. The older kits have a much cheaper entry level and most of them will sell you individual parts where as Pace may want to sell you a block of parts.

[Hoity]

Ihave realised i am a ford boy, dont think i can change. Grew up on the back end of Moffat, then Dicky, Marcus etc
Which ford motor AB will be decided on after the kit is sorted, obviously as you mention getting approval is key. Was coyote dohc motor in the XR8 ?

So what kit?
Given we prefer the glass half full and dont like negative comments about other cars.
What cars really handle well, sorted suspension, properly engineered roll centres etc
Let preface this with I am no expert and struggle with some of the terminology when it comes to the discussion, the purists or race boys are all over this sort of stuff. Everybody appears to make a nice looking car, probably all are pretty stiff, what separates the best from the great is how that go round corner and maybe a slightly bumpy corner.
So what car goes round corners ?

[spookypt]

Just as I see it ....

DRB go bloody well and have some very talented drivers behind them. Not bad for Torana based suspension. The guys have them dialled in.

Gary Walthers DRB race car also has lots of official race wins and QR lap records.

Classic Revivals Cobra under Ian Pretty's right boot have plenty of Marque SPORTS CAR wins. William Adams Robnell also competed toe to toe against Ian.

Python Cobras are regular runners in Victorian rounds of Marque Sports Cars.

Too many variables to say one is better than the other and we could argue individual merits for hours.......

[Hoity]

I have realised i am a ford boy, don't think i can change. Grew up on the back end of Moffat, then Dicky, Marcus etc
Which ford motor AB will be decided on after the kit is sorted, obviously as you mention getting approval is key. Was coyote dohc motor in the XR8 ?

So what kit?
Given we prefer the glass half full and don't like negative comments about other cars.
What cars really handle well, sorted suspension, properly engineered roll centres etc
Let me preface this with I am no expert and struggle with some of the terminology when it comes to the discussion, race boys are all over this sort of stuff. Everybody appears to make a nice looking car, probably all are pretty stiff, what separates the best from the great is how well they go around corners and maybe a slightly bumpy corner.
So what car goes around corners the best?

[Gav]

If you want a great cornering car buy a Porsche.
If you want something loud, obnoxious that hangs the arse out on demand and when you don't demand, buy a cobra!

[dhs.buckley]

Sounds like a lot of info to take in. Must admit I couldn't be bothered with the build, don't have the time.
But I did spend over a year before I made my choice on a second hand cobra. Go to a couple of the events, NATs or Shelbyfest and you can see all the cars performing on the track and people are only to kind and helpful to show you the pros and cons of each model of cobra.
In the end its up to you which you think will fit bill for you, as I much prefer the original uncluttered lines of the road cars, instead of the SC with side pipes roll bars and stripes, but again its each to there own.

[Aussie Mike]

The CR once sorted handles very well. The results are on the board at the Nationals and Shelbyfest. That being said most of them can be made to handle if you put the time and effort in to setup. There's a few very quick DRBs out there and they have fairly basic running gear (Torana front end and live axle rear).

The Pace hasn't really been around long enough to show it's colours on the track. It's got all the ingredients to be a good handling car so this years Nationals will be interesting.

Cheers

[stephen low]

Hoity

You'll find in your research that all the kits have some foibles and none can tick almost all the boxes for one reason or another.

It is just working around the issues that are a must for you and those that would be a nice to have that might help set the stage.

For example the CR's originally restricted the depth or the rear rim off-set. If you want deep rear rims it might be an issue but Aussie Mike I believe has got around this.

The G-Force I believe has a pretty limiting cockpit shape that restricts seating choice. Not sure what the manufacturer available seats are like, so they are an option, but for me I swapped out MX5 seats that could not quite be made to best fit for a pair of Marty's (Kenmer) ADR compliant seat frames. Marty got the frames low onto sliders and it all worked to keep my soft top arrangement sensibly low.

And no doubt there will be plenty of other nuances like these that others can point to, but generally as is indicated above, there is usually some way around them.

Have fun "researching".

[Wazza]

Hoity.....

I don't usually do this....but rather than spend too much time on the forum this morning...( Too much work to do)....
I thought maybe I'd just drop my usual "e-mail to clients" letter on the forum...

It will give you some pics to look at...and some info you might be interested in.

But ...like the others on here have suggested,
Get along to the Nationals, and you'll get PLENTY of ideas, and see the various brands in the flesh.

Good luck with your search, and maybe I'll see you at the Nationals.



Letter to prospective clients:

We are very proud of our PACE427, and think it’s important to note the following features:

The PACE427 is a remarkable vehicle in every aspect.

The PACE427 uses the latest design, engineering and production techniques, to deliver the best possible combination of world class design and function, in an authentic body shape.
We feel that we have left no stone unturned in our endeavour to produce a world class product.

The features of the PACE427 are many, and include,
Authentic body shape
Full gloss body finish, with Carbon/Kevlar body panels. (Full Carbon undercar finish as an option)
Optional “Full Aluminium” body.
Alloy Semi-monocoque chassis,
Alloy fully adjustable rocker suspension,
Pin drive wheels,
Brembo brakes.

This combination of function and finish, result in a truly beautiful supercar from the ground up.

I have attached the current brochure and price list,
This shows the base kit price, plus a comprehensive list of upgrades and options, designed to give you the ability to create the car of your dreams.

I have attached the following links, which will get access to the pictures of the cars, as well as the factory/premises here.

Here are some pics of the finished cars:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/f93zzssx8...Fgim93Aka?dl=0

ALSO….the same car, but with the 18” wheels:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/n3vdgzuvj...b0gxXWU7a?dl=0

And a look at what’s “under the skin”:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/n8t5oiv84...JV2tEu3ha?dl=0

A few pics of our factory:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/p37x51mjw...zXceoc0Ja?dl=0

Engine/Transmission choices:

Although we can install almost any compliant engine,

A current popular choice, and what appears to be the best “Dollar for horsepower” power plant ,
has been the 6.2 Litre GM LSA engine,
This engine, matched to the Tremec 6060 MG9, 6 speed gear box…makes for an awesome combination.

But of course there are many to choose from , both Ford and GM.

Here’s a Youtube link that has some interesting info on the LSA…I’m sure you can google many other sources of info.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9wRx1tqHic[/ame]



If you have any questions about the product, or any other information you might want,
You can e-mail/phone me, and I’ll do my best to get you the answers.

Looking forward to discussing this further.

My e-mail and phone details are below.

Regards,

Warren BOYLAN
Ph: 0427 892745
warren@absolutepace.com

[albanycobra]

I liked everything about the DRB Cobra, The Tori suspension was much better to deal with than the Jag IMHO , lots of motor options and proven track results but the tail end is to high in my book, I just couldn't get over it.

[deano59]

Originally Posted by albanycobra

I liked everything about the DRB Cobra, The Tori suspension was much better to deal with than the Jag IMHO , lots of motor options and proven track results but the tail end is to high in my book, I just couldn't get over it.

the concept of the drb was very good buy a kit and buy a torana and away you go the kits with the doors /boot and bonnet hung made for a pretty easy build and put many people into cobras at a good cost the downside of that ive noticed is the real sale of drb 's is quite low also i saw some lovely ones when looking for a car but after racing torana's for many yrs that put me off torana running gear . however there are some bloody quick drb cars out there no denying that . and your right dave the bum just didnt do it for me either you dont seem to notice until you see one parked next to another make of kit . they all have there plus and minuses . the problem nowdays torana bits are getting harder and harder to find and the prices seeing to go thru the roof for the parts

[Hoity]

Has anyone got a recommendation for an engineer, I am in SE Suburs. I will check the Vic Roads, website for VASS engineers,

[David Hodgson]

Originally Posted by Hoity

Has anyone got a recommendation for an engineer, I am in SE Suburs. I will check the Vic Roads, website for VASS engineers,

Best to go with one that has experience with Cobra's over one that's handy to your location. The grief of a bit of travel or paying travel time will far out weigh the hoops an unfamiliar guy will make you jump through.

[Wazza]

Originally Posted by Hoity

Has anyone got a recommendation for an engineer, I am in SE Suburs. I will check the Vic Roads, website for VASS engineers,

Hi Jon,
Those contact details for the engineer that I sent to you last night...
Tom Bullock
Company Name: A. Enkelman & Associates Pty Ltd
Factory 1, 5 Braeside Drive
Braeside Victoria Australia 3195

I thought Braeside was in the SE suburbs ?

Hopefully he's close enough to be of some help.
Cheers,
Warren.

[gjkrv8]

Hoity, Try Enkelmans in Braeside - quite a few of the CCCV members have used them - I did and found them to be very helpful. Cheers Gregg

[Aussie Mike]

+1 for Enkelman and Associates. They engineered my Cobra. Easy straightforward process.

Cheers

[stephen low]

See Hoity exactly who I suggested too +2 for Enkelman's.

Their experience with most variants of cobras makes them an ideal option.

And have to concur with the experience over distance - Aussie Mike is western suburbs or is that the wild wild western burbs Mike?

[Aussie Mike]

I agree, go with experience. You will only need to see them a couple of times during the build and trailering to them is easy enough. Enkelmans had already done a couple of CRs which makes life easier. I imagine they will have done a Pace or two by the time you build so have most bases covered.

Cheers