Backdraft Cobra AUS - The search for reliability

[spookypt]

As has been well documented over the last 6 years the general reliability of my Backdraft TD Cobra has been nothing short of woeful. (For the road going Backdraft Cobras Owners this is unlikely to apply as my car is a race car NOT a road car)
Some issues came from my ability and/or lack thereof and the learning curve of driving a dog boxed left hooker at speed. Some issues were due to simply bad design/fabrication and others due to its Achilles heal....the BMW mid case diff rear end and that Nascar 4 speed Dog box with a 1.630 1st gear.

So after Nats 2015 (my 5th Nats in the car) and having again not made it to Sunday I decided that its wasn't going to beat me..... Time to throw down the gauntlet. I preface this by saying like most, I have no real mechanical background I just learn as I go so this wasn't an easy challenge to take on.


So

First came ripping out the old mid case diff. Its a 188cm Crown wheel and was 4.27 ratio to try and counter the 1st gear ratio issue. I then sourced a 210cm large case 3.91ratiio'd diff and built an LSD and bolted in a new subframe. There was some fabrication work required but all in all a fairly easy conversion.
These diffs run in both the V8 and V10 and diesel BMW's with a high torque rating so I recon it'll be OK.

New diff complete. Bit of size difference



Then, as I was ripping out the 4 speed that had inbuilt pumps I had to make up new coolers with remote electric pumps and all the plumbing to go with it. I have almost completed that.



Then came the GB. I sold the Jerico and had to source something that would do the job. Some spoke about the T56 Magnum and there were a few other options like Hollinger and Modena. Although I have the Hollinger in my Daytona the offer to become a brand ambassador of sorts for a new Swiss GB manufacturer led me to going ahead with this 6 speed sequential from HGT Precision. And first gear is 2.60!!!
I know the PACE guys have some lovely bling but I recon they don't have as shiney a GB as I do.... YET! (Call me and I'll do you a deal)



So it now resides on my bench and I have 6 weeks ish to Rd 2 of the A series. The race is on. Im hoping I'll make it!

Spookypt