First real drive

pneall · #1 (**permalink**) 03-28-2004, 01:32 PM

At last the Cobra is back from trimming and I got to drive it properly for the first timeon the weekend. Wow. Going to need a new bottle of brave pills. Suspension felt very nervous. partly fixed that by adjusting dampers off minimum but still think work required on spring rates, bump steer etc.

Sure accelerates hard , should improve with edit and tuned length exhaust.

Brakes felt odd as there is no booster and with braided lines the pedal dosent really move, you just add more pressure and you stop.

Cooling system worked well. fan only comes on when stopped. Electric water pump kept temps around 85 celcius but will need to relocate pump cotroller sensor as the temp goes too high initially before settling down once water is circulating.

Lifes good.

Phil

ledge · #2 (**permalink**) 03-28-2004, 01:35 PM

Lucky bastard im still waiting for my kit .
Have fun.

pneall · #3 (**permalink**) 03-28-2004, 01:56 PM

ledge,

Its worth the wait. Only advice is dont compromise with quality of parts you buy or make.

FYI Sams performance in Sydney is doing 8 throttle body set up for Gen 111. Even the Ford boys would have to like that.

Good luck with your build.

Regards,

Phil

Shelby400 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-28-2004, 02:35 PM

Phil

You really need to do something about the level of noise coming from the exhaust.
You only travelled 100 metres down the road and I could not hear you.
You will have to fix that.

Brett

Rebel1 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-28-2004, 03:02 PM

Hey..good onya Phil, Bet ya got a grin ear to ear.

Least it's going...now you can get into the really fun stuff like making it handle etc.

Ledge...You're sure going to like the harrison when you get it. Very nice kit.

Cheers all

Leeroy · #6 (**permalink**) 03-28-2004, 04:11 PM

Well done Phil you lucky bugger. Sounds nice to be on the road and fine tuning your cobra till your happy, just a dream the ones still in progress.

Still hangin to some pic's
Leeroy

ERA649 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-28-2004, 04:18 PM

Hey you guys down under,

It seems you have fun with you Cobra's if I come down wll you give me a ride? It's to far for me to bring my car.

Mike

pneall · #8 (**permalink**) 03-28-2004, 04:24 PM

Hi Leeroy,

Yes it is a great feeling to be mobile. I keep getting in and driving it a greter distance each time as my confidence in the car grows.

One thing that was surprising was how easy it is to get in and out of the car and apart from right elbow getting caught up with door all other control fit pretty good. If I get serious about club races I might get a new door and chop out top ledge and iner door.

But its off the road this week to start the headers and fit the alloy fuel tank and make a few mods that have come to light.

I have sent Mike a few photos so hopefully he will post them for me.

Keep at it. The thrill of driving the first second...... times is worth it.

Regards,

Phil

Rebel1 · #9 (**permalink**) 03-28-2004, 04:29 PM

ERA649

If ya make it up to Brisbane, thats like the best place in Aussie land to visit.....We will look after you.

Make it about the first sunday of any month and you can come to one of our breakfasts, You will see lots of nice cobras.

After we finish with you we'll send you off South to Sydney or Melbourne ..... I'm sure our Southern Cousins will also look after you.

Cheers

pneall · #10 (**permalink**) 03-28-2004, 04:34 PM

Mike,

Make your trip to line up with first weekend in October. Thats weekend for Nationals held at Goulburn in NSW only a couple of hours drive from Sydney which is after all the best city in Australia.

Regards,

Phil

Shelby400 · #11 (**permalink**) 03-28-2004, 04:38 PM

Lets not start this Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne slanging match again.

boxhead · #12 (**permalink**) 03-30-2004, 01:26 AM

Well done Phil, keep driven and modifin till ya have her just the way you want it.

BMK · #13 (**permalink**) 03-30-2004, 01:40 AM

ERA649

Sounds like you are going to get passed from State to State like a hot parcel.

Look forward to catching up if and when you get over.

Cheers

Bernie

Aussie Mike · #14 (**permalink**) 03-31-2004, 04:18 AM

Hi All,
There are a bunch of new pictures of Phil's awesome Cobra in my Gallery.

Check 'em out:

Phil's Cobra 1
Phil's Cobra 2
Phil's Cobra 3

Cheers

boxhead · #15 (**permalink**) 03-31-2004, 04:24 AM

Hey there Phil, your car is looking very good.

Keep the pics rollin in.

Rebel1 · #16 (**permalink**) 03-31-2004, 05:04 AM

Phil...absolutely breathtaking.

Sure looks mean....congrats mate..excellent work

Leeroy · #17 (**permalink**) 03-31-2004, 02:46 PM

g'day Phil
paint & car look excellent. Are you going for a front bumper? Keep the pics coming in
Cheers Leeroy

pneall · #18 (**permalink**) 03-31-2004, 02:57 PM

Leeroy,

Not going for front bumper but using quicklifts on rear for effect only. not sure how to mount number plate though.

More photos after side pipes and pin drives fitted.

Working on air intake at moment

I am using Ians twin spring set up but have noticed that the small spring is fully bound in the rest position. This dosent seem right so I need to do some research there. I think the main work now will be with getting the suspension right.

I am really happy with the way the Mike Murphy shifter relocation system works. Shifter is in just the right position . I just need to learn where all the gears are. If you get the opportunity make sure you fit a reverse lockout as reverse is easy to find on the way to fifth.

Regards,

Phil

Leeroy · #19 (**permalink**) 03-31-2004, 03:12 PM

I did the same relocation of shifter as per Mikes guidance but did not use the shifter unit but machined my own using existing shifter & some. Works really at static so hope its good at 5,000rpm !!! Also fitted reverse solenoid to avoid those embarrassing moments off the lights. Did you come up with your own rear gearbox mount as both Mike and I had different (brilliant) ideas on how it should be done. Interested as to how your paint job was done. Did you fit off car parts, then strip and paint or paint in stages. I have been unsure which way to go to avoid damaging finished paint job. Its currentl at painters to get undercaoted and finish painted in engine bay, do you think its a good idea
Leeroy

pneall · #20 (**permalink**) 03-31-2004, 03:28 PM

Rear mount was SS tube with poly bush and U bracket that bolted to plate supplied with chassis. Had to cut ears off rear of gearbox to clear X brace.

The engine bay was painted with body off but final painting was done with body fully bolted up. This allowed gapping of doors etc. Only issue is that you get a fair bit of over spray.

My chassis did not come with such a great paint job so with a few K's on it I probably wont notice.

Got my alloy tank yesterday. About 70 litre capacity with external pump and internal baffles and surge tank. Bolts to chassis rail for side location with straps for taking weight. Running Bosch 044 pump as i wanted screwed fittings on all fuel lines.

What colour are you going for?? Stripes ? No stipes?

You are getting close now.

Regards,

Phil

I would probably paint body off car next time ( thats really sad I am already talking about a next time)