Introduction

[G1947]

G'day All
Just discovered this site today, so have joined and would like to introduce myself.
I have a 1998 DRB Kit (bought when Denis Bedford still owned the business, it is chassis #198) which has been sitting in a corner of the shed for several years, due to lots of "life goes on" stuff. (Retrenchment, out of work for a while, divorce settlement, moving house, no shed, all the usual mid life stuff... )
So now things have settled down, got a job, a new shed, and a few bob, time to start on the Cobra again. But, things have changed. The Windsor 5.0L HO EFI Engine sitting on the floor is no longer OK I am told. Damn government changed the rules. The dealer I bought the kit from no longer plays with Cobras, the current owner of DRB didn't reply to an email asking for advice on what to use. Appears all you blokes with CR kits are using LS1's in them??
Is there anyone in Sydney, Southern Highlands, Illawarra or Canberra building a DRB, or who has registered one under the new ADR? If so, any help would be appreciated. What engines are allowed? What Engineer are you using?
The car is set up with LX Torana running gear, with engine mounts for the Windsor.
Sorry this is a bit of a book, will try to be briefer in future.
Thanks
Garry

[Beejay]

Welcome,

I am sure that someone here will be able to tell you what can be done to get through rego. I have a feeling that if your car is not already engineered you are going to need an engine swap.

There was a guy at the last club meeting who had a DRB in the same situation; now has an LS1.

Jeff Bryant maybe able to give advice, he is a club member, builds cobras and is at Miranda. GT Motor Sports. 9521 4389

Cheers,

Ben

[400TT]

Wow, Chassis No. 198. That's an old one now. We bought chassis no. 181 in 1996 I think. Reg'd it in 1997.

Yeah, you should be able to track down someone in the club locally who has been through it, DRB's are definitely common enough.

LS1 will be the obvious solution. Can you still reg'd gas 302w in NSW?

Peter Ransom now owns the DRB business. He is an enthusiast and great supporter of the club, especially up here in QLD. I actually talked to him at factory GT40 BBQ on Saturday and at the Cobra Club meeting today. Great guy. Also spoke at length to Denis Bedford.

Boy it would be easy if you were up here in QLD. You would have endless support and people to see.

Try ringing Peter Ransom and see if you do better. You've got to appreciate he is a very busy man, he works long hours and works nearly every weekend. I have seen personally the number of emails DRB receive daily and it's amazing. He employs a secretary to help with email situation, but infortunately a lot of them don't get answered promptly. It's shame the agent has gone, as that was your best avenue. Tell Peter Ransom the agent has closed shop. He may be able to recommend another one to talk to.

Warrick Harrison(Cobra Kits) is also very knowledgeable about DRB Cobra's. He now manufacturers his own Cobra, called the Harrison, but is always willing to help out other owners, especially DRB owners. But is also a very busy man.

Good luck with it.

[G1947]

Thanks Ben and Craig for your replies.
Ben, I will phone Jeff Bryant through the week as you suggest. You mention "There was a guy at the last club meeting who had a DRB in the same situation; now has an LS1." That gives me hope. Any idea who/where he is, and who engineered the car?
Although I had initially intended to fit the 5.0L EFI, as this chassis is designed to take a Windsor, I like the LS1, so would be happy with that. (My daily driver is a VT II SS Commondoor which my wife bought new, it now has 283k on it, so I know they are a great engine.
Only problems are making sure it will fit, where to put the engine mounts on the LX subframe, and the gearbox mount.
Craig, yes, I have been told a 302 Windsor on gas only will be acceptable, but, by the time I buy an old Windsor, rebuild it with a stroker kit and some alloy heads to get the same power as the LS1, get the gas kit fitted, it will cost as much as a new LS1. I would prefer the LS1 if it will fit. Another option that has been suggested to me is the Lexus Quad Cam. I saw a Cobra with one of these in it at Goulburn a couple of years ago, I think it was in a Harrison, so again not sure if it will fit the DRB, and that was before the ADR change.
As you say, All the guys you mention are very busy men, and I have been loath to take up their time with something that is not really their problem, but will try phoning them. Peter Ransom at least should be able to tell me if there is a current dealer in NSW. I have met Denis Bedford some years ago, hopefully he can tell me if the LS1 will fit this chassis.
My other problem now appears to be an Engineer who will still do ICV's. I have spoken to several now, and they are all happy to do Hot Rods, but say ICV's are now "too hard".
Again, thanks for your input, I will keep you posted on how I go.
Regards
Garry
Damn, another book, I will have to learn how to say it in less words....

[Beejay]

Garry,

I do not think you can get a quad cam through rego in NSW now. The one you saw before was actually built by Craig and his brother!

The other DRB guy will probably be at the next meeting. He lives in the blue mountains and had the car engineered by a guy down Camden way.

Hope this helps.

Ben

[400TT]

Well if you are happy with LS1, it will be easiest engine to approve. And there is plenty of LS1 info/assistance on this forum.

The engine bay in those old DRB's is not exactly big. So expect clearance problems with LS1, especially around exhaust manifolds to firewall next to footwells. Also height(bonnet clearance) is going to be an issue, DRB lifted the body up in 2000 to help with clearance. Classic Revival is also a very tall body, so that's why they have no problems with clearance.

LS1 will go in, but it will be tight. Lots of other people have shoe-horned bigger engines in an engine bay like yours.

Built Harrison with my brother and used Lexus 1UZFE 4lt engine. Beautiful engine. Hasd140k+ on it when we bought it 3 years ago. Has been flogging around race trace on average every couple of weeks and plenty of road km's. Now has T70 turbo fitted and still going strong. You don't see that sort of engine life/strength everyday.

Peter Ransom should know where dealers are and more importantly where the best(easiest) engineers are.

[G1947]

Thanks for the info guys. Looks like I told you a fib earlier, checked the chassis number this afternoon, it is actually #197, not #198. I must have confused myself with the year build, 1998. Serial number is 9800197.

Craig, yeah, I wasn't sure if LS1 would fit at all, and reckoned it would be tight. I had already dropped the engine mounts on the Torana front end by an extra 25mm for the Ford engine, and was going to use "Block Hugger" headers on it. Have to check with Castle Auto if they make them for the LS1. I have seen a couple of DRB's with the foot well sheet metal cut out and re-welded on the other side of the RHS frame to give an extra 40mm clearance in that area. I will get under the SS one night this week and try to get some measurements of the LS1 to compare with the Windsor. May have to use a different front end.

Ben, I just checked the RTA site for Engineering signatories, there is only one in Camden, Peter Smith. I will phone him this week. Thanks.

Regards
Garry

[400TT]

Pushing the engine forward is always an option, but watch clearance on that front crossmember. I expect some serious notching will be required.

[G1947]

Thanks to your advice I have made good progress today.

Craig - You were right. I rang Peter Sansom today and spoke to Melinda, who suggested I ring back at 5.00pm when Peter had some quiet time. I did and found him to be very helpful. He even has records of when my body/chassis was built and the agent it was sold through. Basically my only option in NSW is the LS1. He assures me it will fit, and gave me contact details for a DRB customer in the Blue Mountains who has recently registered an early chassis like mine with an LS1. (Sounds like Ben's mate.)
Front cross member already has a big notch, needed it to clear the Windsor also.

Ben - I spoke to Peter Smith (Engineer at Camden) no problems doing the DRB with an LS1. Also spoke to Jeff Bryant. Seems a "No nonsense" sort of bloke. Basically told me to stop worrying about things that weren't really problems and get on with it. He can fit the LS1 and get it running, and do anything else I can't/don't want to do myself. He is very confident we can get the car registered through Peter Smith, who he has used before and is happy to use again. Also told me to rejoin the NSW Cobra Club and ask for help, instead of trying to do it all by myself and worrying about things other people knew how to do.

Thanks again guys, I will keep you posted on progress
Regards
Garry

[BMK]

G1947.

Garry,

Good news there. Hope all progresses well.

Welcome to the 'Forum'. Guess by now, you know there is a wealth of information and knowledge here. Don't try anything unless you talk with the gang here...

'Aussie Mike' would also be a good source of information. Check his photo gallery out...

....just don't hold him up from finishing his Cobra though..

[G1947]

Thanks for the welcome BK.
The advice I have been given here has already paid off in clearing my mind on how I can finish my car after a four year lay off.
I will check out Aussie Mike as you suggest, and try not to hold him up.
Eight years in the build for me come August this year, not planning on making it nine. Could be a record for a DRB???
Regards
Garry

[Aussie Mike]

I'm catching up to you on the longest build Garry. 4 1/2 years so far Although Les is probably getting up there too

Any way, Welcome to the forum. Ask away and we'll all try to help you along with your build.

Cheers

[400TT]

Originally Posted by G1947

Eight years in the build for me come August this year, not planning on making it nine. Could be a record for a DRB???
Regards
Garry

Garry, don't worry mate, you are still doing better than a lot of others. A lot of these projects never get finished. Everyone involved in building one can certainly appreciate why. Not only do you have to be dedicated, but also have an understanding family etc etc.

[G1947]

Thanks for the welcome Aussie Mike. There is certainly a wealth of knowledge here and I am looking forward to getting to know you guys better.
Regards
Garry

[BMK]

Aussie Mike

I've known you for four and half years...and probaly held you up for two of those.

[besso]

chass#032 .1992./////////on the road in 2002

[G1947]

Wow Besso, that is some record. Did you build it all yourself? I am going to try very hard not to take that record away from you, which means I have to be registered by August 2008.
Regards
Garry