Who drives your Cobra?

[Aussie Mike]

I'm happy to let my friends drive mine. I built this thing to enjoy and I don't see why others shouldn't get a chance at the fun. Most of them have trusted me with their car or bike or boat at some point so it's only right to return the favour.

Cheers

[stiffy]

Girlfriend, Mates, Parents and so on.

They bend it they pay (standard for any car)

I was oversea's for 3 weeks in January and a club member was without a vehicle at this time, so Im let him have mine

He is one of the older member so I was safe

This might get back....


STIFFY

[CSX 4039]

Nobody.
There is the threat of rain every *&^% day in Texas this summer.
Grrr!

[Sharroll Celby]

I have let two friends drive the car, both times with me in the passenger seat.

FIRST, I find a flat, straight street for them, to make sure they can work the offset-to-the-left pedals adequately. After I am sure that they can operate the car, then off we go. Of course, it is understood that if they break it, they fix it (like others here have said).

I also tell them to just drive like an adult at regular speeds; as they got more used to the car, I let them up the speed a little.

So far, so good!

[five pt oh]

does anyone make an adjustable govenor that can be added to any car?

With my 2005 GT, I have a flash tuner. It is able to make all sorts of adjustments to the factory OBC. The idea is to make the car faster, but you can use it to reduce top speed (all the way down to 60mph) or you could use it to limit the RPMs (not let it go over 3000 rpms).

Obviously a 2005 Ford is going to have all sorts of factory computers that nobody would include when building a cobra, but is there something you can put on a basic V8 that allows mph or rpm adjustments?

That sure would be a nice thing to have for those with 16yr olds around the house who may try to sneak it out.

[Plums]

I think if I was letting someone drive mine (if I ever finish it), I'd just zap in a tune with heaps less timing..... that should reduce the chance of a power-induced bingle!!!

In years gone by, when transport companies were moving my EFI Torana from state to state, I'd set the limiter to a lowly 2500 rpm. It was enough revs to get it on and off the truck, but not enough to thrash it to death.

[sambo]

Originally Posted by Plums

In years gone by, when transport companies were moving my EFI Torana from state to state, I'd set the limiter to a lowly 2500 rpm. It was enough revs to get it on and off the truck, but not enough to thrash it to death.

Plums - is it possible to have a "switch" like this added to the LSx engines? I've got a similar feature on my GTI's aftermarket software, operated through the indicator stalk. I imagine you can do it via a temporary re-flash but most of us don't have the luxury (or the know-how), plus it's not very convenient.

[Plums]

Originally Posted by sambo

Plums - is it possible to have a "switch" like this added to the LSx engines? I've got a similar feature on my GTI's aftermarket software, operated through the indicator stalk. I imagine you can do it via a temporary re-flash but most of us don't have the luxury (or the know-how), plus it's not very convenient.

There's no real way of flicking a switch and changing tables in the LS1 PCM (or E series PCM's for that matter).

That said, I just thought of a neat way to have a reduced power setting through flicking a switch. My idea will basically reduce timing (set by me in the PCM and MAP referenced), when the switch is flicked. The more I think about this, the better my idea gets. The car would drive normally at low throttle settings, but as the throttle is opened wider more timing will be pulled. In fact, if you drove the car normally, ie. sedately, you wouldn't even know that anything was different.....

This could be great for any LS1 Cobra owners wishing to have a "tame switch" for what ever reason

I'll do some testing and report back this weekend.

[vettestr]

I let my 17 year old daughter drive it but I was in the car with her, she did great and was so intimidated by the car she would not juice even a little. I would not let her take it alone. I can fix the car so that is no biggie I just do not want her to be hurt.
I did take her to a parking lot ( to be safer) and taught her how to power brake an automatic and felt it my duty to teach her what a Brodie is and the correct form. She is my only kid so have to pass it on to her.

[Lowell W]

I've let a bunch of people drive it but none of them needed to be told how to drive. My daughters know they could drive it if they want to (with me in the passenger seat) but haven't asked. My wife drove it once and said it wasn't as difficult as she expected.

Basically, if it's someone I know well and I know driving the car would be a big deal to them, I offer. It's probably a good beginner car because it's almost impossible to kill the motor when you let out the clutch...

A big part of my enjoyment of this car is sharing it with other people.

Lowell

[MaSnaka]

My 19 yr old son has learned the clutch on my car. It's a car to share but most are a bit intimidated and refuse when I offer to let them drive. I am particular who I would offer, believe me.

Before I had plates...(waiting for my SB100 opportunity) my son and I were out cruising a little bonzai run at night. He had literally driven 2 blocks while learning the clutch, a bit rough. We pull up to a 4 way stop sign and a sherriff pulls up at the same time going across the intersection. My son screeches the tires pretty good trying to be as smooth as he can to leave the intersection. I crap my pants, he without his wallet and me without plates or registration. Luckily we cruised on home without incident. I am completely legal now and still enjoy leting him drive. He is 21 now and serving in the US Navy stationed in Kuwait. I can't wait till he gets home.

I know as kids we would never forget the ride in a car like a Cobra. It use to be a great thrill just to have one next to you on the road. Share the unique experience with as many as you can!!!
John

[John-Tucson]

Everybody, I have no problems with others driving my Cobra. Over the last five years i would guess that at least 200 different people have driven the Cobra. If I feel comfortable I'll let anyone drive it. My grandsons, twin boys, first drove it at age eleven. They are fourteen now and will drive it during August. Come on guys, this for most people is a once in a LIFE TIME oppurtunity. Sit in the passenger seat and grin from ear to ear as they drive your Cobra for a few miles. You will never forget their smiles and thanks, believe me, it is worth letting them drive your Cobra. John