Getting there.... Engineering complete!

Plums · #1 (**permalink**) 02-14-2009, 11:07 PM

As the title suggests, I finally pulled my finger out and had the car engineered this morning.

I clogged up the sidepipes to get the sound level down to 89dB... it's so quiet that missus loves it and I hate it. I made up some temporary heat shields from alluminium "see through" mesh using some spacers and large hose clamps.

I made the "wind deflectors" from perspex, and just attached them to the body using the demister screw holes. I can't wait to get the real screen back on after rego, as the wind noise and buffeting is terrible.

Just have to wait for the DPI technical section to give me the nod to take it over the pits..... that's the next hurdle!

Here are a few pictures of it in engineering and rego trim.

Heidelberg · #2 (**permalink**) 02-14-2009, 11:14 PM

Congratulations Bobby!

Terrific news...good luck with the Rego Bobby....I assume you'll be visiting the Midland centre...I just hope you encounter the same boys I did as they were genuinely interested in the Cobra as they don't get to see many!

Ok, so when can we go for a cruise together??

Regards....Paul

Mando · #3 (**permalink**) 02-14-2009, 11:15 PM

Fantastic car, I love the fit and quality of the bodywork!
More pictures please.

Regards.

Aussie Mike · #4 (**permalink**) 02-15-2009, 03:05 AM

Great Stuff Bobby. You would have to be happy with that!

Cheers

albanycobra · #5 (**permalink**) 02-15-2009, 03:56 AM

Hi Plums
I think I spotted you on Reid highway/tonkin highway Sunday morning....I was driving the Red Westfield.....Looking good Mate.

Plums · #6 (**permalink**) 02-15-2009, 04:19 AM

Yep that was me, I saw you too. I was heading to the Engineers place over near the coast. With just the pathetic little wind deflectors that I had made, instead of the proper windscreen, I was almost deaf from the intense wind noise by the time I got home - a 70 odd km round trip....

Paul, as soon as she's got rego I'll come up to your place for a visit. Then soon after I'll have to "stick it in the garage" for a little while, so I can get the sidepipes coated, (and take the 89dB stuffing out of them) and do a few other minor things....

Next hurdle.... the DPI inspection

Rob. Smith · #7 (**permalink**) 02-15-2009, 09:02 AM

What did you use to stuff the side pipes with ? I'm interested.
The reverse lights and reflector brackets are a clever attachment too

Plums · #8 (**permalink**) 02-15-2009, 03:13 PM

Inside the 4 inch sidepipes I have a 3.5 inch cat and a 2.5 inch hotdog. I tacked some perforated steel to the outlet of the the hotdog to hold my stuffing in. Inside it is a length (about a foot) of 1 7/8 tube with a cap welded on the end. The whole thing is stuffed with about 20 stainless pot scourers.

Basically, the exhaust gas has to squeeze through the equivalent of a 1/2 inch pipe.... then go through the perforated steel. This is the same on both sides of course.

Even though it's badly bunged up, it still goes ok...

*Cobber* · #9 (**permalink**) 02-15-2009, 03:49 PM

Well done Bobby,

The dash looks great.

I might need to borrow your bungers when your done with them.

Plums · #10 (**permalink**) 02-15-2009, 05:33 PM

I'm sure you can borrow my 1 7/8 "bungers" after I get through rego.

The dash surround has come up quite well. After rego I'll polish it along with the roll bar. I have been thinking lately that perhaps I'll give it the brushed look, so it matches the shifter and steering wheel....

LoBelly · #11 (**permalink**) 02-15-2009, 05:56 PM

Your car has come up very well Plums

You see penty of black cobras but getting the overall scheme to look this good is not that common.

Also like the way you kept cockpit clean and simple - top job

LoBelly

Gav · #12 (**permalink**) 02-17-2009, 03:39 PM

well done Bobby, one step closer.
I havn't even got mine out of the shed since engineering, driving without a windscreen is knackered.
I agree with how well your dash has come up, looks very neat.

Gav

Ross Smith · #13 (**permalink**) 02-19-2009, 07:39 PM

It's looking good Bobby,
I took mine to Midland and the guys there were good.
They may pick on your rearview mirror as it is not compliant. I used a compliant day/nite mirror and they failed me the first time becuase it was not mounted high enough on the windscreen. What's the reason for not using the proper windscreen?
Good Luck
Ross

Rob. Smith · #14 (**permalink**) 02-20-2009, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plums

Inside the 4 inch sidepipes I have a 3.5 inch cat and a 2.5 inch hotdog. I tacked some perforated steel to the outlet of the the hotdog to hold my stuffing in. Inside it is a length (about a foot) of 1 7/8 tube with a cap welded on the end. The whole thing is stuffed with about 20 stainless pot scourers.

Basically, the exhaust gas has to squeeze through the equivalent of a 1/2 inch pipe.... then go through the perforated steel. This is the same on both sides of course.

Even though it's badly bunged up, it still goes ok...

Very good ! Mine was registered on gas to beat the new emission laws and I had it muffled down so much that I had to attach a vacuum cleaner onto the exhaust to get it to start. That only happened about 4 times but it was very funny. Start it, it fires, Jump out and disconnect the vacuum cleaner before it blew up. I couldn't run the engine too hard .too much backpressure

Plums · #15 (**permalink**) 02-20-2009, 01:23 AM

The mirror meets the ADR so it should be ok.... I'll be in trouble if I have to mount it any higher

I went without the screen so I don't have to worry about wipers/washers etc.

Paul also went through Midland and said it was good, so fingers crossed for me!!!

Plums · #16 (**permalink**) 02-23-2009, 09:40 PM

I got my "Approval to register a custom built vehicle" letter from DPI yesterday... getting so close now I can taste it!!!!

My appointment for the pit inspection is next Tuesday, so fingers crossed I'll be cruising the streets in two weeks time (after some things fall off/out of the car and it magically lowers itself and a windscreen appears)....

Ross Smith · #17 (**permalink**) 02-24-2009, 05:39 AM

Go Bobby!
Paul and I will be ready for a run as soon as you are.

Mando · #18 (**permalink**) 02-24-2009, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plums

The mirror meets the ADR so it should be ok.... I'll be in trouble if I have to mount it any higher

I went without the screen so I don't have to worry about wipers/washers etc.

Paul also went through Midland and said it was good, so fingers crossed for me!!!

Hi Plums, do you intend installing the screen after rego or leave it off permanently?

Regards.

boxhead · #19 (**permalink**) 02-24-2009, 04:06 PM

All good stuff Bobby

Plums · #20 (**permalink**) 02-24-2009, 05:05 PM

Hi Mando,

The windscreen is going on as soon as possible after rego....

It really sucks driving with just the "wind deflectors"

I would equate it to stepping out onto the wing of a 747 whilst in the cruise at M.86