New Backdraft owner with questions.

[Late Apex]

Hi guys, I have been a Viper guy now for 15 years and on my third one, but want to try something else for a change. So I am about to pull the trigger on a brand new Backdraft roadster that is almost completed. It has a Keith Craft 427 motor with 780 CFM carb and puts out 570 HP on the dyno. For those that have owned these for awhile I would appreciate any input as far as reliability on the car itself and the motor. Any particular mechanical issues they might have? I looked at Superformance but for the price the Backdraft seems just as well built. Any info on maintaing these cars properly would also be appreciated. I look forward to meeting some of you and enjoying this forum. Thanks

[am9648]

I'm on my 2nd BDR, 3rd cobra overall.

My first had a KC 408 stroker - logged over 10,000 trouble free miles. My current BDR has the 5.0 Coyote motor.

Over all BDR makes a solid car.

Contact James Yale at Radical Roadsters - he is the local BDR dealer in the Houston area.

welcome to the madness.

[TexasSnake]

If you have not already been in contact with James Yale at Radical Roadsters of Texas you need to do so. You won't find anybody in the area that is more informed about Backdraft cars than James Yale. Radical Roadsters location is just north of Spring-Cypress on SH249. If you are in Spring this should be close to your location.

[mtpockets]

Welcome to the family. I'm on my second Backdraft with over 42,000 combined miles. Most on the road but close to 2,000 at the track. Biggest issues these days is the crap gas we have to use. Is your motor carbureted or efi? If carb, make sure you have a phenolic spacer to help dissipate heat. Also, with these big HP motors = big heat. Over engineer the radiator, you'll thank me in the summer. James is the biggest help, he's built enough he's seen every situation that may come up. Good luck and if in the Houston area we look forward to meeting you.

[GregAgrest]

I can't talk to the car itself but I can on a Keith Craft engine. If it's a 427 with a 351 w block then you may get a rear main oil leak. If you look at their warranty they don't cover that. I've got a KC 408 and have a very small leak in the rear main and had to fix a larger one up front (again not covered by warranty) My engine has about 3000 miles on it now and other than the oil leaks it's a badass engine.

[Late Apex]

Hey thanks guys for all the valuable info and yes James is the guy. He really knows his stuff and super friendly. Will post pix when the time comes. Appreciate all the replies. Are there any yearly events or gatherings for these cars either in Texas or a national event? The Viper club held an annual Owners Invitational every two years in different states and they were a blast. If so how are the events posted and is there a magazine to subscribe to or a membership/club to join? Thanks again.

[am9648]

Originally Posted by Late Apex

Hey thanks guys for all the valuable info and yes James is the guy. He really knows his stuff and super friendly. Will post pix when the time comes. Appreciate all the replies. Are there any yearly events or gatherings for these cars either in Texas or a national event? The Viper club held an annual Owners Invitational every two years in different states and they were a blast. If so how are the events posted and is there a magazine to subscribe to or a membership/club to join? Thanks again.

We just had our annual "spring meet" in San Marcos. Usually scheduled at the end of March.

Houston Cobra Club has monthly meeting - sign up on the HCC yahoo for details as to date and where we are meeting.

Coming up in October we will have a "local" meet planned in the Conroe area - again details will emerge on the HCC yahoo site.

[tamanaco]

8 years 19,000 miles on car #260...My car has been trouble free on brakes, cooling, electrical (except brake switch), drivetrain, power...well, had to up-grade from a 302 crate to a 347 stroker, now that puts a on my face. a few items which I'm sure BDR has worked out...the F*ck*ng clutch slave cylinder...all 5 of them and bleeding them monthly!...which I have solved with another madza part, front struts shocks being properly supported internally, it seems to like eating up rear shocks? is it perfect...No! no electric top, no A/C, no radio, no heat, does it ride good? yup...Is it cool...hell ya!

btw, just had the my car at the Piston Power Show in CLE, OH and a 2x Viper owner, who bought a used Backdraft said to me...much better ride...great zoom-zomm...much better fun!!! I prefer driving the Backdraft...him just say'en.

and I need to up date my signature!

[Late Apex]

Guess I could do a search but how fast are these things in the quarter mile and top end? In the 11s at all? Over 160? Thanks........

[Igotta P]

You may also want to talk to Mathew May at Fastlane Performance Cars, he's in TX too. South of Fort Worth I believe. flpcars.com. Mathew puts together a handful or two of SPFs and BDRs a year and he's super meticulous.

Front page of his website, you'll find mine, the silver and black one. My engine is the all chrome unit on the front page.- It's a 602HP Performance Engineering 427 SB out of Cleveland OH. Not as well known as KC and Roush, but an excellent underrated builder nonetheless. I have 4,100 miles on mine with zero issues. Check em out.

BTW, a half hour in a high HP Backdraft is an investment in your health. 2nd best stress reliever available.

[slester64]

I can't speak to reliability, I've had mine just one week as of yesterday, car #1380. What I can tell you is all the great things people have shared about James at Radical are true, if not understated. James helped steer me away from things that wouldn't improve the car or make me happier with it. He was very patient with all my questions and changes, and he kept me up to speed the entire process.

If you're getting that Indigo Blue car he has, I almost bought that one instead of mine. That will be a beautiful car.

[mtpockets]

Speaking from experience, both at the drag strip and road racing, times look like this.
1/4 mile my best = 11.92
Front straight at TWS running CW = 156 mph

That being said, the IRS on these is great road racing not so much drag racing. I snapped 2 half shafts (got pretty good changing them out). Soft launch = 11.92, hard launch = pushed back to the pits. Top speed> These things have the aerodynamics of a brick. At 150 + they get real light in the front end. I replaced my windshield with 1/4 race screen and installed the BDR front chin spoiler. Handled much better but I really needed the passenger tonneau cover.

Caution: at those speeds you really need a professionally built roll cage. Your fault, someone elses fault, something breaks on the car they'll be picking fiberglass out of your arse for years (if you survive). I'm running mine at the Big Bend Open Road Race again this year in the 110 mph avg division. I have a TKO 600 with o/d 5th. I'm spending the next 2 weeks going over every nut and bolt on the car as well as having it aligned and tires balanced.