Me... A Texas Hopeful kit builder

[bwcobra15]

don't listen to the negative nellies and nay-sayers here. Do what you want, your way.

I had basic mechanical tools when I started my build. I ended up buying during the course of the build:

band saw
drill press
230v MIG welder
30" metal brake
tube flaring tool (brake lines)
tube benders brake lines)
riveting tool
solder guns

and probably more things I can't think of. You may not need all, but i did some customizing.

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by bwcobra15

don't listen to the negative nellies and nay-sayers here. Do what you want, your way.

I had basic mechanical tools when I started my build. I ended up buying during the course of the build:

band saw
drill press
230v MIG welder
30" metal brake
tube flaring tool (brake lines)
tube benders brake lines)
riveting tool
solder guns

and probably more things I can't think of. You may not need all, but i did some customizing.

Of course in the end I will do want I want to, I'm Ricky F-ing Bobby. However, I make decision on facts so I'm seeking facts to guide my decision. If these guys built their cobra then I would like to know the facts of their personnel experience of why they don't think my $$ and time budgets will not get me to a completed kit (minus drive train and paint)?

If you didn't do any customizing would you have needed all of those tools?

How much was the total cost of your build and how long do you think it would have taken you if you would have bought the complete kit and not purchased in stages?

[bwcobra15]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

How much was the total cost of your build and how long do you think it would have taken you if you would have bought the complete kit and not purchased in stages?

I'm going by memory, but my basic configuration and options from Hurricane is 9" solid axle, Wilwood big brake kit (front), windshield wipers.

I deleted from my kit the gauge set, dash switches, headlights, blinkers, taillights because I sourced them on my own.

So, again going by memory, rounding numbers:

Hurricane kit: $24,000
Craft Racing 351w/427, including:
water pump, alternator, march pulley set,
fuel pump, starter, bellhousing, flywheel, clutch, pressure plate ​$13,200
Tremec TKO600 $2600
Trigo 15" Hallibrand style wheels, adapters, and spinners $2500
Goodyear Billboard tires (4) $1600
Smiths 427 Cobra full electric instrument set from Nisonger $975
Kirkey vintage racing driver seat $550
LeMans fibeglass hardtop from Mr Bruce $800
FE style Expansion tank $350
...and many, many, MANY other items, large and small. Other things you'll need are ignition box and coil, battery, driveshaft, engine and trans mounts, omg it never ends...

I stopped adding items to my spreadsheet at about $55,000 ... and I havent even painted it yet. Add $6,000-$12,000 depending on color, options, quality, etc.

I used the bandsaw to cut and trim aluminum sheeting.

I used the welder to customize many things, including a hidden trailer receiver hitch, new lower engine mounts, relocated seat mount tabs, I swapped the stock mufflers with Classic Chambered Cobrapack 24" long 3" I.D. pipes, added 1" square tube faux supports in the engine bay (originality nod),

I fabricated and added my own glove box.

I used original style Lucas toggle switches, knobs, and ignition switch.

I didn't buy the kit in stages, i started with the kit, then bought the wheels/tires later, then later bought the transmission, then waited a while until I could by the engine, then got the drivetrain in, etc. etc etc. I just worked at my own pace, wasn't racing to get it finished, i wanted to build right, not fast. I had a lot of help and learned a lot along the way, learned how to weld, learned more about electronics than I wanted to, and I'm still learning.

hope that all helps. There are a LOT of guys in the Texas Cobra Club with all levels of knowledge and experience. even though I turned every single nut and bolt myself on my build, I had a lot of help and asked a million questions.