What's so good about Hurricane Cobras?

[DrivinWest]

Originally Posted by dlampe

When it comes to originality, I look at four things. The engine compartment, the interior, the body shape and the frame. Relative to other kits in this range the engine compartment is a 10, the interior is an 8-9, the body is a 10. The frame, well, it is a 2 on originality but stronger than original. Sort of like the 6 pot Willwood front brakes and the dual adjustable coil overs, a 1 on originality but better! From an enginerd stand point the box steel ladder/birdcage frame used by Hurricane and to some extent, ERA is torsionally more rigid.

I think I'm in the same boat. If it's outwardly visible, I want it to look pretty close. That said, I'd sacrifice some originality in the engine for the arguably better handling of a small block. Alas, a 427W does have that magic number... silly, but appealing as a result.

Originally Posted by dlampe

I have seen the new frame and have seen the PDF but I am waiting for them to make a few more changes to the PDF before it is posted here. They have a picture on their website that is probably the second to last version of the frame.

In a nut shell, I have built/owned cobras from entry level to Kirkham and the Hurricane is a real contender.

All great to hear. I'm happy to hear it's got a ladder/birdcage chassis. Many thanks for the info!

[dlampe]

http://www.hurricane-motorsports.com...arts/frame.asp

This is a link to the frame page of the web site. The "birdcage" peices are missing from the interactive file but some are represented in the last picture on the bottom of the page.

[jshel1]

Can anyone owning one of the later HM1xxx chassis comment on cockpit accommodation of a 6'4" driver for DW?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by DrivinWest

Alas, a 427W does have that magic number... silly, but appealing as a result.

Don't kid yourself -- just because the displacement adds up to 427 on the inside does not make it a 427 -- except to Helen Keller, maybe. It doesn't look the same, and it doesn't sound the same. Yes you can get astounding performance out of a small block, but if it's authenticity you crave, a small block in a 427 car just ain't it.

[dlampe]

I agree with Patrick on the engine comments. I would rather have a 390 fe than a 427w. A little advice- Don't get caught up in the HP race, you don't need it. These are small, light, squirrelly cars.

If you are over 6'3 and have an inseam of 34 inches or more, you are going to be tight in a 90 inch wheel base cobra. Thats the truth. You can do some things to make it more accommodating. As many have said, take out the seat adjusters, remove a little foam in the lower pad, (although the Hurricane seat has a metal tube frame like the original so that really isn't possible), You can re-shape the forward curve of the rear inner fender to allow the seat to come back another 1 to 2 inches. I did that on my Kirkham and Hurricane has already changed the mold to make that standard on their cars. The pedals can also be moved back in the foot box by screwing in the master cylinder plunger further into the pedal, it can even be shortened then screwed back in. If you still need more, switch the seat to a vintage racing seat and you will sit lower and further back do to the way the seat is constructed.

[66gt-Norway]

Can you get a soft top to the Hurricane ?

[gsharapa]

I'll comment on the small block stroker 427W vs FE 427. Performance wise the small block is awesome and could give the FE a run for it's money on the track and in most cases cost less to build. Most of the Cobra wins in the 60s were small blocks as by time Carroll got around to putting 427s in the cars they moved to the Daytona Coupes and GT40s. I have bin one of the biggest small block promoters over the years but have to admitt the FE does looks better in the car. Like every thing on these cars it comes down to personal preference which is what is neat about Cobras today vs the the past. Build it the way you want it as it is yours to enjoy! I'm still on the fence myself but pretty sure my new Hurricane (HM2003) will have a FE in it...

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by gsharapa

I'll comment on the small block stroker 427W vs FE 427. Performance wise the small block is awesome and could give the FE a run for it's money on the track and in most cases cost less to build.

Absolutely 100% true on cost and performance -- I won't take issue with that in the least. But, for a lot of us, when we see a really beautiful 427 car on the outside, the lines are just right, interior beautiful, wheels just like we want, and then we peek in the engine compartment and see a small block we just say "Aww, man... what a shame." But, just because I wouldn't have it in mine, doesn't mean you wouldn't, or shouldn't, have it in yours (kind of like dual roll bars). Just remember, it has been written here time and time again, no one on this forum has ever voluntarily switched from an FE back to a small block (mechanical difficulties don't count).

[DrivinWest]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Don't kid yourself -- just because the displacement adds up to 427 on the inside does not make it a 427

I know, it's me and my nearly autistic obsession with numbers

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by DrivinWest

I know, it's me and my nearly autistic obsession with numbers

That's ok, some of my best engineers have a touch of autism.

[fastraxsg]

If you want to wade through a gallery here, you can find a couple of bare chassis shots of the Hurricane chassis set up for a Ford 9". Click on the little camera on the top left side of this post and flip through the pages.
As for the soft top, originally there was a soft top offered from an outside vendor but no longer available but Hurricane has made at least two hard tops in house and I bought one, there is a mock up of HM1081 shown in the gallery with the hardtop on the body.
No news that I have heard of re. if they will come up with a vendor in the future though at least one owner has fabricated one for his.
I also have in progress photos of my build here 'cause we're still building....
ken

[fastraxsg]

sorry,double post...thought I lost the first one.

[patrickt]

Didn't somebody write that the new Hurricane's were coming out with fully independent Dana 44 limited slip rears? I may have imagined that....

[DrivinWest]

Originally Posted by fastraxsg

If you want to wade through a gallery here, you can find a couple of bare chassis shots of the Hurricane chassis set up for a Ford 9". Click on the little camera on the top left side of this post and flip through the pages.

Will do - many thanks!

I played around with the interactive 3D model on their website. Very cool. Here's a few snapshots for those who haven't seen it:







Seems pretty well constructed. I'd love to see one in person.

[patrickt]

I see from their site that the IRS+Limited Slip upgrade is indeed available. It's $4000 and uses a Ford 8.8 http://www.hurricane-motorsports.com...suspension.asp IMHO, an IRS+LS is an absolute must-have; in these cars it really comes down as being a safety feature.

I did not see a true pin-drive option, though.

[dlampe]

Patrick, do you mean "true pin drive" like the six pin Kirkham or the Vintage pin drive adaptors? It comes standard with the vintage knock off wheels.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by dlampe

Patrick, do you mean "true pin drive" like the six pin Kirkham or the Vintage pin drive adaptors? It comes standard with the vintage knock off wheels.

"True," as in meaning no adaptors, and six pins. As in my ERA system below. If they're going to be sticklers for accuracy, I think they should consider it.

[dlampe]

Chalk one up for ERA. I don't think Hurricane is considering that at this time. With the wheels on it is hard to tell the difference. I really do appreciate that type of detail. I would like to see it on the new Hurricane. Who knows, maybe in the future.

[patrickt]

I think Hurricane, in time, has the potential to be on the same accuracy, quality, and service level as ERA and Kirkham. I'm only listing those two, not to start a fight, but because they are the only two manufacturers out there that, if you call them up, and tell them "I want something and I'm willing to pay for it" they will first respond "yes, we can do it... now tell us what it is." Now when it comes to 5 pin versus 6 pin, you can't tell the difference from the outside -- and I would bet there is a good portion of 5 pin owners on this forum that don't even know the difference. After all, a pin drive's a pin drive, right? So it's not that big of a deal... yet. Maybe in a few years.

[elmariachi]

Originally Posted by DrivinWest

Jim, that's a gorgeous car! As tempted as I am, I bet the 427 side oiler prices it out of my budget though you're welcome to prove me wrong Aaron

Thanks Aaron, but look again, I am NOT selling the side oiler with it. . It is available turn-key MINUS, ready for whatever engine you want to put in it (hopefully an FE).

Hit me offline if you wish to discuss.