Mark III Build

[Detroit Bill]

The car which I expected to have in late April, early May is looking like early July.
If you are going to order a Superformance I would double whatever they tell you.
Super frustrating, greatly disappointing. Under promise and over deliver. Pretty simple concept.

[Large Arbor]

Bill,

Now that the "final assembly" has been pushed back, come on down to London Ohio in two weeks and I am sure me or someone else can provide a ride in a 500 HP plus car. Really, its a lot of fun and a great time to pick up tips and ideas for tweaks here and there.

Phil

[Detroit Bill]

Originally Posted by Large Arbor

Bill,

Now that the "final assembly" has been pushed back, come on down to London Ohio in two weeks and I am sure me or someone else can provide a ride in a 500 HP plus car. Really, its a lot of fun and a great time to pick up tips and ideas for tweaks here and there.

Phil

I may do that. I had hoped to bring my own car but I never got a good enough feeling to reserve a hotel room. I wonder if any are available?

What is the best day to be there, I would only likely stay a day.

[Large Arbor]

I think the best day is Saturday when all the cars roll into London. Come in Friday night and then go to the show that day. Plenty of time to see more SPFs and other manufacturer vehicles. May be some rooms left. The Hilliard Exit on I-70 is where the hotels are closest.

Phil

[Detroit Bill]

Not under power but I guess patience is a virtue. Not a virtue I possess unfortunately.

Car may hit Olthoff today and the build can begin. Everything is there waiting and ready to go.

I am considering a few ways to mute the spinners a bit, they are too bright for my tastes.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Detroit Bill

I am considering a few ways to mute the spinners a bit, they are too bright for my tastes.

The steel spinners from Cobra Racing develop a very nice look pretty quickly. Here's a pic of mine:

[Detroit Bill]

Patrick what am I looking at? Steel plain? Why are they dark?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Detroit Bill

Patrick what am I looking at? Steel plain? Why are they dark?

XK2004S STAINLESS WINGNUT
Crafted from stainless steel to withstand the hardest hammer blows on the track without deformation or cosmetic damage. Original Cobra Parts

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Detroit Bill

Why are they dark?

That's what they look like after almost ten years on the car. It's a combination of anti-seize, grime, and surface rust.

[cycleguy55]

Originally Posted by patrickt

That's what they look like after almost ten years on the car. It's a combination of anti-seize, grime, and surface rust.

A wonderful patina that comes with age and use. Kind of like grey hair and wrinkles.

[patrickt]

This is what they looked like when they were new. Note the wheel color changed as well. Not from patina, that was my own doing a couple of years ago....

[Detroit Bill]

I was considering getting Black anodized aluminum and bead basting the recessed parts so there was just a bit of silver showing. I like the dark look of your but I don't think I am willing to wait 10 years.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Detroit Bill

I was considering getting Black anodized aluminum and bead basting the recessed parts so there was just a bit of silver showing. I like the dark look of your but I don't think I am willing to wait 10 years.

Just wipe 'em down with some anti-seize, rub some dirt on them, leave them outside in the yard for a few nights, and they'll look great. Not to mention you'll get the added benefit of never risking a broken ear, which is not uncommon with the aluminum spinners.

[Detroit Bill]

I may be stepping out on a limb here but I think I will be "burning fuel are crushing bugs" next week. I am working remotely and having problems posting photos but I added a couple to my gallery showing actual progress and Olthoffs level of detail. I am very Ready to MAKE SOME NOISE! Buckle up!

[cycleguy55]

Originally Posted by Detroit Bill

I may be stepping out on a limb here but I think I will be "burning fuel are crushing bugs" next week. I am working remotely and having problems posting photos but I added a couple to my gallery showing actual progress and Olthoffs level of detail. I am very Ready to MAKE SOME NOISE! Buckle up!

Good progress on a great looking car - we're all anxiously waiting for a 'first drive' report!

[Detroit Bill]

Originally Posted by cycleguy55

Good progress on a great looking car - we're all anxiously waiting for a 'first drive' report!

Thanks, there is no one more anxiously awaiting the first drive then me! Trust me. I have the Gopro locked and loaded.

[Detroit Bill]

Got the car, got it inspected and registered without too much drama. Put 150 miles on in two days.

Description:
Visceral
Violent
Raw
Pure
Fun

It is what I expected. The perception of speed and acceleration is completely different than the Porsche I sold. Much more exciting and violent.

The engine runs well, runs at 80C when being aggressive, climbing to 90 sitting at a light. I believe that is 174-194F. The oil runs below 100 (212F) most of the time so the oil thermostat which opens at 215F is perfect for keeping the engine in the right operating range. All these numbers are at outside temp of 90F. Cruising in fifth it goes below 80C.

I have only taken it to 5K. Trying to get some miles on the Tremec. And some miles under my belt before I go nuts. First is a short shift, second will hold full throttle sometimes, third will hold full throttle most of the time. For the most part I am shifting at 4500 right now having a hard time imagining shifting at 5800.

I am impressed with the Michelin PS so far. They look good and are holding the power well.

Today which is day two of driving I had a little trouble with third. If you try and manipulate it in it gets "Notchie". The Olthoff video showing the open palm push is right on if you do that it goes right in.

I do have a bit of an oil leak which I believe is a valve cover. I hope to resolve that soon since I store the car on a drive on lift and park underneath it.

I will have some photos and video soon. I am a little particular in this area so it will take some time.

I do want to mount a fire extinguisher on the back bulkhead between the seats.
I have not worked with a lot of fiberglass. Should I just use a sheet metal screw or should I through bolt?

There is a clear plastic fuel filter under the car I am also going to upgrade. Finally I am going to try black plastidip splats. If I don't like it they peal off no harm done. I'll likely end up with clear bra.

Finally what a PIA to wash. No wipping out the hose on that one.

So far so good it is what I expected, the wife also went for a ride and enjoyed it.

[cycleguy55]

Originally Posted by Detroit Bill

I do want to mount a fire extinguisher on the back bulkhead between the seats.
I have not worked with a lot of fiberglass. Should I just use a sheet metal screw or should I through bolt?

I've toyed with the idea of 'molly' type expandable anchors (http://www.grainger.com/product/WESTWARD-Hollow-Wall-Anchor-WP57878/_/N-/Ntt-molly+anchors?nls=1&nlsIt=0.8&ssf=2&sst=subset&sug gestConfigId=6&s_pp=false&picUrl=//static.grainger.com/rp/s/is/image/Grainger/11K355_AS01?$smthumb$) or 'blind jack nuts' (STAINLESS STEEL BLIND JACK NUTS / IMPERIAL RIVETS & FASTENERS CO., INC.), but haven't tried them due to the possibility of creating stress cracks in the fiberglass.

I have a tool to set Rivnuts or blind nuts, but have never used it in fiberglass, as I believe it would stress fiberglass even more than would molly anchors. I found an old dune buggy thread where they debate the issue, and it seems their consensus is similar to mine: bolting things to fiberglass

Any of the above would probably work if you used a metallic backing plate behind the fiberglass, but if you're going to do that it may be just as easy (or easier) to through-bolt it.

Given the weight of a fire extinguisher and the G-forces it will be exposed to, I'd be inclined to through-bolt it. I through-bolted the electric fuel pump in my trunk, and it weighs a lot less than a fire extinguisher.

On another note, sounds like the first drive(s) have fulfilled your expectations - at least so far. Enjoy.

Good to hear your wife enjoys it - mine says she enjoys it far more than she thought she would. Then again, she's one of those people that jumped out of a perfectly good aircraft - for fun.

[Detroit Bill]

Assembly photos courtesy of Olthoff racing.




A few things to note on the photos. There is a two piece turkey pan, only the bottom is in place.

There is a Oil cooler thermostat installed out of site which is what makes the remote filter different for a Superformance. With an aluminum block I thought the oil cooler thermostat was a good investment. I want it to warm up fast but get cooled under high stress. Barry made it clear that letting the engine warm up before you got on it was imperative.

https://www.cantonracingproducts.com...ER-THERMOSTAT/

The black fittings goes with the black, chrome and dark Gray theme of the car. I think I am liking the look. What can't be easily seen is the silver ceramic coated headers with black ceramic coated side pipes.

The stud on the carb is for the Quik_Latch system. It snaps tight and you push the button to get it to unlatch. It looks very clean and does not give away under hood space or leave a point to ping the hood.

Quik-Latch.com Your Authorized Dealer For Quik-Latch Products

Hopefully is will be delivered late this week early next week. It should be running today.

[blykins]

Good idea to put the thermostat on....otherwise the engine would probably run too cool. I've never seen a street Cobra that needed an oil cooler.