Cobra Project

boilerrat · #1 (**permalink**) 05-20-2003, 05:10 PM

Hello once again folks. Its been a long time since I posted anything. I am going to start building the Cobra after an on-again off-again relationship with it. (I wont go into it here its a long story). I just ordered the suspension stuff this morning from Lone Star and I should have a rolling chassis in a couple of weeks. I am interested to talk with anyone that has built or building a light-competition kit from Lone Star. My home # 832-736-9498 Pearland Texas or e-mail at boilerrat@sbcglobal.net. I'll have to keep reading the posts to catch the next meeting here in Houston. Thanks for your time.

mbishop · #2 (**permalink**) 05-20-2003, 05:44 PM

BR,
I understand the on/off relationship aspect of the car. I have frame and a bunch of parts sitting in my garage. I hope to really get into of the long weekend (after putting out two pallets of grass my wife just ordered for Friday). I can't offer much in the way experience but we can compare notes as the builds go along.
I live between The Woodlands and Conroe. I understand there is another LS owner in Willis or around the lake somewhere, maybe he can help. I also met a LS owner at one of the TCC-Houston meetings who had just finished the build and was ready to paint. I believe his first name was Alan.
Hang in there, in time we can tour the town together. You can email me at mbishop@txucom.net or call (281)782-8980. Good luck.

Mark

Dennis Mosley · #3 (**permalink**) 05-21-2003, 08:39 AM

Chris Busch up in Kingwood should have his car back from paint prison by now. He just recently finished a LS cobra.

boilerrat · #4 (**permalink**) 06-05-2003, 06:46 PM

Just got home from Ft.Worth, boy is my horse tired. I went up to Lone Star for some more goodies. I have everything I need for a rolling chassis now. The work is now beginning. I am looking for a good T-5 if anyone knows where one is I would greatly appreciate it. Thats all for now. Purple Haze.....

Dwight · #5 (**permalink**) 06-05-2003, 06:59 PM

FINISHED MY LONE STAR? LAST FALL. GOT A ****TIE PAINT JOB, SO I PUT IT BACK IN A PAINT SHOP. NOT THE SAME ONE. TWO WEEKS HAS TURNED INTO FOUR. SHOULD BE OUT THIS WEEKEND. THAT WILL GIVE ME 12 DAYS TO PUT IT BACK TOGETHER AND ROAD TEST IT BEFORE GOING TO THE SPRING FLING.
I BOUGHT ONE OF LONE STAR'S FIRST MODELS THUR ONE OF THEIR X-DEALERS. I DID NOT KNOW AT THE TIME. IT HAD A LOT OF THINGS WRONG WITH IT. A LOT OF BAD INFOR FROM HIM COST ME A LOT OF MONEY AND TIME. BUT I'M ALMOST THERE. LOOKS GOOD! RUNS GREAT! SEE YOU AT THE FLING!!!

mbishop · #6 (**permalink**) 06-06-2003, 08:58 AM

Pat,
Glad you made up to God's country and back safely. If you run into any problems this weekend call me, I hope to be working on mine as well. I look forward to meeting you in Seabrook on the 14th. Rest today and tear that baby up this weekend.

Mark

ThePidler · #7 (**permalink**) 06-06-2003, 09:27 AM

Hey boilerrat.. Sounds like we are about the same place. I have my rolling chassis put together, (it's the LS Comp kit), and am about ready to move on to stage 2, the body...

I been working on the engine for quite some time, but havn't touched the car. Seems that work, 4 year old playing soccerr, 17 year old getting ready to graduate next year, and life in general gets in the way...(as do my RC airplanes and my Muscle car sickness....I'm about an inch away from buying a '65 GTO Convertible with the 390 HP 386 Tri-power, I'm dead meat when momma finds out..)

On the Lonestar, I am in the middle of building a 407W stroker for it. Need to send the block to Craft for machineing and to put the bottom half together. Once I send it, it takes about 4 months.

email me at greg.s.rice@mail.sprint.com, love to swap tricks and setups with anyone building or have built their own, or call my cell at 214-457-7434.

greg

mbishop · #8 (**permalink**) 06-06-2003, 09:44 AM

Greg,
Have you given any thought to tow hooks or loops on the front of the comp kit frame? Ther doesn't seem to be a good place to hook on to the frame to tow or load the car. I know when I put this guy on the street for the first few times the odds of it giving up on me are pretty high. Just want to know if anyone had given this any thought before I start fabbing something.

Thanks,
Mark

Blake Olson · #9 (**permalink**) 06-06-2003, 10:07 AM

If you are still in need of a T-5.

Jeff Bordellon in austin is who I got mine from, and he came highly recommended as a T-5 guru for mustangs. Very nice guy and treated me well on the transmission, clutch, flywheel, etc. has lots of them in stock.

JBordelon@Austin.RR.com

blake

CowtownCobra · #10 (**permalink**) 06-06-2003, 10:13 AM

Mark,

That isn't a bad idea, I had been wondering where tie downs would go.

Greg & boilerrat ,

I'm building an LS comp at Lone Star right now. Don't know if I can be of any help, but I have just about completed the suspension, brake lines, engine and trans installed, although the engine needs more work. Starting on the body tommorrow. I am not familiar with the light comp chassis.

mbishop · #11 (**permalink**) 06-06-2003, 10:56 AM

Dave,
You can be a lot of help. I'm working on the rear suspension of the LS comp this weekend.

Are you doing the "In shop build" thang?

If you see Newmark around this weekend tell to hurry and finish the new manual. I need more pages.

On the tie down question, you might bounce it off Dennis at Lone Star to see if he has done anything in the past. I was going to talk to him on my next trip up but that want be until the end of June.

Have fun.

Mark

CowtownCobra · #12 (**permalink**) 06-06-2003, 11:37 AM

Mark,

Yes, doing the in house build. Working with Joel. I have a bunch of suspension pictures that I can post to my gallery when I get home, if that would help you. And I can take pictures tomorrow of anything in the suspension that would help you. Is there a part of the rear suspension you are having problems with? I am using the Currie 9", Aldan coil overs and 11" disks all around.

mbishop · #13 (**permalink**) 06-06-2003, 12:06 PM

No problems other than lack of time. Pictures will be a big help. I just like knowing as much as posible before diving in. I don't have the funds to do it 2 or 3 times.

Good luck.

Mark

boilerrat · #14 (**permalink**) 06-06-2003, 06:31 PM

Wow thanks for all the replies. Just got up from a nappy nap and plan to spend the next several hours out in the garage. The difference between the comp kit and the light-comp kit is that you can only use a small block engine and a 8.8 rear-end from a mustang. Although you can buy a 9 inch with the angled bushings at Currie to fit. You might be able to buy it from Lone Star I don't know. Also with the light-comp you can use a Mustang donor car, except I dont have one. The comp kit is pure from the ground up. Lone Star is currently remodling their offices and are doing a fine job at it. I met Colleen who is working on the new assembly manual, she said she is about 1/2 way through. I watched the video of Shadetree Mech again last night. It sure gets the blood going. (I can't wait to get bit). Hey Pidler I know how it feels, I spent too much on the 302 engine rebuild and should have focused on the kit itself. Now I'm not even going to use the 302. Its just sitting on an engine stand. I think maybe I'll put it on ebay. Is it very hard to post anything on ebay? I have never done it. Anyway I plan on using the WOP Shop (USA Racing Engines) here in town for my 351, they did a good job on the 302. Catch yall later.

mbishop · #15 (**permalink**) 06-06-2003, 08:24 PM

Hey Pat,
Have you seen the DVD that Lone Star made? It features some of their customer's cars and a tour of all the facilities. Some good frames of Cobras going fast. I have a copy I can loan you next weekend.

Mark

boilerrat · #16 (**permalink**) 06-06-2003, 11:16 PM

No I haven't Mark. I should have picked one up while I was there. I appreciate the loan of yours, maybe they can send me one. I installed the upper and lower control arms and the only problem I had was that one of the nylock nuts came apart. The nylon part just came right out when tightening it. No worries I can get another one tomorrow. Boy am I learning patience. I caught Jim Woodards note on painting the spindles before installation (thanx Jim). They are drying as we chat. Oh yeah watch where you hang'em, I gotta go wash my hair again.

CowtownCobra · #17 (**permalink**) 06-07-2003, 06:08 AM

mbishop ,

On that DVD Brian shows some huge tires. 335's. I bought those. They claim they will fit. My wheels are famous!

mbishop · #18 (**permalink**) 06-07-2003, 07:27 AM

Dave,
Those are some large tires, should look great. You know the body the show in the glass shop, it's from the new molds with the new style firewall? That's body number 1 and it my body, so I guess it made the big. That and a $2.50 will get me cup of coffee.

Pat,
You can order the DVD from LS for $5-6 for shipping.

Oh well got to get back to the shop,

See ya!

ThePidler · #19 (**permalink**) 06-09-2003, 11:43 AM

Mark - No, I never thought of tow hooks, probably should though. There's a Lonestar builder on here sometimes, Todd,. He welded a couple of bolts to the front and rear of the chassis that he could run all the ground wires to a couple of common points. I thought that was a great idea.

Dave-Brake lines, did you just run 'em under the car? Put 'em in the 'tunnel'? I have mine run, but the brakets are not in. When are you there? I need to make a run to Lonestar, would love to see your build. You running the braided steel lines on front? If so, did you replace the brakets or make something?

You guys are making my itch start back....

CowtownCobra · #20 (**permalink**) 06-09-2003, 01:01 PM

Pidler,

Don't run lines under the car! I would be glad to help you, Collyville is not far from Keller. I also have some brake line pictures that I can post later. I will be at LS on Saturday.

Yes, I have braided in front, they tell me there is not a braided part for the back. My cobra is in the "garage" without body on the chassis. This week would be a good time to go look at it, since the body goes on next Saturday. Joel welded a bolt to the top of the rear end housing on each side to hold the inboard end of the hose. You may need to get access to a welder, or take it out to Lone Star.

But like I said, I would be glad to give you a hand.