Need Information

[GregAgrest]

I'm new to this site. Currently looking to buy a completed kit car but have a few questions. I"ve heard that the longer wheel base cars ride and handle better. I've heard that proper suspension is needed for safe handling. Same with need for disc brakes. So.... here's my question(s) I want a safe, descent riding car. Looking for something I can drive and be reliable. No matter long or short trip, looking for an engine with some umph, sounds good and yet is rock solid, dependable and starts trouble free everytime. Any suggestions on model, engine, brakes and suspension or any other important things I'd should have on my "must have" list?? I'd appreciate any help I can get. Thanks

[Ron61]

A longer wheel based car will handle better and won't turn around quite so quick when exiting a corner. As for all the rest do you plan to race the car any or do you just want a good performing car that you can cruise around in. As for the long trips, I never did find one that I enjoyed driving a long ways. And for a reliable engine with umph in it, you can have stroker small blocks, big blocks, and a number of combinations depending on just how much umph you want. The more radical you it is built out, the more likely you are to have a problem.

Also if you are buying a completed car from someone, have a person that knows the car go with you and look it over very well. Some of the builds that are for sale are not well built and you will have problems. Some are better than the factory new cars. You just need to know what to look at and for. Also if you are buying from a person who has built the car, have him go with you and take it for a drive and see how you fit in the seats. Not all Cobras have the same room and leg room.

Ron

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by GregAgrest

I'm new to this site. Currently looking to buy a completed kit car but have a few questions. I"ve heard that the longer wheel base cars ride and handle better. I've heard that proper suspension is needed for safe handling. Same with need for disc brakes. So.... here's my question(s) I want a safe, descent riding car. Looking for something I can drive and be reliable. No matter long or short trip, looking for an engine with some umph, sounds good and yet is rock solid, dependable and starts trouble free everytime. Any suggestions on model, engine, brakes and suspension or any other important things I'd should have on my "must have" list?? I'd appreciate any help I can get. Thanks

Kind of a generic set of questions on your part, perhaps you can narrow things down a little for us:

Is this a weekend cruiser, grocery getter, road racer, drag racer, or show type car as far as use goes.

Also, what is your budget like.

As for handling, again if you are road racing at 8/10ths or better than the longer wheelbase car may handle a bit better. Keep in mind, 95% of Cobra owners will never see 5/10ths or better with their cars, making the longer, incorrect wheelbase and extended body cars a moot point.

Disk brakes, I highly suggest 4 wheel disk brakes, depending on your budget and intended use, I might suggest an IRS rear suspension set up as well, as that will offer the best handling unless of course your ultimate goal is to drag race the car at the track with slicks 75% or more of your time.

Power and reliability, perhaps a fuel injected car would be best for you if you want to get in, turn the key, and drive away. Same goes with creature comforts like a heater, wipers, a convertible top.

Again, your budget will dictate your choices, answer with that first, and we can go from there is regards to potentially assisting you in whittling down the multitude of choices as far as new kits, or used cars.

Hope this helps you to sit back and start deciding your ultimate goal for the car. Will await your detailed response and we can all go from there.

Yours In Fords,

Bill S.

[GregAgrest]

Thanks for you responses. I guess from my questions you can tell I'm a newbie at this. To answer your questions, her goes.

I intend to use the car as a driver/cruiser. Occasional rides around town, maybe small trips out of town, maybe 100 (give or take) miles. No racing or drags. Just a fun car to putt around in.

As to how much umph.... I love the sound of an engine with some power to it. The engine has to sound good but it doesn't necessarily have to be a big block. I've been told a Windsor Stroked out to 408 or less is good but still bullet proof and that they sound great. Would like some cam but not too radical. Touble free is important.

Budget..... I'm thinking $35,000 or so. The longer it takes to find the right car the more I will have to work with. I'm trying to sell a very nice Harley Davidson right now as part of the money for the car. I'd do a trade plus cash if someone was willing.

I live in Redding Ca and have been talking will Bill Emerson. He's been ver helpful and suggested this site to me.(some of you may know him) He is going to helping me find a car and will be the person to check it out for me prior to purchasing.

Also, I'd really like to find a few car to see, sit in etc. I've only sat in one kit car with a manual trans and the foot space was really tight. Almost no room for the feet. That has me thinking of an auto-trans instead. Any thoughts on that?? Bill suggest that I find out your next club meeting and maybe drop by to look, talk cars, maybe get to sit in a few and of course, drool a bit until I get my own.

Thanks

[tcrist]

GregAgrest,

You have a PM.