just realized most Cobra replicas do not have power brakes Wow

[CSX3183]

Did someone say "Girly Men"

[FWB]

hehehehe, auto trans too......heater, defroster.

but......it's mine.

[Bernica]

Originally Posted by Turbonut48

Mine has manual brakes with racing pads. I ALWAYS remember to drag them first half block out of my driveway to warm them up.
It was scared into me after I went thru the first stop sign.
Then they re good.

The Nut

Yup, done that! Learned that one same way. Gotta "feather" these cars until the tires and brakes are warmed up.

Power what? You are supposed to be the power in these cars, not some assistant!

[WardL]

Another what I got is the best??? All SPFs have vacuum boost brakes. If I try coasting down a hill with the engine off the brakes won't hardly stop the Cobra. I would guess the SPF Wildwood disks and pads are set up to work with the vacuum boost system. If you didn't have a vac boost, you would have to have a different rotor/pad set up. Wish someone here actually knew the significant differences between the two systems other than what I got is fine.... Without a vac boost do you have more unsprung weight? Is the vac boost system cheaper for SPF to install? Yeah, I want power steering too.

[fordracing65]

Originally Posted by WardL

Another what I got is the best??? All SPFs have vacuum boost brakes. If I try coasting down a hill with the engine off the brakes won't hardly stop the Cobra. I would guess the SPF Wildwood disks and pads are set up to work with the vacuum boost system. If you didn't have a vac boost, you would have to have a different rotor/pad set up. Wish someone here actually knew the significant differences between the two systems other than what I got is fine.... Without a vac boost do you have more unsprung weight? Is the vac boost system cheaper for SPF to install? Yeah, I want power steering too.

I blew through a stop sign when my engine stalled in my SPF because the brakes cut out, thank GOD I was on a road in the middle of nowhere...

[blykins]

There's a big difference between a car with power brakes suddenly losing vacuum and a car with manual brakes.

Guys think that driving a car with manual brakes would be like the time the engine died in their Yukon Denali and they didn't have any brakes.....nowhere near the same feeling.

[mdross1]

This one tickled my funny bone a little. I grew up in a time when power brakes were a luxury as was most things power.
When building our car it was not even an option. The science of steering and stopping is not all that complicated especially when talking to the people in the know. For example Wilwood brakes helped me through the whole process with rotors,calipers,dual masters,proportional valve,pressure gauge etc etc.This car will put you through the glass and with very little pedal pressure.
The manual steering rack is quick and solid.Both systems are designed to give an excellent feel of the road, total control and the confidence to push the car to the limit of the tires at least
Personally would not want to drive a Cobra with any power assist.

[bobcowan]

Originally Posted by blykins

There's a big difference between a car with power brakes suddenly losing vacuum and a car with manual brakes.

Guys think that driving a car with manual brakes would be like the time the engine died in their Yukon Denali and they didn't have any brakes.....nowhere near the same feeling.

I agree! The biggest difference is the brake pedal. For power, the brake pedal has about a 4.5-5:1 ratio. For manual it's about 7:1. I think that's the real key. If the ratio is too small, your right leg has trouble creating enough force to stop the car well.

I'v never had power brakes on my car. I can out-brake almost any other car on the track.

[phattyhales]

Power brakes don't make the car stop any faster. This is a common misconception about power brakes. All it is an power assist to make it easier to apply pressure to the brakes. With cars as light as Cobras (and most race cars) power steering and brakes are not needed.

[LMH]

Originally Posted by FWB

i run power brakes, and i am working on outfitting power steering on mine too.
i use a electric vacuum pump in the trunk to give me vacuum. it s a pump designed for an electric car that doesn't have vacuum.

if i had windows.....i would be putting electric windows in too.
why wouldn't you want all the comfort you can get?

Wimp!
Larry

[DanEC]

This is not a subject for which there is a right or wrong answer. If you like power brakes and steering, great - they are just as good as manual, not better or worse. If you like manual brakes, good - they are just as good as power, not better or worse. It's what you get use to and like the feel of.

Of course that is dependent on everything being in mechanically sound, operating condition.

[scottj]

Originally Posted by phattyhales

Power brakes don't make the car stop any faster. This is a common misconception about power brakes. All it is an power assist to make it easier to apply pressure to the brakes. With cars as light as Cobras (and most race cars) power steering and brakes are not needed.

I agree on the brakes. Power steering though, while not necessarily needed, does allow you to do things with the front end design and set up that you wouldn't do with out it.

[LMH]

I wouldn't want power brakes. "Feel" is gone. If you need power brakes to stop a car this light, it's not set up right.
Larry

[phattyhales]

Originally Posted by scottj

I agree on the brakes. Power steering though, while not necessarily needed, does allow you to do things with the front end design and set up that you wouldn't do with out it.

Things like what? In my experience (at least with classic Mustangs) by removing power steering you have more room under the hood and the steering really isn't that difficult except when at a stand still. Fatter tires make it a bit more difficult too.

[D111]

are there any current production Sports or super sport cars for the road that don't have power assisted brakes?

[LMH]

The Zonda Cinque does not have power brakes. Some of their other models do have vacuum assist brakes though.
Larry

[Bernica]

IMHO, it's all about feeling the car. As many have said previously, in a 2,200-2,500 lb car, don't see how you need such things.
Need to feel everything...every twitch, every fade, every sound or whatever and not be relying on secondary systems. But, everyone has their own preferences and I can respect that. These cars are like having a custom set of shoes or shirts made. It's fits you and that's all that counts.

[scottj]

Originally Posted by phattyhales

Things like what? In my experience (at least with classic Mustangs) by removing power steering you have more room under the hood and the steering really isn't that difficult except when at a stand still. Fatter tires make it a bit more difficult too.

7.5º of caster would be a bit much for manual steering. Power steering will also allow a smaller steering wheel and a quicker ratio than manual.

For track use... when you put too much horsepower and a lot of grip in a 90" WB chassis, it tends to get a little "sketchy" when trying to drive at the limit. I feel that I can stay ahead of the car with corrections, having a small wheel and a quick ratio. I don't think I would be comfortable at the limit with the slower response time of a manual rack and/or larger wheel.

Indy Car is one of the few hold outs that don't allow P/S even though all the drivers want it for the reduced effort. Indy Car's reasoning is that the teams would just quicken the steering until they were back to manual effort level anyway.

[Jerry Clayton]

Scott-if you weren't carrying all those run n gun trophies with you , you might have room for a larger steering wheel-----

You guys knocking the steering otta check out Scottj credentials

[Cobra #3170]

Originally Posted by scottj

7.5º of caster would be a bit much for manual steering. Power steering will also allow a smaller steering wheel and a quicker ratio than manual.

For track use... when you put too much horsepower and a lot of grip in a 90" WB chassis, it tends to get a little "sketchy" when trying to drive at the limit. I feel that I can stay ahead of the car with corrections, having a small wheel and a quick ratio. I don't think I would be comfortable at the limit with the slower response time of a manual rack and/or smaller wheel.

Indy Car is one of the few hold outs that don't allow P/S even though all the drivers want it for the reduced effort. Indy Car's reasoning is that the teams would just quicken the steering until they were back to manual effort level anyway.

You are right on the money, I have power steering with lock to lock of 3/4 turn and a small steering wheel, I could not drive this thing with a manual gear because I either could not turn it or it would be way too slow. Front tires are 315x30x18 with 6.6 degrees of caster. Brakes are just fine manual,
I have tried lots of different calipers and rotors and all were easy to modulate with reasonable effort. When I first ran the car I had to throw the wheel and then catch it in order to move the steering fast enough to stay ahead of the car, power steering is worlds better.