Need input about Backdraft Cobras

B/Stock · #1 (**permalink**) 02-24-2003, 07:11 PM

What can anyone tell me about this co, is it new? What are your opinions of their product. Thanks,

flanker · #2 (**permalink**) 02-24-2003, 07:23 PM

Michael,

Where did you see or hear about Backdraft. They are an excellent company and make a great cobra. I have #8 and love everything about her. my car is almost a year old and i take her everywhere i can. i live in miami and took her yesterday up to ft lauderdale to a salvadore dali art exhibit and she got almost as many admirers than the paintings. if you're in the neighborhood drop me a line and i would be more than happy to take you for a ride. also reg the owner will have a car at the Knotts show and now there are several more BDR's around the country probably near by you.

Forever Bitten
Frank H

southernfriedcj · #3 (**permalink**) 02-24-2003, 07:50 PM

Michael, there is an article or two on the Backdraft car on www.cobratrader.com , click on "articles" in the left margin.

Jim

Bumpster · #4 (**permalink**) 02-24-2003, 07:51 PM

B/Stock - There are several rather new members of this forum who speak highly of the Backdraft. They identify themselves as owners and always have great praise for the cars, and never have a negative comment. I'm not saying here that their input is not valid or legitimate, as I have no way to determine that. I can tell you that the long time members of this forum, for the most part, have taken a wait and see attitude about Backdraft. They are a new player in the Cobra market with a different approach to their product, as it uses a BMW suspension and, from what I have read, it is strongly suggested that owners install small block engines only. The BMW suspension may be the best suspension for a Cobra, or it may be a bust. Only time will tell. Meanwhile, if you are shopping, also check out manufacturers that make Cobras with proven suspensions and offer a choice of powerplants suited to your preference. That's my opinion and my opinion only. Any similarity to anyone else's opinion is purely coincidental.

Bumpster

B/Stock · #5 (**permalink**) 02-24-2003, 10:32 PM

flanker, I heard about Backdraft when I did a check of manufactures on cobracountry. I thank everyone for the replys. I have been thinking about a Cobra for years and decided now is the time to buy one. I have been cruiseing the Cobra forums for a while and doing a lot of research. Spent years on the Corvette forums and learned more than any man should know about Vettes. Now it's time to put some Ford power in the gararge next to the Vette. Best of both worlds. Thanks again and keep the info coming.

CobraDan · #6 (**permalink**) 02-25-2003, 03:21 AM

B/Stock,

http://www.backdraftracing.com/ web site

reg@backdraftracing.com email address for Reg Dodd

Dan

casaleenie · #7 (**permalink**) 02-25-2003, 07:41 AM

B/Stock,

There are several great cars on the used market that are begging to be bought... You can get very low mileage Superformance cars for under $50K. A proven car and all the work is done...
There is a Superformance for sale in Michigan for $44K. Neutral color and all the right stuff... After you shop around and price everything, you'll find out what great bargains are out there..They are essentially new cars that have been debugged..
I don't know exactly why the market is slightly depressed right now, but take advantage of it...

Mr.Fixit · #8 (**permalink**) 02-25-2003, 08:11 AM

they have BMW suspension and brakes as stated above. The rear suspension is not a true IRS but a swing arm type, the camber changes alot as the suspension moves up and down. Some people might not like their plastic gas tank, maybe they have changed that. They are new to the cobra market, so their ability to hold their value is yet to be determined. Not as original as a Kirkham, Shelby, Hi-tech, ERA, SPF, Unique, or EM, but their shape is good. I have only worked on one of them, and it was when they called it a "johnspeed" but it seems to be the same car with a better name. The other south african cobra replica.

Excaliber · #9 (**permalink**) 02-25-2003, 08:31 AM

Swing arm BMW suspension like a friggin VW? Whats the point of putting something like that in?? You would be better off with a live axle.

Oh wait, maybe it "rides" nice and comfortable? But don't get near any tracks with it.

Ernie

gomarlins3 · #10 (**permalink**) 03-04-2003, 06:04 PM

I am leaning towards a Backdraft. I like the value and you seem to get alot for the money. I can't afford a $50,000 car (not the I can afford a $26,000 car right now either), but my opinion is that there is real value there. A Superformance would obviously be a better car over all, but there is a big price difference. JMO

George Snyder · #11 (**permalink**) 03-04-2003, 07:34 PM

I am the Owner of #23. I am absolutely pleased with every thing about the Car. I took delivery in late September and then had to deal with a bad head gasket on the Crate Engine, so I haven't gotten to drive the Car much.

The biggest selling point for me was the Bimmer Brakes, Rotors, and suspession. Who has a better set of brakes than BMW?

I am not educated enough about the E36 Bimmer rear to give an honest accessment of exactly how much torque it will withstand! I do know that you can order the Car with the E46? rear which I think is the same as they use in the Z8. During one of My conversations with Reg Dodd he stated that in his opion a 351 is the maximum he would suggest using in a Cobra.

AS far as it being a track Car? Check out their Web site and Reg Dodd and Tony's credentials. I think they will speak for themselves!! Tony is not longer with the Company, but his imput into the Car probally still is.
Good Luck making your choice.
George Snyder

aumoore · #12 (**permalink**) 03-04-2003, 10:53 PM

Reg Does not listen to his own advise

He had a 408 stroker in the car he brought to the DSCC Gainesville track day. At first I thought there was smoke coming out of the sidepipes when he would accelerate out of the corners but I found out it was the 315 "R" compound tires spinning.

This car had the M3 brakes and I am not sure about the rear end. The car handled pretty good as did all the backdrafts there.

Now if you want to drag race I would not recommend a BMW suspension but for handling they are great. IF you want a IRS car that can handle a big block torque get one with a big Jag rear end or a Corvette Dana 44(used in manual tranny Vettes and Vipers)

Excaliber · #13 (**permalink**) 03-05-2003, 12:27 AM

Swing ARM???
It's a little hard to believe a Back Draft would come with "swing arm" rear suspension. I'm not even sure WHAT BMW had that. Think of a VW rear axle. The camber on the rear tire makes an "arc" as it moves up and down. This is just about the worst kind of suspension ever designed!

You need a u-joint at BOTH ends of the rear axle (like Vettes or Jaguars and NUMEROUS other cars) to maintain a "flat foot print" of the tire on the pavement as the suspension travels up and down. A swing arm can be made to work better, but it gets ugly trying to overcome the fundamental flaws inherent in the system.

Ernie

Excaliber · #14 (**permalink**) 03-06-2003, 08:12 PM

What? No one can confirm the type of BMW suspension used in Backdraft cars? IS it a swing arm or what? I really want to know!

So,,,,back to the top for a re-start!

Ernie

TheShadow · #15 (**permalink**) 03-06-2003, 09:28 PM

Rear Suspension

The car utilizes a full I.R.S system, with a centrally guided mult-link, 2 track control arms and one longitudinal arm. The rear suspension is fully adjustable and also comes with 3 way adjustable shockabsorbers. (from their literature) A heavy duty rear is optional. Ed

Excaliber · #16 (**permalink**) 03-06-2003, 10:40 PM

Does that mean it has a CV or U-joint at both ends of the half shaft axles? I guess you could say a VW is "fully IRS", depending on the definition.

Again, I would suspect two CV u-joints per axle for a TRULY full IRS rear end setup.

Ernie

RallySnake · #17 (**permalink**) 03-07-2003, 03:32 PM

Right, the terrible VW swingarm rear end pivoted at the transaxle. It had one CV joint and the camber was all over the place. They would spin out in the blick of an eye.

The BMW swing arm pivots at the rear of the frame and has two CV joints to keep the rear wheels at the optimum camber for body lean during cornering. These cars have amazing handling and regularly beat Corvettes and Vipers on road courses. I would love to try a Backdraft Cobra.

Paul