Cobra Safety and HP

[Chaplin]

It really is simple: Use good judgement and don't drive like an a$$.

[rdorman]

In relation to modern automobiles, Cobras are dangerious. To my mind, danger is part of their essential character relative to their modern conterparts, or inherently dangerious. Plus being designed and constucted as a race car, an inherently dangerious activity, with the level, or lack there of, of safety built in makes them dangerious. Just my opinion.

You do bring up a really good point though. What makes a gun dangerious, a human. Just like these cars! Sitting in a museum, they are not. So from that perspective, they would not be inherently dangerious. But then, would a gun? Dynomite is a whole another ball of wax!

Still love them though

36 days and counting!

Rick

[flipper35]

KK, I hope that was hyperbole.

[Chaplin]

Rick-
This may be semantics, but I don't know if it's fair to say that compared to new cars Cobras are dangerous. I will agree that compared to new cars, Cobras are not as safe and do not have the same safety features, no air bags, etc. But I don't think that not being as safe necessarily means more dangerous. Because Cobras do not have the same safety features, they become more dangerous when not respected and driven like an a-hole.

But simply because they are less safe, doesn't make them inherently more dangerous. Having less safety features just means that there is higher risk of injury if there is an accident. Being less safe or having less safety features does not necssarily increase your likelihood of having an accident.

That's my .02

Mike

I'm not going to the Fling

[rdorman]

....... to a point. Less safety to me means more dangerious. But I would certainly agree that having a Cobra should not mean a higher likelyhood of an accident. I also agree that being in an accident in one, the outcome is likely to be more severe.

Just so we are clear, this is not an argument, just an expression of opinions and beliefs I would hate for that to be misinterpreted!

That is a shame that you are not coming? Did you come the last two years? I would take an event of some significance to keep me away!

201 cars and counting!

Rick

[Chaplin]

Absolutley not an argument (although you couldn't be more wrong- just kidding ). Nothing wrong with an honest discussion

As to the Fling, I haven't made it yet. I was hoping to have my car finished before the Fling, but it doesn't look like I will be picking up my car until two weeks before the Fling. Needless to say, I will be locked in my garage every free moment until the car is finished- so while you guys are having a good time and carrying on, I'll be in the garage slaving away. But next year . . .

[rdorman]

That would be an event significant enough for me to stay home! On the other hand, think of the ideas you might get for you car! I don't recall if it is your first one or not.

Lets hope that there is a DVSFIV. No, I don't know anything. Just one of those once you have something you are afraid it will go away type of things.

I didn't even know the first one existed and I live here! This year I took off a couple of extra days so that I can soak in every last moment. I just can't explain why I get so excited for the event. Just have to be there I guess.

inherently dangeriously yours

Rick

[REAL 1]

Mike: The DVSF might be worth a hiatus from the car for a few days. Many cars to look at, including finished ERA's and others, owners to talk to and ideas to gather.

Just a suggestion.

[rdorman]

There where some GORGEOUS ERAs there. Ride down with Evan

ERA themselves where there if I remember correctly and I think will be coming again. That would be great timing. Pour over the car for two weeks and come to the fling and iron out any questions and details you have. That or change them after next year

Either way, it would be nice to have you!

Rick

[Chaplin]

Hmmmmmm . . . . Maybe you guys are right. Although the last thing I need are more ideas. It's taken me a year to get everything figured out, more ideas will just add confusion

Evan, if the offer to ride out with you guys is still good and I can clear it with the wife, I'll try to make it. I'll give you a call as it gets closer and see what your plans are, etc.

Although I must be honest, I'd feel bad gracing you with the pleasure of my company on the way out there only to leave you to drive home alone when I drive home in my new Kirkham

[REAL 1]

The offer of course is still open. Ron (Computerworks) is riding with me also. Its a schlep so the more company the merrier.

This is the main "F'n waxer" event of the year as "some" pretend racers on the XXX rated channel might say.

[Excaliber]

So I got rid of the bias ply tires and swapped them for radials.

The good news: The handling is WAY better, the car sticks.

The bad news: The car was more "fun" with the bias tires, lol.

The difference in traction is night and day. Bear in mind I'm talking about some SKINNY tires on the Healey, bias or radial.

Ernie

[JRWCOBRA]

Richard Hudgins
Your thread has gone in many directions. I have read each one,
I'm just an averge guy with no super driving skills, but just the same
just have to have a cobra. I have been concerned about the many times
I have read about how dangerous these car can be. I believe you're trying
to tell us average drivers are putting way too much h.p. in our cars, and that
is where the danger lies. Richard, at 8-10 ratio, what kind of performance can
one expect from an engine with 300- 350 h.p. ?

Thanks Jim

[Bart Carter]

With 325 HP and 2500 lbs, inclucing driver, 11.5 quarter @ 119 MPH. [You need proper traction to achieve this]

Fast enough?

[Richard Hudgins]

Jim,

Lets assume that a typical Cobra weighs 2450 lbs. With 350 Hp that will give you a power to weight ratio of 7-1.

This should equate to sub 5 second 0 to 60 times. (With a proper chassis and tires.)

This would make the car faster than 99% of the road cars out there from a acceleration standpoint.

Also, a 350 hp 351 is going to be inexpensive enough that you can spend the money left over for proper chassis stuff such as Dampers, Wheels, Tires, etc.

Might even have enough left over to go to a race school as well.

[meat]

...that looks like a power to weight ratio of 7.69hp/lb?

Your pal,
Meat.

[casaleenie]

Excaliber,

I want to go on record as being against LSD... Look what it did to Timothy Leary... Need I say more?? JUST SAY NO!!!

[RACERAL]

Richard, I always knew you were a smart man.. I love my stock 225 hp 5.0.. burns rubber thru 3 of em... gets 30mpg. and never heats and goes when I want to go..oh.. and gets my wife pissed off every time we go for a ride.. I can't help it if the women's hollar!!!!

[Richard Hudgins]

Wilf,

I agree, on topic is oxymoron. However, I just saw you question below.

Originally posted by wilf leek



I notice that no-one has chimed in on my point about LSD exacerbating the worst characteristics of a short wheelbase car??

Maybe I am not in the real world, expecting a thread to stay on-topic. LOL.

Interesting point.

LSD (Automotive related) is a "Limited" slip device. There is still differential action. Anywhere from 20>70% depending on the diff unit. Whereas an "open" diff gives you zero (Except for the parasitic drag of the spyder gears).

These are intended to minimize the problem that you speak of. (A locker will give you the characteristics that you allude to.)

I am not a diff engineer, but I can tell you that the boys have spend a bunch of time with this and the current LSD's are really pretty good.

Now the F1 and FIA rally boys are really good at this. They run Diffs that are computer controlled. These units go from completely open to 100% lock. And any variation between depending on turn radii, wheel loading, lateral and longitudinal acceleration, etc.

Off course none of the above has really answered your question.

Sorry, but It is really much more complex then one would think. The dynamics are quite difficult as acceleration loads on a per tyre basis are almost impossible to model due to amount of variables that are involved.

I am sure that there are a bunch of SAE papers on this subject. With any luck, someone on this forum is a current member and can search them out and post for everyones edification.


I certainly would like to see this info.

[David Kirkham]

Might I invite Thomas to post on the subject of differentials, LSD, open, spools, lockers, Power Lock , Detroit Lockers, Weismann, Quaiffe, silicon filled...etc. He knows way more than I ever will. Paging Thomas...come in please.

David