New SPF owner, questions!

tritoncobra · #1 (**permalink**) 10-04-2003, 08:27 AM

Hey all, forgive the brevity of this message (my previous post fell into oblivion when I accidentally hit the back button on my browser. !@#&!@!!!!!)

ANYWAY, grrrr... (sorry)

I just bought a new SPF and have some questions for the geniuses on this board that I would greatly appreciate input on:

1. The braking distance according to http://performanceunlimited.com/supe...eleration.html is listed at 190 feet for 70-0. This seems unacceptable for a car with this much power. Someone tell me this figure isn't correct! The new SPF's come with Wilwood racing brakes, right? Or am I exaggerating the problem?

2. Will I have to drill holes in my car to install the hood/rear/fender emblems? Dean from Dynamic Motorsports told me they can't do them. There is no way I will trust myself to do it - any ideas who in the Chicago area could do it for me?

3. I'm getting a custom built 351W (Eric, Performance Engineering) with 425 HP and 450 ft/lb torque. It comes with a Cobra "R" Clutch. What does anyone know about this thing - is it any good (for my engine specifically)?

4. Any tips on how not to get myself killed? Is there a driver's school in Chicago for these things? I'm a careful driver and don't race (okay, maybe I have once or twice in my M3 but only x-90 on the interstate when the road is open, surely that can be forgiven?)

5. Any quick maintanence tips? I'm only 24 and have never cared for a non-"computer that tells you what to do" car. I've never even owned a car without EFI for crying out loud. I'll be checking the oil at every fill up, but that's about all I know. I want to baby this car maintenance-wise.

6. What are your thoughts on heat shields? Are they necessary? I am absent minded and am worried about forgetting to warn my passengers to watch their legs.

I think that's it for now, thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Turk · #2 (**permalink**) 10-04-2003, 09:09 AM

triton,
Welcome to the board.

I can't help you with all your inquiries, but I may be able to with a couple.

EMBLEMS
There is specific location and placement instructions on the ERA website. As for drilling to attach...piece of cake.
Cover the area that needs to be drilled with masking tape and drill a little undersize from the actuall size of the pins in the back of the emblems.You can always go to the next size drill bit to enlarge the holes.
If it will make you feel better and safer, cover the entire area with masking tape. That way incase the dril bit travels it won't scratch the car.

HEAT SHIELDS
I would guess 95% of the cars do NOT have them. Probably mostly cosmetic reasons., or that they are NOT as effective. So most of us opt for the dangers of burning our flesh.
Don't worry about the passengers. My bet is you will be the fisrt casualty. At least twice!!

MAINTANENCE
Check your oil, check the steering colum, and always make sure the wheels are in place tightly. rest is common sense.

NOT TO GET KILLED
Always get advice from people who have owned their cars for a while and still alive.
As long as you respect the performance and the capabilities of 90" wheel base car and what it can do unannounced you will be OK. Driver schools are great. Go to one that is Cobra specific. Such as Cobra University.

Enjoy the forum.

TURK

tritoncobra · #3 (**permalink**) 10-04-2003, 09:16 AM

That's another good point - the 90" wheelbase. What does this mean from a functional point of view in terms of handling, emergency response, etc? Or does it just mean the car is not as stable and the rear will flip out easier than most cars?

If I limit pedal stomping to straightaways I should be in good shape, correct?

Turk · #4 (**permalink**) 10-04-2003, 09:35 AM

I spent the first 6 months making sure that I was not getting on the car unless it was absolutely pointed straight. I do not have first hand experience with the car swapping ends, but I heavily relied on the experiences of others.

Take it easy with the car, treat it as if it was a motorcyle. capable of quick acceleration on starightaways.

Until you are very proficient with a bike, you probably don't enter the curves with a 30 degree lean. Do the same in your new Cobra. Enter and exit turns with caution rather than the pedal on the right.
Test your brakes occasionaly in a empty parking lot and see what the car does during hard panic stops.
Does it pull to one side or the other?

Build experience and confidence together, preferably confidence trailing comfortably behind the experience.

TURK

tritoncobra · #5 (**permalink**) 10-04-2003, 09:38 AM

Edit: never mind this post

Turk · #6 (**permalink**) 10-04-2003, 09:45 AM

I can't tell you that.
That's why I suggested to test your brakes in a parking lot to see what they do with uninterrupted application. Mark the distance it takes to stop from a predetermined speed.
Now do the same pumping the brakes. You may be surprised that pumping the brakes may indeed alter your stopping distances unfavorably.

During a panic stop on the highway with limited distances to stop, you may or not have the luxury of pumping. Most panic stops involve single depression of the pedal.
Remember this is not like you are driving on wet or icy surface.

You have taken your eyes of the road, the car in front of you has come to a stop, you see his brake lights, and you go for yours.
What will the car do? What did it do in the parking lot? That is more information than my brain can process in a millisecond.

It does help knowing. It may save your car and your life.

Class dismissed!

TURK

tritoncobra · #7 (**permalink**) 10-04-2003, 09:50 AM

Thanks a lot Turk, the tuition is in the mail.

Excaliber · #8 (**permalink**) 10-04-2003, 09:53 AM

I ordered "emblems" for my car and they came with two little posts on them. I guess the plan is to drill holes and put the posts in them and thats how they fasten.

I didn't want to drill holes! So I ground off the posts and simply "glued" the emblems on my hood and side fenders. That was a couple of years ago, there holding just fine!

Ernie

Carroll DeWeese · #9 (**permalink**) 10-04-2003, 10:08 AM

Always allow enought sropping distance in front of you so that you never have to panic stop. If you stop as short as these cars are capable, the car or truck behind you will hit you hard in the rear and probably be in your back.

Just because you have the horsepower to weight ratio does not mean that you have to use it. In fact, you know that you have it and have nothing to prove by using it inappropriately. Learn to control the car through throttle control. If in doubt, accelerate only on the straight. On a curve, the back end can alway break loose. Watch for light rain condition, the car can get very loose.

In driver's school, they teach that 80% of driving is vision and anticipation. Look ahead. Anticipate. Alway have an out for every driving situation. Assume that the other guy will screw up and be prepared to act. Do not over react. Get to know you car and how it behaves. Assume that everyone is looking at you and not where they are going. Be prepared. Remember that Cobras bite. Alway respect your car. Treat you car well and you will live long and prosper.

anchor2 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-04-2003, 10:48 AM

In regards to the emblems - I removed the posts with a dremel and used double-sided emblem tape you can purchase from any auto body store.

Getting use to a Cobra - I think must of us will agree it’s like driving no other car. Above all... respect the power! It can easily get away from you. Keep it strait or you can easily find your self spinning around which is tough on the old IQ. I thought I was a pretty good driver due to some of the powerhouse cars I have had in the past. The Cobra definitely humbled me.

Go to a driving school with an instructor that has some experience with Cobras and you will learn a lot.

Nuke427 · #11 (**permalink**) 10-04-2003, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tritoncobra

That's another good point - the 90" wheelbase. What does this mean from a functional point of view in terms of handling, emergency response, etc? Or does it just mean the car is not as stable and the rear will flip out easier than most cars?

If I limit pedal stomping to straightaways I should be in good shape, correct?

WRONG! I destroyed my FFR stomping on a straight away. Be careful! 90" wheelbase is very unforgiving when breaking the rear loose. Be careful and use good sense, I didn't and it cost me my car and a trip to the emergency room.

tritoncobra · #12 (**permalink**) 10-04-2003, 03:09 PM

Damn Nuke, I'm sorry to hear that. At least you're still around to warn newbies like me.

What engine did you have in that FFR?

Nuke427 · #13 (**permalink**) 10-04-2003, 03:31 PM

FFR just had a 302, 303 cam, Edelbrock heads, ported upper and lower intake (Typhoon) 30lb injectors, larger MAF and throttle body. 3.73 gears. Guessing around 325-350 crank horsepower. The car also had a 100hp shot of nitrous but was never used. The fuel injection is totally different than the carbed motor I have now. The carbed motor I have now should be more powerful, but it doesn't have that insant, I mean instant response that the fuel injected FFR had. Plus the FFR was a true 2100-2200 pound car. The BDR I have now is probably 2300-2400. The way the cars sit is different also, the FFR sat a little higher in the rear and the BDR sits a little lower in the rear. This I'm sure makes a difference as to how easy it is to break the rear loose. I really do want you to realize that the wheel base on the car makes a huge difference once you've broken the rear loose. I've owned Vettes, twin turbo RX-7's and other "powerful" cars but they were easier to drive hard. Just use good judgement. Search for thread "just destroyed FFR 1069" and you'll see the story and all the bashing I encountered from some who use this forum. Some was deserved, most was not.

bnewell · #14 (**permalink**) 10-04-2003, 03:36 PM

tritoncobra ~ great choice of car and you can't find a better engine builder than Eric!!

My original thought was to put all of the emblems on my car also (Dean wouldn't do mine either). After alot of thought I just went with the side emblems. As mentioned earlier in this thread, cut off the posts and use tape. Looking back, I'm glad I only did the side emblems.......I think it gives the car a cleaner look.

Brian

p.s. I also think the key word to driving any cobra is RESPECT. One dumb move can get your a$$ in trouble. Be careful and have fun.

craigayl · #15 (**permalink**) 10-04-2003, 04:18 PM

Welcome tritoncobra

I can't add much more, but glad to have you aboard

I too removed the badge posts and glued them on Clear silicone works good for this.

On heat shhields, I've been pretty determined not to put them on because I prefer the "no shield" look, but I also don't care to ware long pants. I've got burns on top of my burns LOL... Seriously thinking of adding shields this winter....

As for as safety? I think it's been mentioned.... Take your time gettin use to your new ride.. It will easly blow just about anything that pulls beside you off the road.. You know it AND the other guy knows it... Just smile and take it cool.....

Craig

Nuke427 · #16 (**permalink**) 10-04-2003, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bnewell

[

Brian

p.s. I also think the key word to driving any cobra is RESPECT. One dumb move can get your a$$ in trouble. Be careful and have fun. [/b]

I agree, and that's what I was trying to say. I may not have done a good job of it but that's what it boils down to.

bnewell · #17 (**permalink**) 10-04-2003, 05:00 PM

Nuke427 ~ not enough can be said about how POTENTIALLY dangerous these cars can be. Not too long ago I was passing a car on a straight away, I shifted into 3rd gear, I hit my peak torque/hp curve and rears started to spin. All this happened without the "go-pedal" fully depressed.

These things are great fun but can also be lethal in irresponsible hands.

Brian

tritoncobra · #18 (**permalink**) 10-04-2003, 05:03 PM

That's insane! You spun the tires during the middle of the 3rd gear acceleration curve? How much tread do you have on those tires?

I'm starting to get scared.. then again I'm getting a crotch rocket next spring so the cobra is much more safe in comparison.

Nuke427 · #19 (**permalink**) 10-04-2003, 05:04 PM

That again is my point and what I'm trying to express here. I had an irresponsible moment and the Cobra became a couple feet shorter. Could have been worse. No one really injured except myself. I don't consider my self irresponsible, I operate a Nuclear Reactor for a major utility, but we can all have a bad moment.

bnewell · #20 (**permalink**) 10-04-2003, 05:07 PM

tires were still basically brand new.......Eric builds a great motor

The point is not to scare you. As Clint Eastwood once said "a mans got to know his limitations". And believe me, these cars either big block or small block have limitations.

Brian