"Cobras N Vettes" customers/owners please read!!!

[rdorman]

Originally posted by C4 Cross Fire


...and just for the record, I'm not a switch hitter or a cross dresser!

Didn't even think it!
Rick

[C4 Cross Fire]

You could even stick a Cobra dress-up kit on the 350--or at least the Cobra air cleaner cover--and see how many nuckleheads you could fool!

"Hey, Dude--somebody stole your distributer?!" --or, "Dude your motor's in backwards--the distributer goes up front!"

[rdorman]

Originally posted by C4 Cross Fire




OK--check this out: http://www.c4restore.com/factoid.htm#best

Yes--the '84 Z51 Corvette handles better than any vette ever made to date. Drop in your choice of quality, reliable Ford muscle, and wal-la (presto!) -- you've got an anti-Cobra-Cobra that can out run AND out handle ANYTHING on the road. The curb weight of the '84 is 3192 lbs--with a Cobra body it might just wipe any asp with the Chevy power train still in it!

Can I say asp here?!

The anti-Cobra-Cobra --and kind to the pocket book as well!

I read the link earlier. While interesting, I didn't see any thing on topic in there. While I think you could end up with one fine handling car you may also be in for a let down. If not done right, you could take your C4 and end up with a car that does not handle near as well as the C4 did in the first place.

Rick

[Johnnyquest]

C4 admit it you are a vette man. If you think the original Z51 is better than the current Z06 you are dead wrong. The Z06 has better g force and lane change times. Also, the Z51 would rattle your teeth and ride was horrid. Also, that link or factoid was only another person in the Forum stating what he thought. Well go out and get your twenty year Road and Track, the Z51 attained around .9 G's which was impressive at the time, the Z06 has done over 1.0 G, end of story.

I think your idea of the C4 to Cobra is flawed. It will look funny because it will be long. It will be chevy powered, your resale will suck. Should I go on...............

Many people here want the look and feel of the originals, play homage to such a wonderful car that would and could crush Ferrari's, that nobody could beat.

Vettes ( I have had three including a 91 ZR-1 )are nice but Cobra is MUCH NICER. At our last cobra meet, we went to a local restaurant. Due to the weather only two showed up . There was a brand new Z06 next to one of the Cobras and NOBODY looked twice at the Vette.

You keep writing back after someone posts to relieve or convince yourself you are right. Well, walk the walk or talk the talk. Go get that Cobray or whatever the heck it is, then see the confused looks you get.

At least my cobra looks somewhat like an original.

JQ

[C4 Cross Fire]

Some folks just can't take a joke.

Did I offend you? If so I'd like to apologize. It's OK to be different--don't get all hot under the collar. So you're different--so what! Are you going to live your whole life worrying about what others think?

Hey--I'd rather have a Cobra than my Vette--and I'd trade it in on one in a heartbeat if I could. Unfortunately I'm stuck in the Army for another year until I retire, unable to make any real money.

Don't tell me--you're one of those people who think folks who own Chevys are Communists, right?!

Chill. It's OK to like BOTH Corvettes AND Cobras--really! --and it doesn't make you a switch hitter, either!

--of course there's nothing wrong with that if that's your thing, dude...

Let's just stay away from each other, OK.

[REAL 1]

You of course can build what you want. But the Cobra was designed and conceived to trounce the Vette which it did in short order.

I think a SPF is a better idea than a Vette based replica for many reasons. But thats just me.

[ERA649]

If you want a Cobra with Corvette running gear call Kuston Kit Kars Inc. 973 579 1818 . No I don't get a commission, just stating that they make this type of Cobra.

[Johnnyquest]

Good idea on staying away C4, please visit the Corvette Forum so you won't give us Cobra owners the wrong idea.

[rdorman]

Lets not get carried away here!

To each there own right Evan?

Hell I have seen a Cobra limo!

A couple of manufacturers use vette suspension. And do well with it.

However, I just don't think a '$5000' re-body will live up to expectations. I sure wouldn't cut up a 'classic' vette to do it! I would sell it and but the pieces.

C4 obviously has a Vette pashion. Not hard to understand. There are a few like I would like to park in the garage next to my Cobra.

Some of us feel that a vette re-body would not end up being the killer that some others do. I think we are correct in that thought. But, you never know!

Buy it, build it, and lets have some fun! But, proceed with caution. Because, it is really your best interest that we have in mind.

Rick

[REAL 1]

Oh, I forgot to ask. Whats a C4????



I'm not knocking anything C4. Do what makes you happy. Its just that for a Cobra replica I think its a mistake to use a Vette donor/chasis for many reasons.

[C4 Cross Fire]

I agree, rdorman, let's not get carried away.

I think this is all Dad's fault (isn't everything our parents fault?!) --he owned a '54 Vette, then sold it and went to work at Ford! This has got to be some mental subconscious thing with me! I figure it's all good unless my loafers start getting light!

Let's get back on track...

I don't know yet how much the C4 (4th gen Vette for you, Real 1!) kit costs--I'm STILL waiting for email response from Cobras N Vettes. But the kit should be considerably less if you use all of the Chevy stuff you can: frame, power train, suspension, steering, brakes, wheels, tires, etc. All that's really left to purchase is the body, windshield, a wiring kit, guages, shifter, carpet, aluminum panels, hinges, etc. --and that stuff costs about the same for every kit (that's where I get the $5000 figure). There is no reason why this wouldn't make a decent kit if you build it right and drop in Ford power...except for a possible weight distribution problem--but even that can't be far off or too difficult to adjust.

Someone said that the '84 handled badly because it was a rough ride. Actually, it handles so well because of its stiff ride. He was right in that folks didn't like it because of its ride, however, pansies and ladies were the ones who didn't like the ride--Car and Driver called itthe best handling car int he world!

Oh, but that was 20 years ago, right? Well, engineers have been trying to design cars to ride nice, yet still handle...like the '84 vette! That's why later in the C4 generation engineers designed suspension systems with a switch to go from stiff ride (for better handling) to soft ride for the ladies! Coil-over shocks attempt to provide good handling and a comfortable ride in one package--and do a pretty decent job at it! But just because the '84 vette's suspension is 20 years old doesn't mean it isn't the ultimate suspension system...

...need I remind you about the 40-year-old, 0-60 in 3.6 second Cobra coupe? Do you know many cars today can do 0-60 in 3.6 seconds? You can count them on one hand. And they all cost in excess of 6 figures. I wonder what would happen if you used the '84 chassis in a Cobra coupe?!

Maybe I ought to be talking to Bruce Engineering about this...

If Ford and Chevy got together on a cheap supercar for today using previously-engineered systems, what systems from what past vehicles would be in it? What would it look like?

OK...your turn

[rdorman]

All I ask is if this is the route you take, proceed with caution!

I read something last night that Herb Adams had to say about the cars (84 and prior vettes). Two things stuck with me. First that many enthusiast changed the spring rates back to the standard springs and that the vette IRS suffered from a number of geometry and deflexion issues that included to high of a roll center and camber and toe control.

A car is a huge set of compromises designed for a given use. Change the use, the compromise gets bigger, change the design, you compromise use. If I bolt together all the 'best' parts available will I end up with the best car? Probably not.

I am not a fan of the word 'best'. WAY to subjective. I do recall when they said that about the Z51 back in the 80's. But I have also heard that word applied (in the handling department) on everything from a Honda (prelude as I recall, fastest slalom time in Road and Track history at the time) to Lotus Elise to the Ferrari Enzo. Best for one thing, best for one person, best for one time. Best period, not a reality. Needless to say, when I here the word 'best', my first thought is always 'whatever'

If you build it, I look forward to checking it out. Oh and, good luck with the retirement.

Rick

[Starrtess]

Hi,

I am an owner of a 1985 vette (can't afford a cobra), I love both Vettes and Cobras...In my opinion...they are the only two cars worth driving.
But I read the thread (though not them all) on the vette engine in a cobra, and if the C4 block forces change in a cobra...I say forget it!!!

It's hard to love both a chevy and a ford, and believe me, I take a lot of slack for it but The two are incredible machines to me...still, to combine the two is a dream I have imagined, but NOT at the risk of change in the cobra.

Does anyone have a link or a pic of the cobra with the c4 engine?
I'm curious at what comes from the joining, and wonder if it is something worth further excitement.

Starr

[RallySnake]

Starr,

I think the best use of a complete Corvette suspension would be in the new Factory Five GTM-200. It's a good looking, mid-engined design that works with the wide suspension. I am thinking of building one.

It would be a great wet weather rally car!

Paul

[Starrtess]

Paul, thanks for your response and pic. Wow that is a kewl looking car but neither compares to cobra nor vette in design....would like to see its performance stats.

Thanks for replying...Starr

[C4 Cross Fire]

Starrtess, There are a few pics of the C3 Cobray (98" wheelbase ) on the CnV web site: http://www.cobrasnvettes.com/index.html

*The C4 Cobray that uses the COMPLETE, untouched C4 chassis it's got a 96" wheelbase like other replicators' vehicles.

As you know, our vehicles (esp MY vehicle) is really worth next to nothing--even restored! But whipping up a quick, quality Cobray with it would get us on the road to a more original-looking Cobra in the future. *Many guys build a couple of kits ans sell 'em while they're paying on 'em, and eventually wind up with a decent replica later in life--isn't that right, rogers!

The only real questions for us are whether we want to put in the time and effort to build a kit, AND whether we want to bring a slightly deformed Cobra into the world!

[trctrdrvr]

C4, it doesn't matter what you build or how you build it someones not going to like it, I met Jeff who owns cobrasnvette's about 7 months ago, when he picked up a C3 that I sold him, since then I have bought parts from him and we have become friends, give him a call and talk to him about his design, I decided a long time ago that I did not have the funds to build a car to NOS specs, but can afford to have fun with the way I'm building it' and having a blast along the way.

Mike

Jeff's #
602 402 8504

[C4 Cross Fire]

That's good advice, bro!

[ItBites]

C4,

My Midstates has a C4 suspension in a 90" wheelbase, but it uses a tube chassis, similar to the originals. Then you have the C4 suspension and brakes and power steering, but none of the downside of the 96" wheelbase aesthetics.

If you want one, I think Bob Kallio at Midstates will still put together a chassis.

[Starrtess]

C4,
Thanks for the kewl site, I found it an interesting merger, and would love to feel the performance, but the first pic, it looks really long. Taking away from the cobra charm. Does there have to be an extended body to comply with a vette engine? I admit, being a female and not knowing the mechanics of such, my question may seem stupid, but seems to me if a cobra started with a bigum 427 engine, without the added body, why did the vette engine alter the shape?

As A vette owner (cannot afford a cobra) and lover of fast cars...speciffically cobras and vetter, I was excited to hear of a merging of my two fav. cars, but if its to change the cobra design and extend the body, I guess I could get used to it, but it wouldnt be my preference. My main thing would be the cars performance...it would have to be a mean machine!!!!

I'd love to test drive one of those!!!!

Starr or Tess (whichever)