How does a Cobra handle?

[danny]

My cobra still has its motor being built and have yet to experience the handling on this car. I have had arguments with friends etc that these cars don't handle well on a race trackor in general. I keep getting the bs statment that these cars have old technology in them. Granted that is true, but is'nt a race car built with a tube chassis,motor and that is light weight etc. Could any one write back with actual comparisons of track lap times of cobra vs a newer sports car.

Thanks
csx 4867

[BMK]

danny

I can recal watching the video Bitten by the Snake and thinking the description of driving and the handling of a Cobra seemed a little over the top.

However, after driving one for a number of years I have come to appreciate that you do not drive a Cobra in anger. Treat it as described in the video - with respect and as if you have an egg under your foot - the video presenters description.

I have only driven a 427 FE a few times at Midstates raceway and cannot really comment on the difference between my 383 stroker and a 427 block.

The short wheelbase of the Cobra is noticeable to me after driving other/different types of cars on the track.

The 427 although having more brute power was noticeable in the corners in handling, with my amatuer attempt at steering the Cobra through corners rather than an off and on power.

I have experimented with QA1 shocks and handling set up and found that the thing that most improved the handling was my ability to learn to drive the Cobra.

There is obviously big lap time improvemnts in changing to race type compound tires/tyres and that is worth a bit of fun alone.

I canot give you lap times as I really think the seat time in the Cobra was the biggest improvement I recorded.

Experiment with set up and tires/tyres and have fun... Then go out and lap you friends in their family sedan..

[bobcowan]

"well" is a comparative term. Compared to almost any street car out there, it handles very well. Compared to a race car, not so well. A race prepped car like a Z06 has traction control, antilock brakes, etc. Lot's of electronics to help the driver. My car has a seat, 4 wheels, and an engine.

My car is very neutral. Braking and steering inputs are predictable. When it gets loose, you'll feel it and gather it back in rather quickly. As long as you don't do anything stupid, it will reward you with some pretty fast lap times. I also have to admit that I'v never driven on a "big" track - like VIR or Mid-Ohio. Maybe it's differant there.

Is it a race car? No, not by a long stretch. But is sure is fun for a street car.

[anchor2]

I own a SPF and a Porsche 993. I have had both cars on the track. What I say to my freinds is that a Monkey can drive the Porsche, the Cobra...it takes some talent.

I have had the car on Infineon and Thunderhill in the SF Bay area and although the car may not handel as good as some of the newer model I have never had a problem running with the likes of newer Vettes, Ferraris or Porsches. Sorry no comparisons on lap times.

[Hal Copple]

regarding my own particular replica, an SPF, with a stout 392 pushing out somewhere around 460-480 ponies, i have found that it doesn't take kindly to a ham fisted approach to cornering. Dennnis Olthoff has set my car up with big front NASCAR Wilwoods, (balanced by a custom rear Panther brake pad), his custom race HR spring/track Bilstein shock package, his "big" rear antiroll bar, and other bits and pieces. I have some thousands of miles of track time.

I am at best a novice driver, yet at the Porsche Club events i run, i get comments on how well my car handles. It certainly can't be my ability, it has to be my car's.

But the key thing is to never do anything abruptly. Never stomp on the brakes, stab the throttle, never chop the gas in the middle of the turn, don't be wild and wooly with the steering wheel. I give my car time to accept my inputs, give the chassis time to adjust to what i will it to do. You don't have to be leisurely, or slow with handling inputs, ; you do things quickly without being abrupt.

I think my car gives wonderful feedback about what is happening down at the tire tread.

If a replica is sorted out by someone familiar with racing (Dennis Olthoff and his father Bob, in my case), and you are progressive with your handling inputs, these cars can be hustled thru turns pretty quickly.

If your goal is to immulate a famous race driver, be like Jackie Stewart, not Giles Villeneuve.

all the best,

[RedCSX1]

Like Hal states it helps to have someone who knows what they are doing dial in the suspension and brakes which will make a world of difference compared to how it might arrive as a roller or in the FFR's case a box.

I had Toms Motorsports do their majic tricks on my Shelby and there was some huge improvements in ride and handling however I still think it could be improved in plan to take it back this fall for some more work.

[round_midnight]

Here's a data point for you. I have autocrossed my BDR and my 2004 BMW M3 on the same course. My best time in the BDR was 1.5 seconds slower than the M3 on a 95 second long course. The M3's time took first place in its class. Both cars were on Hoosiers and both have heavily modified suspensions. The BDR is more heavily modified, though: solid and monoball bushings throughout, big sway bars, 2+ degrees negative camber an all four wheels, 3.91 limited slip differential. Stock brakes, though. The M3 has stiffer than stock springs, adjustable shocks, adjustable camber on all four wheels, and substantially upgraded brakes.

It might also be worth noting that when I got the car, it handled like a pig. My best head-to-head time was 12-15 seconds slower than the M3 and I could hardly keep the car on the course. Now, after all the suspension and alignment work, it's like it is on rails.

Maybe that will help a little.

[Power Surge]

Don't let anyone fool you... a Cobra IS a race car. It may not compare to some of today's technology, but the Cobra was built to be a race car, and original spec chassis type Cobras still handle better than many modern cars, when setup properly.

The biggest thing to remember, is that there are plenty of Cobra brands out there that aren't built around chassis performance, so you can very well have a car that doesn't handle all that good. And as mentioned, proper suspension setup plays a big part as well.

So you're not going GT class racing against full boogie modern Porches or Corvettes, but a properly setup Cobra can still hold it's own in the realm of performance.

[Clois Harlan]

Everyone is correct here and I will have to admit that with the $50-60,000 I have in my Cobra I could have bought a much better car to race. But, it would be like everyone elses. I like the fact that racing a Cobra requires a little skill and finesse. It's easy going fast and straight but when you approach a sweeping corner at 110 you need to have some confidence in your car and yourself. In my case the car is usually better than me. Cobra's are a choice for some of us and a fad for others.

These ill manored chunks of steel, aluminium, and fiberglass are like a fickle women that you can't seem to get away from. You never know when your going be walking or doing the parade wave to envious on lookers.

Gotta love em!

Clois

[RedBarchetta]

Originally Posted by Clois Harlan

It's easy going fast and straight but when you approach a sweeping corner at 110 you need to have some confidence in your car and yourself.

Well said, Clois.

I'm surprised all you hard core racers didn't mention the fact about when you pass one of the enclosed Corvette/Porsche/Mustang/M3 race cars, you also get the added benefit of rattling their door glass and windshields with the thunderous side exhausts.

-Dean

[rblong]

It was well said in another post - you gotta drive the cobra more, but if set up properly you can run pretty hard with most well prepped street cars. I have a Viper and a Porsche and it will not keep up with them, but with every mod I do aimed at the track it gets better - and closer to them. Make sure you install sway bars, good coil overs, as big of calibers as you can and you will have a well handling car - for extra fun get you a set of slicks for the track - I did!

[petek]

...and now a comment from the other end of the skill and experience curve (i.e. from a fellow who is just now learning).

I've tracked my MINI Cooper and my Cobra. The MINI is actually quite fun to drive fast on the track, the Cobra is too but requires a lot more attention. Each has its own requirements and rewards.

A number of responses have included the comment that the Cobra has to be set-up properly. I had my Cobra's alignment set twice (by the same shop) and neither time did they set the alignment to the specs I required. After a couple of years driving I finally found a shop that knew what it was doing and got the alignment set properly. My Cobra went from difficult to drive at speed to entertaining to drive at speed. Remember, the replica Cobra is a custom build and not a mass produced car!

[Madmiles442]

My track experience (and Clois can attest!) is that if/when that rear end breaks loose, it's gone. Before you can say uh-oh, you're staring at the car that was just in your rear view mirror.
But those moments right before that, when the tires are warm, the car's tracking and setting up well, you're getting mashed so hard from side to side that you're queasy, man are those awesome! I'm totally addicted!
I'm glad someone mentioned an M3. It was very frustrating for me that a Miata or an M3 (et. al.) would catch me so quickly in the corners. I could pass them back on the straights, but within 3 turns, I had a rear view mirror full of them again.
Probably driving ability, or lack thereof, in my case. But I've heard others with similar experiences.

[pmfranke]

I just bought a race preped mini cooper "S" super lap series winner(in HI)for 15k. This car HANDELS like no other.To get my Cobra to handle like the Cooper I would have to spend 20 grand just on the suspention.So don't expect the same handling performance right out of the box or for that matter ever !! Just take it easy while learning how to handle the Cobra and give lots of room or you will get bitten.Nothing though, gets your heart going like a Cobra.

[Durt]

"But I've heard others with similar experiences."

Yup. I attended several sessions of "Cobra University," a Cobra driver's school hosted by Steven Johnstone at Willow Springs years ago. I learned a tremendous amount about the car's dynamics at those sessions - the skid pad being invaluable in getting to know the feeling of "driving sideways" and finding out the limits of grip in a controlled situation.
Steven opened the track to other drivers as long as our Cobras weren't in session. On one occasion, some BMW club racers showed up with their Dinan M3s (very cool guys who knew a ton & gave me some great advice.) I went out on the Streets of Willow course to dice it up with them & indeed I toasted them on the short straight & got owned in the corners. 30 years of suspension technology was painfully evident.
The Cobra is a lot of work. It also requires total concentration. After a 20 minute track session in my Cobra, I'm drenched & spent. In my Audi, I could turn on the radio & relax by comparison.

[Danr55]

It's like dating a beautiful, sexy woman who is also a martial arts expert. You always pay attention to what she wants to get what you want. Cross her, and she'll kill you. Be nice to her and she'll make your life heaven. Any where you take her, heads will turn to look.