Any "Cutting Edge" owners here ?

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Any Cutting Edge Replicas owners here ?
Have questions about them & thier cobra.
First- what's the good & bad with the car ?

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Kevin,
I own CER #1008, blue, white stripes with red pin stripes. See Kit Car Mag March 2007. Great looking billet suspension. Wilwood brakes, Woodward steering, spcae for small Rock Racing battery, 20 gal fuel tank, look at the body lines - rounded rear tire well (vs. more sloping rear), no FFR "tail" on the license plate light, no donor parts. Options include Stainless Steel or chrome, pin drive, etc. The list is long. Build it your way. My suspension is stiff, but not overly harsh. I now have a World Man-o-War 427w, TWM EFI, dyno last week at 613 HP @ 6250 rpm at the rear wheels!

Potential negatives: long wait time for kit? They have upgraded their kits every few cars. (wish I had the larger new trunk and new fuel tank inlet!). Newer cars also have a newer suspension set-up, new engine panel designs (very nice and covers more area - less open space for road dirt to get in), drop down and extended passenger foot box (the wife/girlfriend will like it). I believe the foot boxes are now welded steel vs aluminum panels that you rivet in.

Cost is always going to be an issue. Price out a new FFR kit with upgrades and new parts. There are lots of cheaper rollers, but those are rollers and you didn't build it your way. No WOW! factor and not the same pride in building a kit.

Just my $0.02 . Ron

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Hello Ron, Do you have any photo's you can post or email me ?
I haven't seen much of any, I believe yours, and the advertisement car. For what ever reason, the latter, the body seemed strange?
The suspension looks fantastic ! How well does it work ? Any better ride ? Mine is pretty rough, Not much travel and maybe too stiff of springs. It also sits too high in the back. One of my winter projects is to fix the rear issues. I have "Aldans" and when I talked to Rich Anderson from Shell Valley, he said when they changed to QA-1's, it made a big difference. I like to see the wheel well filled with tire and low to the ground. Mine is not. I'm hoping to lower it with shorter springs ect.
I'll look at the more rounded wheel well. Like most of us, I really like the chassis/suspension and,......assume, it has to be better that most cobras with the typical Mustang type front and solid rear with coil overs all the way around and maybe IRS. You say yours is stiff. How is it different from other makes including Lone Star ? What's your thoughts ?
Your engine- sounds awesome. Mine is 563 hp at the rear wheels. (on a Mustang dyno. It's the best and more accurate than the dynosport ect.)
Either way, I love the power !

The old vs new body changes and suspension of CER- does anyone have photo's showing the difference's ? What and why, are the changes in the suspension ?
I would appreciate your time & details. You may also email me.

Thanks Ron,
Kevin

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Kevin,

Check out my dyno session at Speed Freaks Inc. in Tracy CA.

http://host217.ipowerweb.com/~speedfre/page4.html

As for the suspension, I have the Ultimate Aldan Eagle Shocks, dual adjustable, and I believe that they are probalby the Road Race (stiff) valving - one of the orignal principals of Cutting Edge use to race and probably spec'ed the car for a stiffer suspension. One of my projects is to order a set of Street (light) valving and replace only the shocks. My springs are stiffer than yours because of the rocker system, 550 front/600 rear Hypercoils. I spoke to Aldan and springs are to "hold the car up." They recommend a spring that will drop 1" from un-weighted to full weighted. I like the look of the Aldan vs. the QA-1's.

check out the recommeded spring rates:
http://www.aldaneagle.com/springs.html
Ultimate shocks:
http://www.aldaneagle.com/ultimate.html

The new CER setup is totally different: shock location, shock angle, rocker arm length, upper/lower A arms, etc. I believe that CER is now using Bilstein. So the two cars will probably run different. Lots of smaller changes to the new frame, trunk, fuel tank, and etc for easier manufacturing and general up dating.

I believe the old and new bodies are the same. I think the CER hood scoop is lower than the Lone Star.

FWIW: Start with the obvious. Check your tire pressure. I know someone that was complaining about his ride ... he was running about 36 lbs on his tires! Our cars are light and I would guess that most of use are running under 30 lbs. Mine are at 27-28lbs. (increase the pressure for the track.)

The Lone Star should handle nicer on road bumps because of the longer wheelbase. But there is a difference in the frame construction and suspension. I'm not an engineer, but the CER has 2 x 4" round tube main rails. It is so stiff that I can lift up the whole car when jacking up one rail. In theory, the CER rocker suspension system has less unspring weight and therefore more responsive. (see the CER web site compared to yours). 8.8" Ford with independent rear and 335x35x17 rear, 265x40x17 front tires. Big tires look great, but track straight on road creases. Travel on my suspension is fairly short (not like my BMW). Steering is very responsive, and a bit hard when not moving. (no power steering). I am considering changing the ratio on my Woodword rack and pinion.

you can always call me at work: 1-800-347-3488, ext 6869.
(don't know how to add pic to this web site ... can send to your private email)