Finally stopped lurking on forums and put a deposit down

[leroy17]

Congrats on your purchase. I have one which I didnt build but have never stopped playing with to make it more 'mine'.

Anyway, this forum is a great source of info with good guys to help out and Warrick is a stand up guys as well.

How about this for an engine option....... a LS7..... then you get the best of both worlds.... 427 cubes (matches an original number)....... and its a chevy! (standing back ready for the onslaught).

Cheers.

[Merv and Sharon]

Originally Posted by sideshow

I know the chip is easy to fit
But have untried to program it
Does it come with tuning software
Or are they pretuned and that's it
I know u can tune fordmecusmwith quarter horse or something like that
But I'm not sure how hard it is
We just did it as a test
Plus there is many tuners that can do ls1 tuning

They are pre-tuned Jim, depending on the spec that you provide them with (Cam, lifters, injector size, etc.) However, the map can be downloaded on to a laptop with suitable software, stored and tweaked without too much of a problem. Peter H here is up to speed (no pun) at that. In most cases the pre-tuned chip is perfect. Others such as Cob07 might comment as well.

[400TT]

Ryder, congrats on the purchase.

The 302w will give you that classic old school sound. Which some guys can't live without. If you want to fit Masflo down the track, think about getting a USA Mustang HO engine as the conversion is far easier compared to doing it on an AU Falcon engine or later USA Explorer Engines.

Can't fault the guys recommending the Holden/Chev engines, they are the best out of the box option. If you priced up the cost of stroking engine with Masflo etc, I reckon you could fund an LS7 for similiar dollars. So Leroy17's suggestion certainly has merit. I just love the LS7's and we have many very happy customers with those engines fitted to our cars.

With the rear end ratio, just make sure you take into account your wheel diameter. There are plenty of good calculators on the net to work it out.

I think the best diff ratio for a street Cobra is 3.5 -> 3.7 depending on gearbox and wheel size.

Just watch those Skyline rears, most of the standard GTST have lower 4.3 ratio. GTR's & GTS's have 4.11 from memory. Do a google search here, but guys like Merv have swapped in taller diff ratios like 3.5 & 3.7. But these are not Skyline diffs, they are Sylvia etc.

With gearbox, if it was me, I would look at a TKO 600. Compare the price of a used T56 to a new TKO 600. TKO 600 is about 15kg+ lighter and I'm a big one to watch the finished weight. Also TKO 600 has a moveable shifter location and out of the box you can move the internal shifter to two positions without spending money on a new shifter. In my experience these two standard positions cater for Cobra's well. A T56 will require modification to move the shifter forward as they are always too far to the rear. The T56 will also be 2nd hand and you run the risk of it requiring recon. work if it has some k's on it. You can order the TKO 600 with taller 5th gear(.64) so it can have the same cruising rpm as the T56 in 6th.

The T5 has the best shift feel out of all these gearboxes in my opinion, but once you get into strokers you are pushing the friendship. And you want a durable drivetrain. That Skyline rear end will be bullet proof.

If you are patient and want to save some money, you regularly see the older 5 speed aftermarket Tremec's come up on ebay, like 3550 and older TKO's. They are not as strong as T56 & TKO 600 but will handly a stroker windsor in a street car fine. Shift quality is same as later TKO boxes.

Hope that helps.

[sambo]

Just to clarify Craig's comment, "these are not Skyline diffs, they are Sylvia etc", in fact the 3.69 helical diff that a few of us have lifted from the S15 200SX (Silvia), these are the same centres used in the R34 Skyline.

Ryder, some photos of the Vintage Wheel Works wheels on my Harrison. The Harrison wheel offsets (particularly the front) make for very limited wheel choices if you want the old school look. The front end of the body was fitted about 15mm off centre on my car and I will be getting the front guards flared to get everything looking right.

[leroy17]

[quote=sambo;1209145] The Harrison wheel offsets (particularly the front) make for very limited wheel choices if you want the old school look. The front end of the body was fitted about 15mm off centre on my car and I will be getting the front guards flared to get everything looking right.
QUOTE]


I had the same issue with the front and adjusted so it fitted and looked right. But if I use knock offs they will stick out like Ben Hur's charriot.

[Ryder]

Wow, thank you so much for all the information! Way more help than I was ever expecting, it's not hard to see theres a lot of genuine enthusiasts here! I reckon you guys have already saved me many hours of future frustration and a fair few dollars to boot.

That info about the TKO 600 is really good, had never even considered using that box before, it looks like it'd be pretty much perfect with a .64 cruising gear. Looks like they are readily available too, either importing from the USA or found Mal Wood Automotive - Tremec in Australia

[stiffy]

Congrats Ryder,

I have the Harrison Daytona Coupe ( same chassis etc ) I went for the 6 speed Tremec with the standard 3.9 diff, it was a bit busy on the street
so I changed the diff to 4.54 and its much better.

If I had my time over I would have optioned for the 5 speed as I never use the 6th gear ( unless I am transferred to Germany )


Good Luck

STIFFY

[sambo]

Stiffy, what do you mean by "a bit busy on the street"? It's the ratio of the pinion gear to the crown wheel, or tailshaft to rear wheels - as I understood it.

So a taller (3.9) diff means less gear changes than the shorter (4.54) ratio. With 4.54 you get to your redline faster (more acceleration), which would also be "busier", or have I got it all wrong?

[Mrs flatchat]

3.45 :1 ? just guessing

[Towmaster]

Originally Posted by Ryder

Wow, thank you so much for all the information! Way more help than I was ever expecting, it's not hard to see theres a lot of genuine enthusiasts here! I reckon you guys have already saved me many hours of future frustration and a fair few dollars to boot.

That info about the TKO 600 is really good, had never even considered using that box before, it looks like it'd be pretty much perfect with a .64 cruising gear. Looks like they are readily available too, either importing from the USA or found Mal Wood Automotive - Tremec in Australia

Mal is pretty good and has everything you will need. I got my TKO600 from him. Would recommend him as the easy option.. You might save a couple of hundred bucks by importing it yourself but it always costs you more than you think... Just a word of advice.
Also great advice from Craig (400TT) he's very well knowledged in the ways of Cobras for such a young fella...

[400TT]

Originally Posted by Towmaster

Also great advice from Craig (400TT) he's very well knowledged in the ways of Cobras for such a young fella...

Ahh, gosh thanks Ash. Remember I'm only a glorified salesman, my team of guys do all the thinking for me.

I should have added that Sideshow's point about Chev & T56 is spot on. If you were going Chev, then picking up a T56 cheap 2nd hand with the engine can make sense.

Ryder, I can save you some bucks as well. I will drop you a PM.

[Merv and Sharon]

Ryder the Harrisons can be a bit misaligned - body on frame - so check that carefully (as Sambo has said). Also take care on wheel offsets. Many of the US-made ones can't make the necessary offset/backspace. I eventually went with Dragway - an Aust wheel maker who have done scores of Cobras - and got the perfect setting for my Harrison.

On motors, well if you want the Shelby-Ford heritage appeal and, IMHO the best sound, go the Mustang HO as many of us have done and add cams, MasFlo later as you find the extra $$$s. It is fine for rego in QLD. The Holden motor is a great one also and can usually meet the emissions required in some Southern states.

[RAAPS]

Hello All,
Icetoo the engine in photo is what I have ordered its on boat as we speak to be fitted to my Harrison body. landing planet OZ end Sept. I ordered back in april missed first build had to wait. And as "BIG KEV" would say I'm Excited.
Raaps
Craig
Always Positive Never Negative.

[ICETOO]

Originally Posted by RAAPS

Hello All,
Icetoo the engine in photo is what I have ordered its on boat as we speak to be fitted to my Harrison body. landing planet OZ end Sept. I ordered back in april missed first build had to wait. And as "BIG KEV" would say I'm Excited.
Raaps
Craig
Always Positive Never Negative.

Cheers Craig, looking forward to hearing your feedback before the investment (still have a swag of research to do yet)...I have set up a thread here .......

Thinking of Updating to this 427 CUI


......so we do not JACK Ryders thread.....

[Ryder]

It's not jack at all, it just gives people the impression that there is something interesting to read in here because it's 3 pages :P

points about wheels and body alignment duly noted! Will measure it (when the long torture of waiting is over and I bring her home that is ), and then cuff it from there!

[ICETOO]

Cheers Fella, I meant Hijack, not (Gaff Jack)....is that 4 pages yet

[dc7531]

Originally Posted by Ryder

Thanks guys would be good to meet you all and drool over your finished cars!

Derek - any pics/price of those wheels? Suspension is probably one of the first things I'll aim to finish, in order to have a rolling shell, so it may not be too early to buy rims...

Ryder, no problem, photos shown below. They are basically the same as Sambo's but with centres closer to gold in colour. The rear tyres (9.5"x17") sat just proud of the wheel arches and the front (8"x17") didn't look out of place although when I purchased my polished versions, I adjusted both backspace settings slightly to get it just right. They are in as new condition with original boxes. I was thinking $1000 including spinners. I also travel regularly to Bowen to assist with transport if required.

No hassle if they're not to your taste as I reckon wheel style and size is one of the important choices to make. It's early days yet and there are plenty of options available.



Derek

[ICETOO]

Great intel DC...hereis the easy view version...Nice...




...and car looks great too !

[Ryder]

They look nice mate - very clean, tasteful and the shape suits the car well! PM sent

[Ryder]

Small update - Warwick was kind enough to email me today and let me know that the chassis was sent off for powdercoating yesterday, and will be back in his workshop by next friday! Also he expects the body to be back from whoever does the fiberglassing for him next friday too

I don't have any pics to attach yet, but he says he'll send some once it's all back and I'll put some up then. Just really excited, the next 6 weeks or so can't pass soon enough!