Is it worth it (this Cobra)

[Tony Cram]

Stu351,

Check out www.carpoint.com.au. Then look up "dealers" you will find "All American" there. He has had a few RMC and G Force Cobras for sale lately.

I think the name of the guy running the dealership now is Wayne Holland. His prices are usually very negotiable as he is a trader for car owners generally. Batman (was the one who helped me down this path) has posted the number above.

Regards


TC

[Stu351]

Great!
I've been browsing the Unique Cars magazine of late (gotta love some of those prices! HAHA!) And haven't yet ventured out to All American (or another one - Cool Rides and Customs). But will do so. By going for a $30K+ car, I need to sell my $20K bike first.

Anybody in the market for an Yamaha XV1700 Warrior? (Yes, it is 1700cc!)

[Stu351]

Spewin' about the news of the 351, but wouldn't mind the 4.0L quad cam Lexus V8 either!

[400TT]

Lexus 4lt is no doubt the best bang for buck. For our Harrison we bought a crown front cut. With front cut you get to start and run the engine(cool) and you also get full working engine wiring loom. Plus lots of other things you can use, we even used the aluminium radiator out of it. And things like air conditioning compressor, power steering pump you don't need are worth money to sell. We even sold the TV out of it.

And then you can grab some 2nd hand turbo's off Skyline/300ZX etc(twin factory turbos are large enough for 4lt engine), find a nice 2nd hand intercooler, do some pipe work and you have 50%+ more horsepower. Well maybe you need some larger injectors(we used Supra ones) and maybe an aftermarket ECU as well, but...it will still run smooth like a factory EFI engine. Or if you want it to look cool, go for bolt-on 8 stack injection setup

And if you wear it out or blow it up. At worst you can buy another bare engine for $1000 and drop it in. You've got all accessories.

Then you can also go Chev LS1 path. It also has it's advantages, well 1 main advantage, it's got cubes.

With Harrison you can also bolt in a Skyline independent LSD GTR rear-end(or Ford 9" etc), bolt on some of the killer Skyline brakes. This is what we did and you have a Cobra good enough to win at the nationals for a really cheap price. We proved that last year. And our normally aspirated Lexus Harrison does 12.4 1/4 mile on street rubber. Don't need big dollars anymore to have performance.

Or you can go Classic Revival and use a nice Ford XR8 rear end...LS1...yum.

Or you can go DRB and choose from old trusty chassis or new jag chassis...more DRB's around than anything else. Sounds like they will even be going to Japan...cool.

Or you can ... sorry just too many options to list.

[Stu351]

Hmmm, bearing in mind, this is a budget-concious entry level Cobra for my first one (I can spend more later when I have more coin), I am swaying towards a DRB or similar with the Torana/Holden based suspension.
The 4.0L Lexus is a beauty because in WA we are allowed to install forced induction on vehicles up to 4.0L! (Convenient!) But obviously will require firming up with engineer too as I think it can't be more than 30% increase in orig' HP, vehicle weight is considered etc, etc. But, still worth researching.
Yep, definately would do the front cut option, too hard doing it the other way.
As you said, plenty of options. And when I advertise and sell my bike, that will open up a lot more options. It's time to bite the bullet, un-lock some ca$h and pursue my dream now!
P.S - 400TT, Your Harrisson sounds great!, but much more expensive than the DRB option right? Currently thinking with a budget to about $35K, it may be wise to get a licensed street version to get me 'on the road', and get one with all the fruit later.

[400TT]

Easy to pass the dyno test for turbo/supercharger upgrade. Just dial in less boost for compliance and then up it goes afterward. Who can ever tell how much boost you are running. (yeah, I know, look at boost guage ) Yeah, it's also very easy in QLD to get 4lt engine approved with force induction in a Cobra. Anything larger and it gets a lot, lot harder.

Yeah, a DRB would be cheaper as it runs Torana front arms/cross member and you could initially fit a Torana diff or find a shortened Ford 9" out of a Torana. Seen DRBs with Lexus engines, a guy with a DRB even used the electric tilt/adjustable steering column out of his Soarer front cut. It was cool to see it move up out of the way when engine was turned off.

Harrison would be more expensive as it uses custom front A arms and require more expensive rear end. Classic Revival as by the looks of it, a more expensive rear end again.

With these kits you do get more for extra money. Some would say a lot more.

DRB is also made to accomodate Ford modular(DOHC quad valve) 4.6lt engine.

All kits fit 302 Windsor.

Body/Chassis units are all roughly the same price.

[Stu351]

Thanks 400TT!
Just a quick update, currently pursuing a 302W/Top-Loader/9" in Qld! If it checks out, no need to build my own!
Also been speaking with a friend of a friend in the licensing Dept.(which helps!).

I'll keep you posted anyway guys!

Thanks again!

[Rebel1]

Stu351...good luck with it mate.

By the way...you mentioned you're a crotch rocket type....thats exactly how a cobra feels to the driver...like a bike but with 4 wheels.

Cheers

[Stu351]

Yeh,
Had a crotch rocket (GSX-R1100 for chrissakes!) but then toned myself down (?) with a 1700cc 'Power' Cruiser. It accellerates faster than a sportsbike becasue of it's massive torque, but [fortunately] doesn't have the top speed of a sportsbike. (Does a 1/4 mile in 12.7, but with a 60ft time that should have me in the 10's!) Plus, it looks tough too. But maybe it will be just a memory too soon!

[400TT]

Sounds good Stu351.

Another bit of wisdom.

If it's approved & registered in QLD, it can be registered in any state. NSW is the only state that I know that needs a re-engineer. Amazing thing is you can get a Cobra reg'd in QLD, that you could never get reg'd in NSW. Then just get it re-engineered & reg'd in NSW, no modifications to car will be necessary. And if you pick an engineer in a place where there is no pit, no pit inspection required. Just one of the loop holes.

Let us know if you need someone to inspect it for you. Plenty of knowledgeable Cobra types in QLD. Well at least we think we are.

[Stu351]

If I was to buy one from a different state to WA, I'd request (and probably pay for) a RWC to be conducted and supplied on the car prior to purchase. That way I'm safe to bring it to WA whereby I can take it to a pit, give them the paperwork as well as the build documents from the seller, and minimise any drama's.

[boxhead]

I dont think 1 state will recognise and accept a road worthy certificate from another state for registration purposes.
I could be wrong there though so check it out.

[400TT]

I think the important part will be to show/prove registration history. Even better if interstate registration was current.

I agree with Boxhead, I expect the roadworthy will be useless.

I don't expect you will have any problems with registering an old car. It's the new ones that are a pain in the backside.

I know in QLD you can unregister an ICV(individually constructed vehicle) and just need roadworthy to re-register it again in QLD. But I wouldn't want to test that out.

Anyway, a quick call to rego authorities will get a quick answer to what the requirements are. Remember to mention it is an ICV.

[Tony Cram]

Stu351,

When I bought from WA and brought the car over here to VIC all I needed was a RWC from a mechanic (Boxhead & 400TT are right about state by state RWC's. I am sure that a RWC is not recognised in another state unless you keep the rego in the state of purchase. ) and proof of registration in WA (ie a photocopy of rego papers). The process took less than 15 mins at the rego office to get some new plates and transfer paid. No inspection needed with RWC.

My two bit worth.

TC

[Stu351]

I had actually spoken with a 'service representative' from WA licensing who said 'oh, yes, bring that RWC certificate, and any old rego papers and I'm sure there won't be a problem!'.

You see, to me, that is a problem, becasue I am talking to somebody that had very little idea what they were talking about. How can I take their verbal recommendation that "they are sure there would be no problem" when in actual fact, there probably will be! (Given past experiences) So I spoke to 2 different people within licensing while JUST TRYING to talk to somebody who KNEW how to answer my queries (it took 2 people just to get to the technical services switchboard, who was not available! AAAARGGH!!). Each of them asking me to be specific with my query, just in case they could answer for me, and after explaining my query in great depth, the nice young man says, oh yes, sorry, I WILL have to put you through to technical services, because I can't answer that query.

A day in the life of a modified car enthusiast!

Fortunately I did get to speak to a pit inspector - but it's who you know that helped me get to him! (ie: not through the Licensing phone system).

Engineer certificates and proof of rego is fine. If there is an RWC from the state it was licensed in it is slightly helpful, but not officially recognised. So you guys were right. Thanks!

[400TT]

Sounds good.

Let us know how you get on.