Holy $#@#

07cob · #1 (**permalink**) 08-12-2007, 06:56 PM

On Sunday morning, I finally, I have had the pleasure of my first drive in a Cobra. I have had the opportunity to be a passenger in two Cobras previously, but actually driving is a completely different story.

Especially since it was MINE!!

After 594 hours and a whole bunch of dollars, the crunch came over the weekend. Go or No Go!!

On Saturday morning, I finished under the car (attach fuel lines to fuel rail, tidy up O2 sensor wiring and connect throttle cable) and dropped it off the blocks onto the ground. Now to finish under the bonnet – oil Pressure and H2O temp wiring, heater hoses – and plug in the computer and associated relays. By around 7pm, I just had two problems – the oil pressure and H2O gauges were reading off the scale with any power and the ECU was not getting any power. I finally realised that the gauges were connected to the wrong signal wire (idiot!! – took an hour to find this – why not check it first!!) and the ECU problem was a poor earth (how may times have you heard that story).

So by 7.38pm, I had pushed the car out, filled the radiator and was ready to go. Hit the GO button and cough splutter, engine is running. Not exactly smooth yet. Maybe a couple of minutes of idle and it might sort itself out (I have no idea why I thought that, it just seemed like the only option). So within a couple of minutes there was water dripping onto the (not fan) belt and spraying everywhere – clearly just a loose hose clamp. Then there was smoke pouring from the front of the engine. Time to stop now!! Closer inspection revealed a poor earlier decision to leave the heater hose sitting on top of the alternator pulley (again – idiot!). New heater hose (had some spare) and away we go again. The idle did get good enough to run with no throttle so I walked to the back of the car to check out the noise factor. It was reasonable. So much so, I could hear a serious vacuum leak coming from the engine bay. Hoping it wasn’t major, I checked the noisy area, stopped the engine and was about to leave it for Sunday. But a quick check of the area and I found a vacuum hose that I missed. Easily fixed.

Hit the GO button again and, … YIPEEEEE

. A smooth running V8. What a sound!

That was about all I could handle for one day so early Sunday morning, away we go again. Start the car and back it out of the garage. Check the handbrake. Good. Check the brakes. Good. Give it a chance to get some temperature. Good. Now for the fun part. A couple of trips up and down the road. Just quiet ones of course. Don’t want to push my luck.

Reverse out the driveway onto the "test track" – just enough clearance. Reverse down the "test track" – reverse works well! In gear and a quiet pass. Very nice. Maybe a bit more next run. Engine temp coming up nicely. So the next run I used the throttle just a little and, “Holy $#@#”.

Now, my daily drive is a diesel Hilux that produces about 120HP – in a 2000kg vehicle. Lets just say I was impressed. I can’t wait to actually learn how to drive now. The power is incredible. Sure many who read this may think “yeah, whatever” but the first time experiencing this is, well, the first time. And it is fantastic.

I parked the car and more than 24 hours later – I am still abuzz!!

Apologies for the diatribe but, for those who are building, get back to the workshop!!! All the hard work really is worth it. And for those who have an operational vehicle – go drive it now!!!

Regards

Geof

Aussie Mike · #2 (**permalink**) 08-12-2007, 07:08 PM

Great stuff Geof.

I know exactly how you feel and had the same buzz the first time I fired mine up. The first time I drove it up our quiet little street I though "holly crap! What have I built??!!". The first time I drove it at Winton and actually got out of 1st gear it blew my mind again.

I've driven a couple of other Cobras but I don't think anything prepares you for how fast these cars are.

Cheers

sambo · #3 (**permalink**) 08-12-2007, 07:14 PM

What a milestone Geof, well done mate. I'm hoping to tackle the fuel/brake lines on my Harrison this weekend. Do you have any pics of how you routed yours?

stephen low · #4 (**permalink**) 08-12-2007, 07:52 PM

Geof

Well done.

Can relate to the doh factor, as I've done several similar since firing mine up a few weeks ago. I'm still fixing minor weeps oil / water so keep an eye open for these, don't want to have to spend money on a rebuild just yet!!

And ditto the road experience, my short drive up the block yesterday was a real buzz only tainted by the worry of finding a cop car up the street. The noise as you change up around 4K is sweeeeeeeetttttt!!

A mate and my bro both have modern V8 sedans and the only way you could get any pleasant noisy feedback was by opening all windows and sunroof and planting the foot.

Something about the open sports car and a lack of noise abatement materials makes all the difference.

I note your using same engine configuration, what does your exhaust system consist of?

I'm guessing you haven't measured yet for noise level or have you? Did mine at 4000rpm and got about 92dBA. Just a touch of sound reduction needed for engineering!

400TT · #5 (**permalink**) 08-12-2007, 07:58 PM

Congrats Geof.

Holy Crap you've done a heap of work, I only saw it a week ago and there was still a lot of stuff to do to get it running. Well done mate.

Hey, did the camera setup capture still shots of you backing out of the garage etc. Now that would look cool.

07cob · #6 (**permalink**) 08-12-2007, 08:18 PM

Paul

I have a few somewhere and I will take a couple more tonight and get them off to you.

Stephen

The exhaust is just a cat and silencer for each side. I can’t tell you much more detail than that. I haven’t measured noise levels but when I could hear a vacuum leak over the exhaust noise at idle, I thought, “it must be fairly quiet.” I took some video and there’s more road noise than exhaust.

Craig

Yep – set the camera to 10s intervals for the reversing out. Should be able to create a good impression with a little post production work, combining the stills with some video. I’ll be worrying about that after December 31!

Cheers

Geof

stephen low · #7 (**permalink**) 08-12-2007, 08:25 PM

Geof

I've got the same. Used the cats off the std Ford AU system that was attached to my engine and have either 14 or 16" mufflers tucked up at the rear beside the fuel tank.

Am also running crossover but not sure if this helps or hinders noise.

At idle I have a relatively quiet throb but it has a reasonable bark once pushed. Also only ran a 2" system to help keep noise level and back pressures in check.

You might be surprised once you test to required specs. Worth doing in advance so that you can ensure you present a noisy worthy car during engineering.

I'd be keen to know what levels you do end up measuring!

Cheers

Merv and Sharon · #8 (**permalink**) 08-12-2007, 09:08 PM

Fantastic Geof. You must be on holidays! Moving fast there. Soon we will all be doing demo laps of that block! Looking forward to seeing and hearing the real thing.

Congrats,

Merv

07cob · #9 (**permalink**) 08-12-2007, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merv and Sharon

Fantastic Geof. You must be on holidays!

Merv

No holidays, just a couple of late nights. Holidays are next week

Wazza · #10 (**permalink**) 08-12-2007, 11:05 PM

Hi " One F ".....

Huge Congratulations on the acheivement.....

I know exactly what you mean, that feeling you get when you get that first belt of adrenaline from giving the Cobra a boot full.

Don't worry mate, it doesn't go away.

I still make every effort to get out in the Cobra every day, and always give it a pat on the nose when I get home.
We....( The Car and I ) just LOVE that rush WE get from a quick drive somewhere.

Well done, and I"m looking forward to seeing you on a decent run with the other Cobrafiles as soon as we can get it organised.

Regards,

Warren.

macloft · #11 (**permalink**) 08-13-2007, 05:02 AM

Great stuff Geof. Cant wait for the rush myself
Must be a hell of a buzz driving it after all that effort.
Bruce

Greg Haile · #12 (**permalink**) 08-13-2007, 06:39 AM

Two more months for me and it feels like forever - I cant wait

Congrats

Greg

trularin · #13 (**permalink**) 08-13-2007, 06:50 AM

Beats the crap out of Viagra..Don't it?

schipps · #14 (**permalink**) 08-13-2007, 02:56 PM

Geof,

Congrats on the achievement.

Thats what keeps all of us going, the thought of taking it for a lap.
I Can't wait.

Hope the Registration process goes smoothly for you
thanks for the inspiration .

While you are getting photos of brake lines for Sambo, I don't suppose you could snap a couple of the bracket or whatever you have holding in your reversing lights could you??? cheers

Back to the shed for me...

regards

Mick

07cob · #15 (**permalink**) 08-13-2007, 03:19 PM

Paul

I will send you an email with some photos as requested.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wazza

Don't worry mate, it doesn't go away.

That's good to hear El Pres!!! I would like to think evrey drive in one of these machines is just like the first!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by schipps

While you are getting photos of brake lines for Sambo, I don't suppose you could snap a couple of the bracket or whatever you have holding in your reversing lights could you??? cheers

Great to catch up last week Mick.

The "brackets" you speak of are in fact non-existant. Like all the other holes in the body, I cut them to fit and with the amount of paint on the car, I had to redrill most of them (a trap for young players). At the moment these reverse lenses are just jammed in against the paint!! I am planning on using some silicone to attach them more permantly at some stage soon.

Cheers

Geof