Newbie with Backdraft Interest

[Rbmack5]

I'm a new owner of a bdr, the paint is awesome , the only advice I can give is no one is talking about the frame issues in older models, I bought a 2006 with only 4500 miles .after talking to a guy in the mile high cobra club , he informed me of a problem.I inspected my car and sure enough my frame was cracking. Thank god I wasn't going 80 mph and it let go ! Backdraft sent me the metal gussets but I think they should have paid for their inadequate engineering.cost me $1600 to fix .dont get me wrong i love the car ,just glad I happen to talk to that one person. I'm not sure where they fixed the problem just be aware.

[genolan]

What number BDR has the problem of cracking chassis and which part cracked?

[Hrdayz]

Frame cracking? Can anyone elaborate on that.

[Mark Brye]

Originally Posted by Rbmack5

I'm a new owner of a bdr, the paint is awesome , the only advice I can give is no one is talking about the frame issues in older models, I bought a 2006 with only 4500 miles .after talking to a guy in the mile high cobra club , he informed me of a problem.I inspected my car and sure enough my frame was cracking. Thank god I wasn't going 80 mph and it let go ! Backdraft sent me the metal gussets but I think they should have paid for their inadequate engineering.cost me $1600 to fix .dont get me wrong i love the car ,just glad I happen to talk to that one person. I'm not sure where they fixed the problem just be aware.

I think some of the Really early cars had a problem with the "Tab" that the front suspension bolts to. And something like cars older than 300 had an issue with the toe bracket mounting point of the rear trailing arms. I think Cashburn can probably give the car numbers and correct me if I am wrong on this. I think the fix on both was added gussets.

[cbreez]

Well my 2 cents...this week I will be installing my 5th, yes 5th clutch slave cylinder in 8 years...I bleed, I shield...but just great engineering...
BTW, I can do my own work and they are cheap but still a PIA.

[mln385]

Originally Posted by cbreez

Well my 2 cents...this week I will be installing my 5th, yes 5th clutch slave cylinder in 8 years...I bleed, I shield...but just great engineering...
BTW, I can do my own work and they are cheap but still a PIA.

CBreez what do you have for a radiator? I solved my heat issues with a better radiator and sealing the shroud opening. Car runs much better and cooler Than when I first took possession.

[cbreez]

My car runs cool. I have the stock BMW radiator they come with...live with ambient 90 plus in summer...never went over 100 C or 212 F fans came on and all good...even on track.

I am sure that if I rerouted lines and relocated stuff the problem would leave.

[GLS-BDR226]

I have #226, built in 2005. I did have to get the gussets welded to the front mounting point of the rear trailing arms. I had that done over 4 years and at the time it cost around $250 to get a welder to do it. My welding skills aren't too good. I think Mark is correct that this was an issue with pre-300 cars.

I took a pic and Jay confirmed that it needed the gussets. Jay is the go to man on BDR issues.

I'm not aware of any issues with the front suspension so if there is an issue, please let us know. Thanks.

I use Wilwood racing 570 and flush and bleed once a year. I also have the shield. I have gone thru 2 since I've owned the car--5 years. This is in Dallas heat sometimes gets over 108. Although I don't drive it anymore in that kind of heat. The older I get the hotter it feels.

[madmaxx]

API certified pressure vessel welders make $50/hr. Hard to imagine this upgrade would cost more than $100 in welding cost.

[Ace23]

Interesting......but it sounds like an issue on very early cars. I've been leaving the office at 8-9PM every night so I haven't had time to even worry about a cobra lately. I haven't even had the opportunity to pull out my mustang cobra in 4 weeks and just got around to mowing the grass for the first time in almost a month! I tend to lean towards a cobra with no strips so I feel like it will be awhile before my stars aline.

[Cashburn]

Just an update on those builds...

The modified Coyote is about to go to dyno this week. So we can see what can be done with some nice "bolt ons" ... not really But I hope to be driving it soon.

The other 2 SC coyote builds I mistyped, we are not using the low compression Aluminators, we are actually using the 11:1 versions at a lower boost. We have already dialed in these setups on pump gas to 700+HP (600 RWHP) and with E85 for one it opens it up further.

In regards to the gusset discussion, the major concern is on the early early cars. I would put the build number under 200. This goes as well for the Venom/Performance Cars that have the same issue. Cars in this era of build should have the frames scrutinized for fatigue. There's a highly viewed YouTube video that documents the results at 130mph or so.

[SHEPZ]

Hi I am also a newbie to the forum this week & was wondering if anyone can point me towards somebody or a company who has experience in ADR compliance of a Backdraft in NSW Australia? I saw my first in Sydney a few weeks ago & was very impressed. Cheers