Backdraft Cobra # 91 history request - Page 2

thunder1 · #21 (**permalink**) 06-30-2015, 04:51 PM

Pros and cons
I have #84 and am still in love with this car! yes I have had things to work out but noting you want have to do on a new build, I pick my car up at custom cars in fla and they always were there to help that's a big plus.
Pros... paint job, fiberglass, fit and finish, and it can handle better than a lot of other cobras I have driven. I own my own boat building business and custom mold shop and I can tell you there glass work is some of the best I have seen. I have had mine for almost 10 years and it still turns heads.
Cons... can't think of any
ED

Slick61 · #22 (**permalink**) 06-30-2015, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocky506

i im looking at a backdraft. can you tell me the pros and cons of such a car. maintence etc. thanks

Pros:
-factory assembled, so quality is a fairly well-known commodity
-roomier cockpit
-BMW E36 suspension, so parts are relatively easily sourced
-if it's a small block, you'll have plenty of room to work on the engine

Cons:
-check the header to sidepipe connection... some used a slip-fit with springs/clips, some used bolted flanges
-early SN's had seat belt bolted to roll bar. Later SN's were ran through the back of the cockpit & bolted to the chassis
-early SN's used a gas strut to hold the hood open... later SN's used a prop rod

nothing majorly deficient to the early SN's... just different... personal preference... GOOD LUCK in the hunt!

rocky506 · #23 (**permalink**) 07-04-2015, 03:52 PM

Thanks to you all.

Winchester67 · #24 (**permalink**) 07-06-2015, 12:46 PM

So can anyone shed some light on how I can tell if the suspension has been beefed up with the gussets? Is it a body off job to have them welded in if it has not been done already? Thanks for all your help...

GLS-BDR226 · #25 (**permalink**) 07-06-2015, 06:53 PM

I thought I had some pics but I can't find them now. I had a local shop powder coat and weld the gussets on since I haven't welded since I left the farm.

It's been several years ago but as I recall they had to unbolt the trailing arms from the front brackets then weld on the gussets and then reinstall the trailing arms. The gussets are just some added steel and angle iron to reinforce the current mounting brackets. This supposedly affect pre-#200 build cars but mine needed them. It could be a big safety issue especially if you are running much HP which could stress the brackets and crack or break them.

You could take a picture of the brackets and send to Cashburn (a very helpful BDR dealer that posts to this forum) and see if it looks like it has already been added. You could also contact BDR in FL to see if they still have the gussets available. It shouldn't be too much $ to install. I probably paid $100-150, just don't recall for sure.

I don't have the car here, I keep it in storage. If I get it out this weekend I'll take some pics and post. Good luck.

Winchester67 · #26 (**permalink**) 07-07-2015, 06:35 AM

That would be great! This is good news indeed...I had no idea about the scope of the job, so I was of course thinking the worst. This sounds like it is no big deal at all...which gets me closer to a "yes" on the car! I did email Reg at Backdraft and he explained the parts were available and he was helpful, but didn't clue me in to the man hours involved. I hated to pester him, so I turned back to the forum. Thanks! I knew someone would know. Any pics would be great too.

Winchester67 · #27 (**permalink**) 07-24-2015, 07:28 AM

Yeah, I went ahead and bought it! The owner found the folder with the engine specs, which made me feel better if nothing else. The car as 4,700 miles on it. It has a 302 Ford rated at 345 HP with a Tremac 5 speed. Holley double pumper on an Edelbrock RPM Air Gap Intake. (which sounds like a defect, but the “air gap” raises it a bit to cool the charge.) Heads are Aluminum AFR 185’s Roller Rockers on a Trick Flow cam with .574 lift, which seemed a little aggressive to me on paper but it is streetable. Block .030 over with ARP rod bolts and hypereutectic pistons. In 2003 (a dollar in 2003 had the buying power of a $1.30 today) the guy that commissioned the original car paid $9,668 for the engine/transmission. Runs cool even during the heat wave we have in Missouri right now...driving it reminds me a lot of my old '62 Corvette, pretty raw but tons of fun!

cycleguy55 · #28 (**permalink**) 07-24-2015, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winchester67

Yeah, I went ahead and bought it! The owner found the folder with the engine specs, which made me feel better if nothing else. The car as 4,700 miles on it. It has a 302 Ford rated at 345 HP with a Tremac 5 speed. Holley double pumper on an Edelbrock RPM Air Gap Intake. (which sounds like a defect, but the “air gap” raises it a bit to cool the charge.) Heads are Aluminum AFR 185’s Roller Rockers on a Trick Flow cam with .574 lift, which seemed a little aggressive to me on paper but it is streetable. Block .030 over with ARP rod bolts and hypereutectic pistons. In 2003 (a dollar in 2003 had the buying power of a $1.30 today) the guy that commissioned the original car paid $9,668 for the engine/transmission. Runs cool even during the heat wave we have in Missouri right now...driving it reminds me a lot of my old '62 Corvette, pretty raw but tons of fun!

Photos, we need photos!