Backdraft..thoughts about these options

timhorr · #1 (**permalink**) 06-01-2006, 01:46 PM

oil cooler...a must have?? i'll be in texas so i'm thinking it might be...any thoughts...moto-lita wheel..what the hell is it??...short shift?? is it better looking then the base shifter (as long as a crowbar)....3m protection...sounds well worth it..but does it "dullen" the appearance (especially with the dark color cars..i'm think black or indigo blue).........You backdraft people sure are proud of your cars!!!...every used one i've looked at wants a premium to a new car...didnt know Kits hold there value so well..thx for any insite

Wammy · #2 (**permalink**) 06-01-2006, 02:00 PM

You forgot the leaky rear end option.

timhorr · #3 (**permalink**) 06-01-2006, 02:21 PM

i'll get a box of diapers...is this a common problem (and easily fixed??)

Snakester · #4 (**permalink**) 06-01-2006, 02:22 PM

timhorr, I installed an oil cooler and a filter relocator at the same time , I used a Fram Racing Filter @25% larger than stock. Now w/ a larger filter, 10' of hose and the cooler I now put 8 qts. of oil instead of 6. My engine temp. has drop @ 20 degrees.....All the parts cost@350.00.
There is nothing as ugly as the stock shifter. I bought a Hurst shifter handle from SUMMIT...cut it and bent it foward and welded the cut . It turned out great....I have sold 4 to other Cobra owners .
My Car is Black w/ no stripes...I looked at the 3M protection...I just can't do it yet!
Snakester BDR261
Did you say "KIT"?

mgiannetto · #5 (**permalink**) 06-01-2006, 04:56 PM

Tim,

I have a black Backdraft (#327). I had the oil cooler installed (I think it is a good idea and cheap insurance), ray dot mirrors, remote oil filter, 17 inch rims with Goodyear Eagle F1 high performance tires, and passenger seat slider.

I "wish" I had done the 3M film protection on the rear fenders (lower section). I would highly recommend doing that (unless you like paint smattered with rock chips). I am still trying to find someone competent to put that on (I believe they have a very competent guy in Florida who can do it when your car arrives).

You can check pictures of my car in photo gallery - black with silver stripe.

Hope that helps,

Mike

thunder1 · #6 (**permalink**) 06-01-2006, 05:00 PM

I have backdraft #84 ,Your right I am proud of it I work hard to pay for it.
I never had a problem with a rearend leak and the problems which were very minor was handle by reg, in a very timely manner. We all make are cars are own with mods and improvements which i enjoy almost as much as driving it, so no matter what you drive make it your own.
ED

trs900 · #7 (**permalink**) 06-01-2006, 05:01 PM

If you really want to be proud of the price you pay buy a SPF a little more but you get a top, etc.. but still no A/C which would be handy in Texas. Either would make you proud and neither are considered kits, as far as leaky rear end.. it is a built in aid for burn outs, mine does not have that option, I hear it comes in very handy at the drag strip no water needed.

trs900 · #8 (**permalink**) 06-01-2006, 05:11 PM

About the oil cooler, I don't have one and my temp doesn't go over 80c ever here in southern Florida where it gets pretty hot at times.

ROUSHAC · #9 (**permalink**) 06-01-2006, 08:05 PM

Tim,

My car BDR#228 doesn't have the leaky rear end option either. It ran great on the day I picked it up, and at 1,000 miles, it is still running great.

When I took delivery, I had my local mechanic go over it from end to end checking EVERY nut and bolt that he could get at, and he found them ALL to be tight. He said he had never seen that before on even new cars - domestic or foreign - something was always loose. The guys at Vintage Motorsports and Backdraft did a tremendous job.

The oil cooler is an option that is mostly for "looks" unless you have a REALLY "HOT" performing engine. Mine is a Roush 342R with 450 HP. It is not a "mild" engine by any means. Remember, too cold oil can be as bad as to hot oil for a car's engine. You can always install an oil cooler later, if you feel you need one.

I have a tonneau cover, raydot mirrors on the windscreen (not the fenders - next to impossible to see anything with the fender mounts because of the rear fender flares being in the mirrors line of sight), the 3M rear fender protection, a soft top (if you get a LOT of rain where you are or if you get AC - AC is next to useless without a top to contain the cold air), remote oil filter (convenient when changing oil), 17" rims to get "good" sticky tires like Nittos or Goodyears (15" rims will give you more of the "original" look, but less tire choices), and a great company to deal with at all locations.

Regarding the shifter, if you dont like the length of the shifter, cut it off and rethread the end. Wrong angle for you, bend it. Don't like the knob change it.

By the way, did you ever notice how much time the SPF guys spend on other forums bashing like "Wammy". It kind of makes you wonder if they are compensating for spending all that extra money for a SPF, and not having any more fun than the rest of us.

Cheers!
Dave

timhorr · #10 (**permalink**) 06-01-2006, 09:28 PM

i actually drove a SPF but never felt "comfortable"..since i'm 6'4..the top of the windshield was in my line of sight and i found the drivers seat a little tight(i know these minor issues can be taken care of)..and we can argu performance, fit, finish, etc until we're blue in the face..and resale value, isnt a major issue, ive been watching (and Bidding) the BDR the last 6 month, resale prices are fine. i'm buying a cobra to "enjoy'' the ride..i think of some of these arguments are like agruing women..some guys like blondes some like brunetts..your not going to tell someone otherwise..but everyone, this info is a lot of help...on to another Q, with a stroked 392, should i order a diff rearend?>..i;ve read the 3.73 is nice with the motor..anyone buy a roller and have a local mech install motor/trany..i have a local guy who i have been working with for yrs...any +/- with this idea...thx again everyone

trs900 · #11 (**permalink**) 06-02-2006, 06:00 AM

timhorr I have the 392 stroker with standard 3:10 gears - non posi - 1st gear tremmec 3550 is used up real quick while spinning rear 315/45/17 drag radials if I shift to 2nd at around 3000 rpm and nail it tires spin again. I think I got a good Ford racing 392 as it has never given me any problems. With these gears I always seem to be in the power band and cruising on highway is not a chore, if you go to a 3:73 I think 1st gear might be worthless ??

Cashburn · #12 (**permalink**) 06-02-2006, 08:58 AM

Mike,
We have a great 3M guy now. Give us a call, you could drive up on a nice day or we can get him to recommend someone near you, he has contacts all over.

Dave,
Got your email, glad you are enjoying #228, someone should!

Cashburn · #13 (**permalink**) 06-02-2006, 10:45 AM

Tim,
We can drop ship you a car if you want, no difference in price from us or other if you are doing the motor

Though I have the only Interlagos Blue in existance. This is a deep midnight with white stripes (looks nearly black in lowlight).

As for the steering wheel you may want to stick with the stock wheel due to your height. It is under 14" diameter, the smaller moto-lita is 14" so it cuts down on knee/thigh room.

I am big on the 17" knock-offs and 3M on the rear fenders. Give me a call, we can work something up and handle any questions you have.

EDIT: Nice talking with you.

Gatorac · #14 (**permalink**) 06-02-2006, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timhorr

oil cooler...a must have?? I'll be in Texas so I'm thinking it might be...any thoughts...moto-lita wheel..what the hell is it??...short shift?? is it better looking then the base shifter (as long as a crowbar)....3m protection...sounds well worth it..but does it "dullen" the appearance (especially with the dark color cars..i'm think black or indigo blue).........You backdraft people sure are proud of your cars!!!...every used one I've looked at wants a premium to a new car...didnt know Kits hold there value so well..thx for any insite

You shouldn't need an oil cooler unless you plan to put the car on a race track.

Mota-Lita wheel is a brand name of wood wheel used on the originals. The stock BDR wheel is, IMHO, fugly. It just depends on what you like. Some like the feel of a leather wheel. Others like the originality of a wood wheel. The BDR wheels is a cross between the two, a fat wood wheel.

The shifter is no big deal. It's easily customized to fit you.

Get the 3M stuff. Everyone that doesn't get it wishes they did after they drive the car for 4k miles or so. Everyone who has it is glad they got it. Once you have the car you'll want to drive the piss out of it. It sucks worrying about chips, bugs and dirt.

I don't know how well they hold their value since I have no intention of selling mine....

ROUSHAC · #15 (**permalink**) 06-02-2006, 04:26 PM

Tim,

I agree with "Gatorac" that the stock BDR steering wheel is FUGLY, but I also agree with "Cashburn" that at your size and mine (I'm 6'5"), it makes it a lot easier to get in and out due to its 14" size rather than the Motolita's 15".

Remember, life is a compromise. Fix one thing, and that usually causes something else to go wrong that you never even thought about. But sometimes you get lucky.

Good luck in your search!

Cheers!
Dave

Mark Brye · #16 (**permalink**) 06-02-2006, 06:21 PM

Timhorr,

I would get the 3m protectant. I never got the oil cooler as an option but wished that I had it now. They look so cool.... There is a picture in my gallery that I just put up that has a pic of the rear of the car infront of the rear tire. It has the 3M film on it. Check it out and you can see that it is hardly noticeable. My car is Titanium colored though and not dark.

madmaxx · #17 (**permalink**) 06-03-2006, 06:27 AM

Beautiful Car Mark!!!! Great color combination. How do you like the 17" wheels. Do you get any vibration throught the steering wheel, have you had them balanced yourself? Mine had 15" and when I had the road force balanced one was out 58 lbs. Got it down to 18? and eliminated 95% but with the 17" tires I would expect a better tire. In other words when you are driving down the freeway does your steering wheel vibrate?

Thanks

Mark Brye · #18 (**permalink**) 06-03-2006, 10:03 AM

Madmax,

Actually, I just had the tires balanced yesterday. I had a little bit of shake at around 60. I took the rears in first. One was off by 3 ounces and the other 2. I took the fronts in also and did not ask how much they had been off. I am planning to drive the car later today and will let you know if the vibration is gone.

Mark

Mark Brye · #19 (**permalink**) 06-03-2006, 10:05 AM

Oh, I distroyed a lead hammer getting the spinners off in the process!

madmaxx · #20 (**permalink**) 06-04-2006, 03:01 PM

Hopefully you had the road force balance. Just about everyone has one, discount tire I know does. The problem is, it is only as good as the operator and the kids working their may not be as passoniate about getting the perfect job done. Surf the web for hunter road force balance, the machine loads the tire and detects sidewall non-conformity. It is used to locate the tire on the rim. Once the tire is located in the optimuim position than a traditionaly dynamic balance takes place. Guess what the better the tire the less the discountinties. Let me know how your balance turnes out