I am finally able to afford a Cobra Replica - Please help me decide on one

[paulbarrick]

I recently purchased a Backdraft Cobra, it has plenty of leg room, the carpet work is excellent, the independent real suspension is great, car rides very nicely...look at the Prism Red Backdraft at Greater Cincinnati Performance cars...polished Roush 427R, that's what I have and believe me it is all the car you will want...this advertisement from an old drag racer....remember nobody ever got sick from smokin their tires.....

[1985 CCX]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Shelb...QQcmdZViewItem

Shelby Cobra 427SC, CSX4789. Guardsman Blue with Wimbledon White stripes, fiberglass body, black leather interior. Final assembly completed by long time authorized Shelby dealer, All Pro Cars in Muncy, PA. Under the hood: All Pro Cars built Ford 428FE equipped with Wiseco pistons, Eagle H beam rods, hydraulic camshaft with Crane flat tappet lifters, Edelbrock Performer RPM aluminum heads, Dove rocker assembly with end stands, Blue Thunder Medium Riser 4V intake, Holley 4150HP 750 CFM double pumper carburetor, Stelling and Hellings air cleaner, Mallory Unilite distributor, March black powdercoated aluminum pulleys, Edelbrock aluminum water pump, Powermaster XSTorque starter, Aviaid oil pan, ARP hardware used extensively throughout. Drivetrain: Centerforce flywheel, clutch and pressure plate, Lakewood bellhousing-black powdercoated, David Kee built 4 speed wide ratio Toploader, Hurst Competion Plus shifter, 3.54:1 Shelby Salisbury aluminum differential with Dana 44 gears. Rolling Stock: Trigo, original style 15" pin drive wheels with stainless steel knock-offs, new Yokohama Avid ST tires (far superior to stock Goodyear Eagle GTII) 295/50/15 rear, 245/60/15 front. Also included in sale is a brand new set of Goodyear Billboards. Cockpit: Genuine Moto Lita 15" hardwood steering wheel, Shelby signature gauges, Simpson 4-pt. racing harness, HalGuard fire extinguisher, Optima batteries mounted behind passenger seat, Cobra logo embroidered floor mats. Other Details/Options: Shelby 4 wheel independent suspension, 23 gallon fuel cell, Shelby inscribed Baer racing brakes, Black powdercoated rollbar, black ceramic coated headers and sidepipes, Lucas PL700 tripod headlights, windshield mounted Raydyot side mirrors, heater/defroster, tonneau cover, 3M paint protection film on front of rear fenders, car cover.

This car was set up primarily for street use and is quite happy being driven at lower RPM's, however it must make no excuses for its performance. It is extremely fast, sounds incredible and is an absolute joy to drive. It has been stored in a climate controlled garage, meticulously maintained with no known mechanical problems and no leaks. Never raced or abused . No accidents or bodywork. Sold as is.

CSX4000 for $69k

[RMHINC]

Scrivy, I don't know what these guys are talking about ?kool aid ??? Read and research as most have said & do your home work & enjoy the process. I'm more of a what kind of wax do I need guy so I was between a SPF and Backdraft.I drove both cars & I felt the BDR rode and handel better. Yeah I know it's 2" longer than the 90" original wheelbase and that's why it rides better and doesn't have the bump steer issues .Not to mention it's built in a state of the art factory and runs on the BMW 3 series platform .Um ,you guys do know these Cobra's are replica's right ?Also a big thing for me was the dealer (Vintage-motorsports) is less than an hour away from my house. There are lots of good Cobra's and it's a buyers market so have fun! By the way Todd your FFR is awesome and Rich with the black ERA it's perfect . Can't wait till the next fall foliage run with you guys .

[RMHINC]

Oh yeah make sure it fits in your garage !

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by Scrivy

Bill,
I am looking for (as far as suspension/powertrain/engine):

(in this order)

1st - good handling, back roads
2nd - nice highway cruising
3rd - speed / acceleration

Scrivy

1: Could go 3 link or IRS in that case, 3 link is less expensive and easier to set up for neutral handling.
2: Standard coil overs front and rear should keep things smooth for the highway and twisties.
3: How much speed and acceleration is something you have to ask yourself, but as little as 200hp in a 1,900lb short wheelbase car is enough to have sub 5 second 0-60 times and 14-15 second quarter mile times or less. It could also get you or someone you love and care about killed. Not trying to say it will happen, but we've seen what can happen with those who think "I know what I'm doing and I can handle it". Some are still with us, some are not. Bottom line (as I get on my soap box), don't let yourself get cocky about it, treat it with respect or it can kill you.

As for kits, I've owned big block ERA, FFR(sb supercharged, BB, naturally aspirated, and fuel injected, 4 link, IRS, and 3 link suspensions), SB SPF, and BB Contemporary, while I keep gravitating back to FFR's, I would not hesitate to own any of the ones I've owned in the past as they all have their pluses and minuses to them...It all falls back to what you plan to do with them...Road racing I stick with a SB, sheer looks, a BB, best and closest to original, Contemporary hands down, followed by ERA, SPF, then FFR. Bang for your buck and the chance to change things (upgrade, downgrade, etc) whenever I want, FFR. Again this is just my personal choices.....It's your money you are asking people to spend, eventually you'll need to make a decision based on your own wants and needs.

Again hope you find this helpful.


Bill S.

[RMHINC]

Make/Model: Backdraft Roadster from Vintage Motorsports
Manufacturers Web Site: http://www.vintagemotorsports.com
Year/Miles: 2008/400
Built by/Time to build: Factory
Engine: Roush 402SR with Twist Wedge Cam / 489HP
Pros: everything & I like it !
Cons: Picking the color from so many choices. Putting up with purists and their version of a replica. Cold winters and rainy days.
Comments: This is my 2nd BDR Cobra (sold my 1st one) The guys @ Vintage are great from the purchase through the install. They are always fair & honest which are rare qualities to find in the car business !

BDR GT 40 Roush 342 SR
BDR Cobra Roush 402 SR
65 Vette Coupe 327/350
05 SL 55 AMG
67 GT 500 R Roush 427

[Jamo]

Originally Posted by TButtrick

Here's mine for starters....

Make/Model: Factory Five/Mark I Roadster
Year/miles: 2001/62,220
Built by: self
Engine: FMS392W/920HP
Pros: This is by far the best ever Cobra replica ever built. All other kit owners are envious pigs and will forever be my b1tches.
Cons: nothing at all wrong with my ride.
Comments: see "Pros"

This is going down as one of my favorite posts of 2008.

[PDUB]

Originally Posted by TButtrick

Here's mine for starters....

Make/Model: Factory Five/Mark I Roadster
Year/miles: 2001/62,220
Built by: self
Engine: FMS392W/920HP
Pros: This is by far the best ever Cobra replica ever built. All other kit owners are envious pigs and will forever be my b1tches.
Cons: nothing at all wrong with my ride.
Comments: see "Pros"

I think this is a great idea!!!

Well done on your initial post (here). Good objectivity on the pros/cons. Great photos, too.

While FFR is not my personal choice, you have a very nicely done car!

I hope we get lots of posts in this new thread (here) that are equally objective.

It should be sticky, and probably should not have comments about the posts. The moderators could take care of that, maybe????

Again, great idea!

[Goober]

Jamo, I especially like the FMS392W/920HP motor. Must be a screamer!!

[jagxjr5012]

Originally Posted by TButtrick

Here's mine for starters....

Make/Model: Factory Five/Mark I Roadster
Year/miles: 2001/62,220
Built by: self
Engine: FMS392W/920HP
Pros: This is by far the best ever Cobra replica ever built. All other kit owners are envious pigs and will forever be my b1tches.
Cons: nothing at all wrong with my ride.
Comments: see "Pros"

With 920 horsepower I am wondering if it has more than 8 cylinders

[Jamo]

PDUB...if it continues to have legs, we'll consider it.

[TButtrick]

Originally Posted by Goober

Jamo, I especially like the FMS392W/920HP motor. Must be a screamer!!

I'm running one of the Tornado turbo swirly things in my intake plus some serious porting on my iron heads. For $29.99, you too can realize your wettest dreams.

[Scrivy]

Thanks everyone for all the info

Scrivy

[PDUB]

Originally Posted by Jamo

PDUB...if it continues to have legs, we'll consider it.

Thanks Jamo,

Is it possible to set this up as a template? That could be filled in on posting, and would eliminate the general comments issue in the thread and keep it clean. Maybe even set it up so that it parses by manufacturer, or at least categorizes by manufacturer.

Also, I wonder where it should reside on this site to be of the greatest value to the newbies... but that is for you moderator types to decide!

Thanks for hearing our ideas.

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

Then it would be no fun.