Cobras and reliability

[klayfish]

Go to www.carsatcarlisle.com and you'll find all the info on the Carlisle show. It's a definite must see.

Our local club is also putting on our own show on June 4th if you'd like to join us. It'll be in Washingtons' Crossing, Pa. You can meet local owners and see our cars. Let me know if you'd like more info.

Steve

[DonC]

My ERA was delivered to me in Denver on a Monday. On Wednesday I left for Portland and arrived that Friday. The car had 40 miles on it when I received it and 1393 when I arrived in Portland. Not so much as a hiccup in the three days and travelling a highway speeds for all but the briefest periods.
4300 miles now after a pretty wet winter and looking forward to a bunch more. I try to avoid driving during active rain simply because it takes so long to clean everything up afterwards.
All I've done is oil changes and a couple of changes that I wanted not that were needed for the car to run.
Reliability is not a concern for me.
DonC

[dave from mesa]

Guys this is great to hear. We plan on taking some trips to Nevada and Kalifornia. good to know that we (probably) won't have any problems.
thanks

[BMK]

DrC



Well I have completed a year of on the road without any real problems. And importantly I have done trips up to 2000 k's (1600 miles)

A few stone chips on back roads behind trucks and a cracked windsreen being the only real problem.

I have done just on 37,800k's (about 21,000 miles) in a year.

I know "posts" above have covered some of my suggestions already:

# Build the engine for what you plan to do - road or track. There's no value having a big carby, cam and inlet manifold for down low driving around streets. May sound great but..

# Make sure you engine can use pump gas - compression etc.

# Have side pipes that bark, but make sure they are not noisy in the 2500 to 3200rpm range on the freeway or country roads.
Again sounds great but...

# Have a second set of pipes or removable baffles if you must.
I have gone from 105dBA down to 98dBA and I'm having another set built at 95 dBA... getting old

# Build the interior similiarly. That is, have you seats down as low as possible. Pad the seats for comfort both under and behind your back.

# Consider a footwell under the pedals as this allows more comfort. Cut the floor and lower it now. (see my gallery).

# Keep roll bar extensions out of the cabin area.

# Coil over shockers are also important. Having adjustable shockers will allow you to play around a bit from track to road. You can have a car that rides like a Go Kart and then adjust for softer road use.

# Tire pressures also can make a big diffrerence. Invest in a good quality tyre gauge so that you can experiment when off track.

# Now is the time to consider an auto. This may give you better footwell room and comfort. This is personal choice though. You can get shifters that look genuine for autos.

# Have a fold up roof and a cover to leave your Cobra for short periods. Both will save you and the interior getting wet.

I spent more time making myself comfortable in the early build days than worrying about the engine etc. I left that part to someone else.

My gallery has a few photos.

If you plan on running an aluminium/aluminum interior have a cover for hot sumer days. I have one that just clips on over the tunnel and mats for the footwells - it keeps interior temperatures down.

Have fun with your build there..

Have fun driving it..

Bernie

[ALLEN ENGLISH]

Can you say GumBall Ralley? No...Really! I want to drive from the west coast to the east coast one of these days. I wouldn't be afraid to drive my cobra accross the country. They can be reliable as the others have said. Just don't go to radical on the performace engine and you will enjoy life with a cobra. Seats are important also when it comes to long distances.

[BMK]

ALLAN ENGLISH

In a few weeks I'll be leaving Phoenix Az. to head across country and back. We are heading to London Ohio for the event there and driving back.

Then its up to Fontana Cal. and back.

I think I will soon find out how good the roads are and how comfortable driving and riding in a GT40 is.

I have been spoilt on other trips to the 'Run N Gun' etc. being driven and hauling/towing cars, but this time we drive there and back.

We were prossibly 'Posting" at the same time. I agreee the seating position and comfort is very, very important.

I have lumbar padding mid and lower back also. Lower seats have high and low density foam and a big lip under my legs which really supports.

I sit down so low in my Cobra, I lift me head when going into the corners to see the guard leading edge. Usually hit the track edge, that lets me know when I'm in close..

I blame that for all the 360's..

Cheers

Bernie