New Cobra debut at Run n Gun

john chesnut · #1 (**permalink**) 10-13-2008, 10:48 AM

I wanted to thank Clois, Dean, Ray, and all of the volunteers that put on Run n Gun. The amount of work that you put into this event was incredible. Thank you for providing a venue that all of us crazy car nuts can get together at and run the heck out of our cars. I love all of the cars and look forward to mingling with the builders and drivers.
I have been working HARD since June building my new scratch built C5 Vette based Cobra. I know that I am technically a manufacturer but with the help of friends I build everything from scratch in my home, 7 bay, garage.
I took the car to run and gun despite not having it running. For 2 days my buddies and I worked on wiring it up, hooking up the fuel system, steering, seats, seat belts and mounting the body. The Cobra was literally painted the night before we left.
I got out on the track on Friday and was amazed at how the car ran. Despite pretty hard tires, (280 rating) I was able to post the fast time on the road course for all small block and big block cars running on street tires. Pretty satisfying.
I look forward to next year and am planning to build a new car to run in the Pro class. Take care all, John

Cobra Kahn · #2 (**permalink**) 10-13-2008, 10:55 AM

John,

I was wondering what engine you are running. On your web site it looks like a Vette engine. Did you change the engine out before the event?

Mike

john chesnut · #3 (**permalink**) 10-13-2008, 11:10 AM

I ran the stock LS6 engine from the Vette. For those that are interested, I built a steel space frame with a fully trused trans tunnel that ran from the rear suspension to front suspension clip. The Vette uses a rear mounted transmission that can not be used in the Cobra because of its width. I designed a conversion for the Vette diff that allows the use of driveshaft. The Vette diff bolts directly into the back of the trans tunnel so it becomes essentially a large torque arm.
My frame has 5 inches of ground clearance but the floor compared to a standard Cobra is dropped 3 inches. My headers go up an over the footboxes which allows the engine to be farther back and allows for extremely long and wide footboxes. The perimeter frame rails come to a Vee in the front. This gets skinned with aluminum and forces all of the air out of the radiator out the sides of the car. This eliminates the heat build up and lift common in these cars.
The car weighs 2247lbs with fuel with a 53.9% rear weight distribution, with out driver.
I use the C5 diff, brakes, front and rear control arms, sway bars, 18 inch wheels and tires. New rear axles are about 2 inches narrower, and a new steering rack was made so that the front and rear tracks could be narrowed to fit the Cobra. The wheel base is 90 inches and with the exception of double stacking the side vents the body is accurate and stock. My goal was to build a modern super car with the accurate and gorgeous Cobra look.
I had fun building it, now I am going to run it every day I can all over the mountains in New England! John

Clois Harlan · #4 (**permalink**) 10-13-2008, 12:39 PM

For any if you that didn't have time to check out Johns Cobra I want to tell you he has incorporated some great ideas. Furthermore, the car has tons of room for virtually anyone that wants a cobra. John Chestnut's new Cobra will perform like as striped _ss Ape make you comfortable while doing it. John knows his stuff and has been caught in a technical delima since he is considered a manufacturer. John actually had the fastest times for all small block pros but he had to compete in the Manufacturers SB Class. You will never guess the color of the new Cobra...it is beautiful!

Good Luck Dragon Motor Sports,

Clois

maxum_101 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-13-2008, 01:50 PM

well come on now..... lets see some pics of this machine

john chesnut · #6 (**permalink**) 10-13-2008, 03:13 PM

I hopefully will get pictures up tomorrow. I need to grab my son and have him show me how to put full sized pictures on the thread. Can build a car, can't figure out this computer!!
Now that the car is almost done I will buy advertising on this forum and put all of the info on my web site.

FUNFER2 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-13-2008, 04:12 PM

I also was seeking for some pics and see we'll have to wait.
What is your site ?

WildBill3 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-13-2008, 06:43 PM

John it was great pitting next to you,you and your team did an amazing job biulding the car within feet of us, your truely a craftsman and I was privleged to watch your work of art come together thanks for being ther for all of us gearheads to see..WB3

SSSammy · #9 (**permalink**) 10-13-2008, 07:34 PM

John, it was amazing seeing you show up with such a collection of parts and end up with a competitive car in two days! Now you are part of the legend of Run N Gun

Good to meet you .. hope you sell a bunch of them .. the chassis is a real interesting engineering piece!

Sam

BT SNAKE · #10 (**permalink**) 10-13-2008, 09:24 PM

John,
A Great car with great engineering. If someone wants a car
that handles on the track better than most and goes on the street too, then they will have to consider yours.

Good job !

Hersh

Hoofa · #11 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008, 08:52 AM

Cool chassis, When will they be available? I'm in Mass. I'm going up to climb Mt. Washington in the next couple weeks. Could I check it out?

john chesnut · #12 (**permalink**) 10-14-2008, 12:48 PM

Hoofa, you can stop by anytime! Just let me know when you'll be coming through. I can be reached at www.jmcbigbelly@yahoo.com or at 603-504-4106. Also, I started a new thread with a few pics of the car. It is Chesnut C5 Cobra pics. John