about to buy a shellvalley cobra kit

[NEEDACOBRA]

Hello,I am about to buy a shellvalley cobra kit,any one with any info would be greatley appreciated,pm me if needed. Thanks

[Dirty Harry]

I bought one of their cars in 1992. You can buy better cars, but probably not for the money I paid. It was the right car for the right price for me. I'm still enjoying the car. No regrets here.

[Dwight]

Shell Valley has changed owners and the new Shell Valley has a better product.

Do your research.

Go see a SV and sit in it. Ride in it if you can.

Look at others. Ride in as many as you can.

I have worked on SV, Everrett-Morrisons, FFR, Uniques, B&B, Lone Star, Hurricane, Shamrock and installed a 427 into a CSX6000.

All kits have problems. All kits are different. Pick the one that suits you.

The cost to build is the same. Or so close it's not an issue.

Have a plan and stick to it. Don't start out with a junk yard 302 motor budget and 3/4 of the way thru change to a 427 FE. Now you have to change the headers, maybe radiator, ETC. ETC.

My Lone Star had a $20,000 budget. When I got it on the road I had $35,000 in it. And spend $2,000 to $4,000 almost every winter on upgrades.

At the time a Lone Star kit was $6,000 cheaper than the Unique roller I looked at.
It was not to long into the build that I found out the Unique roller was a lot cheaper. To late, had to push forward. More money and an extra year to the build.

Do your research, take your time.

P.S. in today market it is cheaper to buy a completed (used) Cobra and change what you don't like in the winter.
Drive now, work on it when it's snowing.

Dwight

[sharpe 1]

You cain't go wrong with a Shell Valley build.They are great people to work with. I have a Midstates,and they were bought by Shell Valley some years ago and i love mine(Midstates). The Shell Valley is almost the same car.The late Shell Valley is totally a different car than the one from the past.Go drive or ride in one before you decide. It's a big investment so you need to investigate all aspects of the market.Most all of these cars are different because they are built by individuals. Good luck in your search.

[Mark M]

Shell valley and Dana have been great to work with. You are going to have a thousand questions as your build proceeds and they are but a phone call away. I bought the roller and dropped in a FE with plenty a room left. More importantly I am 6-3 with a 36" inseam and I fit behind the wheel. I would choose Shell again.

[NEEDACOBRA]

I have been researching thrust threads and manufacture sites for months , when I spoke with Dana on the phone with a ton of questions ,he would answer anything with no hesitation and be happy to ,other places I spoke with I didn't have the same experience,I appreciate everyone's replays and hope for more ,

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by NEEDACOBRA

I have been researching thrust threads and manufacture sites for months , when I spoke with Dana on the phone with a ton of questions ,he would answer anything with no hesitation and be happy to ,other places I spoke with I didn't have the same experience,I appreciate everyone's replays and hope for more ,

I'm the Cobra trader old timer here, having personally owned 29 to date, and brokered 50+ others, so allow me to make some suggestions.


As others have said in the past and above, find a local group of Cobra owners (putting your location in your profile will help) and sit in several different manufacturers product, speak with them about the pluses and minuses on their experiences in the build. Do not just do homework on the web and via the phone. Up close and in person, hands on with at least one of each car/kit within your budget (do you have a general budget in mind), then go from there. I say this, as not all Cobra kits are the same, sure they might all look the same, but under their skin, they are not.

I've hit the basics, I'm certain with a little more hands on research, you'll know what is right for you, be it a SV, or any number of other Cobra replica companies.......


Bill S.

[twobjshelbys]

What Bill said. Find your local Cars and Coffee (or equivalent) and hang out with the Cobra guys. I've never met one yet that won't give you a guided tour. Some will even take you for a short ride but I've never met one yet that will let you drive. The reason is that they all "fit" differently and to some degree, you wear a Cobra since the driver's cockpit is fairly small.

Then think seriously about your plan. There are so many finished cars out there. Are you thinking of assembling a kit to save money? Are you a skilled fabricator? The bottom line is that there are MANY built and sorted out cars available on the market here and on cobracountry.com. Kit building is a passion equal to the Cobra passion, but many "kits" go unfinished or take years to complete and people lose interest. Do you want to drive the Cobra or build the Cobra (and building could be equally applied, to say, a 32 Ford). In the end, if you build it vs. buying one you'll maybe pay yourself minimum wage. For example, someone queried here within the past few weeks about a commercial shop that would finish a build.

Good Luck with whatever avenue you choose.

[NEEDACOBRA]

yes i agree , i should sit and or ride in as many as possible, budget is in the low 20's to start and build from there, I have looked down the used path, but I would really like to build my own brand new car, with a 408 stroker, i met someone with a ff with a 302,
i am not sure why but it didn't trip my trigger. i know sv is a tub kit does that really make a difference without the alum?

[NEEDACOBRA]

is there anything negative about sv i should know about

[sharpe 1]

I have worked with them for part and other things.They are great to work with. I know people that have built their cars and are happy. I have no negative comments about them.They have a good product.

[sharpe 1]

My midstates has a glass tub. I think it makes for a strong body. It comes out of the mold glassed in place.

[NEEDACOBRA]

thanks,sharpe 1 ,I appreciate the input

[Sminor]

Hey Needacobra,
I have had my Shell Valley on the road since 2007. I bought it as a roller from Brent Lycans with a 428 in it... I completed the build with extensive modifications and have had a BALL with this car. I normally drive it all year round, when I haven't enjoyed it TOO much and broken something.
I visited Shell Valley and took a tour of their facility when I was completing my build. You will NEVER find folks more helpful than Dana and crew from Shell Valley. I don't know if he is still attending the Cobra rally in London, Ohio anymore, but if you get a chance to go this coming summer, it is worth the trip !
Anyway, welcome to the Cobra community ! You will find many kind people here.
Steve

[NEEDACOBRA]

Sminor, how do you like the 428,are your runs from gas station to gas station and how about overheating any issues with that, thanks for the info, chris

[saltshaker]

I have a 428 in my car...411rwhp gets 15mpg w/TKO600. I don't have any cooling issues either....I use a fan from a 1996 Taurus 3.8 motor,Volvo 2 speed relay and a BMW thermostat .....runs cool all summer here in NJ
jon

[Sminor]

Needacobra,

The 428 is a CRAZY motor that Brent Lycans built for himself. It has 2X4's, wild cam, a 7000rpm shift point, solid lifters, and runs great on high test pump gas. I use an electric pusher fan in front of the radiator that I keep on when the days are very hot and humid or I am in traffic. I have never had heating issues with this motor.
Hope this helps....
Steve

Oh, BTW..... I get about 100 miles to the tank, or about 20 minutes on a road course.... ;-)

[1795]

I have a 428 Cobra Jet in mine and get about 14 mpg with a 4 spd top loader. Never had any issues with over heating. It is a great motor; all of the torque that you will ever need to make a quick lane change. Very dependable, nothing like a big block. Take your time and look hard. There are plenty of cars in your vicinity that you can look at.

[NEEDACOBRA]

1795 ,how far are you from weedsport,NY I have a camper there stay most summer weekends and visit about once a month

[1795]

I am about an hour from Weedsport, maybe a little less. I am about 45 mins north of Corning, NY and 30 mins south of Rochester. Let me know when you will be in the area next.