New member needs advice on purchasing a Cobra Kit

[Roush #1]

I have only driven one West Coast Cobra and there was much less leg, shoulder and hip room than in my Lone Star. It did not ride or handle any better than my Lone Star. I don't know what seat options are available, but the seats in the one I drove were uncomfortable.

One thing you need to consider here in Texas is the heat problem in the foot box. I think you will find the foot box in the Lone Star is much cooler than most.

I have friends with ERA and FFRs and all noticed the cooler foot boxes in the Lone Star.

BTW...I am 6'3" and 220#

[bly123]

Looks like everything is pointing to Lone Star so far. I just wish I could get the newer Cobra SVT motor in it. The guys at lone Star said it won't fit. And to get a 351 Winsor, I thought it would be great to get the Supper charged SVT motor in it. Pacific Roadster said theres will work with this motor. Any thoughts on this?

[randlej]

It might fit if you fabricate your own motor mounting points. If you do that, you could choose your own motor isolator types too. The ones for the lonestar kit are stock style and tall.

Maybe some small firewall and hood scoop mods. It is a big engine compartment.

[G_Edmonds]

The cobras I've seen with the supercharged motor had an issue with the upper pulley and the master cylinder. Master cylinders can be relocated but I don't know if you can lower the motor enough with custom motormounts to get it low enough to fit the pulley below the hood. There's also custom headers to consider.

-Greg

[Roush #1]

bly123,

You didn't mention why you wanted the Mustang motor. If you are getting it for gas mileage, you have made a wise choice over the Windsor.

If you want the Mustang motor just because you want it, then I would suggest you get it in whatever you can fit it into.

But, if you want it to go fast and be "streetable" don't count the Windsor out.

Here is a link that has a bit more detail.

Gobra @ Tulsa

Wonder what the Mustang motors are doing?

J

[bly123]

Fast and streetable are the main Reasons why I wanted to use the Supper Charged SVT. I can pick one up with a transmition for about $6000 to $9000 used Wireing harness and computer everything I would need. It just seems that it would be more dependable and have a ton of power. Also it is a very efficient motor. By the time I biult a winsor I would probably spend that much anyway. And I'm not affraid to do some fabrication to make it work. how many others have put this motor in a Cobra? I saw a U tube video of a Cobra with a Coyote motor. It looked good! and sounded great too.

[rodneym]

Originally Posted by mrmustang

Take a look at the description of the car and you'll see it's got a larger passenger compartment than the originals.

Bill S.

Unless the AK you mentioned is special, the standard wheelbase for AK MkIV's is 90", as was mine. I've sold it now but I remember seeing 90" in the owners manual, as well as the wheelbase lining up along side my Kirkham, and fitting on my ramps without any adjustment.
The AK's certainly look longer without the sidepipes, the cut down doors and extended nose. But I'm pretty sure the extended cockpit was simply some clever moving around of the gas tank (full sized front spare, for example), as well as other adjustments.
Again, maybe the AK you're selling is special.
At any rate, we can all agree that extended wheelbases do not necessarily mean more legroom, and in the Autokraft's case, the standard wheelbase can mean more legroom.

[gyow]

Originally Posted by bly123

Wow! you guys really do have the answers! Thanks for all the advise.
...But, I really like the looks and size of West Coast. I don't even know what a West Coast kit costs because I have not gotten a reply from them. Any one know what a kit costs? It says on there site they are combining there two businesses into one. The strange thing is that the other business is a Lingerie business ???? This seem strange to me.

I emailed West Coast and received replies. He sent me a brochure with costs, pics, etc. I also have a PDF with their pricing. If you send me a PM, I'll email you the PDF. I too have been researching and evaluating all my options. I'm 6'2". I'm leaning towards the Unique Motorsports cobra as they have long footboxes, consistent remarks on the quality of their product, and can have it on the road much faster than most other kits with the Deluxe Pallet option. They will also paint it for you. What I've learned is that finding a good painter can be a major headache and quite expensive. Each manufacturer has a unique product with its own pros and cons and you'll have to determine which ones are important to you.

[PDUB]

Originally Posted by gyow

I'm leaning towards the Unique Motorsports cobra as they have long footboxes, consistent remarks on the quality of their product, and can have it on the road much faster than most other kits with the Deluxe Pallet option. They will also paint it for you. What I've learned is that finding a good painter can be a major headache and quite expensive.

Did you mean Unique Motorcars in Gadsden, AL? Yes, Alan is a great painter! Check out mkasab's build over on the Unique forums. Alan painted it yellow. I've seen the car in person... really nice job!

Mark's Build - Unique Forums

And bly123, they can build you a small block car for your planned small block build, rather than putting the small block into the 427 body style! Keep in mind that VERY FEW guys have 289 cars... most are 427 cars. You'll stand out, even in a croud of Cobras!

[YerDugliness]

Originally Posted by PDUB

And bly123, they can build you a small block car for your planned small block build, rather than putting the small block into the 427 body style! Keep in mind that VERY FEW guys have 289 cars... most are 427 cars. You'll stand out, even in a croud of Cobras!

How correct you are, PBUB! The Unique 289 models have that "lean 'n' mean" look about them, compared to the 427 models in general, not just those from Unique, which to me just look "bloated" in comparison.

Having said that, though, I must admit I have a 427 model with a 5.0HO SBF powertrain. It isn't what I wanted, but it was what I could afford ($18.2K and I drove it home).

However, future plans include a 289 model, even if I have to pay Mr. Bruce to put one of his 289 bodies on my 427 "chassis".

If I do that, I think I may look for an early Ford Explorer or other short wheelbase 4X4 and mount the 427 body on that....ought to be unique (definitely NOT to be confused with "Unique" products ).

Cheers from Dugly

[lovehamr]

Originally Posted by bly123

Looks like everything is pointing to Lone Star so far. I just wish I could get the newer Cobra SVT motor in it. The guys at lone Star said it won't fit. And to get a 351 Winsor, I thought it would be great to get the Supper charged SVT motor in it. Pacific Roadster said theres will work with this motor. Any thoughts on this?

I'll say it again Bly, with your size and desires, if you're not looking at Backdraft then you're probably missing out.................................

VMS / COYOTE 5.0 Install Complete

And the main BDR facility in FL is doing a SC version as we speak (write?) heck, it might be finished by now.

Steve

[bly123]

I finally got a call from Vern from West Coast and he sent me a pricing sheet. The price is competitive and the car is engineered very well from what I can see and read. Also I can put a big block in it. So an SVT Supercharged will fit. It will not in a Lone star. The interior seems to be large as well. I'd love to see one in person. Do you think there will be one at the monthly gathering in a couple weeks? I have narrowed my picks down to the Lone Star Classics and the West Coast. Unless I have missed some manufacturers and still need to research more. Let’s See there is Factory 5, Lone Star, West Coast, Back Draft, Superformance, ERA, Unique, Pacific Roadster, what else am I missing? Price is a factor too. Lone Star is very competitive, and so Is pacific Roadster. Factory 5 is just too small for me. Back draft and Superfomance I think might be too expensive. I never really got prices on these two but the way every one talks they are expensive.

[IndyCobra]

I've stayed out of this post up to now because everyone just seems to push what they bought so the value of each person's opinion must be taken with a grain of salt. As does this.

Since a Lone Star is one of your finalists, and I'm putting the finishing touches on mine, I'll add my biased opinion. I can't speak for the quality of service from the other vendors, but Brian will take care of you. I have his cell. I've called him on a Sunday and he answered. He's offered to ship me parts free of charge and otherwise see to it that I am a satisfied customer.

If you want a closer look at how one goes together, you can check out my build site Red Venom

[bly123]

Customer service is a Huge thing for me. Lone Star has (in my book) allot going for it for me. 1. I live like 8 miles from there location here in Texas. 2. I hear nothing but great things about there cars and customer service. However, West Coast 1. Makes a great car that really appeals to me. BUT I hear bad things about there customer service. It seems there is only Vern to deal with and while when you call him and talk to him he is really great. But that the thing, every one says he is hard to get a hold of. It took me 2 week to get a price list. And his 1 authorized dealer told me It would be better to deal with Vern since it's a home built kit. I'm not locked in yet. I just need more info on the other kits. I guess I will see what a great kit is when I go to the monthly gathering.

[YerDugliness]

Originally Posted by bly123

Customer service is a Huge thing for me. Lone Star has (in my book) allot going for it for me. 1. I live like 8 miles from there location here in Texas.

I've been to the LS factory, albiet years ago. If they are still in the same place (an old hangar at an airfield), you're in the FW area.

Originally Posted by bly123

I have narrowed my picks down to the Lone Star Classics and the West Coast. Unless I have missed some manufacturers and still need to research more. Let’s See there is Factory 5, Lone Star, West Coast, Back Draft, Superformance, ERA, Unique, Pacific Roadster, what else am I missing?

Here's a suggestion....ask if there is anyone in the DFW area who is driving/building a Hurricane kit that you can sit in to check for interior room. Their frame is incredibly well engineered and their body is very correct. The company had some problems in the past related to ownership issues, but the current owners seem to be doing a very good job of manufacturing a great project, even improving the already great body. Part of that was a very roomy interior...when the company was located in Lee's Summit, MO I went there just to look over the product.

I do know there are a few Hurricanes being built in the DFW area, as well as some in the Austin area.

One of the benefits of the Hurricane product is that other than the engine, transmission, driveshaft, battery, wheels and tires, the kit is suppose to come complete with everything else you would need to build it (excluding body work, of course), so there won't be a lot of chasing parts if you choose to go that route.

AFAIK, at this time they offer only the 427 body style, so if you're looking for a 289 model, they won't have anything to offer.

BTW....every year in April (I know that's a long time away) the Texas Cobra Club has an annual get-together near San Marcos, TX. The last time I was there (about 3 years ago) there were probably 150 cobras on display. You will be hard-pressed to find such a large gathering of Cobras in TX anywhere else.

Cheers, Dugly

[gunnygrits]

Take a look at Metz cobra in Mount Dora Florida. His number is 352-383-8388. He just finished my kit. Did and awesome job. Paul is very personable and always pleasing his customers.

[bly123]

I just looked at the Hurricane It's very nice. I think I'm going to buy the instruction manual for the West Coast and the Lone Star and see what that looks like. That might help me decide.

[randlej]

Bly,
I would not base any decision on instruction manuals. I've yet to see one I am impressed with. Also, most builders like to find better ways to do things during their build anyway. My instruction manual went out the window the 1st week.

Regarding help during your build, if that is important to you, I suggest that you choose a kit that has a very active builders forum. The Lonestar forum is a great asset during the build. Factory Five has such a forum, and I think Hurricane does too.

Best of luck with your decision.

[Prof]

A big DITTO to what Randy said above.

Caveat: However, as I honed in on the decision, I went to Lonestar and picked up an assembly CD, along with two websites where Lone Star owners documented their build. All combined, I knew exactly what I was getting in to and exactly what I could do on my own and where I would need help.

Very quickly and with efficacy, I got it to the "test fit" stage. (pic from 11/08)



By the way: You're asking the right questions.

Best,
Paul
Dallas

[Prof]

Also, Lone Star is a car dealer and will take care of the 20+ hour process of getting license and registration for you. Not a deal breaker, but a very significant new owner perk.