Need Advices for a new SPF

[hho]

Hi everyone,

I am new to this forum and just register today. I love old classic cars, but I don't know much about building or working on cars. I am about to put in an order for a new SPF from dynamic motorsports if everything works out. I have a bunch of questions and don't know where to begin, so I am just going to jump right in and list them all out. I'd appreciate any feedback.

1) Has anyone had experience with Dynamic Motorsports? I have the choice to have the car build from their office in Neveda or in Ohio, are there much difference in the installers they use in both cities? Any recommendation?

2) I always wanted a 10s car, but I doubt that this cobra will be. I would still like it to be fast out of the hole. I doubt that I will be racing the car, because I am not good at fixing car and I just love the look of the car too much to risk banging it up. So the car will be for fun driving and if a punk lines up next to me and want a run at the cobra, I still would love to take him out. The engine I like is a Roush 427R. Knowing what I want the Cobra for, any comments of the engine choice? or should I consider something else?

3) With a Roush 427R, what transmission should I use? I am thinking the tremec TKO 600, but I read on here that the gear will get stucked. It kind of scare me a bit, since I don't want to have to rip up the interior to fix the gear. Any advices?

4) For the usage I planned for the car, what kind of gear ratio setup I should have for the transmission? I like it fast out of the hole and be able to cruise at 5th.

5) The biggest problem will be putting the tire on the ground, I am planning to use 295/50/15 Yoko. With the engine, tranmission and tire setup, what kind of 0-60 and 1/4 miles time have you heard? Or what is your guess?

6) What kind of rear end gear should I use?

7) I don't know what is optional with the SPF. Any options should I be considering in additional to what is standard with the SPF? I know I want the powder cost pipe, or should I be using some other pipe instead?

8) With a cobra setup as described so far, how drivable is it? Do I have to worry about going sideway all the time? That would be quite embarassing.

9) Lastly, not too importantly for me, but for my wife what kind of gas mileage I can expect?

I really appreciate everyone's contribution to this forum and make it a valuable resources for newbies like me. Thanks again. I hope I will be a proud owner soon and I am sure I will have more questions.

Horace

[Cracker]

There are a few fella's with SPF's and the Roush 427R motor. Hopefully, they'll chime in in time. Best wishes.

BTW - My guess the 1/4 mile times are at least mid-14's with 0-60 in under 7 seconds with that set-up. Ya know, the small blocks kind hold those heavy SPF's back.

[rob frink]

Welcome to the craziness Horace!! My #1429 came from Dynamic. I have over 10,000 miles on it and have never had a regret. I drive it daily. I'm sorry that I can't answer your technical questions, but I can shamlessly plug Superformance and Dynamic Motorsports.

Where are you located?

[hho]

Thanks Rob and Cracker for your welcome and best wishes.

Cracker, I hope your time estimate is on the conservative side. My M3 has 330Hp, with 255/19 tires, and weigh almost 1000lb more, it runs a 0-60 under 6 sec. and 1/4 miles in the 14 sec. range. I hope the 427 Cobra will be much faster with 550Hp, wider tires and lighter.

Rob, I assume you purchased your SPF from the Ohio office of Dynamic Motorsports. May I ask who did the installation? I am currently talking to the Nevada office, but I have the option to have it build and ship from the Ohio office.

I am located in Austin, Texas.

[Wahoo]

0-60 guess...4sec if you get it to hook and depending on gearing (shift or not).
1/4 - 11.9-12.5 depending on hook in 1st and 2nd. My guess as I don't own but from talking to others with 396 and 408 variants the numbers I guesstimated should be attainable.

[CHRIS DAMSCH]

With the Roush 427 you should be able to get close to a 10 sec. 1/4.

I'm running a SPF with a 396w (tame build)
not sure on the 0-60 (guessing low 3.2-3.5 seconds)
1/4 mile 11.7 sec
60' time is 1.5 seconds

If you want to get use to the car with a more tame motor I would gladly let you use my 396W for a year or two and install your Roush 427w in my car for a break in. LOL

I'll even let you know how deep into the 10's I can get it.

[Iceberg]

I was in your exact spot last labor day when I bought SPF2207 from Jim Gander @ Dynamic. I was pleased with the sales experience and everyone at Dynamic. I went with a Alum 427FE boared to 482 @ Keith Craft. I chose Keith as he is only 40 miles away from me. You should really look into the Keith Craft motors as they will build what ever you want and can guide you in the right direction. I recommend going to see whoever builds your engine as a few hunderd bucks for a plane ticket are worth knowing your engine builder in person.

Good luck and enjoy the ride..

Kurt

[October-1881]

I can't say enough good things about Dynamic. I just bought a used #967, 351W Stroker. It puts out 485 HP and is the scariest thing I've ever driven. Talk to Eric and Dynamic. He can definately set you up with whatever you want, but as a non-mechanic like me, I'd be careful what I wish for...these cars are very, very fast.

[Thieleng]

I purchased SPF 2378 from Dynamic in Reno. Great experience dealing with the folks there, I purchased the polished Roush 427IR and had the TREMEC 5008 which had a higher 5th gear in it. Would not recommend this transmission for your application, the guys at Dynamic and Steve at R.E.D can work out the details. I trusted their recommendations and couldn't be more pleased with the outcome, go with what they suggest. Steve at R.E.D did a superb job on the installation and all the tweeks that go into making everything work. Still breaking the car in so I can't give you actual details on performance. I have two Porsches one that puts out over 400 HP (RSR) and I know the SPF will outperform those cars. I haven't driven the RSR since I bought the SPF.

[rob frink]

Horace, My engine is a FMS crate that was installed by Eric at Perf Eng. His shop is in the same business park as Dynamic motorsports, they are next door neighbors.

Another great resource for you is SPF Dealer, Doug Reed. He is near New Orleans and was damaged by Katrina. He is a lot closer to austin than Ohio.

http://www.reedperformance.com/

Here is an old CC thread on him: http://www.clubcobra.com/t42305-15-1.html

You just can't go wrong with the vast resource of SPF Dealers and Owners.

[Mark costello]

Hi Guys, I'm a new member today and have a superformance # 1990 I put together last year. i;m very happy with the car and now I'm looking to insure it. Any suggestions? I would sure appreciate them. I'm in the placerville/Sacramento area of California. I'd like to hook up with some local folks for drives and get togethers. Thanks, Mark Co.

[michael cesario]

Horace:

I purchased SPF #2022 out of the Dynamic offices in Reno and for the most part the experience with the car has been positive. I have a fully billeted and balanced 418 Windsor Stroker (1968 Seasoned and Registered Block) built by Eric Hinderberger out of Performance Engineering whose shop is located just behind the Dynamic offices in Ohio. I use a tremec 5 speed and a 3.73 rear end so it cruises at 3000 RPM's doing 80 MPH. The car has a 850 Mighty Demon Carb (no choke - hard to start in the cold), pushes out 562 Brake Horsepower at 6000 RPM's and 533 pounds of Torque and gets around 8-9 miles to the gallon.

Comments/Observations
My advice is to be careful in the following areas:
* Body/Fit/Quality control - I am very happy with SPF in all of these areas. Well done vehicle.
* Engine/Drive train Installation - Get a firm installation quote from whoever puts your engine and tranny in the car and before you give them the job negotiate to ensure that they will be available and capable of rechecking bolts, clearances and maintenance during the first six months of ownership. Big engines need care and attention to detail and the engine installer may be more concerned with putting the engine in quickly and moving on to the next install than whether your engine is really set up correctly or in keeping it in running order. Mine had a miss aligned throttle linkage, loose accelerator pedal, coil mounted too close to the head and thermostat put in backwards. My advice is work with someone capable of both doing the install correctly and maintaining the engine and drivetrain for you.

Exhaust System - I have side mounted Ceramic headers which look nice but the ceramic coating does not eliminate the problem of burning yourself. If I had it to do over I would either not pay for the ceramic coating but either just get them in black or place the pipes under the body rather than outside.

Wheels/Tires - The Yokohama's are ok for the street but not too good for track days. Get 17 inch wheels instead of the 15's.

Driveability - not an everyday car but a great attitude adjustment vehicle. Install a ride side mirror.

Hope that helps.

Regards,

Mike Cesario
Reno, Nevada

[michael cesario]

Horace:

Sorry - I meant to write - install a right side mirror. Also get rid of the cheap ignition key and install a stronger ignition key and a push button starter switch.

Regards,

Michael Cesario

[Goopie 18]

Hi Horace. I've ordered my SPF from McMichael Motors in Brazelton, Georgia. I drove their demo with T5000 transmission and Roush 427R engine. Also drove a used SPF they sold with a Shelby Aluminum 427 engine. Both cars were very fast, went with the Roush due to less underhood temperature and ease of maintainence. Car has been shipped from South Africa and I hope to have it by August. This setup should yield an 11 second car with 0-60 times in the mid 3's. I loaded it up with accessories ( ceramic pipes and headers, roadster bumpers, stone shields, 5 point belts, MSD ignition, turkey pan, custom valve covers, glove box, sun visors, rear tire upgrade, kill switch ) I think that you should redirect your post to "all cobra talk". You'll reach more members. Best of luck, Ken

[dlang14]

Hi Horace,

I got my SPF from Dynamic in Reno. I'm in the SF Bay Area. They were great. I had Stephen at RED do the install and I've been very happy, although I havent had the car very long. It's SPF2293, I went with the Roush 427R and the TKO600 with the .82 OD. Being a newer SPF I've got the 3.46 read end. If you opt to change the gear ratio to something that pulls harder out of the hole (not sure what the options are for the BTR center) I would consider the .68 OD, but with the 3.46 ratio the .82 does well.

Stephen did a great job on the install, and even spent several hours at the WSCB fixing up minor warranty issues that had come up in my first 1000 miles.

I havent been to the drag strip so I cant tell you what kind of times to expect, but even taking it easy on the motor so far it feels a whole lot faster than the mustang 5.0 I had years ago. The 5.0 was blown and ran 12.6s all day long on crappy tires.

Now on the 427R motor you can get either dual plane of single plane manifold. I went with the dual plane after studying the dyno curves of both. You give up a few top end ponies but your average hp and torque gains are substantial. You also get better hood clearence with the dual plane, but either way.

From San Jose to Reno for the WSCB trip I got 14 or 15 MPG, I was shocked to see it that high, I tend to not watch milleage that carefully but I expect it's a lot worse cruising around.

[Cracker]

Hey - I was just kidding regarding the performance. We do have something in common though as I'm a Bimmer fella too - my Bimmer toys include an M6 and a '76 2002 with an S62 M5 v8 in it. I have driven a SPF/Roush 427 and it will scoot well enough. There are higher performance engines available but I think you will be very happy with the Roush. Depending on the track (and traction) I bet you'll see the 1/4 in the high 11's (11.7-12.2) range with 0-60 in sub 4 seconds. So much of this is related to driver skill though - you might be faster!

October- 18&%&%* - We vacation each year at the Door. I'll be in Fish Creek from 6/10 - 6/17 - beautiful place! It would even be better in a Cobra! Is that little train oriented restaurant still there at EE & ? - where the cook whistles like a train - darn he's good! The kids like him too.

[J. Edwards]

Mark,
Barlow Ins. writes policys for Cobras in California.
1-800-558-7772
Grundy Worldwide also will insure a Cobra.
1-800-338-4005

Good luck,

Jim

No Bad Days.

Originally Posted by Mark costello

Hi Guys, I'm a new member today and have a superformance # 1990 I put together last year. i;m very happy with the car and now I'm looking to insure it. Any suggestions? I would sure appreciate them. I'm in the placerville/Sacramento area of California. I'd like to hook up with some local folks for drives and get togethers. Thanks, Mark Co.

[hho]

Wow. I just logged in and found all these many replies. This is great. Thanks everyone's advice and please keep it coming.

Cracker, you get some nice toys. My toys are: a 16 years old MR2 Turbo I have since graduated from college, a 2004 M3, a 1960 283ci/270Hp corvette and I want to add a 427 Cobra. My wife told me I am like a kid and I have to have all the toys that I like. I told her I completely agree with her and she is absolutely right. Only thing is I don't see anything wrong with that though.

I do worry that if I have the cobra built in Reno, who can service the cobra after 1000 miles? And how does the warranty work?

Thanks again, keep the advice coming and I still have some more time to decide on the details.