Chicago Daily Driver

smallparts · #1 (**permalink**) 12-18-2006, 06:56 AM

I'm new to the forum and am looking into building a daily driver. Are there any members in the WCCC that use their cobra as a daily driver?

My initial thoughts are to build from an FFR (I'm open to other mfg) with a donor 4.6. I hope to run the exhaust under the car to appease the neighbors. I have seen a few pictures of the Dr. Gas system. The car would also have a/c and heat with a soft top.

thoughts?

TurboVenom · #2 (**permalink**) 12-18-2006, 07:38 AM

My car has been a daily driver for 12 years, and has 61K miles on it, so it's not out of the question...just gotta keep it out of the snow.

I'd recommend automatic transmission though. Just makes it easier to deal with.

Screw the neighbors...they'll get used to the sound. Rear-exiting exhaust will give you trouble trying to get the plumbing under an already low-to-the-ground car. You'll probably jack the suspension up as high as it will go for daily street driving to prevent pot holes and speed bumps, but the exhaust will be vulnerable. Consider two mufflers and short tail pipes that dump under the car at an outward angle.

Small, efficient engine too. If you're putting on miles, gas mileage is a concern, only because of the limited size of your gas tank.

Consider heated seats. You will want to drive the car without a top, even in somewhat cooler weather, and the heat doesn't really work if there is no top on the car. However, heated seats do the job well.

AC, well, could give you overheating problems in an already hot scenario. The addition of the condenser will naturally cause higher engine heat by blocking the radiator, but it can work as long as you install a waaaay oversized radiator from the start.

Choose a light colored, non metalic paint scheme as daily drivers tend to get beat up in the roadway by debris and such, so you'll be touching up the chips - at least in the beginning. After a while, you'll live with paint chips.

Install a decent GPS system. Always good to know where you're going.

Use all season performance tires since the summer-only tires are useless in the rain. Consider 17 inch wheels, no larger than that. Otherwise, you'll eventually trash the wheels with curb rash, potholes that eat wheels, etc.

Installing a radio and CD player is your choice. If you crank it loud enough for you to hear, you'll get the neighbors attention too. It will probably need to be louder than the exhaust.

Just a few opinions...

Blas · #3 (**permalink**) 12-18-2006, 06:25 PM

Cup Holders....
Glove Box...
Spare Tire & related tools...
Rain Suit...
And line up a Kidney Donor for down the road.....

RedSnake351 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-18-2006, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blas

Cup Holders....
Glove Box...
Spare Tire & related tools...
Rain Suit...
And line up a Kidney Donor for down the road.....

Hey Mr. smallparts, (you got that problem too?) don't pay a lot of attention to what Blas is suggesting, cause it certainly doesn't come from experience. His Cobra has never seen a drop of moisture from the sky to warant a "Rain Suit"!

"Glove Box"

, maybe to keep a dust rag in, not gloves for his cold-weather driving habits.

As for a Spare Tire, Blas's tires still have the 3"X5" white plastic tire specification stickers on the threads.

Take the advice from the most prolific driver of Windy City Cobras, John.

And if my car wasn't out of action so much because of crashes, I'd give you some advice also!

Ralph

smallparts · #5 (**permalink**) 12-19-2006, 06:21 AM

John,

Thank you for the great advice. I looked at your car and saw several items that I wanted to address with mine (some type of grill insert to protect the radiator, third brake light, glove box, 12 volt adaptor, light, solid color paint). Did you install manual or power steering?

I was leaning towards the 17 inch wheels that match all the way around in case of a flat tire. Full size spare, no donuts here. What size tires do you run?

What size steering wheel did you use?

Heated seats, an excellent suggestion. I was hoping to get decent gas milage out of the stock 4.6 with such a drastic drop in weight from the Mustang to the Cobra. I thought overheating with the a/c wouldn't be a problem with the donor.

When and where is the next club meeting? I would like to hear everyones take on the various cobra mfg's. I see this as just the beginning of a long journey.

Thanks again for your thoughts.
neil

smallparts · #6 (**permalink**) 12-19-2006, 06:24 AM

Blas,

I've checked all the items off my build list with the exception of a Kidney Donor. I better put my name on the list now even before I put down the deposit.

neil

smallparts · #7 (**permalink**) 12-19-2006, 06:30 AM

Ralph,

Yes, while growing up with a dad that stands 6 ft 4 in, you quickly respond to him calling you small parts. I'm only 6 ft 195 lbs.

Sorry to hear about the crashes. I look forward to meeting you and the other members of WCCC.

Take care,
neil

mj_duell · #8 (**permalink**) 12-19-2006, 09:31 AM

Hi Neil,
You have a PM.

--Mike / Turn Ten Racing, Inc.

TurboVenom · #9 (**permalink**) 12-19-2006, 10:09 AM

Neil,
I have 17 in. wheels but they're different sizes front and rear. If you need to carry a spare, you will probably need to use the same size tires all the way around. That kinda sux as big rear tires make the look of the car.
I don't carry a spare, but keep a cell phone charged all the time...

My car has power steering, power brakes and automatic. It's just lacking the radio. With the li'l six cylinder engine, I get 25 MPG on the highway, and around 13 MPG hot roddin'.

Fuel consumption has largely to do with cubic inches, more so than the weight of the vehicle. You need to maintain AF ratios for given displacement, so gas mileage won't vary too much away from the donor vehicle. The heat issue under the hood is perpetuated by the small oval cobra grille, and the fact that you tend to get weird air swirling around in the grille opening at certain speeds, causing lack of airflow across the radiator.

The grille opening is filled with this plastic mesh material that I got from McMaster Carr...real inexpensive. I also put guards on the rear fender bulges so stones don't eat the paint up too much. Those are adhesive backed and I purchased them from Everett-Morrison.

Wolfie · #10 (**permalink**) 12-19-2006, 02:37 PM

Hey small parts, if Blas offers you a kidney, don't take it, he'll just take it back from you when you most need it! Besides the way he drinks there probably shot allready anyway. Go with the dialisis option.
Just some thoughts to ponder.

got snake? · #11 (**permalink**) 12-20-2006, 09:25 AM

Hey smallparts,

There is a doctor in NC or SC that drives his cobra everyday to work. And races it on the the weekends. I forgot his name on the site here. He has just as many miles on his as John. It is very possible.

Sid

CHRIS DAMSCH · #12 (**permalink**) 12-20-2006, 10:06 AM

It's Hal Copple. I believe he has around 100K miles on his SPF. He's running a small block 351W stroked to 396.

got snake? · #13 (**permalink**) 12-20-2006, 06:01 PM

Thats the guy! Didn't he have the motor rebuild after 60-70k?

Sid

CHRIS DAMSCH · #14 (**permalink**) 12-20-2006, 08:30 PM

Small parts,

Shoot Hal a message or e-mail. Even search his name on the forum. He has had probably the most experience with his car as a daily driver (although a slightly better climate than ours). Lots of good stories and track/driving experiences.
You'll enjoy the posts from Hal.

smallparts · #15 (**permalink**) 12-21-2006, 10:15 AM

Sid / Chris

Thank you for the contact information. I will look up the good doctor to see about his daily driver.

When is the next WCCC club meeting? I am still in the early stages of planning the car and would enjoy meeting everyone and seeing their rides.

neil

got snake? · #16 (**permalink**) 12-21-2006, 10:40 AM

SNAKE AND EGGS Jan 7th. I think. LOL! We can always have a get together anytime. Neil where are you in Chicagoland? I and a about 7 other cobras are in the west suburbs (West of 59) Shoot I'm not going to work tomorrow. I'll be at Booker's in Elgin if anybody is interested tonight! My future wife works there. Heeheehee!

Sid

smallparts · #17 (**permalink**) 12-21-2006, 11:36 AM

Sid,

I'm located south of you on 59 in Plainfield. With a baby on the way, due any day now, I may not be able to make it in January, but will keep in touch. Running the budget numbers on the cobra now.

neil

CHRIS DAMSCH · #18 (**permalink**) 12-21-2006, 06:36 PM

Possible poker/London Dvd viewing party after the 1st of the year. More details to follow.......

Wolfie · #19 (**permalink**) 12-22-2006, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by got snake?

! My future wife works there. Heeheehee!

Sid

Hey Sid,,,,,,,what's his name?

jeffko · #20 (**permalink**) 12-26-2006, 07:10 AM

Neil, Not trying to be cute here, but whatever budget you come up with is wrong. The only way you can know your costs up front is to buy a completed car that someone has lost interest in or other and even that has it's hidden costs. Based on what I have learned from many others and my own experience it will be approx...

Inexpensive FFR = 26-30
New parts FFR = 32-35
BDR (rolling chassis) = 38-42
SPF (rolling chassis) = 50-54

There are many other kits, but these are the ones I know something about. Also, build your own engine for almost half the cost of buying one.

This time of year would be a great time to buy so check out the forums.