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Here's the scoop on how I built the Cobra. I must admit that I learned a lot while doing this, then
rebuilt a lot of the car some years later to make it better. Perhaps this should be in the fun section
of this website...???
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| Step 1: Getting It Running |
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Chassis on day 1: There's not much to be said about the chassis except that it's a pretty beefy steel
square-tube unit that should be able to withstand my driving. :-) |
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Suspension: The front suspension is a Mustang II (1974-1978) IFS system
with a few changes -- 1" sway bar, and Carrera adjustable coil-over shocks with Carrera 500-lb. chrome
springs.The rear suspension is a late-model Mustang 8.8" live-axle with 3.55:1 posi-trac and stock drums
(SSB rear-discs coming soon) and Carrera adjustable shocks and springs. In my recent rebuild, the front
suspension has been modified to tubular D-arms, and the rear is a custom-geometry 4-link setup. |
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Engine & Transmission (then): This photo shows what the engine looked
like when it initially went in -- stock 5.0 HO with approx. 215 hp. |
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Engine & Transmission (now): Now, the engine is a fresh 5.0 HO lower block that's been
girdle-braced, with TFS TW heads, Pro-Magnum rockers, TFS Stage 1 cam, Edelbrock Performer intake,
Accufab TB, Pro-M Bullet MAF, 42-lb. injectors, dual fuel pumps, MSD electronics and the Vortech
supercharger. Engine management is an A9L with an EEC Tuner. Calculated at ~530 streetable horspower!
Transmission is a World Class T-5Z. |
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Brakes: Originally, it had discs/drums with the stock proportioning valve.
Now, it has 4-wheel discs, adjustable proportioning and runs on DOT4. |
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Fuel tank: This picture shows the custom fuel-tank setup. The odd
"fitting" is a piece of the stock (Mustang) fuel tank added to this tank, so that I could
retain the in-tank fuel-pump setup. I've had a major hassle with the fuel lines -- since I retained
the in-tank pump, I had to keep a few stock connectors. Joining the stock connectors to custom
aluminium fuel lines was a royal pain! ...and some welding was needed. Also, I integrated some
custom-made high-pressure flexible fuel hoses that I got from a local aircraft supply house.
Two fuel pumps are currently in use -- an upgraded 155-lph in-tank and a Vortech T-rex external
booster. In the very near future, this setup is being upgraded to a 255lph hi-pressure in-tank
pump with a KB BAP voltage amp. |
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Go-kart: I really shouldn't be calling this monster a go-kart,
but technically it was, and technically, I had the fastest go-kart on the block! At this stage,
the electricals were half-done and lots of other loose ends were being tied up to prepare for the
body. Here, you see a new OEM MII radiator in place, but that's being changed soon to a
dual-core aluminum radiator. |
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Big chunk of fiberglass: When I got the body with doors, hood,
etc. I had a little space problem since I'm doing this in a 1-car garage, so I had no choice
but to hang the body over the car in the garage. For this I built a "simple"
wood/steel structure affixed to the walls/ceiling and hung the body with some pulleys
and silk rope. Check this out... |
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Starting to look like a car: Okay, the body
finally went on. I've also done all the fiberglassing to the floor liners, firewall and
wheel-well liners. Then the windshield went on. This is what is looked like at that time...
Notice the sidepipes and headers laying on the floor -- that's was going to be another
ordeal. Read on... |
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Spaceman: One of my friends took this shot -- I figured I'd stick it on
here to express how strongly I hate fiberglass itch! Actually, you'll notice the garage door
closed -- I wasn't really grinding any fiberglass at the time -- I just got the 'space-suit'
and was trying it on. |
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Exhaust System: Originally, I installed a set of sidepipes that I
picked up from Integrity Coach Werks in Stuart, FL. I chose those because they had catalytic
converters built-in, but required some modifications to fit my exhaust headers. But even with
the cats and the documentation on the cats, the DMV would not believe me and claimed I had no
cats. Later, I got an exemption, so I had custom sidepipes built to my specs by Miami Racing.
I actually had them go down a size (from 2" primaries) to 1-3/4" primaries. This netted me
noticeable low-end torque. So much so that I ended up changing tail gears from 3.55's back
to 3.08's as I did not need that much torque and now I can cruise at 70mph at ~2000 rpm, so
it's quiet. But when I stomp on the throttle, it still roars!!! |
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Details, details, details: This picture was taken early December
with an Apple QuickTake digital camera -- decent picture quality, and better turnaround
time to the computer. Anyway, this picture shows the hood, trunk, doors, lights, bumpers,
windshield, windshield wipers and other odds and ends done. These little details seem to
take the longest time. Yes, that's me in the car having not shaved in over a week. ...but
I'm sure all you noticed was the Cobra anyway...:-) The side pipes were just put on the
ground for visual effect, and the fuel cap wasn't actually mounted. Yes, I know the
tires need air. Those aren't the final tires anyway -- the real (WIDE) puppies are much nicer. |
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Dashboard: Here's the new dashboard. It was originally gel-coated
fiberglass, and although a nice glossy
finish but there were a few problems -- (1) at the correct angle (and at the worst moment),
the gloss might have hit me with some serious glare, (2) I wanted to be able to see the gauges
easily, and (3) I needed to make room for the coming A/C unit. So I rebuilt the dash with a larger
center section, and better placed gauges. The gauges are VDO cockpit series and mostly electrical.
Gauges: speedometer (it's properly calibrated now, so it doesn't say 160MPH at an actual 40MPH
anymore), 7000-RPM tachometer, fuel level, water temp, 80-psi oil pressure, 80-psi fuel pressure,
clock, voltmeter, vacuum/boost, and ammeter.
The stereo is Pioneer Premier AM-FM cassette with CD-controller. I just got the CD changer and
that will be installed soon. |
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Rear view: The
rear-end is pretty much a rear-end as far as rear-ends
go. You can see the roll bar mounted, the rear-bumpers
(yeah, I finally got around to doing those) and the fuel
tank. I've added some support straps to it, but it's not
in this pic. BTW, this tank happens to be one of CMC's
new one-size-fits-all specials. My only complaint with
this view of the car is that the meats coulda been bigger
-- those 305/50's looked good in the store and is still
on the list of future enhancements. |
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Da Machine!: Okay,
here's stands the machine as a whole. The wheels are
Centerline Billet Star's with 245/50-15 on 15x7 up front
and 265/50/15 on 15x8 in the rear. Surprisingly, the
manual steering isn't as stiff as I was expecting it to be...awesome!
The sidepies, mirrors, visors, roll-bar, fuel-filler cap
and everything shown are actually mounted this time -- no
more "...let's place this here for the picture..."
stuff. At this stage, the car weighs in at about 2700 lbs
(without me) -- split almost perfectly 50-50 front-back.
I guess I won't move the battery to the rear after all. I
just added the oil cooler with Aeroquip anodized fittings
and the braided line. Pics of that are still on the way.
And yes, I know it needs a wash. |
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Stuff to be done still:
- Air conditioning & heater -- the evaporator is mounted behind the dash -- now
I gotta plumb it.
- Side vents -- I been procrastinating on
this one. Not because it's difficult or the like,
but because the holes in the cowl make very nice
access ports to the engine bay!
- Side windows -- I got the soft-top on,
but now I need side windows so that I can
properly handle rain emergencies.
- Drive it!
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