Modifications to make a street car

[rlampman]

I wanted to get some opinions on what changes I should do to make my Cobra more of a street car than the SC. In doing the research years ago to start this project I found that the more I looked the more I like the simple street version of the Cobra.

The changes I have planed so far:
Full bumpers
No roll bar
No hood scoop
Under car exhaust
Street gas cap (the smaller chrome with push button)
Square tail lights
Glove box

What do you think? I want to get as many changes that require frame modifications done first as I am in mock up stage before powder coating.

[skullandbones]

Check this out. I think it may be what you are looking for. Go to the roadster forum section and scroll down to this thread.

My Plain Blue MkIV is Pretty Much Finished
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?10807-My-Plain-Blue-MkIV-is-Pretty-Much-Finished

[riptide motorsport]

You can always contact Mr. Bruce and buy one of his slabside bodies that fits on the ffr frame..........Sweet!

[rlampman]

skullandbones
That is exactly what I am going for. Ron did a wonderful job!
I think I will add dash support tubes to my list and the seat belts are a nice touch.

I do like the slab side but I already have a FE so the 427 body is for me.

[SCFFR]

The biggest challenge is the under car exhaust. As I replied to you in the other post, do a forum search here and on the FFcars. There are several ways to get it done.

The rest of the modifications you mention are very easy. The glove box kit came from Alex, the "vintage" seat belts are available from many sources, lights from Finish Line,
ordered the bumper kit when I got my base kit from FFR.
The gas cap is available from Cobra Restorers but is about $200 and required a ton of fiberglass work to remove in recess. I decided against it.
Ron

[Jeff Kleiner]

A great example of a "street" 427 is (I should say was as it has since been rebodied into a slabside) John's:


Oh well here are some of 1293.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v668/jolsen42/Cobra045.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v668/jolsen42/Cobra035.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v668/jolsen42/Cobra034.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v668/jolsen42/Cobra046.jpg

John O

I'm sure he'd be willing to share the details with you.

Cheers,
Jeff

[SCFFR]

John's car was certainly my inspiration. Thanks for posting Jeff.

Ron

[Avalanche325]

Note the splitter in the mouth above.

[rlampman]

Ron, I did find your exhaust posts. Great job! I ordered oval pipe and mufflers today. Thanks to all for the great information. I'm working on relocating my e brake handle to the upper right side of the tunnel today.
I have looked at the mods needed for the street gas cap. Will see when I get there.

[rlampman]

I like the idea of a splitter! Is there a vender that makes a kit for this or is it custom built?

Also, what do you guys think about cutting off the roll bar bracket? I'm debating this for possible resale.

[SCFFR]

I wouldn't remove any of the mounts for the roll bars............you really don't need to and if you wanted to add later, it could be done. I made a simple partition for my trunk which hides the front mounts and creates a small storage space.

Ron
19827

[Todd Buttrick]

I like the idea of a splitter! Is there a vender that makes a kit for this or is it custom built?

Also, what do you guys think about cutting off the roll bar bracket? I'm debating this for possible resale.

Don't know if John used the same but I got my splitter from Dark Water Customs (http://www.darkwatercustoms.com/cart.php#!/~/product/category=185860&id=474070)

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-p_UKrmaJWg0/UekW-MISRBI/AAAAAAAAAV4/uO2keU6A5K4/w902-h600-no/914436992_M2aG4-O.jpg

[tirod]

The underhood aspect of a street car is something different. Not as a description of concours points, but the elimination of chrome, use of factory period parts, fabric braided hose, etc would be significant - with little if any loss of hp and usually a boost in longevity of parts.

Race car stuff is designed to perform in a limited envelope, and the offset is reduced life because the expectation is the car will be obsolete in two to three years. Factory cars take into account a lifespan of over 8-10 years, although that wasn't so true in the '60's. Nonetheless, when you look at 80,000 miles as a minimum part life, vs a race car at less than 20k, there is a significant difference.

Plus, those parts are designed to work together in conditions far beyond what the driver would tolerate in an open topped roadster. Considering the 427's intended use as a truck motor, driving thru winter conditions or over the road across the desert southwest are minimum requirements. Things are optimized for both conditions.

More street Cobras were sold than S/C's, if anything they were a drag on Shelby sales and contributed to his decline. Bill Cosby summed it up pretty well when he sent his back. What happened is that the fantasy view of a select micro market has overamplified the S/C and made it an icon far out of proportion to it's positive contributions.

[CraigS]

I agree w/ tirod on the under hood stuff. Black rubber hoses only. Sometimes it takes some looking to find good name brand hose like the heater hose, for example. But it's worth it to have Goodyear or Dayco instead of whatever AZ might be selling. And, on PS lines for instance, if you want fittings like the SS braided hose uses, they can be found in black and so can the hose. Look at the one on the right in the pic.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/rus-632090

[rlampman]

Yea I was planning the simple/stock looking engine compartment as well. In fact I'm looking for stock pulleys with a single grove now so my accessories look simple. The polished aluminum ones look cool but just not right for what im going for. Probably the only chrome I will have in my engine compartment is the pent roof valve covers because they are period correct and simple.

[Avalanche325]

.... but the elimination of chrome,......with little if any loss of hp......



WHAT??? I thought each chrome part was worth a minimum of 5hp!!!

[SCFFR]

Speaking of pulleys, I bought a nice polished set from CV Racing and had them powder coated satin black so the engine would look more "stock". I guess I lost that extra hp that Avalanche325 referred to!!

Ron