Looking for Input from New HP Drivers

[VAHokie]

For those builders who are new to getting behind the wheel of a car capable of what our cars can do (as I Am), i'd like to hear how that experience and learning curve has been with your FFR. After watching FFR's engine discussion on FB Live yesterday, the comment Tony made about "Driving a car vs. it driving you" has me rethinking my current trajectory of getting a 347. I was originally set on a 306, but spending just a little more to have the HP available in a 347 should you ever need it is a compelling argument.

Thanks in advance for sharing your experience.
Tony

[Derald Rice]

You will need to find your limits in a safe environment. Best thing that you can do to find those limits, and to help flatten that curve is to attend as many auto-crosses that you can. Also do a SCCA auto-x driving school as often as you want. It's OK to be concerned about the power, but don't let it intimidate you.

[Jim1855]

My first drive was donuts in a friend's large side yard.

Put a brick under the gas pedal if you're concerned. Throttle is torque, torque breaks the tires loose. Kinda like training wheels. Training wheels are not cheating.

You don't have to use what you have but you certainly can't use what you don't. Make sure you're aimed straight when applying the power, the skinny pedal IS NOT an on/off switch, modulation is the key. Connect your brain to the system, your right foot is an integral part of the system. Give yourself a chance to learn the system before you try stupid stuff.

And most important of all - have a good time.

Jim

[Old Timer]

You can always set up the peddle so it will not pull the throttle all the way open.
Start out very conservative and get to know the car that way. Once you get the hang of it,
take it to a autocross, or even track days somewhere to learn where the limits are.
Then you can start upping the power and relearn it again.

I started out in a Fairlane GT with 390 at 14 years old, then rebuilt a 427 to drop in at 16.
I learned fast and hard! Someone had to be looking over me, as I did some stupid stuff back then.

I have always had something performance in the garage. Fast forward 40+ years,
and the 347 in my coupe still scares the s4!+ out of me.

[Sdonnel]

Moderation and respecting what the car can do is critical. I’ve had two Cobra’s and built the most recent one. There is a summer of SCCA events planned once the world restarts. My son and I will both get as comfortable as possible finding the limits of the car in a controlled environment.

Scott

[NAZ]

Good advice above. If you're really intimidated by the car, go to a driving school, you'll gain some experience under controlled conditions and have fun doing it. But if you downgrade the engine power at some point you're going to second guess your choice. I know I'm in the minority, but IMO there's no such thing as too much power. It's all controlled by the skinny pedal on the right -- use it wisely.

[Vspeeds]

Ive had a few high performance cars in the past. My current car, the 289 Cobra has a stroked 427 with over 500 horse power and torque. Way too much for the smaller tires (compared to the regular 427 kit) and too much for the type of driving that I do nowadays. However, its nice to have the power when I use it. These cars are so drivable that, if you have the discipline to not mash the pedal, you’ll totally have control of the vehicle no matter how much power you have. I think of it as having an egg behind the gas pedal. Don’t mash it too hard to break the egg, rather a gentle smooth push on the pedal.

[VAHokie]

Thank you for all the input. Regardless of engine choice, I have always planned to attend a high performance driving school to learn my limits and possibly some track days to apply those learnings within the car. I think the latter is now a definite. Thanks again.

[TrevorP]

It is all about experience. I've raced my cobra for over 10 years. It feels like a glove to me. I have 600hp and wouldn't care if it was 800hp. I know every aspect of the cars limits. I can drive it knife edged at crazy speeds. I also have a 650hp 2018 Z06. That car, with all the computers, scares me sometimes when I least expect it. All about seat time, car setup is crucial, and a safe place for you to put the hammer down. I think autoX is one of the best ways to get the feel and dynamics of the car, and have fun at the same time. After 400hp in a car that weighs 2300lbs, it becomes how fast you are moving when it is still able to spin the tires. I've been at VIR when the temp was below 40 where my car blew the tires up at 100mph, its scary to say the least.

[TMartinLVNV]

I've had some powerful cars before, but nothing with the power/weight ratio as the Cobra. Mine is nearing completion and I am a bit scared of driving it. I did not put a 347 in it to baby it, but I want not die either. My biggest concern is having the back come around on me by letting off of the throttle when the rear tires are in a power slide. It is going to be a lot to get used to.

I'm am very fortunate to have a friend that is a near life long driving instructor. He was an instructor for the police department for many years before retiring. He spent lots of time instructing at an exotic rental place at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, instructs Air Force security police, and races his own car. I'm going to be taking lots of lessons from him.

[Mark Eaton]

I am NEW to this, never owned a high performance vehicle. I have just over 800 miles on my MK4 with 347 DART (377 HP). I love this car. I have Forte's mechanical throttle and like OldTimer suggested I have it set up so the throttle opens over its entire travel and doesn't just pop open. I also staggered the pedals and wear Puma racing shoes when I drive. I haven't burnt rubber, not really interested in that. In fact, I haven't had it at WOT yet. I've had it at half throttle a few times and in 3rd gear I'm doing 80mph and I'm backing off! I'm very happy with my engine choice so far, it is certainly not underpowered for a driver of my skill. The car is easy and fun to drive but I am very, very, aware that if I jam the pedal all the way to the floor she will turn into a rocket ship and I won't be in control. At some point I will seek professional driving instruction but I need more miles on my own first.

[GoDadGo]

I've always had peppy cars since I was 16 which I've made peppier as I've owned them over time...Each has been a progression in speed and I've always had a bad habit of turning right to go left and vice versa so my rear tires only last about half as long as my fronts

Like most of you I find the MK-4 reacts a lot faster than anything I've ever owned because of the power to weight ratio and stubby wheelbase...Vacant parking lots and the auto-cross pad at NOLA Motorsports are my current training grounds with the added advantage of an adjustable MSD Rev-Limiter which does help things settle down when my right foot does stupid stuff... My next phase of learning will occur after this virus crap is under control and my car is out of paint... My pal Phil will be taking me out on the Big Boy track at NOLA where we'll play follow the leader to learn proper entry and exit points behind his 911 Turbo-S (Daily Driver) after a good bit of him riding shotgun giving me a lot of in car instruction in my Dark Side MK-4 Roadster...I think this will be easier for me on the larger road course since I've been an avid motorcycle enthusiast for many, many years.

Oh, yeah Phil knows how to drive and is a a driving instructor which helps... He's 70 something going on 17 and his wife Diane is a Real Saint for putting up with him for 50 years.

Phil's Old Car 908-03
https://youtu.be/hsvEx4vDVdg
https://youtu.be/SKrs8fYZ8Ro

Black & Gold Car TOJ-206
https://youtu.be/zm2RdZ-FJmA
https://youtu.be/YTPvLRlmp7E
https://youtu.be/JhR21Q24xHU

Black & Gold Daily Driver:
https://youtu.be/Zhe1Ga3eoAE

For the record I am luckier than most to have friends from all walks of life, all income levels and professions; however, every last one of them is a 100% Kar Kook who don't play golf nor tennis and only watch football if L.S.U. or the New Orleans Saints are playing!

Steve

[caesarmascetti]

I vote for the 347, perfect engine for these cars IMO. Enough horsepower to be really, really fun. Light weight, plenty of room to work in the engine compartment and won't break the bank. I'm biased as I have one in mine 127416

[ej95Cobra]

As Derald (post #2) so succinctly noted above, getting a feel for the car is critical. Autocrossing will help you determine the cars (and mostly your) limits. Our local club also has 2 day events with the first day being a practice day limited to 40 members. I find those days most helpful as I get many more runs. I did my first HPDE in the Cobra at VIR last fall and having autocrossed for several seasons getting comfortable with the handing of the Cobra really allowed me to push my limits. You have many years of enjoyment ahead that will only be enhanced by your better understanding of the handling characteristics of your Cobra.