Vern2022 Pre-Build planning

[Vern2022]

Lets start with an introduction…
I have been dreaming of building a cobra car for years, and now with retirement coming next year thinking this is the perfect retirement project. Plan on placing my order this year to have everything ready to start next July (when better to retire than independence day 2022). I would appreciate any advice from those who have boldly gone before me, and while I have done some work on cars (have a 74 914 I've had for 35 years), nothing of this magnitude. From what I have seen on the boards this looks like a great group that has a lot of experience that I know I will need to lean/learn from.

So as I look at what I want from the car, here is what I am looking for:

Something my wife and I can take on weekend road trips (maybe an occasional Cobra rally from time to time a little further away)
A car I would be happy taking to local car shows and opening up the hood
No intention of racing


So with that in mind, here is what I am thinking as required in order to keep the wife happy as well:

Rag Top (but also loved my MGB Tonneau cover as well)
Air Conditioning
IRS
Comfortable seats (was as much as realistically possible :-)



After review some of the builds out there here is what I am initially thinking

Complete Kit Specs:

Powder Coated Chassis
Hydraulic Clutch Master Cylinder Kit
Body Cutouts
Power Steering Kit
Retro Gauges
Dash with glove box
IRS
18" Halibrand (with the larger rears)
Chrome Driver and Passenger roll bars
Willwood Front and Rear Brakes



Drivetrain:

347 FI from Blueprint with PS & AC
Manual Transmission
Hydraulic Clutch
Mechanical Throttle



Other Scheduled Options/Mods:

Wind Wings
Gas-N Side Pipes
Dropped Trunk Floor
Engine mounted Battery
Russ Thompson Turn Signal Kit
Detachable Steering Wheel
Radio
A/C Heat Defrost
Heated Seats (but interested in the Katzin heated/cooled seats)
Drop trunk / extra storage space in rear trunk



Questions:
Do I need sway bars if I will not be racing?
What is the difference in rear ends with IRS and not racing?
Would footbox air vents be helpful, or cancel A/C
Does anyone have experience with the Katzkin heated/cooled seats? What seats are they compatible with?
Speaking of seats, are there comfortable options out there for those of us that aren’t as slim as we used to be 😉
And would those seat work if I wanted to go with the soft top/tonneau combo?

Does the above make sense for what I am wanting to do?

What else do I need to be thinking about?

Any/all feedback appreciated.

Looking forward to joining the madness in 2022

[rtbellah]

Sounds like you have been thinking about this a lot.....I did the same. My kit is due soon...and it sounds like we have some common ideas - AC being the biggest. I looked into it (and started a thread on here about it) and from what I could find you will be hard pressed to get a 3-in-1 unit that will fit if you have the glovebox. I opted to forgo the glovebox and will do the trunk cubby from breeze instead (and I will fab a lockable door on it.) I live in AZ so AC wasn't a choice it's required - neither is the soft top. I am considering the footbox vents as well....might wait to see how bad the heat is first. Good luck on your journey.

Rick

[Vern2022]

Thanks Rick

I will look into the trunk cubby, and look for your build updates on the lockable door. Have you decided on which soft top you will be going with?

[rtbellah]

Thanks Rick

I will look into the trunk cubby, and look for your build updates on the lockable door. Have you decided on which soft top you will be going with?

My plan is to go with the top from FFR....I believe you can get the same top through Rod Tops directly. I like the fact that you don't have to drill a lot of holes in the body and it sets up quickly after the initial install. Also - here is a link to the thread I started on AC. There are some pics on post#21 that illustrate the space issue :
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?39301-MKIV-roadster-Air-conditioning&highlight=Air+conditioning+roadster

Rick

[rtbellah]

Thanks Rick

I will look into the trunk cubby, and look for your build updates on the lockable door. Have you decided on which soft top you will be going with?

My plan is to go with the top from FFR....I believe you can get the same top through Rod Tops directly. I like the fact that you don't have to drill a lot of holes in the body and it sets up quickly after the initial install. Also - here is a link to the thread I started on AC:
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?39301-MKIV-roadster-Air-conditioning&highlight=Air+conditioning+roadster

[Avalanche325]

You cannot buy the top from Rod Tops. It is an FFR "exclusive" item. What I do recommend is tht you get quarter windows (visibility) and the zip down rear window (ventilation) options added. You place your order with FFR and then call Rod Tops to add those. They are a really nice top. However, don't expect it to be 100% waterproof. I have been in a couple of 30mph max rain storms here in Florida. Just keep a hand towel or two behind your seats.

As far a seats go. The stock seats actually are reasonable comfortable. I know two people that have taken high backs out and put the classic seat back in because of comfort. One does LONG trips and the other is a bigger guy. I added headrests to mine at my wife's request for longer trips. I copied John4337 here and used some made for 65/66 Mustangs. They look look like they belong there. No one has ever noticed them. https://www.ffcars.com/threads/another-seat-thread.413801/page-2

John is also the long distance guy. His wife goes with him. He also has a soft top and A/C. Might be worth PMing him.

IRS does give a slightly smoother ride. The 3-link doesn't ride bad either. I haven't been in one with the new IRS. Keep in mind that no matter what you do, these are race cars. You won't make a Lexus out of it.
Do you need swaybars if you are not going on the track.....No. They definitely make the car corner flatter.
Footbox air vents. YES!!!!

[Greg Wenzel]

Another thing to consider is lead time on your order, I placed my order a couple of weeks ago and it's looking like September before I'll see it.

[Vern2022]

Greg,
Good to know. I will plan on getting my order in before the holidays for a July 2022 build start.
Thanks

[Vern2022]

Thanks for all the info!
I really like the way you did your seats, but about half the images showed as no longer available. :(
Also in your post you mentioned a "snapless tonneau", assuming that is compatible with the Rod top you installed. Any additional info on the tonneau?

[Avalanche325]

The snapless tonneau is compatible with the soft top. There are two different people that make them depending on whether you want plain black or a color with stripes. They have bungee cords that you hook into your sidepipes. You will have to do a search on that one. Not sure how to contact them.

[rich grsc]

Forget the radio, and there isn't a need for a removable steering wheel.

[Vern2022]

The snapless tonneau is compatible with the soft top. There are two different people that make them depending on whether you want plain black or a color with stripes. They have bungee cords that you hook into your sidepipes. You will have to do a search on that one. Not sure how to contact them.

Thanks Avalanche325

Was able to find what looks like a great option to having all the extra hardware on the car from piggyback.

thanks again

[Vern2022]

Forget the radio, and there isn't a need for a removable steering wheel.

Thanks Rich, I think I will drop the removable steering wheel from the list but still wonder about the radio on long trips (highway driving with top up), do you think in those conditions the radio would still really not be heard? Have not driven a cobra yet, so not sure what to expect noise wise on the highway.

thanks for the insight

[rich grsc]

I have never ridden in one with a top, so that's outside of my insights. I know it would be impossible to hear a radio at cruise in my car, even at idle it would be difficult

[Mike DiGiorgio]

the IRS and a 3 link corner very similarly on the track. however on imperfect surfaces on the road, the IRS really shines, and just works better for both comfort, and performance. i would highly recommend that option! also if " comfort" is a priority, Think about stepping down to 17 inch wheels. a little extra tire sidewall goes a long way in insulate from bumps in the road!

Detachable steering wheel is only needed if you use a larger wheel (which i prefer, but that's personal preference) and using a larger steering wheel helps a lot when you have manual steering. if you go with power steering than a smaller wheel is no problem.

i would scrap AC, its not like the cars have an interior that seals up tight even with a roof. and the shade from simply having a top will likely be the most beneficial thing. As for seats, if you are not to tall/long legged the leather upgrades have the best padding. but leave less leg space.

[Avalanche325]

Believe it or not, it is actually louder in the car with the top on.

My car is louder than most, even with Flowmaster Slimlines. I wear earplugs 100% of the time. There is no way a stereo would be of any use in my car. Especially if I wanted any manner of sound quality. It would simply raise the noise floor.

[Vern2022]

Believe it or not, it is actually louder in the car with the top on.

My car is louder than most, even with Flowmaster Slimlines. I wear earplugs 100% of the time. There is no way a stereo would be of any use in my car. Especially if I wanted any manner of sound quality. It would simply raise the noise floor.

Good to know, thanks Avalanche325