I pulled the trigger and I'm joining the club!

Hi guys,

After a lot of wavering, I finally decided to place my order for a new roadster! Below are my order details (I know you'll be interested in what I'm getting). I'd like to receive your comments on my plan:

I'm going to put a 427 with the TKO 600 in the car. Do I need an expansion tank with this setup? I plan on using a crate engine for now, and upgrading the pieces in the future in an attempt to reign in the initial cost.

I have the summer off, starting in mid to late May, and ending in August. I want to build my car as if it's my full time job (and hobby). Even though I've never built a car like this before, I don't think this timeframe will be a problem, but what do you think? I'm a bit worried about getting the painting done in time. My paint idea was to paint the two racing stripes down the middle (black with off-white stripes? I'm still debating). But I want to paint the engine bay in the same way, meaning that the foot boxes would be black and the racing stripes would go down the middle of the firewall (and the inside of the hood). I'm worried that it's going to be a ton of assembly and disassembly to get all the pieces prepared for paint and that the engine will be blocking the view of the firewall anyway. Maybe a matte black engine bay would be better (spray paint)?


I ordered the Wilwood brake upgrade. Even with the sale that's going on, I'm wondering if it's worth the upgrade. I don't plan on racing on a course (or on a road), and I think it may be overkill. Comments?

My last concern is finding a rear axle assembly as I decided to go with the pin drive system. Do you have any recommendations?

Thanks, and I look forward to your comments and getting started!
Bren


ORDERED ITEMS:
MK IV Complete Kit
Chassis Powder Coating
427 Ceramic Coated Headers
427 Engine Mounts
10.625" Driveshaft
Body Cut-Outs
Black Leather Seats
Pin Drive Front Suspension
Pin Drive IRS
Electric Vintage Gauges
Stainless Side Exhaust
Wind Wings
Sun Visors
Windshield Wipers (required by state regulations)
Stainless Bumper Kit (required by state regulations)
Floormats
Chromed Roll Bar
12.88" Front Wilwood Brakes
12.19" Rear Wilwood Brakes
Pin Drive Wheels

Welcome to the madness! Where do you live?

Big brakes are never overkill. Your paint ideas will double the amount of down time. Some take months.

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Originally Posted by seagull81

Welcome to the madness! Where do you live?

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I'll be building the car in the Houston, TX area, but I'll be registering the car in Wisconsin, where I live.

Congrats!!!

Your plan looks totally choice. A "tastefully appointed" automobile.

I have not yet built one, but have been around the scene quite a while, so I'll offer up the following:

- timeframe: don't obsess over this part. Sure the car can be built in the amount of time you quoted, but I personally wouldn't want a self-imposed hard deadline. Enjoy the build, get it done RIGHT the first time. After all, for many people the build is as much fun as the driving enjoyment.
- rear-end assembly: call Forte's. He can provide great advice, and potentially source the parts and assembly for you.
- Wilwood brakes: with all that go power, I'm always in favor of plenty of stopping power. By the way, what size wheels are you going with, 15" or 17"? This may affect the brake order.

Best of success to you, and I look forward to watching your build unfold.

The pin drive wheels are 15"

Congrats and welcome

Bren,
There are lots of Cobras in the Houston area. You can hook up with them on Yahoo Groups. Search Houston Cobra.

Bren, Congrats. You will have a great time with your build. You will need to make a small change to your order. The brakes you ordered will not fit 15" pin drive wheels. I do have systems that will fit.

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Originally Posted by Gordon Levy

Bren, Congrats. You will have a great time with your build. You will need to make a small change to your order. The brakes you ordered will not fit 15" pin drive wheels. I do have systems that will fit.

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Good catch. Thanks! I'll be sure to check out your website.

Take your time.. the build is the most fun part.

As Raceral said, it's the journey and not the destination.

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Originally Posted by 2FAST4U

As Raceral said, it's the journey and not the destination.

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It's not a rush for me because I want to get it over with. After August I simply won't have time anymore.