The Cobra Adventure
Discussion
As posted in my Moon mileage Alpina thread https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... (Sorry this post is made up of a series of other posts on a different forum), I missed having something mad to run along side it. I was looking at all sorts, Caterham's, Atoms, Cayman GT4's, GT3's and even a Macca 570s in one of my weaker moments.
None of them though really got me going. The Caterhams were too samey when compared to what I had before and the Porkers were too much like 'normal' cars.
Then the Mrs chimed in with why don't you get something you've always though was cool, and literally the first thing that came to mind was a Cobra.
I've always loved them since been little. I've been around kit cars since I was 16 so know them inside out, whats good, what isn't, whats correct etc.
So I set about looking, with my criteria list:
As close to period correct visibly as possible
Flat dash
Offset shifter
Open inner doors
15's with bubble tyres
Correct riveted bonnet and hood scoop
Correct body shape at the rear and front
Side pipes
And most importantly a Ford derived 427ci motor (7litre)
Annoyingly wanting all of the above basically throws out all the UK made reps, bar the £125k ali bodied ones. Even AC's own repos all use LS motors now.
The likes of Dax, AK and Pilgrim all have a design at the rear where it falls away too quickly compared to the real car, and the Pilgrim especially has an difficult front end.
The UK ones also have really odd interiors with the dash and trans tunnel merging. They also generally have chevy 305ci's in them, as they are cheap and plentiful. As well as hateful 17" wheels! (Sorry owners with these!)
So I was only really left with the American made reps (well the shells are done in South Africa). The two companies making the majority of these been Superformance and Backdraft.
Superformance are very nice cars, but the suspension design is of their own making and can be err a little interesting. Backdraft basically ripped the geo from a E36 M3 and used that on their own chassis. I'd have happily had either, LHD wasn't a problem for me.
Now the search was a tough one, very few of these cars are in the UK, and when they get offered through a dealer, they end up being a huge price. Then you can add in the fact its impossible to see one atm and it made it stressful.
Then I randomly found on on car and classic, which was local but had no price. Spoke to the owner, he said all the right things (sadly he got clobbered by Covid), so I've bought it unseen. Hopefully collect it this week!
Short spec:
Backdraft Cobra 427 SC
Imported 2017
5000 miles since it was built
Period correct bright work
Extra passenger roll hoop
Painted stripes
Stainless side pipers
15" wheels
Smeding Performance 427 V8. (Stroked Ford Windsor from 351ci to 427ci) 65kg lighter than a big block
500bhp/500lbft
Built Tremec T500 gearbox
Custom independent rear suspension with Torsen LSD.
Collected it,......
3 Weeks Ago.....
The paperwork is mental. Even have the copies of the payments cheques for the body ex engine from the USA.
First job was getting all those stickers off:
CO2 aware in this household....
Well... I’ve still not driven it and I’ve broken it...
Was going through all the boring check stuff to make sure it wouldn’t fall apart when I first take it out.
When checking the clutch range of movement the slave cylinder s**t it’s self. Only a £30 part though so no biggie. Better then it happening when I’m out and about!
Also look at the harness’s, they are from a 1971 aircraft. I'm not using those!!
Week 2.............
TRS harnesses ordered.
As well as what I assume to be the correct slave cylinder too. The broken one is still on the car and I can’t be bothered to take it off atm.
Hopefully have the first drive next weekend, weather dependant.
Engine shots.... its a bit bling for me. Wi'll be making it look more original in the future.
Photo of the car from when it lived in California!
Some parts have come!
New clutch slave cylinder
Bonnet gas strut
Steering wheel frameless button holder
Brass adapter for the vac gauge
Still awaiting:
High temp clutch fluid
Funk motorsport clutch and brake line heat protection
TRS Harness'
Also ordered:
Classic switch label set
1960 Lucas single push switches
Clutch slave cylinder done!
As you can see it was a right t**t to bleed.
I’m glad my guess at a 1991 Landrover Defender slave cylinder was right though!
Clutch all re set and it nice to use!
Rolled out of the garage for its maiden drive.
Well.....
Bad points:
It runs lean on acceleration
The near side front break squeals all the time
The tyres had 16 psi in them
It’s too low on the front and the tyres rub
Steering is a proper effort at low speed
Good points:
LHD is fun!
It’s sounds biblical
It’s actually nice to drive
The Mrs loves it
It’s a f**king Cobra
It shakes like a badass at idle
All the little fixes I’ve done have make it better
All in all I’m calling it a great success!!
Neighbour update:
3rd noise complaint today...
So after much reading I set about re setting the carb....
Carb update:
Took the jets, metering rods and springs out.
Found it was set to:
12% Lean cruise
15%!!!!!! Lean throttle
No wonder I had issues.
Now set to:
4% Lean cruise
6% Rich throttle
So hopefully that helps.
If not, I can go to:
0% Cruise
15% Rich throttle
The current 21% swing in rich fuelling should sort me.
Some photo's of how it stands now.
Oh yeah, also fitted all the funk motorsport heat proofing to my clutch and brake lines that pass the manifold.
The lean saga continues.
Carb all set up, idles fine, drives on light throttle fine. Lean as hell with any proper throttle.
So popped round the parents in it, Dad wanted to see it running.
Had the bonnet open, started it, running happily but....
Fuel pressure was through the floor, knocked the engine off and its back up to where it should be. The bloody fuel pump is on its way out!
So to distract me from making this thing fuel injected.... I finished the interior.
When I got it, I didn’t really show the interior. It had a Nismo wheel FFS....
So here are some before:
And now, with new wheel, switch gear, labels and the daft carbon fibre panel painted black:
This Week............
I caved.....
Holley Sniper EFI unit
Just ordered an 044 pump which will 'just' about keep up with the fuel needs of 7000cc at full chat.
Sniper on and half the wiring done.
This is going to be an adventure....
This weekend
So today was eventful.
First off my new pump and filter sit very low! Low enough that I think they need a shield making.
Other than that, got it all plumbed up. Ran the pump and fuel every where. The one bit of hose I hadn’t changed was leaking. Typical.
Sorted that.
Finished the wiring off for the sniper. Do all the settings, set the wizard off to make a map and..... all it’ll do is crank, no rpm signal.
Test everything no issues, odd.
Have a route for a better tach signal under the dash and what’s that? A bloody MSD programmable ignition unit. Who knew. Took the tach signal off that.
Boom she starts, straight into a happy idle. Within 2 mins the guy from 6 doors down was on the drive, I told him to sod off and checked for any more leaks.
All been well, time for a test drive. Within a mile I nearly lost a wheel. The cap nuts had bottomed out on the studs, so they could wind them selves out. Mrs came to my aid and I swapped the cap nuts for some open ones, sorted.
By now the car was in warm and was idling at 2000 with the idle valve closed, checked for air leaks, none. Weird. Quick google and I hadn’t adjusted the hot idle screw. Idiot. Quickly sorted that and off I went for it to self tune.
After 20 mins or random driving, for the first time ever I gave it all it had...
HOLY f**king s**t
This thing is fast. From a roll it left an easy 50m set of 11’s in 3rd gear.
Did a bit more driving, got cold, went home.
LOVE IT.
None of them though really got me going. The Caterhams were too samey when compared to what I had before and the Porkers were too much like 'normal' cars.
Then the Mrs chimed in with why don't you get something you've always though was cool, and literally the first thing that came to mind was a Cobra.
I've always loved them since been little. I've been around kit cars since I was 16 so know them inside out, whats good, what isn't, whats correct etc.
So I set about looking, with my criteria list:
As close to period correct visibly as possible
Flat dash
Offset shifter
Open inner doors
15's with bubble tyres
Correct riveted bonnet and hood scoop
Correct body shape at the rear and front
Side pipes
And most importantly a Ford derived 427ci motor (7litre)
Annoyingly wanting all of the above basically throws out all the UK made reps, bar the £125k ali bodied ones. Even AC's own repos all use LS motors now.
The likes of Dax, AK and Pilgrim all have a design at the rear where it falls away too quickly compared to the real car, and the Pilgrim especially has an difficult front end.
The UK ones also have really odd interiors with the dash and trans tunnel merging. They also generally have chevy 305ci's in them, as they are cheap and plentiful. As well as hateful 17" wheels! (Sorry owners with these!)
So I was only really left with the American made reps (well the shells are done in South Africa). The two companies making the majority of these been Superformance and Backdraft.
Superformance are very nice cars, but the suspension design is of their own making and can be err a little interesting. Backdraft basically ripped the geo from a E36 M3 and used that on their own chassis. I'd have happily had either, LHD wasn't a problem for me.
Now the search was a tough one, very few of these cars are in the UK, and when they get offered through a dealer, they end up being a huge price. Then you can add in the fact its impossible to see one atm and it made it stressful.
Then I randomly found on on car and classic, which was local but had no price. Spoke to the owner, he said all the right things (sadly he got clobbered by Covid), so I've bought it unseen. Hopefully collect it this week!
Short spec:
Backdraft Cobra 427 SC
Imported 2017
5000 miles since it was built
Period correct bright work
Extra passenger roll hoop
Painted stripes
Stainless side pipers
15" wheels
Smeding Performance 427 V8. (Stroked Ford Windsor from 351ci to 427ci) 65kg lighter than a big block
500bhp/500lbft
Built Tremec T500 gearbox
Custom independent rear suspension with Torsen LSD.
Collected it,......
3 Weeks Ago.....
The paperwork is mental. Even have the copies of the payments cheques for the body ex engine from the USA.
First job was getting all those stickers off:
CO2 aware in this household....
Well... I’ve still not driven it and I’ve broken it...
Was going through all the boring check stuff to make sure it wouldn’t fall apart when I first take it out.
When checking the clutch range of movement the slave cylinder s**t it’s self. Only a £30 part though so no biggie. Better then it happening when I’m out and about!
Also look at the harness’s, they are from a 1971 aircraft. I'm not using those!!
Week 2.............
TRS harnesses ordered.
As well as what I assume to be the correct slave cylinder too. The broken one is still on the car and I can’t be bothered to take it off atm.
Hopefully have the first drive next weekend, weather dependant.
Engine shots.... its a bit bling for me. Wi'll be making it look more original in the future.
Photo of the car from when it lived in California!
Some parts have come!
New clutch slave cylinder
Bonnet gas strut
Steering wheel frameless button holder
Brass adapter for the vac gauge
Still awaiting:
High temp clutch fluid
Funk motorsport clutch and brake line heat protection
TRS Harness'
Also ordered:
Classic switch label set
1960 Lucas single push switches
Clutch slave cylinder done!
As you can see it was a right t**t to bleed.
I’m glad my guess at a 1991 Landrover Defender slave cylinder was right though!
Clutch all re set and it nice to use!
Rolled out of the garage for its maiden drive.
Well.....
Bad points:
It runs lean on acceleration
The near side front break squeals all the time
The tyres had 16 psi in them
It’s too low on the front and the tyres rub
Steering is a proper effort at low speed
Good points:
LHD is fun!
It’s sounds biblical
It’s actually nice to drive
The Mrs loves it
It’s a f**king Cobra
It shakes like a badass at idle
All the little fixes I’ve done have make it better
All in all I’m calling it a great success!!
Neighbour update:
3rd noise complaint today...
So after much reading I set about re setting the carb....
Carb update:
Took the jets, metering rods and springs out.
Found it was set to:
12% Lean cruise
15%!!!!!! Lean throttle
No wonder I had issues.
Now set to:
4% Lean cruise
6% Rich throttle
So hopefully that helps.
If not, I can go to:
0% Cruise
15% Rich throttle
The current 21% swing in rich fuelling should sort me.
Some photo's of how it stands now.
Oh yeah, also fitted all the funk motorsport heat proofing to my clutch and brake lines that pass the manifold.
The lean saga continues.
Carb all set up, idles fine, drives on light throttle fine. Lean as hell with any proper throttle.
So popped round the parents in it, Dad wanted to see it running.
Had the bonnet open, started it, running happily but....
Fuel pressure was through the floor, knocked the engine off and its back up to where it should be. The bloody fuel pump is on its way out!
So to distract me from making this thing fuel injected.... I finished the interior.
When I got it, I didn’t really show the interior. It had a Nismo wheel FFS....
So here are some before:
And now, with new wheel, switch gear, labels and the daft carbon fibre panel painted black:
This Week............
I caved.....
Holley Sniper EFI unit
Just ordered an 044 pump which will 'just' about keep up with the fuel needs of 7000cc at full chat.
Sniper on and half the wiring done.
This is going to be an adventure....
This weekend
So today was eventful.
First off my new pump and filter sit very low! Low enough that I think they need a shield making.
Other than that, got it all plumbed up. Ran the pump and fuel every where. The one bit of hose I hadn’t changed was leaking. Typical.
Sorted that.
Finished the wiring off for the sniper. Do all the settings, set the wizard off to make a map and..... all it’ll do is crank, no rpm signal.
Test everything no issues, odd.
Have a route for a better tach signal under the dash and what’s that? A bloody MSD programmable ignition unit. Who knew. Took the tach signal off that.
Boom she starts, straight into a happy idle. Within 2 mins the guy from 6 doors down was on the drive, I told him to sod off and checked for any more leaks.
All been well, time for a test drive. Within a mile I nearly lost a wheel. The cap nuts had bottomed out on the studs, so they could wind them selves out. Mrs came to my aid and I swapped the cap nuts for some open ones, sorted.
By now the car was in warm and was idling at 2000 with the idle valve closed, checked for air leaks, none. Weird. Quick google and I hadn’t adjusted the hot idle screw. Idiot. Quickly sorted that and off I went for it to self tune.
After 20 mins or random driving, for the first time ever I gave it all it had...
HOLY f**king s**t
This thing is fast. From a roll it left an easy 50m set of 11’s in 3rd gear.
Did a bit more driving, got cold, went home.
LOVE IT.
Edited by Waitey on Wednesday 28th April 09:05
Edited by Waitey on Tuesday 21st February 09:58
Absolutely superb.
Your list of requirements reflect exactly what I was looking for a year or so back when I fancied a Cobra. I ended up looking at Superformance cars but failed to find one so stuck with the 911 in the end.
Yours look excellent. Many smiles per mile ahead of you I reckon!
Your list of requirements reflect exactly what I was looking for a year or so back when I fancied a Cobra. I ended up looking at Superformance cars but failed to find one so stuck with the 911 in the end.
Yours look excellent. Many smiles per mile ahead of you I reckon!
I'm sure my toy isn't anywhere near as loud as yours, but I've found the best way to appease folk is to take them out in it.
We have some more senior neighbours across the road and they brought their grand kids over the other day to watch and gawp as I fired her up, let it warm up for 10mins and head out.
Once they've experienced the joy they bring they realise that a bit of noise every now and then is no biggie.
We have some more senior neighbours across the road and they brought their grand kids over the other day to watch and gawp as I fired her up, let it warm up for 10mins and head out.
Once they've experienced the joy they bring they realise that a bit of noise every now and then is no biggie.
boxy but good said:
Brilliant write up.
Thank you.
I must ask though, What is the story behind the crushed exhaust on the garage wall ?
I bought a 300bhp Ford Duratec Engine for a Westfield I built. I got the exhaust with it. As you can see it'd been in hell of a shunt. I keep it as art!Thank you.
I must ask though, What is the story behind the crushed exhaust on the garage wall ?
Ambleton said:
I'm sure my toy isn't anywhere near as loud as yours, but I've found the best way to appease folk is to take them out in it.
We have some more senior neighbours across the road and they brought their grand kids over the other day to watch and gawp as I fired her up, let it warm up for 10mins and head out.
Once they've experienced the joy they bring they realise that a bit of noise every now and then is no biggie.
Sadly I have a long standing issue with this neighbour. It started when I was building Westfield in the garage, 4 years ago!We have some more senior neighbours across the road and they brought their grand kids over the other day to watch and gawp as I fired her up, let it warm up for 10mins and head out.
Once they've experienced the joy they bring they realise that a bit of noise every now and then is no biggie.
Oddly now, there are 3 people with AMG's that are loud near me and I get blamed for their noise too.
He lives SIX houses down too!
Love this. Definitly a bucket list item for me. I also loved your westy, infact I got my bodywork from paul just one ral code different 
I also have a nob neighbour (only one in whole street so doing well) who would complain about the Westfield starting up when I was building it. I simply told them once they stopped their kids screaming and shouting at all times of the night I'd stop the car making noise. Not heard from them since.
Please keep this thread updated and if you can get a link to a video even better
I also have a nob neighbour (only one in whole street so doing well) who would complain about the Westfield starting up when I was building it. I simply told them once they stopped their kids screaming and shouting at all times of the night I'd stop the car making noise. Not heard from them since.
Please keep this thread updated and if you can get a link to a video even better
What a machine!! When I was reading I was thinking to myself "why go to so much trouble to avoid the UK kits" and then I saw the pictures and got it straight away.
It looks absolutely stunning, enjoy.
I am intrigued though, how is it registered as a 64 car? Presumably that's not when it was built?
It looks absolutely stunning, enjoy.
I am intrigued though, how is it registered as a 64 car? Presumably that's not when it was built?
Blue 7 said:
I’d consider it a privilege to have a big block Cobra six doors down the road! What’s wrong with people?!
They are just fecking weirdos........................... What’s wrong with people?!OP wonderful - great work de-stickering but the side pipes make it for me - great for setting of car alarms (apparently
)My mate had a Dax Cobra with a 4.2 TVR lump in it - made a lovely noise and have some really fond memories of going to Le Mans 24 hr in it
MrBig said:
What a machine!! When I was reading I was thinking to myself "why go to so much trouble to avoid the UK kits" and then I saw the pictures and got it straight away.
It looks absolutely stunning, enjoy.
I am intrigued though, how is it registered as a 64 car? Presumably that's not when it was built?
In the USA you can apply for a historic title. The Ford Windsor Engine in this is a 1964. So it got awarded 1964 US Title. It looks absolutely stunning, enjoy.
I am intrigued though, how is it registered as a 64 car? Presumably that's not when it was built?
When it was imported, the DVLA would only go off its official South Carolina title which was a 1964 Ford based Historic vehicle title.
was8v said:
Wash that brake fluid off the tarmac ASAP with plenty of soap it will slowly eat its way through the tarmac. Put something down next time!
The cobra is just beautiful, you did the right thing the other reps are a dogs dinner.
The drive is a write off, after fuel line split on a Westifeld over it, and dumped 20l of 99ron onto it about 3 years ago. The cobra is just beautiful, you did the right thing the other reps are a dogs dinner.
Then I left a leaky Alfa 159 parked in the same spot for 4 months.
I block it out now.
Waitey said:
This weekend
So today was eventful.
First off my new pump and filter sit very low! Low enough that I think they need a shield making.
Other than that, got it all plumbed up. Ran the pump and fuel every where. The one bit of hose I hadn’t changed was leaking. Typical.
Sorted that.
Finished the wiring off for the sniper. Do all the settings, set the wizard off to make a map and..... all it’ll do is crank, no rpm signal.
Test everything no issues, odd.
Have a route for a better tach signal under the dash and what’s that? A bloody MSD programmable ignition unit. Who knew. Took the tach signal off that.
Boom she starts, straight into a happy idle. Within 2 mins the guy from 6 doors down was on the drive, I told him to sod off and checked for any more leaks.
All been well, time for a test drive. Within a mile I nearly lost a wheel. The cap nuts had bottomed out on the studs, so they could wind them selves out. Mrs came to my aid and I swapped the cap nuts for some open ones, sorted.
By now the car was in warm and was idling at 2000 with the idle valve closed, checked for air leaks, none. Weird. Quick google and I hadn’t adjusted the hot idle screw. Idiot. Quickly sorted that and off I went for it to self tune.
After 20 mins or random driving, for the first time ever I gave it all it had...
HOLY f**king s**t
This thing is fast. From a roll it left an easy 50m set of 11’s in 3rd gear.
Did a bit more driving, got cold, went home.
LOVE IT.
I nearly spat my drink all over the screen laughing at the responce to the neighbor bit and the "HOLY ***" moment. I remember my first ride in the proto 620R when i was working at Caterham (Thanks Dan), all i could do was laugh like a mad man as he belted it up from 2nd to 4th and well past 120mph... One of my best days at work So today was eventful.
First off my new pump and filter sit very low! Low enough that I think they need a shield making.
Other than that, got it all plumbed up. Ran the pump and fuel every where. The one bit of hose I hadn’t changed was leaking. Typical.
Sorted that.
Finished the wiring off for the sniper. Do all the settings, set the wizard off to make a map and..... all it’ll do is crank, no rpm signal.
Test everything no issues, odd.
Have a route for a better tach signal under the dash and what’s that? A bloody MSD programmable ignition unit. Who knew. Took the tach signal off that.
Boom she starts, straight into a happy idle. Within 2 mins the guy from 6 doors down was on the drive, I told him to sod off and checked for any more leaks.
All been well, time for a test drive. Within a mile I nearly lost a wheel. The cap nuts had bottomed out on the studs, so they could wind them selves out. Mrs came to my aid and I swapped the cap nuts for some open ones, sorted.
By now the car was in warm and was idling at 2000 with the idle valve closed, checked for air leaks, none. Weird. Quick google and I hadn’t adjusted the hot idle screw. Idiot. Quickly sorted that and off I went for it to self tune.
After 20 mins or random driving, for the first time ever I gave it all it had...
HOLY f**king s**t
This thing is fast. From a roll it left an easy 50m set of 11’s in 3rd gear.
Did a bit more driving, got cold, went home.
LOVE IT.
Look forwards to seeing more on this, and would suggest looking to swap to the pancake filter style with a filter cap if you can get a low rise to fit, those triangular ones rob quite abit of power from what i've seen on Engine Masters from HR magazine. May well need some more 'tuning' once you swap them over.
EDIT - one of these:
Edited by Sf_Manta on Tuesday 27th April 16:40
Waitey said:
MrBig said:
What a machine!! When I was reading I was thinking to myself "why go to so much trouble to avoid the UK kits" and then I saw the pictures and got it straight away.
It looks absolutely stunning, enjoy.
I am intrigued though, how is it registered as a 64 car? Presumably that's not when it was built?
In the USA you can apply for a historic title. The Ford Windsor Engine in this is a 1964. So it got awarded 1964 US Title. It looks absolutely stunning, enjoy.
I am intrigued though, how is it registered as a 64 car? Presumably that's not when it was built?
When it was imported, the DVLA would only go off its official South Carolina title which was a 1964 Ford based Historic vehicle title.
I'm similar to you in always wanting one. I'm quite happy with how the Dax's look (I thought) but perhaps some more observation is needed.
Your requirements are exactly the same as mine, except I only want a driver's side roll hoop as I think it looks better. The Ford engine I'd probably be less fussed about as I'm a big LS fan, but it would have to be 7 litres, always a bit meh seeing 427 badges with a chromed up 350 chevy in there.
Look forward to seeing / hearing more
Your requirements are exactly the same as mine, except I only want a driver's side roll hoop as I think it looks better. The Ford engine I'd probably be less fussed about as I'm a big LS fan, but it would have to be 7 litres, always a bit meh seeing 427 badges with a chromed up 350 chevy in there.
Look forward to seeing / hearing more
Sf_Manta said:
Waitey said:
This weekend
So today was eventful.
First off my new pump and filter sit very low! Low enough that I think they need a shield making.
Other than that, got it all plumbed up. Ran the pump and fuel every where. The one bit of hose I hadn’t changed was leaking. Typical.
Sorted that.
Finished the wiring off for the sniper. Do all the settings, set the wizard off to make a map and..... all it’ll do is crank, no rpm signal.
Test everything no issues, odd.
Have a route for a better tach signal under the dash and what’s that? A bloody MSD programmable ignition unit. Who knew. Took the tach signal off that.
Boom she starts, straight into a happy idle. Within 2 mins the guy from 6 doors down was on the drive, I told him to sod off and checked for any more leaks.
All been well, time for a test drive. Within a mile I nearly lost a wheel. The cap nuts had bottomed out on the studs, so they could wind them selves out. Mrs came to my aid and I swapped the cap nuts for some open ones, sorted.
By now the car was in warm and was idling at 2000 with the idle valve closed, checked for air leaks, none. Weird. Quick google and I hadn’t adjusted the hot idle screw. Idiot. Quickly sorted that and off I went for it to self tune.
After 20 mins or random driving, for the first time ever I gave it all it had...
HOLY f**king s**t
This thing is fast. From a roll it left an easy 50m set of 11’s in 3rd gear.
Did a bit more driving, got cold, went home.
LOVE IT.
I nearly spat my drink all over the screen laughing at the responce to the neighbor bit and the "HOLY ***" moment. I remember my first ride in the proto 620R when i was working at Caterham (Thanks Dan), all i could do was laugh like a mad man as he belted it up from 2nd to 4th and well past 120mph... One of my best days at work So today was eventful.
First off my new pump and filter sit very low! Low enough that I think they need a shield making.
Other than that, got it all plumbed up. Ran the pump and fuel every where. The one bit of hose I hadn’t changed was leaking. Typical.
Sorted that.
Finished the wiring off for the sniper. Do all the settings, set the wizard off to make a map and..... all it’ll do is crank, no rpm signal.
Test everything no issues, odd.
Have a route for a better tach signal under the dash and what’s that? A bloody MSD programmable ignition unit. Who knew. Took the tach signal off that.
Boom she starts, straight into a happy idle. Within 2 mins the guy from 6 doors down was on the drive, I told him to sod off and checked for any more leaks.
All been well, time for a test drive. Within a mile I nearly lost a wheel. The cap nuts had bottomed out on the studs, so they could wind them selves out. Mrs came to my aid and I swapped the cap nuts for some open ones, sorted.
By now the car was in warm and was idling at 2000 with the idle valve closed, checked for air leaks, none. Weird. Quick google and I hadn’t adjusted the hot idle screw. Idiot. Quickly sorted that and off I went for it to self tune.
After 20 mins or random driving, for the first time ever I gave it all it had...
HOLY f**king s**t
This thing is fast. From a roll it left an easy 50m set of 11’s in 3rd gear.
Did a bit more driving, got cold, went home.
LOVE IT.
Look forwards to seeing more on this, and would suggest looking to swap to the pancake filter style with a filter cap if you can get a low rise to fit, those triangular ones rob quite abit of power from what i've seen on Engine Masters from HR magazine. May well need some more 'tuning' once you swap them over.
EDIT - one of these:
Edited by Sf_Manta on Tuesday 27th April 16:40
I want to get the bay looking more original. Which will probably mean ditching all the shiny bits any making it look like a normal Windsor again.
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