Cobra running gear

[dinosoar]

Here is a poser...

If you were to start to build a cobra chassis from scratch which running gear would you choose?

Perhaps consider the availability of doner components, their ability to absorb vast sums of torque. Give your machine good handling with weight saving in mind.

Is the jag setup the only way?

your thoughts?

[dinosoar]

Oh and it would be nice if it could accept proper knock on wire wheels.

[dave]

Hi Dino'

Other choices are the new dax De Dion set up that uses Jag XJ40 running gear or the bespoke running gear on the GD (Gardner Douglas) Euro.

[dinosoar]

Dave,
Can you fit wire hubs on an xj40 setup?

[dinosoar]

Although I am toying with the idea of a chassis build from scratch, I was wondering what options will be available in the future.
Will the supply of Jag bits run out? (I doubt it yet)
Are there some lighter and newer components available?
One or two firms seem to be trying BMW. Is this just to convey a sense of quality and "ultimate driving machine" or just that rear drive doners are starting to get a bit rare?
What about using a ford diff and a de dion jag setup?
lots of options
What say you?

[mylesdw]

There are one or two here based entirely on Toyota/Lexus components. 4 litre OHC injected V8, five speed, Torsen LSD, big brakes, a nice combination by all accounts. Good donor is the Toyota Soarer which although not so common in the UK could easily be imported for not much. The engine is strong and tunable to over 500hp. A chap up the road has two of them in a jet boat, it sounds wicked!

[dave]

Originally Posted by dinosoar

Although I am toying with the idea of a chassis build from scratch, I was wondering what options will be available in the future.
Will the supply of Jag bits run out? (I doubt it yet)
Are there some lighter and newer components available?
One or two firms seem to be trying BMW. Is this just to convey a sense of quality and "ultimate driving machine" or just that rear drive doners are starting to get a bit rare?
What about using a ford diff and a de dion jag setup?
lots of options
What say you?

Hi Dino'
I don't think you'll get Jag wires for the XJ40.
There are enough Jag bitd to outlast your lifetime. John Gordon Jag Spares have over 130 rear axle assemblies sat on shelves and more coming in all the time. then there's Black country Jaguar with 100's of Jags they are breaking at any one time..........An that's just two specialists that I know of.
One of the BMW based kits is the RV Python. Personally I think they have a long way to go before it is a credible kit. The shear loading on the threaded area of this top ball joint seems scary to me and the seating position is around 4-5" higher than in a Dax and at 6'4" tall I would be looking over the screen rather than through it (Rear drive donors is more likely to be the reason).
The trouble with a Ford diff is that if you put any serious power through it it will break (If chipped up Cossies can break diffs then some V8 American iron certainly will). You could use the BMW M3 (E46 I think) diff in the De Dion very easily and Dax have Jig brackets for a straight in fit.
:thumb:

[dave]

Have a look at the front suspension on this and look at how it is loaded.???????
http://www.cobra535.co.uk/


I will probably have someone all over me like a rash for this

[mylesdw]

Looks very dodgy. Not just shear but big bending force applied to whole ball-joint. It looks rather like a track-rod end anyway, never intended to take that sort of loading.

[dave]

Originally Posted by mylesdw

Looks very dodgy. Not just shear but big bending force applied to whole ball-joint. It looks rather like a track-rod end anyway, never intended to take that sort of loading.

Exactly!
Looks like a Transit drag link.

On a super seven it's not a problem as the forces are passed through the lower wishbone and all the top one does is control the camber....And they are a lot lighter than a Cob.
Here is a load bearing top wishbone on a GD T70 that I'm building. A much more substantial top ball joint arrangement.