Entering the replica cobra world

[markdn]

Good morning all,

I have been pondering entering the kit car world for some time and the opurtunity for me to do so has arrived. I would like to build a cobra replica but I have a few questions before I make the big leap. First let me give you some info about myself. I have been interested in cars since an early age. My first car was a 1953 series 1 land rover which I rebuilt with help from my father chassis up including a complete engine rebuild. Now I like tinkering around with modern cars and currently drive a Honda Accord Type R.
Budget wise I have circa £2000 for the Chassis build and further funds will be available for the engine and body as time goes on.


1. Based on my budget I am thinking of going down the Pilgrim Sumo (sierra based) route. What are the pro's and con's of this kit and is it worth buying the doner parts kit as well or go to my local scrap yard?

2. I would like to use a small block V8 outputting 200BHP+ in this kit, does anyone have any recommendations?

3. The pic's of the sumo show it without the side exhauts, how easy is it to go down the path of adding these?

4. I am 23, 5years NCD applied to my Honda, I live in a low risk area in surrey, the car will be garaged when complete and only used on odd weekends. What sort of figure am I looking at for insurance?

Many thanks guys and I apologise if these are repeated questions....

Mark

[Grease Monkey]

STOP, (in the words of the grolsch ad. This plan isn't ready yet...)

Unless you're used to paying outrageous insurance premiums, which you may be having a type R at 23!, you might want to get a quote before you even start. My insurance company, and many others, wouldn't touch me on my Esprit for any premium until i was over 30.

The GD, when its finally finished will be around £600 pa for a 5000 mile limit for me (old fart @ 33). SHMBO is also on the premium, and since she's under 30 its another 20% thank you. If she were under 25 and they wouldn't touch us.

Most 'specialist' companies will only insure old(er) people, and set the policy price purely on

A) Value of the car
B) Engine size (not power, so a 5 litre pushing 200bhp is far more than a 2 litre twin turbo supercharged nutter engine giving 400bhp)
C) Mileage

Points, no claims etc dont come into it.

[Grease Monkey]

Oh, and you want 'Underslungs' not 'sidepipes', as anyone who values performance and unburnt ankles will tell you ..

[markdn]

Thankyou for the information grease monkey... High insurance premiums is not too much of an issue, as you said haveing a Type R (grp 1 it can't be, i was just curious of an estimated figure....

Noted point about underslungs, but do they sound as good? I have only heard sidepipes before...

[TonyD]

Ah Fresh meat !!

If you can afford a Pilgrim you can afford an AK so take a look at their offering. Its probably the easiest kit to build, its definitiely the most cost effective, and you can start off with the Rover V8, and then when you can afford it upgrade to anything you fancy.

Underslungs are definitely the way to go I think as I like my jeans and legs without burn holes, and long distances can be a bit tiresome with a 2700cc open exhaust exiting 18 inches away from your lughole.

Of course I am biased, as are most owners to their particular kit manufacturer, so welcome to the nuthouse and let everyone tell you theirs is best and then make up your own mind.

Cheers,

Tony

[Purple AK]

Hi Mark.

Welcome to the Nut House . Have a look here and get a couple of online quotes http://www.cobraclub.com/forum/local...=links&catid=6
The underslungs verses sidepipes debate will rage on for as long as people continue to bulid cobra reps Underslungs do give a slight power advantage due to the fact that you can include a balance pipe or box in the system, but have the disadvantage of ground clearance problems, (Ask Osgood :angry: ) It's a matter of personal choice really :thumb:

[gwak76]

[quote] Underslungs do give a slight power advantage due to the fact that you can include a balance pipe [/quote:34f2df366d]


No probs, just whack in a bottle or two of Nos, who needs a balance pipe

[Grease Monkey]

As we all know, but i'll repeat for the newbie,

Underslungs:
give more power
are quieter, so get through the SVA easier,
are quieter, so allow you to drive on certain race circuits
dont burn your ankles, or the hands of inquisitive children in pub car parks
allow you to hear the note from both pipes equally, giving a smoother sound
on a GD are tucked up, almost within the body shell, so dont catch on normal humps & bumps

side pipes
are the opposite of all the above.

The prosecution stands... :finger:

[gwak76]

But they have no style, boring old farts have underslungs :finger:

[MetaJacko]

Originally Posted by Grease Monkey

...or the hands of inquisitive children in pub car parks...

I always found that an advantage with my side pipes! :finger:

Paul