My RAM Cobra Build

**Adam001** · 20-08-11, 08:20 PM

Hey,

Finally thought I would put up a running blog for the build of my RAM Cobra. I’ve been lingering about the forum, but time for a formal hello!

Quick intro to me... I’m originally from Surrey, went to University in Loughborough, where I have just graduated with a Masters Degree in Automotive Engineering, I currently reside in North Wales with my parents until October when I move to Nantwich in Cheshire to start work for Bentley Motors. Which means I have plenty of time on my hands for the kit! I know my way round a tool box fairly well and I am a race engineer part time so I’m hoping to put as much as I can into the kit. Hopefully there are other members around for meets which I want to start coming to.

Anyhow...the car! The kit which comprised of the chassis, body and steering/suspension gear was sitting in a friends garage when I was about 17 years old...it had been sitting there untouched since 1985!! So as a typical 17 year old (with taste) I wanted it...badly! And 4 years later myself and my dad convinced him to part with it! I’m not 23...maybe one of the youngest forum goers?

I have decided that the car is a kit car...and will always be a replica so I am not after an out and out authentic replica, rather, a good looking car which has the ability to be a road car but also a racer...so it might not be to everyone’s taste. I’ve done a write up, I have many other photos but there’s that 8 photo limit and I didn’t want to bore you all too much!!

So.... after towing it to Wales I started looking into what I had got myself into!

So immediately I started thinking about engines, including modern BMW/Audi V8s etc but finally decided getting the on the road was best so stuck with the RV8 as I already had the LT77.
So while hunting for a suitable engine to bypass having cats I got to work on other bits, mostly trail fitting and sourcing of parts

Lifted the diff in...and to my pleasant surprise it was a 3.54 PowerLoc Diff

Had loads of problems with the rear chassis parts, nothing fitted properly at all so took many hours of grinding and filing to get it to all bolt up
Then sent off the rear hubs to Ward for refurbishment and fitted the rear trailing arms

I have now decided that the rear trailing arm design is completely wrong so am binning them

In with the gearbox and engine mounts

Tested the radiator (rover SD1 2600)

At this point I had a right battle with getting the coilovers together, ended up sending them to a local machine shop!

Found myself a Donor!! A lovely 1990 MOT failure RRC with a 3.9 EFI engine for £350...So off I went in my trusty 110!

More in next post....

**Adam001** · 20-08-11, 08:21 PM

This brings me up to this summer where I got back to work on the car, this time with a bit more ‘go’

Had a good think about the design and what I am hoping to achieve, as I know a lot was IVA dependant I am planning on getting the base car done then will start doing the more performance orientated parts after the test is out of the way!

General design plan...

(Photoshop, based on a google pic, apologies to anyone if I have defaced their car!)
Not decided on the rear braces of the hoops yet as I won’t need them with how I am doing the supports under the car.

The car will have a few choice modifications from the standard package

· Rearward facing bonnet vents
· Nascar / Lightweight Magnesium alloy wheels
· Bias Adjustable Pedal Box
· No Rear Trailing arms to avoid binding/excess loading
· Harness points on roll bars
· Custom 67 Litre baffled and foamed fuel tank with 1.5 Litre external surge tank (2 fuel pumps)
· Raise the front oil cooler scoop so it doesn’t hang down
· Distributorless EFI standalone engine management – likely megasquirt

That pretty much the plan to start, afterwards it will have a full flat floor (hence bonnet vents) along with more changes such as diffuser, AP brakes etc (as funds allow of course!) and naturally...A better engine!

So back to it...
Got to work re-assembling the engine, nothing special just standard.

Currently not got a clue how to tackle the alternator...I know I can swap to a SD1 Front but would prefer an alternative option.

Engine fitted...

It does fit....just, had to cut down the filler cap and the coolant bleed pipe

Next.... Got the body back off after making all the measurements I needed

Then ordered the pedal box, it’s a Optimum Balance Products one, not cheap but I think it’s a vast improvement from the Morris Servo system

More in next post....

**Adam001** · 20-08-11, 08:22 PM

Got to work fabricating the pedal box bracket

Back off with the rear end for more welding and a strip down for new parts...

Just started with the rear roll hoop structure...more to come when I do it

Any questions, comments, advice... all welcomed!

Adam

**dolphinboy400** · 20-08-11, 10:40 PM

looking good adam. You will probably know this but the one thing i wished i had done before body was hone the roll hoop mounts as they had distorted when they were welded into the chassis. My spax shocks were buggered so i got some nice new Pro-tech shocks for mine. I think anthony on here has done some pretty interesting things on his Ram in New Zealand, might be a good idea having a chat with him

**goughy** · 21-08-11, 05:00 AM

Impressive. Well done

**Adam001** · 21-08-11, 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by dolphinboy400

looking good adam. You will probably know this but the one thing i wished i had done before body was hone the roll hoop mounts as they had distorted when they were welded into the chassis. My spax shocks were buggered so i got some nice new Pro-tech shocks for mine. I think anthony on here has done some pretty interesting things on his Ram in New Zealand, might be a good idea having a chat with him

I have been thinking exactly that, the rear hoop supports don't look to be 100% true welded, I can visibly see some differences in them, and no matter how well I do my measurements I could still be 0.25mm off or something. What did you use to hone yours?

Still have no idea about the shocks on mine, they have never been used since new, but they are 26 years old lol. I'm planning on doing a test day at Anglesey before the IVA to test things like that.

**dolphinboy400** · 21-08-11, 10:59 AM

I used a medium stone honing tool. It took ages but as my body was already on and i didnt want to remove it again i just persevered however seeing as your in the trade so to speak you might be able to do something different

Cheng at Thunder road cars sorted me out with my roll hoop , very impressed , thicker than some. He is also a great help when it comes to advice on the Ram's a real gent.

**Adam001** · 21-08-11, 03:03 PM

You mean basically a 3 branch engine honing tool? I'm thinking that's the only way, lost for any other ideas lol

I think I'll be going to Cheng for my roll hoops as welding stainless is out of the question for me

How did you mount the roll bars? Bolt all the way through?

**dolphinboy400** · 21-08-11, 07:39 PM

Originally Posted by Adam001

You mean basically a 3 branch engine honing tool? I'm thinking that's the only way, lost for any other ideas lol

I think I'll be going to Cheng for my roll hoops as welding stainless is out of the question for me

How did you mount the roll bars? Bolt all the way through?

Ya , drilled a 10 mm hole straight through on the outer leg. I made sure they were still a tight fit also i cut mine down a bit ( cheng makes them deliberatly long ) . You wanted to take your shoulder straps from the roll hoop didnt you? I quite like the position of the original mounts but i didnt have to endure the IVA or SVA , i am guessing these are now too low and thats why you want different mounts? Get Cheng to do them at the same time i would