winter project

[thomasmoran1]

I though that I would use this thread to keep anyone who is interested up to date on what we are planning to do to the car over the winter. First we are putting a new crome-moly cage that will be somewhat different from the one we have now. It will again be tied into the frame in a ton of spots and this time it will be tied to the front strut towers. We will also be going with a custom dash and a new steering column. When we were at the shop last night to figure out all the things we want to do, our rollcage builder came up with the idea of having fiberglass doors made that would save us about 20 pounds per side over the stock cut out doors. About 2 seconds after he mentioned this we asked him if we could do them in carbon fiber instead and he said no problem. The cage is going to be tied into the 4 points where the IRS cradle mounts to the frame plus the rear shock towers. Another thing that we will be doing is cutting away all the stuff that is for a live axle car, things like where the spring sits on the frame and the upper control arm brakets.

Then our guy told us that to get the cage perfect he is going to cut off our roof. Right now we are also toying with the idea of a carbon roof and once he has it off he will weight it and we will decide from there. We will also be getting a carbon deck lit and hood.

The car right now weights 3029 with no fuel. If our math is right we should be around 2850 or so once everything is done. The car is making 360 rwhp power right now but when we put on the long tube headers and side exit pipes we should be at around 390 rwhp.

http://homepage.mac.com/thomasmoran1/PhotoAlbum19.html



Thomas

[bolt-on]

That does not sound like 9.5 lbs. per H.P.;)

[thomasmoran1]

Larry, how are things goin? How's the trailer working out?

[bolt-on]

At the moment the trailer is just holding a load of snow:( .

What race series are you rebuilding the Electric Green rocket for? AIX?

[thomasmoran1]

Originally posted by bolt-on
At the moment the trailer is just holding a load of snow:( .

What race series are you rebuilding the Electric Green rocket for? AIX?

We are going to try and do a couple of AIX races this year and we will see how it goes. I'm pretty sure that we are going to do the race at gingerman so maybe we will see yout there.

Thomas

[Blown96Snake]

Thomas-That car was already extremely quick at Road Atlanta. It should be blazing fast after its winter diet. Good luck with the mods.

Dave

[Dean95CobraR]

Originally posted by thomasmoran1
The car right now weights 3029 with no fuel. If our math is right we should be around 2850 or so once everything is done. The car is making 360 rwhp power right now but when we put on the long tube headers and side exit pipes we should be at around 390 rwhp.Thomas



How in the heck am I suppose to keep up now??
:eek: :eek:

[johnbasf]

Holy crap it's Smeltzer!!!:bounce: What's up buddy??

[thomasmoran1]

Originally posted by Dean95CobraR
How in the heck am I suppose to keep up now??
:eek: :eek:

Don't worry, just think back to our open track days... Remember Arm out the window and point by:rotf:

[Dean95CobraR]

Originally posted by johnbasf
Holy crap it's Smeltzer!!!:bounce: What's up buddy??


Hi guys!

Just trying to get back in the swing again. I actually turned some wrenches on the car last weekend. My starter was not working before the last race of the season so I had to take that off. Which required removing the exhaust, header, motor mount and jacking up the motor. What a pain in the arse! It turns out that the starter housing had broke by the starter gear. The pieces are probably in my bellhousing. :rolleyes:

Headed to the NASA OH/IN banquet this weekend to do some kart racing. Should be a blast.:D

[Dean95CobraR]

Originally posted by thomasmoran1
Don't worry, just think back to our open track days... Remember Arm out the window and point by:rotf:


:D :rotf: :rotf: :rotf: :thumbsup:


Hey! I thought you were ditching the IRS?

[spittincobra01]

I still want my ride in that electric green bananna!!!:baby:

[98banana]

Originally posted by spittincobra01
I still want my ride in that electric green bananna!!!:baby:

NO YOU DON'T! That thing is scary fast! :D

[johnbasf]

It's gonna be cool having BOTH you guys pointing me by.:D

[98banana]

Originally posted by johnbasf
It's gonna be cool having BOTH you guys pointing me by.:D

Bahahahahahahaha! :rotf:

[Dean95CobraR]

Originally posted by johnbasf
It's gonna be cool having BOTH you guys pointing me by.:D


Hmmm, I'm not sure what to do when both Moran and Pearson start talkin smack in the same thread. ;) :D :thumbsup:

[johnbasf]

Originally posted by Dean95CobraR
Hmmm, I'm not sure what to do when both Moran and Pearson start talkin smack in the same thread. ;) :D :thumbsup:

Pull over!!!! :rotf:

[Black Horse]

The least you guys can do is put on some funny rear bumperstickers so I will have something to read.......

~sigh~

[Dean95CobraR]

Originally posted by Black Horse
The least you guys can do is put on some funny rear bumperstickers so I will have something to read.......

~sigh~


So you're saying you're going to be lapping me too?:eek: :tongue:

[spittincobra01]

NO YOU DON'T! That thing is scary fast!

Tom, thats the whole point!!! besides, who says fast is scary? I trust Thomas' driving..... I think:doubt:

[98banana]

Originally posted by spittincobra01
Tom, thats the whole point!!! besides, who says fast is scary? I trust Thomas' driving..... I think:doubt:

I trust him too, but he did teach me one thing at Road Atlanta: I suck as a passenger. I'm kind of a control freak when it comes to cars or any other type of "piloted" vehicle. That's why I don't fly either.

I was especially worried going around turn 12. I really wanted to have control of the vehicle when going through there. :D

[spittincobra01]

I know what you mean... Thats what I hate about flying too... and my wife doesn't drive her vehicle when I'm in it either.... but I do love a good roller coaster, so I figure Thomas behind the wheel is as close to a 2.5 billion dollar coaster as one can get :D

[thomasmoran1]

Tom, although I was giving it pretty good when you were in the car on Saturday I was pushing really hard when I was by myself on Sunday. I find that when I have a passenger in the car I always leave a little on the table (in case I need it). I love turn 12 because it requires total commitment to it and it demands your respect. I also love braking as late as possible into 10a because if something goes wrong there you will just beach it. Plus it will be a great place to pass during races (How many of you want to go 2 wide with the crazy Canuk through the Kink at 150 MPH LOL)

I understand not wanting to be a passenger. When my Dad and I had the Boxster out at Mosport he was yelling at me to slow down when I was drive and I was doing the same when he was driving.
But when we got out we each asked, "Why were you yelling I wasn't pushing that hard?"

Matt this year for sure we will get you in the car, I think we're going to do one of the Panoz days in Road Atlanta in the spring and maybe we could hook up there.

Thomas

[johnbasf]

I was especially worried going around turn 12. I really wanted to have control of the vehicle when going through there. :D

Since when did you have control in 12?? :D :D

[thomasmoran1]

Originally posted by johnbasf
[B]

Since when did you have control in 12?? :D :D

And Pearson delivers a clear shot below the belt........

[thomasmoran1]

Originally posted by Black Horse
The least you guys can do is put on some funny rear bumperstickers so I will have something to read.......

~sigh~

Less brake, more gas:thumbsup:

[98banana]

Originally posted by johnbasf
[B]

Since when did you have control in 12?? :D :D

Oh! Ouch! Man, that hurt! :D

No point by for you!

[Black Horse]

Originally posted by 98banana
Oh! Ouch! Man, that hurt! :D

No point by for you!


Just give him that extended single middle finger "you are number one" point by!

[b_tone]

You guys forget that you don't need a point by during a race.......an actual race situation is a whole different ball game. I can make my car about 35ft wide if I have to.

Ask Pearson he was behind me until I drove away from him at Summit.....(with less power than he had)

EDIT:spelling

[98banana]

This is the Autocross/Open Track/OTC upates forum where a point by is required.

[Black Horse]

Originally posted by b_tone
You guys forget that you don't need a point by during a race.......an actual race situation is a whole different ball game. I can make my car about 35ft wide if I have to.

Ask Pearson he was behind me until I drove away from him at Summit.....(with less power than he had)

EDIT:spelling

I guess the 35 foot wideness is the zone for falling parts? :D

[Dean95CobraR]

Originally posted by Black Horse
I guess the 35 foot wideness is the zone for falling parts? :D


Yep, you never know where those crank pullies are going to fly! :eek: ;)

[Black Horse]

I'm more worried about the passenger seat - comes complete with ejection features.....pull the duct tape tab and....whooosh...

[b_tone]

When have you ever given a point by in an autocross?

Whatever keeps you behind me....wait until I start throwing out my extra fire bottles....

[98banana]

Never been in an autocross.

Extra fire bottles are good. I need one. Just hand it through the window net as I pass by. :D

[johnbasf]

Originally posted by b_tone


Ask Pearson he was behind me until I drove away from him at Summit.....(with less power than he had)



I did qualify better than you. :D That race at Summit doesn't count anyway.

[Black Horse]

Originally posted by b_tone
When have you ever given a point by in an autocross?

Whatever keeps you behind me....wait until I start throwing out my extra fire bottles....

Wow! I didn't know Budweiser made fire bottles......

kinda convienent those 12 oz sizes huh?

[johnbasf]

Where are those videos Thomas. Road Atlanta

[SIUNARA]

Less power maybe...but more suspension...don't you have the world famous Griggs suspension under your car Tone? That's worth 2 to 3 seconds a lap! ;)

[thomasmoran1]

Originally posted by johnbasf
Where are those videos Thomas. Road Atlanta

All my video craped out on me. On all the sraights the audio blows out and then the video goes all pixallated. Here is a link to our video from last year.

http://homepage.mac.com/thomasmoran1/Roadatlanta2003/iMovieTheater7.html

[thomasmoran1]

Today the mold for the roof was made and our guy was able to get 11 pounds of wiring out of the car.


Here is a link to some pics

http://homepage.mac.com/thomasmoran1/PhotoAlbum21.html

[98banana]

Originally posted by thomasmoran1
Today the mold for the roof was made and our guy was able to get 11 pounds of wiring out of the car.


Here is a link to some pics

http://homepage.mac.com/thomasmoran1/PhotoAlbum21.html

Awesome Thomas! Any idea on how he's going to attach the roof if you go with the composite?

[spittincobra01]

Thomas,
are you going to keep the windshield pillars ofr support, or are you replacing those too?

Great pics, keep 'em coming:thumbsup:

[thomasmoran1]

Originally posted by spittincobra01
Thomas,
are you going to keep the windshield pillars ofr support, or are you replacing those too?

Great pics, keep 'em coming:thumbsup:

No, those will stay.

[b_tone]

That carbon roof will make the car an AIX car only, you are aware of that right?

[thomasmoran1]

Well, here are the latest pics. Everything possible has been stripped from the car and some major things have been done. The rear frame rails have been notched to clear the upper control arms of the IRS and the lower pick-up points for the IRS sub-frame has been tied into the start of the cage.

I've also attached some pics of a tube frame BMW that our builder is doing. It started life as an E30 M3 and now it has a M5 engine in it that is set back 14 inches. The car should end up around 2300-2400 pounds when it’s done.

Thomas


http://homepage.mac.com/thomasmoran1/PhotoAlbum22.html

[thomasmoran1]

Here are the latest pictures. The cage is starting to go together but there is still a lot to do. All the cage work should be done by this Sunday and then its off to the paint shop. After that it should be about another week until its all finshed.

http://homepage.mac.com/thomasmoran1/PhotoAlbum23.html

Thomas

[spittincobra01]

that cage is kickin!! I'll bet that thing is going to be one predictable machine. I can't wait to see it :thumbsup:

[thomasmoran1]

Matt are you going to CMP? We are going to try and make it if the car is ready.

[spittincobra01]

I started a new job this week... today was my first day, so I will only be getting 2.5 weeks vacation time. I don't think I will be making it to many events.... (we already prepaid for a 2 week vacation with our 4 daughters so money is tight too) I am planning on going to the glen in june with the rochester shelby club, (it's only 8 hours towing a trailer and on my regular days off) and the local autocrosses but that may be all I can do this year :( there are a few people from this club going to the glen, and a bunch from SVT performance with their 00R's. If you want the link let me know and I'll send it to ya.

I will have to wait and see what track events I can hit. I hope to make it to gingerman in sept again but it's too early to tell. Who knows, I may not like the job and end up leaving in a couple months.

You are doing some AI this season right?

[svt_coupe]

Originally posted by thomasmoran1
Matt are you going to CMP? We are going to try and make it if the car is ready.

Thomas - I look forward to finally meeting you there. Should be a fun weekend!

I can't see any of these pics - the website if blocked by my firewall. Can you attach a pic of the cage work?

[b_tone]

Thomas, I think that you should re-read the ccr concerning roll cages. What concerns me are the front 'down tubes' from the main hoop forward to the front of the car. Is that a single peice of tubing or multiple? Also if you have a completely gutted door you will need to modify your door bars to pass tech.

Very interesting though.

Also what is the tube coming up from the floor pan in 8674? Did you remove the material from the inner sail panel (where b/c pillar meets up high)

bt

[thomasmoran1]

Originally posted by svt_coupe
Thomas - I look forward to finally meeting you there. Should be a fun weekend!

I can't see any of these pics - the website if blocked by my firewall. Can you attach a pic of the cage work?


Bryan, it looks like the car will be done on time so we will sign up this week. I've heard that CMP is VERY hard on brakes. How ture is this? I also look forward to meeting you and putting a face to the name.

Thomas

[thomasmoran1]

Originally posted by b_tone
Thomas, I think that you should re-read the ccr concerning roll cages. What concerns me are the front 'down tubes' from the main hoop forward to the front of the car. Is that a single peice of tubing or multiple? Also if you have a completely gutted door you will need to modify your door bars to pass tech.

Very interesting though.

Also what is the tube coming up from the floor pan in 8674? Did you remove the material from the inner sail panel (where b/c pillar meets up high)

bt

Brian how have you been? Yes the down tube is one tube and we will be installing "NASCAR" style door bars like the rules allow. There is still a lot more to be done and I'll post the pics along the way. Our cage builder has a copy of the CCR at the shop and he is making sure that the whole car complies with the rules.

The tube coming up through the floor is to tie in were the back of the Griggs K-member meets the frame (It is not welded to the K-Member but to the frame) I'm not sure if you've seen image 8628 at this address http://homepage.mac.com/thomasmoran1/PhotoAlbum22.html but it will give you an idea as to what we've also done with the lower mounting point.

Are you going to do the whole season this year? And if so what region?

Talk to you soon

Thomas

[svt_coupe]

Originally posted by thomasmoran1
Bryan, it looks like the car will be done on time so we will sign up this week. I've heard that CMP is VERY hard on brakes. How ture is this? I also look forward to meeting you and putting a face to the name.

Thomas

Thomas - CMP is the worst track on brakes I have ever been too. Bar none. With the old PBR's, the brakes would only last me 1.5 race weekends at CMP. You can stretch that a bit with schools, but it's still murder on brakes.

[thomasmoran1]

Bryan, I'll post some pics up here for you as we go along. Here are some of the pics so far.

[thomasmoran1]

pic2

[thomasmoran1]

pic

[thomasmoran1]

pic

[thomasmoran1]

pic5

[thomasmoran1]

pic6

[thomasmoran1]

pic7

[thomasmoran1]

pic8

[thomasmoran1]

pic9

[thomasmoran1]

pic10

[thomasmoran1]

pic 11

[thomasmoran1]

pic12

[thomasmoran1]

The carbon fiber doors and roof are done. They came out better than we could have hoped for. The stock cut out doors were 35 pounds each and new ones are 10 pounds each. The new roof is 9 pounds and we guess that the stock one is around 30 or so. We will find out once the roof comes off on Saturday.

http://homepage.mac.com/thomasmoran1/PhotoAlbum24.html

Thomas

[thomasmoran1]

Bryan, here are a couple of pics that you can see

[thomasmoran1]

pic

[thomasmoran1]

pic-3

[spittincobra01]

what the heck is that last pic of?

[thomasmoran1]

Originally posted by spittincobra01
what the heck is that last pic of?

Thats a close up shot of the carbon fiber

[spittincobra01]

I thought so, but wasn't sure. that roof and those doors came out killer!

[svt_coupe]

I've got one word:

wicked

I dig it dude. Nice looking stuff so far.

[johnbasf]

Pic #9 ?????

[thomasmoran1]

Originally posted by johnbasf
Pic #9 ?????

Not sure what your asking John.

Thomas

[johnbasf]

What are you showing us??

[thomasmoran1]

I think the pic you are talking aobut is a close up shot of the carbon fiber.

Thomas

[98banana]

Originally posted by thomasmoran1
Not sure what your asking John.

Thomas

John is a man of VERY, VERY, VERY few words. :D Unless you get him on the phone! :rofl:

[johnbasf]

The pic where the guy is holding the green piece? #9

[98banana]

John, I saw that last post and I know what you're talking about. That's a picture of the frame material cut out of the back for control arm clearance. Thomas can go into more detail.

[thomasmoran1]

John, we notched the frame so we could get the ride hight were we wanted for the rear. With the IRS, if the car is lowered much more than stock the upper control arms hit the frame rail so the only way to solve the problem is to cut out a section of the frame rail.

Thomas

[thomasmoran1]

The cage is almost done. I'm heading to Daytona this week so I'll post some pics of the finshed cage when I get back.

http://homepage.mac.com/thomasmoran1/PhotoAlbum25.html

Thomas

[mwilson7]

Are you planning on running in the AI Midwest region?

Cool pictures....

[thomasmoran1]

Originally posted by mwilson7
Are you planning on running in the AI Midwest region?

Cool pictures....

We will only be doing a couple of AI Race's this year and the gingerman event is one that we are trying to make happen.

Thomas

[spittincobra01]

Thomas,

that cage looks great! at least you know if anything were ever to go wrong you'll walk away! tell your guy he did an awesome job!!:thumbsup:

[mwilson7]

Any more updates?

What did the car end up weighing when everything was said and done?

[thomasmoran1]

Originally posted by mwilson7
Any more updates?

What did the car end up weighing when everything was said and done?

The cage is now done and I'm just waiting for the car to be painted and then I'll take some more pics. Our target weight is 2775. We will know in a couple of days how close we are to that number.

Thomas

[spittincobra01]

wow... 2775! now that would be an awesome weight with the power you are putting down!!

[thomasmoran1]

The cage is now done and has been painted. Check out the extender we had CNC'd for the shifter. It took 7 hours to program and 4 hours to mill. Next week the dash will be built and then the car will be ready to hit the track.

http://homepage.mac.com/thomasmoran1/PhotoAlbum26.html

Thomas

[johnbasf]

Sweet!!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[spittincobra01]

Thomas,

that shifter rocks! the cage came out good too :D

[mwilson7]

Any weight yet?

[thomasmoran1]

Originally posted by mwilson7
Any weight yet?

No not yet. We will weight it once everything is back together which should be next week.

Thomas

[mwilson7]

Any updates?

[Andy M]

Thomas,

How ya been man? The green monster looks great!!!! :bounce:

I've been busy doing some mods to the R the last few months. I installed a Torsen T2R (AWESOME), some mechanical gauges (the electrical ones were crap!), and most recently some custom delrin bushings on the IRS and front control arms.

Are you guys planning on making Gingerman in September? if so, I hope to see you then?...

[thomasmoran1]

Originally posted by Andy M
Thomas,

How ya been man? The green monster looks great!!!! :bounce:

I've been busy doing some mods to the R the last few months. I installed a Torsen T2R (AWESOME), some mechanical gauges (the electrical ones were crap!), and most recently some custom delrin bushings on the IRS and front control arms.

Are you guys planning on making Gingerman in September? if so, I hope to see you then?...

Andy, good the hear from you! Yes we are going to be at gingerman. Is Joe Johnson coming up with you also?

See you there.

Thomas

[mwilson7]

Any updates?

[thomasmoran1]

We just got our carbon hood and deck lid. The Hood is 13 pounds and the deck lid is 7. I'll post some pics in a couple of Days when the car is all done and we are heading off to gingerman.

Thomas

[98banana]

Originally posted by thomasmoran1
...heading off to gingerman.
I hope you mean CMP!!!

[thomasmoran1]

HAHAHA I'm clearly at work with a hangover. The only thing we could be racing at gingerman next week are snowmobiles!!

[b_tone]

I'll trade a snow packed gingerman over that sand infested hot pit called CMP any day......

[98banana]

Originally posted by b_tone
I'll trade a snow packed gingerman over that sand infested hot pit called CMP any day......
No way man! I hate winter and everything associated with it. I'll take a 100 degree day at CMP before that hellacious snowy day we had a Gingerman a few years ago.

[mwilson7]

Tom,

Any idea on the total weight? I want to see how low someone can get an 99+ car and you have a good shot at being one of the lowest....

[thomasmoran1]

Originally posted by mwilson7
Tom,

Any idea on the total weight? I want to see how low someone can get an 99+ car and you have a good shot at being one of the lowest....

On Wednesday we will be scaling the car and I'll post the exact numbers. We are hoping for 2780 without fuel. When we started working on the car this winter it weighted in at 3029. With the carbon doors, hood, deck lid, and roof we have saved over a hundred pounds over the stock parts.

Thomas

[racercosmo]

2700 should be a good guess. Rob's 99 Cobra AI car was 2775 ready to race minus the driver. You have a few lighter parts, but a little bit more extensive cage.

[mwilson7]

Thomas,

Any new pictures or weights?

[thomasmoran1]

2700 should be a good guess. Rob's 99 Cobra AI car was 2775 ready to race minus the driver. You have a few lighter parts, but a little bit more extensive cage.

Cosmo, does Rob run an IRS? What is his cage made of? Just trying to see where we stand. It will still be acouple of weeks before we get it on the scales.

Thomas

[racercosmo]

The 2775 was with a solid axle, Griggs Torque-arm and watts linkage. The cage was 1.75"x.095 wall tubing. It was the standard style cage:main hoop with x, NASCAR door bars on the driver's side. I searched around, but I couldn't find any pictures of the cage.

[johnbasf]

Thomas, did you get that e-mail I sent you?

[mwilson7]

It's been pretty quiet Thomas..... any updates? Still waiting for the final weight.

[thomasmoran1]

Well, the car is almost done. We were out at Mosport over the weekend but it was not really all that great because it was raining all day. In the next couple of weeks we will be finishing the car up, we still have to scale it and finish the suede dash. I'll post some more pics when it is finally done.

http://homepage.mac.com/thomasmoran1/PhotoAlbum30.html


Thomas

[johnbasf]

Nice "Leafs" Thomas. What did you do with the a-arm? I'm not asking to bash the other part, just curious.

[thomasmoran1]

Nice "Leafs" Thomas. What did you do with the a-arm? I'm not asking to bash the other part, just curious.

Kenny Brown gave us new arms. It turns out that the problem was that the piece of medal that wrapped around the bushings were made of ERW tubing and not Crome-moly like the rest of the arm. Kenny Brown did the right thing and dealt with us very professionally. They acknowledged there error and send out new arms right away free of charge. We could not be more pleased with them.

Thomas
.

[spittincobra01]

Thomas

that thing looks awesome! I love the inverted heat extractors, and the Canadian Maple leafs are a good touch! I can't wait for my turn in that green monster :D

[mwilson7]

Any updates? Weights?

[Black Horse]

Any updates? Weights?
You're really worried about it huh Mark? 'smatter...fraid you could lose a few pounds yerself? ;) :thumbsup:

[mwilson7]

I'm REALLY interested in seeing how light someone car get an SN-95 car and so far this one has a good shot at being one of the lightest.

[thomasmoran1]

I'm REALLY interested in seeing how light someone car get an SN-95 car and so far this one has a good shot at being one of the lightest.

Mark, our builder has still not gotten around to weight the car do to illness but I hop by next week we should have some numbers, I'm really interested myself to find out what we are at and I'll post it the second I find out? Maybe I should start a pool? I think that with no gas and no driver we should be at 2800 (I hope anyway).

Thomas

[b_tone]

Mark, our builder has still not gotten around to weight the car do to illness but I hop by next week we should have some numbers, I'm really interested myself to find out what we are at and I'll post it the second I find out? Maybe I should start a pool? I think that with no gas and no driver we should be at 2800 (I hope anyway).

Thomas

What is this no gas malarky? Weigh the car with 10 gallons of fuel, full fluids race ready that way it's comparible. I bet 2890

[thomasmoran1]

What is this no gas malarky? Weigh the car with 10 gallons of fuel, full fluids race ready that way it's comparible. I bet 2890

Gallons?? Sorry Brian but up here we only know liters :D . How much does a gallon of fuel weight?

Thomas

[b_tone]

Gallons?? Sorry Brian but up here we only know liters :D . How much does a gallon of fuel weight?

Thomas

1 Gallon is 3.78L

1 gallon is about 6.5-7lbs.

[racercosmo]

It'd better be lighter than 2890.

[b_tone]

It'd better be lighter than 2890.

If Thomas ever gets off his duff we'll see.....

[NJ2000R]

Hey Thomas,

how is the car coming along?

are you going to be at any of the upcoming track events?

Watkins Glen 6/7-8 with Rochester Shelby
Gingerman 7/23-25 with SEMI-SVTOA
Road America 8/27-29 with Northwoods Shelby
Gingerman 9/17-19 with SCMC

or others?

[thomasmoran1]

Well, we were finally able to scale the car and with no fuel it weights 2845. Not quite what we hoped for but not to bad at all.

Thomas

[mwilson7]

Well, we were finally able to scale the car and with no fuel it weights 2845. Not quite what we hoped for but not to bad at all.

Thomas

Would you care to share the front/rear weight distribution numbers?

[thomasmoran1]

The front is 59.2 the rear is 40.8

[mwilson7]

The front is 59.2 the rear is 40.8

Are these weights with the driver?

[svt_coupe]

Are these weights with the driver?

Hey Thomas. If these weights are without driver, I think you might be a little erked by these numbers - my car is 2864 with about 3 gallons of fuel. That's still without a Lexan front windshield or a lightweight hood. My front to rear is 58.8/41.2.

[thomasmoran1]

Hey Thomas. If these weights are without driver, I think you might be a little erked by these numbers - my car is 2864 with about 3 gallons of fuel. That's still without a Lexan front windshield or a lightweight hood. My front to rear is 58.8/41.2.

Bryan, you are totally right but you must remember that we have the IRS and the T-56. Also our cage is about 220 pounds. All in all its not to bad but your right, I was really hopping for something like 2775.

Thomas

[svt_coupe]

I would have thought your F/R distribution would have been slightly better than mine because of the IRS as well as the extensive rollcage you have. The cage in my car is made from 1.20 wall tubing (about 45-50lbs heavier than 0.90 tubing - the car was 3000+ dry weight when the cage went in which the rules mandate the heavier guage tubing... grrr...). I do have a T5 and a lightweight clutch assembly which might explain some of the differences.

I could guarantee your CG is lower than mine though....

[thomasmoran1]

Are these weights with the driver?

Yes, that was with me in the car

[svt_coupe]

Yes, that was with me in the car

Holy chit mon. My weights are WITHOUT me in the car. Daym boy... what are you complaining about?!?!?

[thomasmoran1]

I would have thought your F/R distribution would have been slightly better than mine because of the IRS as well as the extensive rollcage you have. The cage in my car is made from 1.20 wall tubing (about 45-50lbs heavier than 0.90 tubing - the car was 3000+ dry weight when the cage went in which the rules mandate the heavier guage tubing... grrr...). I do have a T5 and a lightweight clutch assembly which might explain some of the differences.

I could guarantee your CG is lower than mine though....

I guess that the carbon deck lid and the tubular IRS control arms took enough weight off the rear to shift our percentage a couple of points.

Thomas

[thomasmoran1]

Holy chit mon. My weights are WITHOUT me in the car. Daym boy... what are you complaining about?!?!?

Sorry, the weight of the car is without anyone in it. The front rear is with my dad in the car.

Thomas

[b_tone]

Sorry, the weight of the car is without anyone in it. The front rear is with my dad in the car.

Thomas

Very very interesting.....

[mwilson7]

I would have thought your F/R distribution would have been slightly better than mine because of the IRS as well as the extensive rollcage you have. The cage in my car is made from 1.20 wall tubing (about 45-50lbs heavier than 0.90 tubing - the car was 3000+ dry weight when the cage went in which the rules mandate the heavier guage tubing... grrr...). I do have a T5 and a lightweight clutch assembly which might explain some of the differences.

I could guarantee your CG is lower than mine though....

Do you have a T-5 or a T-45? T-45's came stock in 96- early 01 Cobra's.....

What kind of clutch do you use?

[svt_coupe]

Do you have a T-5 or a T-45? T-45's came stock in 96- early 01 Cobra's.....

What kind of clutch do you use?

T-5 (not T-45) mounted up to a 2000 R Tremec aluminum bell housing that was customized to fit the T-5 bolt pattern. The clutch is a Quarter Master Extreme-V 8.25" sintered iron fully aluminum assembly. It's light and very grabby.

[johnbasf]

T-5 (not T-45) mounted up to a 2000 R Tremec aluminum bell housing that was customized to fit the T-5 bolt pattern. The clutch is a Quarter Master Extreme-V 8.25" sintered iron fully aluminum assembly. It's light and very grabby.

Don't share info with the enemy Shugg, :rotf:

[johnbasf]

Get that car to Mid Ohio in August Thomas!!!!!!!!!!

[mwilson7]

T-5 (not T-45) mounted up to a 2000 R Tremec aluminum bell housing that was customized to fit the T-5 bolt pattern. The clutch is a Quarter Master Extreme-V 8.25" sintered iron fully aluminum assembly. It's light and very grabby.

Any reason you went with a T-5 and not a T-3550?

How long have you had the QM clutch and do you like it? I've been looking at their stuff and am thinking of taking the plunge......

P.S. I agree with John.... bring the car to Mid Ohio in August!!

[svt_coupe]

The T-5 is a little bit lighter and it will live behind the torque monster that is the mod motor. Besides, I could get a T-5 VERY cheaply. Not the case with the Tremec. If the T-5 ever goes, I'll send it off to G-force.

I love the QM clutch. It shifts SOO quickly and the motor spins up so much faster. The clutch has barely worn after nearly 1 year in the car. I installed it before Lowes last year, which was August. The engagement is a bit rough, as expected with a sintered iron clutch, but it grabs so nicely when shifting - there is no slipping. I've done 2 standing starts with it and it was a non-event.

I can't remember the exact figures... but I believe the stock clutch was 40+ lbs. This one is around 20lbs. I highly recommend it.

I know Tilton is coming out with a new clutch assembly that is even lighter than the QM unit, but I think it is a tad expensive. Might want to check into it...

[mwilson7]

Did you happen to notice a HP increase when you went to the lighter clutch/flywheel as it allows the engine to spin faster which would translate into hp on a dynojet.

Thanks for the reply!

[justagt]

I installed it ......

Hmmm. :doubt:


Mark,

I use a triple disk QuarterMaster with a hydraulic TO bearing in my car and LOVE it. Never had an issue with it slipping. The diameter of the clutch is smaller than the one Bryan has and I am still suprised at how fast the car will rev and accelerate. I know some of it has to do with power, but, as you know, the less the motor has to get turning, the quicker you will speed up. My clutch weighs about 15 pounds or so.

As far as a difference in acceleration, Bryan could tell you better since he had a stock clutch before and I have had this one since the first time the car hit the track. Seems like he did say that he could tell a difference in pickup after 'he' put it in.

QM rocks big time. I STRONGLY recommend them. There is a guy there named Jeff Neil that should be able to help you out.

[wreckm]

Get that car to Mid Ohio in August Thomas!!!!!!!!!!Why wait, lets all hit POCONO!

[svt_coupe]

Did you happen to notice a HP increase when you went to the lighter clutch/flywheel as it allows the engine to spin faster which would translate into hp on a dynojet.

When my greaser mechanic installed the clutch while I sat close by in a rocking chair knitting crochet and sipping on Chateau Petrus Merlot, the car definitely felt better afterward. At the same time, I also installed a Simmons Short Runner intake (oops... sorry, I forgot that the intake installed itself), so it's hard to say that the difference was "all the clutch". I wish I had done a baseline test on the motor before the intake. I got the car tuned on a Dynojet that supposedly shows 10-15HP lower than other Dynojets.

As you know, on the Craftsmen Toolbox dynos we've had at the track, the results have been wide and varied. I still cannot explain these results.

However, on the most recent dyno pull at CMP on a mobile Dynojet, the car made 301HP and I believe 283TQ. Score.

As far as *feel*, it revs smoother, comes off corners harder, and shifts much quicker than I was ever able to before. Pedal throw is very short compared to OEM.

After driving Pearson's 301HP/300TQ car, mine definitely spins better at the upper RPM's. It will pull past 7K (I rarely go there) but some of this is probably the combination of intake and clutch. Though, the engine is butter smooth at that speed where before it would protest much earlier in the R's.

[mwilson7]

Thomas,

I'm sorry to drag this tread up again but I was re-reading it and something isn't clear. Is the 2875 lb weight with you in the driver seat or not? You answered that the 59.2/40.8 weights were with driver but you didn't specifically state that the total weight was with driver.

Do you have the stock front and rear glass in the car with that weight?

When are we going to see you at the track?

[spittincobra01]

Mwilson,

according to SVT all 01 cobra's came with the 3650. The changeover came mid 99. I had inquired when I was shifter shopping.

Thomas,
those are some really impressive numbers for weight! Especailly considering how pig heavy these cars are out of the box.

[mwilson7]

Mwilson,

according to SVT all 01 cobra's came with the 3650. The changeover came mid 99. I had inquired when I was shifter shopping.

Thomas,
those are some really impressive numbers for weight! Especailly considering how pig heavy these cars are out of the box.

Actually the changeover was in the February timeframe of 2001 right before 01 Cobra and Bullitt production began.

[spittincobra01]

huh, lol... friggin Ford!

leave it to them to give incorrect info!

all I know for 100% sure is that my 01 was built may 11, 2001 and it has the 3650... which makes me happier than if I had a t45.... although not as happy as if I had the t56 ;)

[racercosmo]

I may have missed where this became relevant.
So Mark, all 2001 Cobras and Bullitts, and later production GTs have a TR3650, is this correct?

[2KWhiteSnake]

I may have missed where this became relevant.
So Mark, all 2001 Cobras and Bullitts, and later production GTs have a TR3650, is this correct?

You are correct... ;)

Craig

[mwilson7]

You are correct... ;)

Craig

Ditto