Doc's Backdraft BDR '65 COBRA
Updated 11/11/04
LATEST UPGRADES & CHANGES
NEW WINDSHIELD & FRAME
(click on photos to enlarge)
Unfortunately rocks tend to crack windshields and aluminum frames don't help much to add
strength either. I got a couple of rock chips and they cracked the glass just prior to going to
Las Vegas for the FFR race. So I tapped up the cracked area as seen in the 2nd photo above.
I ordered a new UPGRADED solid brass/chromed windshield frame from Finish Line and
had it installed by Anthem Motors. It was supposed to be just a drop in replacement but
after 4 hours of work (not exactly a drop-in replacement) we got it installed properly.
As you can see we had to make a few minor adjustments! Ha
It looks better now with the new Chromed Solid Brass framework and should help to
prevent future cracks from vibration, unlike to old aluminum frame. I also have new
Chrome Sun-Visors and Wind-Wings ordered for the new frame.
NEW 3:39 REAR END GEARS
(click on photos to enlarge)
Since my Cobra came with rather long winded road gears in it, driving around town 5th
gear was almost unusable. At highway speeds it just seemed to idle along so I felt that
steeper rear end gears was needed. I also felt it would make it pull harder on a road
race track as well. SO- I ordered a set of 3:93 gears from Bimmer World. They was
able to furnish me with a nice set of used Limited Slip 3:93 gears, shipped to me for
only $490.00 exchange (with shipping included).
I received the gears and had Gordon at Levy' Racing install them before the Las Vegas FFR
Western Roundup. I thought that would be an ideal time and place to give them a try.
WOW, what a difference in pulling power. They worked great and I am so pleased
with the change. I wouldn't have it any other way now. Thanks to James at Bimmer
World for getting them to me quickly and for Levy' Racing for installing them before the
event.
REPLACED the OIL PAN
(click on photos to enlarge)
As you can see from this photo, the oil pan hangs WAY too LOW and drags on every speed bump
and driveway. Plus the stock pans do not have any baffels in them and the oil when slung to the side
during hard corning (while racing) can cause an engine to run dry and seize the motor. SO!
I replaced it with a new 8 quart baffled road racing oil pan from Levy' Racing and it works great.
Now the pan is actually HIGHER up into the car than the bottom of the scattershield (which still
hangs up on a few driveways and bumps) but without any harm done. I cut the bottom of the
scattershield off as well to add more clearance. It's flat now across the bottom now.
(click on photos to enlarge)
Immediately after installing the new pan I noticed that it had A LEAK!
You can see in the photo the hair line crack due to stress in the metal during the
manufactures stamping out the pan. No bodies fault- it just happened.
I took the Cobra back to Gordon Levy' Racing shop and they graciously repaired it
and it works fine now. A great bunch of guys and I recommend their work,
especially for performance modifications. They know racing.
(click on photos to enlarge)
REPLACED the PLASTIC FUEL TANK
(click on photos to enlarge)
As you can see from the left photo, the car came with a plastic fuel tank. Which very early on
caused several problems by staring the engine for gas due to improper venting. SO- I
replaced it with a stainless steel fuel tank. Problem solved. Plus now it holds more gas.
At the time we installed the new tank it was also found that the car had a bad fuel pump as
well and so we replaced it and repositioned it lower on the frame to improve its performance.
This work was done very nicely by John Panfil and his gang at Anthem Motors. They have
a really nice shop and do excellent work on Cobras.
MOVED the SHIFTER
(click on photos to enlarge)
The photo on the left shows the shifter in the old position (which was awkward and hard to shift
properly, especially while racing the car. It was too easy to knock it out of gear with your elbow
when it was in 2nd gear) so I changed it. I moved the shifter forward into a better position for
shifting (this can only be done on Tremec trany's). Conversion done by Levy' Racing.
Photo number two shows the NEW shifter position and the hole from the old position.
SO- Every Cobra needs a CUP HOLDER right? Photo #3 is my solution for covering the hole
and it works great.
This is the undercarriage- front and rear. Note independent front and rear BMW 325 suspension.
Upgraded front and rear brakes from stock BMW 325 E30/E36 too new Brembo
slotted rotors and new CARBOTECH Panther XP9 pads.
Old stock BMW brakes on left and NEW Brembo slotted rotors with freshly painted calipers and
new CARBOTECH pads installed (front and rear). The next step will be to fabricate some air
duct tubing front the air vent in the front grill to the rotors to help improve the cooling of the front brakes.
I also replaced the painted Quick Jacks that came on the car with new Chrome Jacks.
More photos and upgrades to be added SOON, check back often.
BACK to my MAIN
UPCOMING SHOWS
you might see me & my cars at
On-Line DRAG Racing GAME
MY OTHER CARS & BIKES
'65 Shelby GT350R GO HERE
2002 Pontiac Trans Am WS6 (the Last Year) Convertible GO HERE
2005 Chrysler Crossfire Convertible GO HERE
2000 Cadillac Escalade GO HERE
JoLeen's 2004 Triumph Bonneville GO HERE
2000 Harley Davidson Dyna Wideglide GO HERE
Index of the 107 Cars I've owned.
Index of the 24 motorcycles I've owned.
Owner Information:
"Doc" J. Michael Hall
5123 E. Dallas St.
Mesa, AZ 85205
(480) 641-9361
(to see ME click on the MGD)
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