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-   -   My first build: Kobra (https://madabout-kitcars.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7081)

clinkadink 19th June 2019 00:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaguartvr (Post 100935)
I tried 215/75x15 on my 250 and they were too large, I then tried a 215/70x15 with the same result.
Went to 215/65x15 and they were perfect.
75 profile will catch the front suspension spring pan. 70's were marginal but looked wrong and caught the trailing edge of front wheel arch when opening the bonnet.

Your wires look as if they have more offset than mine. I did fit a set with more offset but they were going to hit the wheel arches and damage the paint. I think you might have to go to a 195/65x15 to stand any chance of getting them to clear the arches.

Grill looks great but very hard to find anyone who will chrome plate aluminium. You may be best to have it polished, a good polisher will get it looking almost like chrome but for a fraction of the price of having it plated.

Yes, mine were catching the arches. I am hoping that the new set of tyres will be OK. They are narrower with a lower profile.

I have already had 2 companies respond saying they cannot chrome plate alloy. I will look into polishing now - thanks for tip.

clinkadink 19th June 2019 00:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barber (Post 100940)
For weight and longetivity, wouldn't allyalloy tubeing be better than steel rod?

I shouldn't have said rod, as its a hollow pole - it weights next to nothing. I have already bought uprated SGS struts for the bonnet too, to take the extra weight of all the brightwork.

https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/alloy.jpg

clinkadink 22nd June 2019 20:37

Finished and fitted the grill today. I used Mothers Mag and Aluminium polish. Thanks to Jaguartvr for the idea. A little wet and dry, some wire wool and then the paste - it came up good.

clinkadink 22nd June 2019 20:38

https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...622_084834.jpg

clinkadink 22nd June 2019 20:38

https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...622_170933.jpg

clinkadink 22nd June 2019 20:40

I am chuffed with the way it turned out ...

https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...622_170918.jpg

clinkadink 22nd June 2019 20:41

On to the side vents tomorrow.

Barber 22nd June 2019 20:49

Great result, well done

IanA 22nd June 2019 21:09

Good luck with the new tyres, Chris.
We followed a lowered BMW saloon with wide tyres through Oxford today. The OSR tyre was smoking where it was rubbing on the bodywork. Surprised he couldn't hear or smell it- we could.

clinkadink 22nd June 2019 21:12

Thanks Barber!

Cheers Ian. Lets hope I won't be doing the same with new set.

Paul L 23rd June 2019 09:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by clinkadink (Post 100995)
I am chuffed with the way it turned out ...

And so you should be, it goods stunning. :cool:

Good luck with the side vents and new tyres.

clinkadink 23rd June 2019 21:12

Cheers Paul. The tyres are due tomorrow (fingers crossed). I was meant to do the vents today, but ended up replacing the Z3 passenger seat with the new bucket seat.

https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...623_092215.jpg

Found 2 quid under the seat :wink:

I had to adapt the BB Classic runners to fit the Z3 holes. That took a while. The first attempt was no good. I forgot to take into account the seats need to be offset to the base. Otherwise the back of the BB Classic buckets don't sit central to the curved recess behind the seat. Second attempt resolved this.

I have 4 point harnesses to install and wanted to utilise the existing seatbelt, located inside the rollbar cluster. After a lot unscrewing and head scratching. Certainly a lot of faff for one bolt :icon_rolleyes:

https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...623_201742.jpg

DaveP 24th June 2019 01:16

The Kobra is looking very nice indeed. That front grill looks the biz. How did you affix it to the inside of the opening ? I sikkaflexed plastic plates for cable ties with mine which feels a bit unprofessional. I also have a black mesh directly behind mine to hide any poor workmanship hidden further under the bonnet.

My grill ...

https://live.staticflickr.com/4817/3...7a3e1cb8_z.jpgKobra front straight on by Muddy_B, on Flickr
https://www.flickr.com/photos/91991953@N02/31383513187/


Be interested in seeing a more detailed pic of the amended runners if you would be willing to share. I have considered those seats but not visualised how to fit them. How have you fooled the Zed that there is no bmw seat and therefore the airbag sensor(s).

Keep up the inspiring pics and updates

Dave

clinkadink 24th June 2019 08:35

Hi Dave,

My grill doesn't sit behind the opening, but inside it. If you look at the photo below, you can see the shadows of the bottom of the grill inside the opening. Check out post 118 for detail.

I have used pipe for the 4 horizontal slats of the grill, then fixed 2 bolts from the inside to either end of the 2 centre pipes. The ends of the pipes were filled with JB Weld, then tapped for the bolts to lock in to.

https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/grill_fix.png

Initially I tried to fix the grill to the car, not the bonnet. It worked, as long as I never needed to open the bonnet again :doubt: The front spoiler on the bonnet caught on the grill when I raised the bonnet. That's when I decide on fixing it to the bonnet (as shown above).

Your Kobra does look awesome. I love the 'purist' look. Stark and minimalistic ... very nice. Fixing the grill behind the opening works well. I am not sure that my approach above is any more professional. At the end of the day, passers by will not see the silaflex (awesome stuff by the way).

I will take some photos of the modded runners and post later. I haven't even thought about the seat belt sensor yet - but will.

Cheers
Chris.

DaveP 24th June 2019 19:15

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the feedback on my red one. I like the clean lines of it and wanted something more 289/Ace ish. Didn’t quite achieve that but close enough.

Ingenious way of fitting your grill. Well done.

Looking forward to next update

Dave

clinkadink 24th June 2019 22:21

The tyres never turned up today, as promised. This is the second delay from mytyres.co.uk. They were due last Friday, they told me DPD will deliver on Monday (today), but nothing arrived. I called them up, spoke to a different person, and they said they haven't left the factory. I cancelled the order and found some local. Should have done that first.

I ended up with Michelin 205/65R15, and the good new ... it drives perfectly. No rubbing on the arches on full lock and bumps. Nothing :dance:

The previous 1 week old set of 4 x 215/75R15 on now on ebay.

https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...624_172520.jpg

The tyres fit the arches with a nice amount of room, giving it a more understated and classic look.

https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...624_172529.jpg

clinkadink 24th June 2019 22:28

I removed the fitted passenger BB Classic seat, now I know the dimensions are good, and welded the 40x20mm bars to the runners. Until then they were bolted together, which seemed solid enough ... but better safe than sorry.

DaveP - hope this help visualise what's needed. You will see below gaffer tape covering the first holes I drilled. This was before I realise the chairs need to mounted offset to the runners. I don't mind about the gaffer tape, as these bars will by carpeted.

https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...624_191640.jpg

Jaguartvr 24th June 2019 22:32

Tyres look much better

clinkadink 24th June 2019 22:32

DaveP or anyone else wanting a template with measurements, please see below. Between the photo above and the diagram below, hopefully it all makes sense.

Note: this is for the passenger seat. Just reverse the image for the driver seat.

https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/seat_bracket.png

IanA 24th June 2019 22:34

Small difference in tyre size but a big difference in looks. Nice one.
As DaveP said- more 289-ish.

clinkadink 24th June 2019 22:39

Thanks Jaguartvr and Ian. Coming back from the tyre shop today, it was the first time I really enjoyed driving the car :icon_lol:

Lucky@LeMans 24th June 2019 23:01

Big improvement with the tyres, changes the proportions for the better.

Shame the original tyre shop didn't allow you to trial fit a couple of options to see what would work best.

clinkadink 24th June 2019 23:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucky@LeMans (Post 101064)
Shame the original tyre shop didn't allow you to trial fit a couple of options to see what would work best.

I bought them online a year or more ago, so I couldn't have returned them. I won't be doing that again.

Lucky@LeMans 24th June 2019 23:12

Did you end up fitting extra wheel spacers on the rear axle, the wheels are sitting just right in the arches.

clinkadink 24th June 2019 23:19

No, just fitted straight onto the MWS hub adapters. Happy days!

DaveP 25th June 2019 00:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by clinkadink (Post 101061)
DaveP or anyone else wanting a template with measurements, please see below. Between the photo above and the diagram below, hopefully it all makes sense.

Note: this is for the passenger seat. Just reverse the image for the driver seat.

https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/seat_bracket.png

Chris thanks for the pic and diagram I am in your debt for that blooming useful info. I am going to either fit BB seats or even a set of MGTF I have waiting. I expect the effort on the runners is similar.

The new tyres set it right off. I like how the arches are filled. I went with std size diameter wheels on mine and it needs lowering somewhat to get the stance just so. Doesn’t make it particularly good over Reading roads though :(

Thanks again. Yours is looking sweeeeet.

Dave

clinkadink 30th June 2019 22:31

The rear window was extremely cloudy, I couldn't see through it through the rear view mirror. I bought a replacement window off ebay. When attempting to unzip and replace the rear window, the zip thread fell to pieces.

https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...626_191717.jpg

Also, the top of the roof had quite bit of wear and tear, and the lining was in poor condition. GaryR's roof was up for grabs from CC, so I met Belle and purchased his hood. Not a pleasent job with fresh paint, but it was well worth it.

I now have a brand new rear window for sale. I will put it on ebay, but if anyone on here wants it, let me know.

https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...630_173011.jpg

Gave the soft top a clean with Renovo and buffed the window with PlastX, and it looks fab.

https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...630_173101.jpg

GaryR 1st July 2019 20:57

That looks better on yours than it ever did on mine! :biggrin:

306craig 2nd July 2019 23:07

Dud, that is sweet! Seriously awesome. Love the wheel tyre combo. Congrats.

clinkadink 20th July 2019 21:06

It has been a couple of weeks since the last update. I took the plunge and started on the interior, including the dash.

I removed the stock dash, stripped it down (air bag panel, instrument cluster moulding, vents from the underside, etc.). Then inserted some MDF into the gaps, filled with fibre glass and body filler. I use some cable conduit for a round lip. It will all be covered with blue/white stitched faux leather once fitted.

https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...708_121645.jpg

clinkadink 20th July 2019 21:17

I also reduced the outer rollover hoop posts, to make them level. Their only purpose (being that high) is to provide a seat belt anchor, but I now have 4-point harness, so they have been removed. The back is now flat (it has always bugged me!).

Since I am going for a classic/vintage look, I removed a lot of plastic and made up some 'washboards'. The centre compartment opens (as before). I had a set of new rollover bars manufactured, as I needed the ends the same length (a perfect up-side-down 'U').

https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...708_191439.jpg

clinkadink 20th July 2019 21:21

The new bars are a lot stronger. Stainless steel and 2.5mm, compared to the ebay 1.5mm.

https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...717_184046.jpg

I got them from Tom Wood at www.tube-bender.co.uk, £120 delivered. PM if you want the technical drawing.

https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...5328_Bokeh.jpg

clinkadink 20th July 2019 21:27

Removed the centre console, fitted a handbrake gaiter (CBS). Spent quite a bit of time lowering the automatic gear shifter and working out how to link P-R-N-D to dash LEDs (now sorted).

https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...712_151555.jpg

clinkadink 20th July 2019 21:39

I have purchased several aftermarket gauges; a GPS speedometer, a tachometer, ampmeter, voltmeter, fuel gauge and water temp gauge. I managed hack the stock instrument cluster to tap into the fuel, tacho and water temp (after quite a bit of trial and error!). Basically, I used the existing Z3 pots (fuel and water temp), and put them inside of the cheap 52mm gauges from ebay. They work perfectly.

All original instrument warning lights from the Z3 cluster are now re-wired to Lucas warning lights. Quite happy with this, as I haven't lost any functionality (lights/gauges, etc.) from the original setup. The stock cluster has lost 'a little weight' and will sit behind the Kobra dash.

This is what the Z3 cluster looks like after several nights of soldering. It has since been sealed, to avoid any accidental damage.

https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...111928__01.jpg

clinkadink 20th July 2019 21:45

I finished re-wiring the dash this evening. That's removing all BMW switches, instruments, lights, etc ... and wiring them up to the aftermarket setup. It is now ready for the new dash. I will start that tomorrow. The design is below.

https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...yout%20002.png

DaveP 20th July 2019 22:45

Blimey. Great work going on here

Dave :)

clinkadink 20th July 2019 22:55

Cheer Dave. Hopefully the leccy prep will pay dividends, once the dash is in, suppose time will tell. Watch this space ;)

Piguin 21st July 2019 04:31

I was about to comment how the dash seems amazingly cool but that you might have issues with the removal of the instrument cluster as electronics these days are interconnected, but... I had to eat my words once I lifted my jaw from the floor.
Amazing work rewiring and rerouting everything from the BMW cluster to proper instruments, its something I would never dare attempt myself..

PS, just so I can feel better about myself: Maybe blue and white wouldn't be ideal on the top 'shelf' of the new dashboard due to reflections in the windscreen?

PS2. Nope that didn't work. Still feel inadequate :P

DaveP 21st July 2019 06:47

Very interesting approach which is, after sleeping on it, very logical.

What are doing about the lcd display for mileage / service intervals etc ?

Dave

clinkadink 21st July 2019 07:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piguin (Post 101352)
Amazing work rewiring and rerouting everything from the BMW cluster to proper instruments, its something I would never dare attempt myself.

Cheers Piguin.

Hooking into the original cluster is very easy, once I worked out a few things.
  1. Figure out which lights actually work and their purpose, as they differ from model to model, country to country.
  2. There are 2 wires (that need to be soldered) for each light on cluster, unusually, these are not always positive and negative. But sometimes a supply and return switched positive (like a loop). Hence why I chose to solder 2 wires per light.
  3. The fuel gauge (left) and water temp gauge (right) are just three wires, once you remove the pots and insert them inside their new 52mm gauge. Then just run wires between the cluster and the new gauge. Simples.
  4. The aftermarket tacho gets its input signal from the white EWS module, just to above/to the right of the steering column behind the dash. Specifically, black wire, pin 4.
If I were to do this again, based on what I know now, I probably would connect the existing speedo too (4 pins, left of the centre chip, see post 154), instead of using a GPS gauge. Either way, it would probably take a total of 3-4 hours to convert the cluster (all gauges plus lights).

https://www.cata4data.com/img/cobra/...715_083704.jpg


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