DaveP Kobra build - Page 2

IanA · #1 16th December 2018, 19:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barber

...Jagtvr says they bolt to the Z3 runners, so all adjustments work and you can add aftermarket seat heating pads. What is not to like?

Sounds like that gets round the seat belt problem. The MG Owners Club is based in Abingdon- about 1.5 miles from me. I might take a wander round there to see what they have.

DaveP · #2 16th December 2018, 19:46

I fancy the mgf / mgtf seats as long as they are not too deep in the buttocks area.

They are full leather and as they are for a small car should fit. Wish I knew someone with a set to try out for size. Ideally I’d want them to fit on the Z3 runners to keep all the necessary electrickery in place.

So if you can talk nicely to an owner Ian that would be grand. Perhaps loan some dirty old cloth seats if such things exist.

Dave

IanA · #3 17th December 2018, 22:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveP

... to keep all the necessary electrickery in place...

I was hoping to ditch that on mine- isn't it all rather heavy?
Plus the driver seat motor pulls 10A when I put the fuse back in.

Not as many MGBs around in Abingdon as there used to be. I don't know anyone who has one so I may have to go to the MGOC under cover.

Barber · #4 17th December 2018, 17:15

You can buy frames on eBay for less than £40, sell them on if not suitable.

Jaguartvr · #5 18th December 2018, 06:04

I seem to rember that William fitted MGF seats in cream leather and they looked very good.

I have only place the MGB seats on the Z3 base but it should be simple to make a bracket to fit them. I have bought all new seat foams, base and backboard and am having covers made. Won't be ready until end of January. Heated pads have also been bought very cheaply from China as well.
I replaced the webbing style base with the full rubber diaphragm type as I think they give more support and last longer.

Piguin · #6 18th December 2018, 21:01

Car looks great all painted up!

And the de-spoilered look really suits it.

DaveP · #7 18th December 2018, 21:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piguin

Car looks great all painted up!

And the de-spoilered look really suits it.

Thanks very much for the positive feedback.

I like it too

Paul L · #8 21st December 2018, 06:38

Dave – A belated congratulations on the paint, the red bodywork with black wheels looks great.

Enjoy, Paul.

Lucky@LeMans · #9 21st December 2018, 14:45

I always liked the look of the Tribute Kobra. I know its not a full blown like for like replica but neither are the more regular Cobra kits past a present. How many real cobra's featured a GRP body, Rover or Chevy engine etc etc, none !
For an entry level, value for money kit I think they are great.

smash · #10 3rd June 2019, 15:10

Do it yourself - I converted my old AK cobra to Lucas rectangles. Take back plate off, grind off the reflector spikes so it's smooth, get a cluster led bulb bright as you can orange led. Punch hole in the plate larger than led diameter and fit a grommet so led bulb is push fit.

The back plate is only held on by bent fingers from chrome surround but they work harden really quick - basically will survive one open and close rebend manouvere

Bizarrely, despite the red lens the orange led showed through orange so passed MOT

DaveP · #11 3rd June 2019, 21:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by smash

Do it yourself - I converted my old AK cobra to Lucas rectangles. Take back plate off, grind off the reflector spikes so it's smooth, get a cluster led bulb bright as you can orange led. Punch hole in the plate larger than led diameter and fit a grommet so led bulb is push fit.

The back plate is only held on by bent fingers from chrome surround but they work harden really quick - basically will survive one open and close rebend manouvere

Bizarrely, despite the red lens the orange led showed through orange so passed MOT

Scott thanks as I may just do that. Will look at cheapest source of the Lucas rectangular lights and see what I can do with them. Need to double check the removal of the round lights doesn’t give me a problem with screw holes etc before I proceed too.

Thanks again

Dave

Jaguartvr · #12 12th June 2019, 19:54

My front indicator lenses melted during the MOT test as the hazards were left on. Managed to get some glass replacements.
Have throw 2 set in the bin on my current build, the quality of the bulb holders is appalling and will only give problems later.
Still looking for a set.

kon · #13 13th June 2019, 09:54

Have you considered swapping the bulbs out for LEDs? Should generate a lot less heat.

DaveP · #14 15th June 2019, 06:28

Thanks all for the confirmation of these lights being pants.

It is a shame because I like how they look on the Kobra.

Craig thanks for the positive about the car. I’m still pleased with how it has turned out.

Steve (jag) I have gone through a few sets too. Buying cheap and buying twice is the std with them but bloody shouldn’t be.

Kon I have considered LED bulbs but it’s the light fittings fault that the connection gets lost when the car goes over a bump and loses the earth (cheap plastic fitting).

So my plan now is in action to replace the landie lights with Lucas L488 copies. Nice metal fittings and glass lenses. I’m not so keen on the lamps’ shape compared to what I have but have looked at the alternatives and for my build are the favoured model. They are not std figment on the Cobra but hey, my build isn’t one. It’s a tribute.

I’ll take before and after pics for completeness. I will be flogging chrome rings that bling up the landie lights when all is done.

Dave

clinkadink · #15 15th June 2019, 06:44

I wouldn't touch these plastic lenses again, even if they were free.

I got mY glass replacements off ebay for about £15 a pair. I used clear for the indicators with amber bulbs. An example on ebay is here.

This shows a comparison between the old plastic lenses (left) and the glass ones (right). Personally, I can't tell the difference without close inspection.

smash · #16 15th June 2019, 07:24

Shed loads of cobra reps have L488s - my old AK had them before swapped out for rectangular. My mates old Ram had them too. They look good to be fair. Personally prefer them to the "witches tit" (how another mate described L594s lol!)

IanA · #17 15th June 2019, 12:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by smash

Shed loads of cobra reps have L488s...

I have them on my Z300S- metal holders and flat glass lenses:

Have to say that the 21w bulb in the reversing light doesn't last long probably due to overheating. Candidate for an LED I think.

DaveP · #18 15th June 2019, 22:06

Witch tit is a good description of them. They look great on an old mini of course. I’m going L488s for now and see how I go.

A reversing light Ian ? That’s a bit posh ...

That’s a nice butt though

IanA · #19 15th June 2019, 22:18

TBH once I'd seen WCA's Z300S and decided I wanted one (which took about 30 seconds) I started planning the lighting layout along classic Maserati lines but to accommodate both a reversing light and a fog light. And very effective they are too.

clinkadink · #20 15th June 2019, 22:19

Is 'garage envy' a thing?