Modular Mustang Cobra for autocross/weekend driving

ojannen said:

In reply to Patientzero :

I am 6'5" with a tall torso.  Fitting in cars is an adventure.

Headroom isn't a problem if there is no roof... It makes getting the kids in to and out of the rear seats easier too.

In reply to Driven5 :

I don't like convertibles because I generally don't pass the broomstick test.  Headroom is often significantly worse with the top up too.  For example,

One of the tough parts about picking a car for us is my wife is 5'9" but has the same length legs as me.  We have to find something where she can see over the dash and I fit in the car with roughly the same seat settings.

Does anyone have experience with Corbeau Sportline Evolution seats?  I had one in a BMW for a while and gained more than two inches of headroom.  It still had enough padding to be comfortable on a long trip as long as I brought a lumbar pillow.

What about a New Edge Bullitt or Mach 1?

Mach 1 - 4 valve, solid axle rear, TR-3650. Cobra brakes.

Bullit - 2 valve w/ specific intake manifold, twin blade throttle body and catback. Also had Cobra sized brakes, chassis bracing, some suspension items and gearing over the GT.

Both can be had for under $10k with some mileage on them. I personally love the Bullitt look of the New Edge.

Interior will be the same on all 1994-2004.

You must have a LONG torso.  Granted I havent had a stock drivers seat in my car in over a decade, I have a Cobra Monaco on a modified passenger (manual) slider and have tons of room at 6'2" .   There are plenty of options for seats and plenty of room to the floor, I would be surprised if you couldnt make a setup work. 

One way around the limitations of folding seat is to only have a folder on the passenger side, though that makes for more moving around to let kids out. 

In reply to Apexcarver :

My wife and I both wear 32" inseam pants.

In reply to kevinatfms :

Is there any reason to buy a Mach 1 or Bullitt over a Cobra if the Cobra is in budget?  As far as I can tell driver quality cars are priced in the $8-10K range which is similar to the BMWs I am looking at.  My intuition is that an IRS equipped car can put power down better through corners at an autocross and will be more comfortable on the street because spring rates don't have to be so high.

ojannen said:

In reply to kevinatfms :

Is there any reason to buy a Mach 1 or Bullitt over a Cobra if the Cobra is in budget? 

No

ojannen said:

In reply to Apexcarver :

My intuition is that an IRS equipped car can put power down better through corners at an autocross and will be more comfortable on the street because spring rates don't have to be so high.

Spring rate is actually higher on the IRS for lots of reasons previously mentioned like SRA 4link bind and geometry and inherent design advantages including sprung vs unsprung weight.

The rest of your intuition is correct. Go for the Cobra

Well, the solid rear has great camber control. The advantage is over bumps as the solid rear a bump upsets both rear wheels. The solid rear will likely hang with on smooth pavement, but the IRS will win over bumps stock for stock. Modded solid will likely win though.

The stock solid rear will also let the axle move laterally an inch or two in a slalom. You kinda feel it like butt wagging, it's not as awful as it sounds. There are reasons for adding panhard rods and all of it, but it makes it better, not must have it to play. Independent is a weight penalty, but its leveling it out, not adding more on the heavy nose. 

Iirc the 99+ cobras got better seats with the suede or whatever insets that hold you in better.

Yeah if you are going to get one, a 99 or 01 Cobra is the sweet spot to be. 32V motor, bigger brakes, IRS, nicer seats and doorpanels (1 piece instead of 3 piece) for the same money basically.