I notice there is a dichotomy in the svt forums between 03/04's and all other models, so I will direct this question to all s/c'd svts.

I just want some user experience tips on launching or getting a cobra off the line quickly. I have been messing around with mine and here's what I come up with so far:

1-1.5x rpms will get me HEAVY wheel hop, and really does no good.
2x rpms will peel out if I just drop the clutch, so I try to ease the clutch out and do a sort of clutch/gas transfer.

I really can't find how to launch her, and I've read in a few places that cobras that aren't heavily modded will have a hard time launching. I grabbed some springs and bushings last night, and we'll go from there on how much more wheel hop cure I need to add. I hear the aftermarket crossbar is useless, but better tires are surely in order.

After my rookie race I placed an order for a few things. My wife really wants the power, and I am arguing that we can't use the power unless we know how to drive better and our traction can keep up with the torque. we compromised and bought it all...

rpmoutlet:
Diablo tuner/2.75 upper pulley kit/Heat exchanger
lowering springs
bushings
loudmouth II mufflers, the LM1's are WAY too loud inside the car.

 

im not sure myself. IRS sucks ! i need a straight axle. when i just had an upper pulley on it it gripped good on the street , now with 6lb lower pulley, i bust the tires loose even in 3rd.now.[:@]just by stabbing it.

 

when i was at the track i did kind of what you were sayinf about easing aout the clutch a bit but really really fast. some where between leaving like at a regular stoplight and just a straight dump. i was getting it up to around 2700 rpms as i was leaving the line and i was able to pull a few 1.9 60' times on street tires. it was just more about feeling the car and knowing where the point of loosing alot of traction was. i would tell you just keep messing around with it till you find what works best for you.

 

The only way is to invest in some sticky tires. Once you do this, hooking will become like second nature, regardless of power level. Heat 'em up and drop it at about 3500-4 grand, hang on and have fun. Should be good for 1.5x-1.7x, but you must have good shoes.

 

Extremely extensive forum on curing wheel hop... http://www.svtperformance.com/forums...d.php?t=231900

Not to change to topic much but speaking of good shoes/sticky tires, any recommendations???

 

Thanks for the replies. I'm starting small with the bushings and springs first. Les Schwab is my favorite brake/tire service center but they won't install this crap for me because they don't install brought-in parts! I would attempt the spring installation but the bushings have to be done by a pro.


It's nice to see all these good looking cobras. I will post mine soon, but it's pretty much going to be a carbon copy of freewilly's. I will have to find a more dramatic backdrop than the ocean...west coast freewilly?

 

Swap out the IRS for an 8.8. makes all the difference!

 

its an art either you can do it or you can't. Just like the one guy up there said get some sticky tires. When i had my street tires i couldn't really hook, I really wouldn't get wheel hop but i just couldn't hook. I got some nitto d/r and now i hook like no other plus i try to wheel hop and its very hard. I'm sure once i do my pulleys and everything else. I'll have to work on it again.

 

straight axle with mega bite jr's .with some dot slicks . yes !

 

I was considering doing the gt axle like freewilly said but started to question it after I bought this months mustang magazine that was comparing the terminators to the new shelby gt500. The article praised 03/04 cobras up and down but noted the problems with irs. The professionals made a good point that it may be prudent to go with a solid axle if you're keeping it on the drag strip, but for street driving and taking turns the irs handles like no other.

/shrug. I can tell that launching is going to take a bit of talent and a lot of practice. I will give it time and keep doing some small mods for now.