1998 Cobra GT3 R-esque

LongLostLatz · Nov 17, 2016

Also something has been bothering me with the wheels. The first car is the one that sold me on the matte black FR500's. I know my car isn't as low but it seems like the first car is either running spacers or has completely different offsets. Also I think the 35/18 tire setup that came on the wheels I bought doesn't really look right. I have the 40/18 setup I can swap off of the Saleen wheels and I guess I could pick up 1/4" or 1/2" MM wheel spacers and extended studs to push the wheels out a bit more. What do you guys think?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

g36 monkey · Nov 17, 2016

Hard to say, the car in the pic might have a 99+ rear end which is overall longer so it might stick the wheels out a little further.

LongLostLatz · Nov 17, 2016

So do you think the 1/2" spacer all around with the 40/18 tires would fill out the wheel wells better?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

g36 monkey · Nov 17, 2016

I don't like spacers up front but have ran them on the rear with good results

LongLostLatz · Dec 1, 2016

Ok so I picked up a Hurst shift knob to replace the Pep Boys POS that came with the car. For some reason it will not thread onto the MGW shifter. Tried it on the stock shifter and both the jam nut and shift knob will not thread onto the shifter. Has anyone had a problem like this? It screws on one complete rotation but completely locks up after that. Debating sending it back and just getting an MGW shift knob. Super bummed because I thought it would be an extremely easy low effort, high reward upgrade.

In other news I'm finally taking the car in to have the trans fluid flushed and replaced with Royal Purp. Hopefully that will help to smooth out the gear changes. While it's there the mechanic is going to install the MM adjustable clutch cable and quadrant, Steeda oil seperator, and hopefully troubleshoot the rattling shifter (video attached). He's also going to inspect the current gears to see what's actually in the car considering the previous owner swapped out the stock set for "freeway friendly gears". Most likely going to go with a 3.73 and I'm debating installing a Torsen while it's all apart. Wasn't really planning to upgrade the diff this early in the build but it just seems to make more sense to do it while it's apart.

https://vimeo.com/193976147

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

sleepn_sn95 · Dec 1, 2016

Seems like the threads on the knob don't match up to the factory mustang thread size, they should be 12x1.75. They sell adapters but it'd probably be easier to just get a new knob.

As far as the rattling, are all the allen bolts tight on the handle?

g36 monkey · Dec 1, 2016

The shifter threads or the knob threads are not factory. Not sure which is the issue

codfod · Dec 1, 2016

LongLostLatz said:
Also something has been bothering me with the wheels. The first car is the one that sold me on the matte black FR500's. I know my car isn't as low but it seems like the first car is either running spacers or has completely different offsets. Also I think the 35/18 tire setup that came on the wheels I bought doesn't really look right. I have the 40/18 setup I can swap off of the Saleen wheels and I guess I could pick up 1/4" or 1/2" MM wheel spacers and extended studs to push the wheels out a bit more. What do you guys think?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I had the same FR500 wheels but in 17's and I felt like the 10.5 wheels didn't quite fill out the wheels wells enough either.

LongLostLatz · Dec 1, 2016

Yeah I just checked the specs and they both say 1.75x12. I guess the shop that ReplicaR recommended can check it to confirm thread size. That fact that it doesn't fit onto the stock shifter either leads me to believe that the knob and jam nut might be the problem. If so this would be the second issue I've had with parts from LMR and I've only placed two orders...

As for the wheels I think I'm going to swap the 40/18 tires onto the FR500's to fill the wheel well a little better. Also considering some extended ARP wheel studs so I can run MM hub centric spacers. These wheels are just to hold me over until I can make a decision on the right wheel/size/offset combo. Right now I'm looking at these in 18x10 +20 all around. They are roughly the same price as the 18x10.5 +15 RPF1's but won't require me to come up with some kind of flare in the front.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

g36 monkey · Dec 1, 2016

I like those!

LongLostLatz · Dec 1, 2016

Yeah they are really nice and they are pretty light at roughly 22-25 lbs. Do you guys think that sizing will work on the front with a roll/pull? I know I will probably have to run a small spacer on the rear to push the wheels out a bit.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

hotmustang95 · Dec 1, 2016

You guys are making want to switch out my Steeda shifter for an MGW with all this talk about how great they are.

LongLostLatz · Dec 2, 2016

Just dropped my car off at Gear Driven Automotive based on ReplicaR's recommendation. Talked with the owner Saul for about 30 minutes and the experience is already 100x better than my previous one at Wild Pony. They had a pretty crazy Saleen convertible clone with a lightning motor and 03/04 Cobra supercharger which almost caused a take my money please situation. Anyway I can't wait to get the car back and hopefully make one of the upcoming track days or possibly a driving class

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

ReplicaR · Dec 2, 2016

What are you having done?

LongLostLatz · Dec 2, 2016

I mainly wanted him to look over the car to let me know if there was any preventative stuff that should be taken care of before I start upgrading the suspension. While he has it he's going to flush and replace the trans fluid with RP, install MM clutch cable and quadrant, Steeda oil separator, and replace the BBK chrome intake with a K&N (not a fan of chrome). He's also going to troubleshoot the rattle coming from the MGW shifter because he said it's definitely not normal. I also wanted him to check the rear end to see if he could tell what gear is in the car. If it's a 3.08 like I think it is I will probably have it swapped for a 3.73

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Firefighter181 · Dec 5, 2016

The all black is very sharp looking! Nice ride!

LongLostLatz · Dec 17, 2016

Ok quick update Sal over at Gear Driven got the shifter issues all worked out. It appears that the rattling was due to the use of the gasket rather than the RTV. I guess I didn't tighten the bolts enough because I was worried about how much of the gasket was squeezing out. He installed the MM adjustable clutch cable and quadrant which put the clutch in a much better position and the actuation is so much smoother and more direct. He was also able to correct the thread pitch on the Hurst knob so I wouldn't have the deal with the LMR runaround. I finally located a matching passenger seat and got it installed which I think turned out pretty nice. Now I just need to ditch the rear seat and possibly replace the stock steering wheel with an FR500 wheel or maybe a Redline kit and the interior will be set until I reupholster the seats. I just ordered a modified road and track box and some stainless brake lines so that will be next on the list. Anyway let me know what you guys think.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk