Cobra reps and clutches

[EnjyBenjy]

Hi all
This might be a daft question, with at least one answer expected to be 'Go and drive one'...

How heavy is the clutch on something like a small block Chevy, or does it vary per kit? I'd be interested to know whether this sort of car is driveable by the missus (she finds my Esprit clutch almost impossible - it is, pretty tough going).

Any help advice is appreciated.

Cheers!

[Dreamspeed]

EnjyBenjy said:

Hi all
This might be a daft question, with at least one answer expected to be 'Go and drive one'...

How heavy is the clutch on something like a small block Chevy, or does it vary per kit? I'd be interested to know whether this sort of car is driveable by the missus (she finds my Esprit clutch almost impossible - it is, pretty tough going).

Any help advice is appreciated.

Cheers!

It’s a difficult question to answer really, it depends not some much on the engine, but what gearbox, clutch and pedal assembly you are using. For example, if your Cobra replica is based on a Ford Sierra, and you’re using the Gearbox/clutch and pedal assembly from the same donor, then the “feel” of the clutch will be just like the Sierra.

Best advice I can give, is find out what type of Cobra kit you are looking for, find out the gearbox/clutch set up and see if anyone has the same on Piston Heads, or better yet, find one you like and test drive it; they’ll all be different depending on the donor parts.

Regarding your Esprit, where your wife finds it pretty tough going. I’ve owned 2, in the past, and the clutches have been great, apart from one winter; when spring came the pedal did feel stiffer. Turns out the cable had started to rust, causing the pedal to become stiffer. Try pulling the cable out of the car, tying a plastic bag to one end, and with the cable hanging down (plastic bag end) spray a load of WD40 down it; overnight it should be fine, unless it’s too far gone.

Hope this helps.

[EnjyBenjy]

Cheers Peter. The Esprit is fine (for me), it's mint. For the wife, it's comparing the clutch action to a Clio(!).
As for Cobs, always been interested and moreso now - it would have to be something like a GD, Dax, AK...with a small block Chevy and say a Tremec.
I see a couple on PH for sale around the 20-23K mark - in fact these look very good money:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3757658.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3826769.htm

[Happy Jim]

Mine is fine, but probably slightly heavier than a clio. LS1 & T56 Box from a Camaro (but with a 0.75 Master Cylinder).
Remember that you could always fit a remote Servo to the clutch if it's too hefty.

Regards

Jim