The clutch Is A McCord Brothers Racing unit. The transmission is stock Cobra, as are the driveshaft and the final drive. Aftermarket shifters have been tried, with the Pro 5.0 unit as modified using information from fellow open-tracker Jack Hidley being the one that seems to have stuck. Jim says the rear axle is a known weak point in Cobras run in endurance events. Therefore he's running Royal Purple synthetic lubrication in everything, including the rear axle. Along with insulating the exhaust with heat wrap near the differential, he figures the synthetic lube is what's keeping the rearend alive right now-that, and plenty of fluid changes just to make sure.
As we went to press, Jim was working with the SCCA to homologate his combination into the World Challenge Series for 2004, hence the new rollcage and larger rubber in the wheelwells. More power is definitely part of the plan, and that would spur the internal engine development.
Should the car make World Challenge competition, we'd expect it to go on a diet. Currently it fulfills its street mission with operable air conditioning and a stock six-CD changer. There's even some interior billet dress-up from UPR and Trenz, along with Sparco seats for more supportive driving. So far, those have all been great additions because the car spends so much time on the street, either in the OTC and Power Tour, or simply shuttling from shop to shop. But, inevitably we'd expect track duty to take over, with the unavoidable need to shed pounds.
Other changes were already being made in preparation for the Silver State, including a fuel cell, a fire system, the aforementioned cage, wheels and racing slicks, a tubular rearend structure from Kenny Brown, and a Torsen limited-slip differential. With the engine pullied for 15 pounds of boost, it knocks out 560 hp to the rear tires, and that's what Jim and crew will run at the Silver State. They're hoping to see 200 mph in the speed trap, although their average speed will be considerably less than that.
If you'd like to see this machine in person, probably all you have to do is go outside and wait awhile. We're sure it won't take long for Jim, Ray, or Pete to come wailing by on their way to the next event.
| 5.0 Tech Specs |
| ENGINE AND DRIVETRAIN | Gauges |
| Block | Stock |
| Stock Cobra cast iron | |
| Cylinder Heads | SUSPENSION AND CHASSIS |
| Stock Cobra aluminum 4V | Front Suspension |
| Intake Manifold | Springs |
| Stock Cobra | Kenny Brown |
| Camshafts | Struts |
| Stock (under development) | Bilstein |
| Power Adder | Wheels |
| Kenne Bell supercharger | CCW aluminum 10.5x18-in |
| Exhaust | Tires |
| Stock manifolds, Bassani X-pipe | Kumho and Pirelli combinations |
| and after-cat | Brakes |
| Fuel Pump | 14-in Brembo four-piston |
| Stock twin pumps | REAR SUSPENSION |
| Fuel Injectors | Springs |
| Stock | Kenny Brown |
| Transmission | Shocks |
| Stock T56 six-speed manual | Bilstein |
| Rearend | Wheels |
| Torsen limited-slip differential | CCW aluminum 11x18-in |
| | Tires |
| ELECTRONICS | Kumho and Pirelli combinations |
| Engine Management | Brakes |
| Kenne Bell Switch Chip | Brembo 13-in |
| Ignition | |
| Stock, w/ Denso spark plugs | |