Driver Seat Installation and General Auto Inspection:
I decided that it would be smart money spent if I invested in a pro shop inspecting my work to ensure I dont' kill myself. After months of searching and asking around the cobra boards, I was introduced to G&S Autoworks. Nick Guarriello so far has been extremely upfront and pragmatic with his approach towards the project. For example, I had a big list of items that I wanted him to check. Basically, he cut the list in half because he advised that I should wait until the body is on (and to bring the car back if we were satisfied with his work). To prepare for the cobra's trip, I wanted to set up the driver's seat and a lap belt. This way, when go karting the car, we won't fall out. The manual has you modified the driver's seat tracks. Below you will see pictures of the mods and the installation.
Now back to G&S.....basically, I wanted them to inspect the drive train, make a first general aligment/ride height, get the clutch system working right, inspect the brake system/callibrate bias, inspect the cooling system and do a once over on the chassis. Once the body is on, they said they would do a total alignment of the car and callibrate the corner weights to get the best weight distribution for better handling, etc.
The only thing that was troublesome is that the G&S shop is about 70 miles from me. Get this; it was cheaper to call a tow truck from Oxford than for the folks here by my house....serveral hundred cheaper. Anyway, I arranged my car to be picked up by Garland's towing who were just awesome. Nice rig, very fair price and efficient as all get out. This guy knows his stuff. I can't believe the tight driveway he backed down with a big ole stone wall next to him on one side and a fence on the other.
Once I got to the G&S Autoworks garage, I didn't want to leave. Their shop is in their old helicopter hanger. It was a candy store. I told them I could sleep in the corner and they didn't have to feed me much. First off, the shop is immaculant. You can eat off the floors. Second, these guys have all the right tools/machines. They have a dyno for engine tuning, a couple of lifts, a full alignment jig, an engine building room, lathes, etc. They had this BEAUTIFUL GT350 clone race car they were working on. Basically it is sitting on a nascar chassis. They were also working on a corvette styled alcohol drag racer (aimed at the low 9's), a show stopper (68 I believe) Camaro, a fox body ford mustang road racer, etc. When Nick walked me through all the cars they have raced (several types of porches, etc) I was on the floor. I didn't want to leave.
Anyway, we got my car off the truck and up on the alignment jig. I spent about an hour walking Nick through the car. He is very thorough. I kept telling him that I am a complete novice and to keep an eye towards this fact (i.e. I put the car together but that doesn't mean it is built right). He also asked to get all the engine specs and to send him the build manual which I have done. I took scans of my engine specs which are below.
Next update will be when I get the car back.
I decided that it would be smart money spent if I invested in a pro shop inspecting my work to ensure I dont' kill myself. After months of searching and asking around the cobra boards, I was introduced to G&S Autoworks. Nick Guarriello so far has been extremely upfront and pragmatic with his approach towards the project. For example, I had a big list of items that I wanted him to check. Basically, he cut the list in half because he advised that I should wait until the body is on (and to bring the car back if we were satisfied with his work). To prepare for the cobra's trip, I wanted to set up the driver's seat and a lap belt. This way, when go karting the car, we won't fall out. The manual has you modified the driver's seat tracks. Below you will see pictures of the mods and the installation.
Now back to G&S.....basically, I wanted them to inspect the drive train, make a first general aligment/ride height, get the clutch system working right, inspect the brake system/callibrate bias, inspect the cooling system and do a once over on the chassis. Once the body is on, they said they would do a total alignment of the car and callibrate the corner weights to get the best weight distribution for better handling, etc.
The only thing that was troublesome is that the G&S shop is about 70 miles from me. Get this; it was cheaper to call a tow truck from Oxford than for the folks here by my house....serveral hundred cheaper. Anyway, I arranged my car to be picked up by Garland's towing who were just awesome. Nice rig, very fair price and efficient as all get out. This guy knows his stuff. I can't believe the tight driveway he backed down with a big ole stone wall next to him on one side and a fence on the other.
Once I got to the G&S Autoworks garage, I didn't want to leave. Their shop is in their old helicopter hanger. It was a candy store. I told them I could sleep in the corner and they didn't have to feed me much. First off, the shop is immaculant. You can eat off the floors. Second, these guys have all the right tools/machines. They have a dyno for engine tuning, a couple of lifts, a full alignment jig, an engine building room, lathes, etc. They had this BEAUTIFUL GT350 clone race car they were working on. Basically it is sitting on a nascar chassis. They were also working on a corvette styled alcohol drag racer (aimed at the low 9's), a show stopper (68 I believe) Camaro, a fox body ford mustang road racer, etc. When Nick walked me through all the cars they have raced (several types of porches, etc) I was on the floor. I didn't want to leave.
Anyway, we got my car off the truck and up on the alignment jig. I spent about an hour walking Nick through the car. He is very thorough. I kept telling him that I am a complete novice and to keep an eye towards this fact (i.e. I put the car together but that doesn't mean it is built right). He also asked to get all the engine specs and to send him the build manual which I have done. I took scans of my engine specs which are below.
Next update will be when I get the car back.
posted by Khan Smith at 11:42 AM
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