Skinnys on a 99+ Cobra? [Archive] - Modular Depot Forums

Ken 01-Cobra

10-01-2003, 03:29 PM

Ok, I asked this before, but I have 15" Centerline AutoDrags on the back of my 01 Cobra when at the track. I would LIKE to put a set of skinnys on at the track too, but everyone tells me they won't work. Of course, they said the same thing about the 15" AutoDrags in the back too, and it just took knocking the corners off the lower IRS arm to get them to work, though you would NOT want to try to run them on the street. (grind on turnout)

So, this is the question...has anyone succeeded in mounting skinnys on the front of an 01 Cobra leaving the stock brakes, etc. there? If so, what size and did you use a spacer?

MC Cobra

10-01-2003, 04:20 PM

I run Bogart's and it has a 15/16" or 1" spacer on it. Didn't have to grind the calipers but did have to use longer studs.

Ken 01-Cobra

10-01-2003, 04:46 PM

What size Bogarts and how much backspace? I love those wheels, but ain't to fond of the prices! ;)

Wouldn't an H&R 1" spacer fix the longer stud problem since the studs are integral to the spacer?

Bob Cosby

10-01-2003, 05:26 PM

Do a seach on the Corral in the Modular Forums for my username and "Centerline". You should find a post or two detailing how I made them work.

Bob

Ken 01-Cobra

10-01-2003, 05:30 PM

Thanks Bob...I'll check it out! :thumb:

Bob...so basically a little grinding on the tops of the calipers and a .25" spacer is all there is to it? Cool! I can get the AutoDrags and at least have them match at the track! ;)

Would an H&R spacer work better since the studs are integral to the spacer, or would a 1" spacer move the wheels out way to far?

Bob Cosby

10-01-2003, 06:55 PM

I used two (2) 1/4" (.25) spacers per side, along with grinding the top of the calipers.

I wouldn't use the 1" spacer....it would make the wheels stick out way too far, IMHO. As it was, with 1/2" of spacer per side, plus a 1 3/4" backspace 4" wheel, this is what my Cobra looked like from the front...

Ken 01-Cobra

10-01-2003, 07:52 PM

Yeah, I see what you mean! ;) But I am only looking for track use, not for street, so that will work! :thumb: Thanks for the good info!

white99gt

10-01-2003, 07:52 PM

How much grinding is required?
I have the bullitt calipers on mine and i want to run skinnies also(track only) But dont want to do a lot of grinding to make the calipers look nasty with the stock wheels on .

Ken 01-Cobra

10-01-2003, 07:55 PM

Bob said he only had to grind the top, so it shouldn't show much with the regular wheels on.

white99gt

10-01-2003, 07:56 PM

Originally posted by Ken 01-Cobra
Bob said he only had to grind the top, so it shouldn't show much with the regular wheels on.
Well you do it first and let me see them on yours ;).

But i def got to get skinnies for the track next year:thumb: .

DARKHRSE99

10-01-2003, 09:43 PM

On the newer Gt's a 7/16 spacer works great with skinnies and it doesn't stick out either..

Jason

Ken 01-Cobra

10-02-2003, 07:35 AM

Originally posted by white99gt
Well you do it first and let me see them on yours ;).

But i def got to get skinnies for the track next year:thumb: .
Ok. :thumb: I plan on this over the winter. Not sure I will get it done before our November Drag Day. You coming out for that one? November 8th at Carolina Dragway. Info HERE (http://www.svtcobraclub.com/svtbbs2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4860) if you're interested.

MC Cobra

10-02-2003, 12:53 PM

Bob showed pics after the grinding and touch up paint and I couldn't tell anything was done.
Here's a pic of mine with the Bogarts on and factory K member and a arms.

BCH-SLP

10-22-2003, 02:33 PM

Kreeper & I are going to be working some skinnies into their drag wheel setup with their Mach1. This thread has been very informative and hopefully will be perfect.

Roque

Ken 01-Cobra

10-22-2003, 02:51 PM

Yep, in the next week I will also be fitting skinny's for the track. I'll try to remember to take pictures and post up what I find.

white99gt

10-22-2003, 05:35 PM

Originally posted by Ken 01-Cobra
Yep, in the next week I will also be fitting skinny's for the track. I'll try to remember to take pictures and post up what I find.

Cool,keep us updated.

Ken 01-Cobra

10-29-2003, 12:01 AM

Nope...the 1/2" spacer and long lug nuts will NOT work on the 01 Cobra unless you are going to do some SERIOUS grinding on the caliper!! We were going to have to grind the full Cobra and deeper off the stock PBR caliper to get them to fit.

After looking at how much we were going to have to take off the caliper, I opted for 1" hubcentric spacers with integral lug nuts. I will get some pictures on the 8th at the track as I forgot to take my camera today.

This is with the Centerline AutoDrags, 15"x3.5" with a 1 5/8" backspace.

Bill...I found a place through Team Ford that has the 1" spacers (similar to the H&R) for $40 + $13 for mag lugnuts/washers and $10 for the short lugnuts that hold them on. $73 is a damn sight better than the $149 for the H&R's!

white99gt

10-29-2003, 10:07 PM

Originally posted by Ken 01-Cobra
Nope...the 1/2" spacer and long lug nuts will NOT work on the 01 Cobra unless you are going to do some SERIOUS grinding on the caliper!! We were going to have to grind the full Cobra and deeper off the stock PBR caliper to get them to fit.

After looking at how much we were going to have to take off the caliper, I opted for 1" hubcentric spacers with integral lug nuts. I will get some pictures on the 8th at the track as I forgot to take my camera today.

This is with the Centerline AutoDrags, 15"x3.5" with a 1 5/8" backspace.

Bill...I found a place through Team Ford that has the 1" spacers (similar to the H&R) for $40 + $13 for mag lugnuts/washers and $10 for the short lugnuts that hold them on. $73 is a damn sight better than the $149 for the H&R's!

Cool,
You coming by the dyno day on the 15th?
We can discuss it then.
Did your stock lugs stick out?or do you have to cut the stock liugs down any?

Ken 01-Cobra

10-30-2003, 06:05 AM

Yep, I will be at the Dyno Day on the 15th just to see everyone.

The stock lugs have to be ground down a little on the 1" spacer. It isn't much, only like a quarter inch or so. On any larger adapter, I think you would be fine, but I went with the minimum that would clear the wheels.

BCH-SLP

10-30-2003, 11:21 AM

I'm going to try getting a set of 15x3.5 Pro Stars onto Kreepers 03 Mach 1 with Bob's setup of Spacers. I don't fear the grinder at all, but I hope the (2) .25 spacers on each side will work out great with the 3" Studs. If you all have any other input be sure to post up or throw a PM my way.

Roque

Ken 01-Cobra

10-30-2003, 06:14 PM

The Mach has the same front calipers as the Cobra, right? The AutoDrags had a 1 5/8ths backspace, and I thought you would have to take off WAY to much caliper to make them work. What is the backspace on the Pro Star's? Not saying it can't be done, but I didn't want to trash how the calipers looked for when I put the stock 01 wheels back on. (everywhere except the strip)

MC Cobra

10-31-2003, 12:07 PM

All this headache is exactly why I went with the Bogarts. :)

Bob Cosby

10-31-2003, 05:25 PM

May I asked what you paid for your Bogarts? Also, did you weigh them? I'm considering a set for my 88 Coupe race car.

Thanks. :)
Bob

BCH-SLP

11-01-2003, 10:52 AM

Originally posted by Ken 01-Cobra
The Mach has the same front calipers as the Cobra, right? The AutoDrags had a 1 5/8ths backspace, and I thought you would have to take off WAY to much caliper to make them work. What is the backspace on the Pro Star's? Not saying it can't be done, but I didn't want to trash how the calipers looked for when I put the stock 01 wheels back on. (everywhere except the strip)

Yup the calipers are the same from the Cobra to the Mach. The Pro Stars that are going to be put on have a 1 3/4 Backspacing on them. Same as the backspacing that Bob had on his Centerlines. We were able to fit a 15x8 ProStar ( 5.5 BS ) on the rear end of the Mach with ease. From the looks of this front end setup I don't think I'd have to take THAT much off of the caliper, at least I hope. And touching it up with some black gloss paint will hide all the grinding. Hopefully should be doing this project this coming week so I'll keep everyone posted just in case there are questions.

Roque

Ken 01-Cobra

11-01-2003, 11:01 AM

Yeah, the issue with 15" wheels on the back of the Cobra is the lower IRS control arm. Welds WILL NOT WORK! Even the XP's. I am speaking from experience here...I tried them all. They are thicker than the Centerlines and that makes the difference. We got the AutoDrags to work by knocking the corners off the lower IRS control arm and the edge of the caliper with a grinder. It requires a good bit of grinding to get clearance on the IRS, and I wouldn't want to take off much more than we did.

When we were looking at the front, the Autodrags sat up next to the caliper with 1/2" of spacers. That meant we would have had to grind the top and the front, and it looked like it would need at least 1/4" off. To me, that's a lot to grind off. Since I only use these at the track, a 1" adapter made sense. I will just install the adapter at the track, then remove it when I am ready to put the street wheels back on. Solves the grinding problem. ;)

Are these wheels going to stay on the car all of the time, or are they just going to be used at the track?

MC Cobra

11-01-2003, 11:15 AM

Originally posted by Bob Cosby
May I asked what you paid for your Bogarts? Also, did you weigh them? I'm considering a set for my 88 Coupe race car.

Thanks. :)
Bob
I paid $235 per wheel for the Cobra but that includes a $35 upcharge for the thick Cobra spacer they use. This was two years ago and since then they've raised their prices so for your fox body it still may be around $225-235 for the fronts rears are around $315 each.
I'll weigh my friends wheels since he has a fox body and it would be more appropriate for your application.(that 1" spacer on mine adds some weight)
I should weigh my Cobras as well just so I know exact numbers, but from lifting them they feel 20 lbs lighter than stock each.

BCH-SLP

11-01-2003, 02:51 PM

Originally posted by Ken 01-Cobra
Yeah, the issue with 15" wheels on the back of the Cobra is the lower IRS control arm. Welds WILL NOT WORK! Even the XP's. I am speaking from experience here...I tried them all. They are thicker than the Centerlines and that makes the difference. We got the AutoDrags to work by knocking the corners off the lower IRS control arm and the edge of the caliper with a grinder. It requires a good bit of grinding to get clearance on the IRS, and I wouldn't want to take off much more than we did.

When we were looking at the front, the Autodrags sat up next to the caliper with 1/2" of spacers. That meant we would have had to grind the top and the front, and it looked like it would need at least 1/4" off. To me, that's a lot to grind off. Since I only use these at the track, a 1" adapter made sense. I will just install the adapter at the track, then remove it when I am ready to put the street wheels back on. Solves the grinding problem. ;)

Are these wheels going to stay on the car all of the time, or are they just going to be used at the track?

Ken, I've no experience with the Cobra but these 15"s fit nicely. The Skinny setup is only for the track, so it's not every day driving. And those Autodrags that you were working with are a 1 5/8 backspacing compared to the 1 3/4 backspacing that's on the pro stars. I'll see how much needs to be tweaked in the next week or so. You're making it seem like a nightmare, though.

:mad:

I'll post pics to show the progress.

Roque :usa:

Ken 01-Cobra

11-01-2003, 04:11 PM

I will be most interested in how it works out for you. Good luck! :D

The work on the rears was worth it to be able to run 15" ET Streets with the full sidewall.

Bob Cosby

11-01-2003, 04:47 PM

Ok. Thanks. :)

Ken 01-Cobra

11-05-2003, 01:57 AM

We fitted everything up today, and I will have pictures when I get a chance to upload them out of the camera tomorrow.

With the 1" adapter, the wheels do stick out a bit, but they should be fine for the strip. They actually look fairly close to Bob's picture.

Ken 01-Cobra

11-05-2003, 01:12 PM

Fitting the front skinnys.

Stock:
http://www.burtsonline.net/ken/images/wheel1_sm.jpg

Shortening the studs by 1/4":
http://www.burtsonline.net/ken/images/wheel2_sm.jpg

What the wheel looks like with the adapter on the rack. I will have front pictures with both wheels fitted after Saturday.
http://www.burtsonline.net/ken/images/wheel3_sm.jpg

Ken 01-Cobra

11-09-2003, 07:18 AM

Here's a pic of the front of the Cobra with the skinnys mounted.

BCH-SLP

11-09-2003, 11:17 AM

Looks pretty good, Ken. :thumb:

This week is crunch time with the Mach 1 so I'll have pictures by Thursday. Just waiting on the Steeda 3" Studs to come in and it's on like donkey kong. Pro Stars are already in the garage waiting to be mounted. ;P

Roque

MPM20

11-12-2003, 01:48 PM

man. those stick out alot. do you have a stock K member and a-arms. if you get a tubular k member. and some fox body a-arms. it will tuck them in. my setup is the AJE kit with fox a-arms. then i run spacers and 3 in studs. and they look flush. tucked in slightly more than the 295s out back. these are on 15X3.5in weld prostars by the way. its raining. so i wont go take pics. but if someone wants to see. ill post some.

MC Cobra

11-12-2003, 05:39 PM

Originally posted by MPM20
man. those stick out alot. do you have a stock K member and a-arms. if you get a tubular k member. and some fox body a-arms. it will tuck them in. my setup is the AJE kit with fox a-arms. then i run spacers and 3 in studs. and they look flush. tucked in slightly more than the 295s out back. these are on 15X3.5in weld prostars by the way. its raining. so i wont go take pics. but if someone wants to see. ill post some.
Quick question, do you have c/c plates and have you got it aligned for toe in/out?
When I first put everything together, the tires sat flush as well, once I had it set up(aligned) for drag racing and set the c/c plates in the negative setting, it pushed the tires back out.

MPM20

11-12-2003, 06:04 PM

yeah. i do have adjustable C/C plates. sorry i forgot to mention that. i took some pics. if you send me an address i will email them to you. they arent the best, but it was raining.

BCH-SLP

11-12-2003, 07:05 PM

Alright guys, the process went great and I'll have pics and a write up later tonight.

Roque

MPM20

11-13-2003, 11:46 PM

ken
i would look into getting a tubular K member or some other mod to tuck those wheels in. do they rub during a locked turn? i guess they may not be that bad if they are track only. but something about that just doesnt sit well. did you not take anything off of the brake caliper itself or something?
-matt

MC Cobra

11-14-2003, 11:18 AM

Originally posted by MPM20
ken
i would look into getting a tubular K member or some other mod to tuck those wheels in. do they rub during a locked turn? i guess they may not be that bad if they are track only. but something about that just doesnt sit well. did you not take anything off of the brake caliper itself or something?
-matt
They'll stick out like that with any stock K member. If you look on the first page I posted pics of my car with the stock K member and the Bogarts and they stick out. Just the nature of the beast.