Pauls Project Dax Thread - Here we go!

[CobraPaul]

That looks like a fun project Paul.

Enjoy the build/rebuild. It would be great information/knowledge base to keep this thread updated with any progress as you go.

Keep up the good work.

That's the plan! Figured the information could be useful to other newcomers like myself, but also helps to demonstrate costs of each challenge. I'll update at least monthly  

[Tommy-boy]

That looks like a fun project Paul.

Enjoy the build/rebuild. It would be great information/knowledge base to keep this thread updated with any progress as you go.

Keep up the good work.

[Simon]

Nice project, already registered and with a decent engine/box fitted.

[CobraPaul]

Tonight whilst looking under the car cleaning I found the tag on the diff - 43/14, or 3.07:1 ratio.

[CobraPaul]

Hi Paul,

Good luck with the rebuild. Just thought I would mention that I have a black dax dash up in the loft collecting dust.
There are some photos in the for sale section. Let me know if it would be of any use to you.

Rgds

Brad

I'll take a look, thanks!

[Flykilla]

Hi Paul,

Good luck with the rebuild. Just thought I would mention that I have a black dax dash up in the loft collecting dust.
There are some photos in the for sale section. Let me know if it would be of any use to you.

Rgds

Brad

[CobraPaul]

A full spec of the car:

Dax Cobra mk4 IRS chassis
Roadcraft-supplied Chevy v8, 355bhp
Roadcraft-supplied Tremec TKO500 gearbox
Edelbrock 600 cfm carb
Jaguar PL Diff
MK3 VW Golf indicator stalks etc
Moto Lita steering wheel
Stainless fuel tank
ETB instruments
17" Halibrand split rims
Red Gelcoat (to be painted or wrapped, eventually)
Single rollover hoop (to be changed to 1 drivers-side hoop, eventually)

[CobraPaul]

Hi All,

So, I'm embarking on a project - something bigger than I've ever taken on before. An opportunity to acquire a Cobra appeared around Christmas time, although things went a little quite from the seller (turns out he was just busy with other things) but at the end of January, I made a 3hr road trip to go and look at, and ultimately purchase the Cobra I have today.

Brief rundown of history:
- Dax Cobra, mk4 IRS chassis, built and SVA'd in 1999 (although with a Jag v12 engine installed)
- Classic registration plate due to use of enough donor parts at SVA
- Car has been parked up since 2002/2003 when the engine failed
- Brand new crate Roadcraft Chevy v8 purchased and fitted in 2006
- Brand new Tremec TKO500 gearbox, also fitted in 2006.
- Car had no fluids in until 2023, when the engine was torn down, new gaskets etc fitted, fluids added and the car brought up to running/driving again
- The PO also fitted all new fuel and brake lines.
- The PO ran clearly ran out of time to finish restoring the car, so offered it for sale.

I took delivery of the car in early Feb, and since then I've started to have a good look over and determine what needs to be done.

Quite a long list, but a summary of Feb progress:
- Insured and SORNed car
- Purchased a set of wheel dollies to aid moving around (although with my rubber flooring, actually quite difficult)
- Installed p-clips for the rear wiring loom through the interior
- Located a coolant leak, which turned out to be the coolant pump. Replaced like-for-like from RealSteal, added new coolant too
- Run through all documentation and sorted into a decent file
- Got a tilt-lift to get the car in the air
- Stripped the interior, removed the dash, given the car a good initial clean so I can see what I'm dealing with
- Started replacing the sections of fuel hose that were rubber - and the wrong hose type for modern ethanol-based fuel
- Purchased a new fuel filter, and relocated to between tank and pump
- Purchased a load of other parts that need to be fitted when I get the time.
- Moved the horn from a toggle switch on the dashboard to a proper push-horn in the centre of the Moto Lita wheel. (Required 3D printing an indicator-cancelling adapter, and obtaining an old clock-spring to remove the contact plate from the rear.
- Removing a large amount of brightwork as most of it is pitted and needing a full refurb.

I've spent:
- £136.88 on parts that have been fitted
- £192.31 on parts that have not yet been fitted
- £116 on tools
- £230 on insurance


I'm planning on keeping this thread up to date with progress - feel free to comment and provide help where you can
My plans are to try, where possible, to focus on getting the car roadworthy again, before some significant upgrades, cosmetic changes and paint/wrap. I have definitely settled on black hardware - powdercoated or ceramic coated in the case of the exhausts. But that's a job for much, much later on.

Photos

Here's a photo as she was loaded up for delivery:


And here she is once she was manoeuvred into my garage:


Failed Waterpump:


Replacement pump:


Dash out:


Steering wheel before:


Steering wheel adapter and clock spring track fitted:


New Horn fitted: