G'day all,

Well, my name is Simon Richards and I'm 30 years old (just turned) but look 26. I'm far from an old fart and I have ALL my hair! My friends and family call me 'Sime' - but I've been called worse than that before!!!

I've just joined the forum and aim to be a regular contributor. I am Australian, but now live in Michigan as my wife is American. I have a 2001 Spa Yellow Stook on order. Probably get it in March. I was supposed to get it the other night but the one I inspected already had the drivers door repainted - so I refused it.

Little about me......I work as a Marketing Manager for a Database marketing firm and I love cars - especially Japanese ones. My whole life revolves around going fast on two or four wheels. In the past, I've owned lots of Jap cars incl a 1996 Miata and a 1996-97 Mazda RX-7 SP - number 35 of 35! For any of you that know Australia - you'll know what the 'SP' was! After that, I bought a Second gen CRX and modified it HEAVILY by transplanting a B16A with Type R goodies (check the webpage out to see what I did to it). I won several major trophies at some key Australian car shows http://www.ozemail.com.au/~simes/ and really got into the scene.

All I can say is that no car I've ever owned has remained stock. I did buy a brand new Y2K C5 vette when I first got here last Feb as 'vettes are VERY hard to get in Australia. I'd always wanted one. It goes freaking fast and handles very well, but it's just not reliable. It is being bought back by GM as it is a LEMON! This is why I am going back to Honda!

I also have on order a Factory Five racing AC Cobra replica http://www.factoryfive.com and will be building that up over the next year as well. Did I mention that I like to go fast.....I'm putting a Ford Motorsports 460 cubic inch big block in it. 545hp in a 2100lb car will be very er....'entertaining'!!! I like older cars as well as new.

Plans for the Stook include wheels, lowering, brakes, head unit, intake, exhaust and RK front spoiler - maybe a good rear spoiler as well and maybe even racing seats. I already have my FIA harnesses from the CRX. Back in Australia, I had a Competition Racing License (CAMS), so I hope to do some track work here. I like my cars to look good, but I like the performance as well.

I hope to be able to glean some info off of all you knowledgable people. I know that there is a wealth of information on this forum and I've very much enjoyed reading the posts to date. You can learn a lot here!

Well, just wanted to say "G'day". Sorry for my long-winded introduction!

Cheers,

Sime

[Edited by Sime on 01-26-2001 at 01:08 PM]

 

Weclome aboard, Sime! Sounds like you are in the right place!

And putting that 460 cid motor in the AC, you are approaching the power/weight ratio of the McLaren F1!



Keep us posted on that project!!

And being in Michigan, you may know of Gingerman Raceway... http://www.gingermanraceway.com ... it's a blast of a track and it's located in South Haven. Would love to see you there this coming season, I plan on being there a lot this year, too.

Also, join us for the convoy down to Asheville NC for S2KDays...! That happens in late April and there is a special forum dedicated just to the event here...

http://www.s2000online.com/forums/forumdis....php?forumid=23

Cheers!

 

Hi Simon,

Hope to see you at our local tracks this year! The more the merrier- bring any of your cars out...

 

Welcome. If you ever had a question about anything about the stook, just do a search and almost everything about the car's been convered in here already. If not post it.

 

Welcome Sime. That Cobra replica sounds great, keep us posted on the status.

 

Thanks all for the warm welcome!

I would love to get out to Gingerman.

Don't know if I mentioned it, but I am starting an MBA part time this February. I know it will consume a lot of my time (apart from work which allows me to afford my toys!), but I will be there as often as I can! What other spare time I have will be spent on the Cobra. I'm far from a mechanic so it will take me some time to build.

Of course, anybody local to the Famington, Novi, Bloomfield area is more than welcome to come check out the build. I get the kit in June, so it will be full steam ahead from then on. I'll post regularly on the build progress for those that are a little further away.

Due to my committments, I'm not sure if I can make the S2Kdays event as to the amnount of time off I will get, but I will try. I already have 3 weeks in July allocated to going home and visiting my family 'down under' as well as taking a long-overdue honeymoon. We just don't get enough vacation time here in the USA as compared to Australia (we get 4 weeks standard in Aus).

By the way, does anybody have any of the 'Option' Japanese video's. The 'Drifting' series etc. These tapes are great!

I have been a regular contributor to the Corvette Forum, so I know all about how these forums work. That's why I am so excited to be here!

Glad to add another Michigan S2K to the list! There's not enough imports here! (no, I'm not talking about myself!!!) .

Cheers,

 

Is that you Chris?

 

I have considered Cobra kits for years and have concluded that if I built one I would go with a modified Windsor rather than the big block. With a good stroker kit you can be in the 400ci area, have a hundred times as many parts available at a lower price, and most important save over 100 pounds on the front wheels. What made you decide on a 460?

I know this is off topic, but modified Fords was a hobby of mine for awhile.

 

I'm thinking of sending the Cobra back to Australia as an investment in a few years (may be moving back there in 3-5 years).

I've always wanted a big block - just love that big block sound....and the 427 is just too much money. So the 460 is the next best thing. I can get the FMS crate for $5000 complete and brand new. 545hp right out of the crate is pretty wild!

I am still slightly considering the 351, but really want the big block. I can't really justify it I know, but when you want something and your heart says to 'go for it', sometimes you just gotta!

Besides, this will be the last toy that I get to play with for a while, so I really want to do it how I dreamed. I have the 350 in my C5 and just am not happy with the sound. It doesn't sound deep enough (even with a Borla on it). I know that if I didn't put the 460 into my Cobra, I would always kick myself for not doing it. I know it's a 100lbs more, but the stock FFR only weighs 2000lbs! 100lbs isn't going to kill the car. Besides, the difference in price b'w the 351 and 460 is only a grand.

Hope this explains my reasoning

Cheers,

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Sime
[B] I know it's a 100lbs more, but the stock FFR only weighs 2000lbs! 100lbs isn't going to kill the car.