Why build a cobra?

From factory five's website: When Projects become Projectiles

Click here to see a performance chart on the cobra. The roadster tested in this chart is an older Mk2 model with a 325 hp small-block Ford engine (302 cu in with alum heads and other common engine performance parts). His car uses an 8.8” Ford rear-end with 3.55 gears. Dave’s car was tested on the dyno and produced 298 hp at the rear wheels. The car runs a 3-link rear suspension with 3.55 rear gears and stock Mustang brakes (he has since upgraded his brakes after these test numbers were made). Dave has spent $32,109 (the average customer spends between $18K and 25K) on all parts, paint etc. to build his car. The car was tested on street tires (B.F. Goodrich G-Force T/A’s) by Car & Driver magazine in July 2004 issue.

In the real world of stoplights and 65 mph speed limits, 0-60mph is perhaps one of the most important performance criteria. In a contest of rear traction and horsepower to weight ratio, the Mk3 roadster beats almost the entire exotic supercar field. You will simply own any stoplight. It’ll take the $650,000 Enzo Ferrari to best your FFR… by a mere three tenths of a second! You now have a bit more than $200,000 per tenths of a second to make your car faster.

This part of the story is rarely told and one of the most significant measurements of a cars handling and performance. FFR cars have routinely run in the 1.00 to 1.05 range on street tires. Dave’s car was wearing fairly good street tires and managed a clean 1.00G, putting it in second place at the skid pad! Read back through the last 25 years of Car & Driver and you won’t find but a handful of cars that can do this on street tires.

What does this mean? It means that Dave’s car, and perhaps the one you build will turn as fast as it falls thru the air! It means that on a track or a twisty section of road you will hold a line that others in lesser cars like a Porsche 911 (0.91G) will not be able to hold. These numbers are borne out in the real world by the staggering number of autocross wins FFR customers have racked up over the years.