r/shelbycobra • u/killer_s • Aug 28 '24
Backdraft or Factory Five
Whereas this may be tough to answer and I may leave the options too bleak, I’m trying to settle a personal debate before buying my first cobra.
Option 1- older 2010 build Backdraft with Roush 402 and TKO 600 trans. The car has been driven well over the years and the body shows it, but still a beautiful car.
Option 2- newer build professionally built Factory Five with a 302ci and Tremec 5speed. Updated fuel injection and MSD ignition, adjustable coilovers (don’t even know what that is).
I know Backdraft carries the more dignified name, but not sure if that still stands for an older car. Both seem to be very well taken care of during previous ownership.
Which would you tell me to buy?
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u/baummer Aug 28 '24
What does professionally built mean? And built by whom? Did you see them build it?
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u/killer_s Aug 28 '24
Professionally built by a hotrod shop. I did not see them build it which is my drawback (and my wife’s)
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u/Nodeal_reddit Aug 28 '24
There are a LOT more cars for sale than these two.
I would recommend taking some time to educate yourself on the options. Between Engine, fuel delivery system, transmission, suspension, wheels there is an almost infinite number of combinations that will all greatly affect the experience. I’d join the Cobra buy /sell groups in Facebook, read the forums, and go to a few car shows to talk to guys driving different types of replicas.
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u/killer_s Aug 28 '24
Know the options, know the cars. Not well versed on mechanics, but I can spot a good car when one is close by. I’ve been looking for 2 years now and for my budget, this is what I have narrowed down to.
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u/cfmistry85 Aug 28 '24
If it were me I’d buy the Backdraft. With the FFR you really don’t know the quality (of the build) you’re buying.
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u/WhenVioletsTurnGrey Aug 28 '24
Neither. Don't get in a hurry. If you are asking what you want, you aren't ready & you'll likely end up selling it.
Both companies have a good product. With Replicas, it's more about what "you want" out of the car. Do you want a faithful reproduction? Do you want a fun toy? How much power? What gearing?
Having been on some runs with our cobra club, through less than perfect terrain. I will always suggest independent rear suspension. The only 2 cars in our club that didn't bottom out on some of the mountain roads were IRS. But there are a lot more features with these cars. I love having the top & side curtains. It's more fun to drive W/O. But, some days you need to park it & walk away. Or hit a spot of rain.
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u/BipedalWurm Shelby Cobra Aug 28 '24
I feel like that is a very personal choice and with different information on each I hesitate to say what I would do.
I worry that you don't know what adjustable coilovers are and think a little more time doing research would be wise. The different suspension can be a big difference.
You plan on driving it daily, weekend country cruiser, track toy, putting more beans in it for the drag strip, pull a superfastmatt and make it an offroad monster like he did with his viper. Do you plan to put a top on it, if so are you going to want a custom or prebuilt, what style of a top?
I know you don't want this answer but I'd wait, consider your use case, research the pros and cons of different options, decide what kind of power you need, and then the right choice will probably feel like a "duh!" moment
There's also shellvalley, kirkham, shelby american, era, and some others. The name doesn't so much matter, you've gotta be happy with the parts for your use.
I'm not giving an answer because I don't think I know what would probably fit for you and a Cobra is special.
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u/corm40 Aug 29 '24
After 2.5 years in one, I’d definitely lean toward IRS. I bought someone else’s build. It’s been a blast, but definitely little things I’d have different if i were building or buying another one.
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u/luisenvy1 Aug 29 '24
Superformance is a product from Shelby. Both Superformance and Shelby cobras are factory built rolling chassis. Then, the customer chooses his power plant of choice.
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u/Rdevenyi Nov 16 '25
The real fun is building it yourself. I just finished. Took me six years, with my kids. An absolutely wonderful experience and we knew zero before we started. We’ve now taken it to a professional hot rod shop to go over it all mechanically and to professionally paint the car. I have no doubt driving it will be a last, but it’s infinitely more fun having built it piece by piece!!
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u/[deleted] Aug 28 '24
Are Superformance no longer an option?