Mardave COBRA Build..FIBRE LYTE..
 

Hi all,

I will be doing a build of a FIBRE LYTE Mardave COBRA. I have been collecting parts for a while and almost there with it now. Just awaiting a few bits and bobs. As soon as they are here, I will start the build........:D:D

Looking forward to it 👍

COBRA Parts.
 

Mardave COBRA parts collected so far. Still a few more to get, but nearly there.....:thumbsup:

CLICK PICS TO ENLARGE....:thumbsup:

Cheers Simion........:)

This is going to be another stunner👍🏻

Will follow this with interest, having had one when I was a kid!

:thumbsup: good to see you doing another build

Great to see you back Mark....looking forward to this...👍

Thank you.
 

Thank you lads for all your comments.

Some of the bits should be here early this week, then we can start.......:thumbsup::thumbsup:

COBRA Parts.
 

Just a few bits turned up today.

New Original Mardave COBRA Body.
New Delrin Idler Gear.
New Original Mardave Undertray.

With the Mardave screw kit here now, the build can begin......:thumbsup:

CLICK PICS TO ENLARGE....

Are you getting them from mardave?

Parts.
 

Hi Dazza,

Yes what I can. Mardave have alot of parts still, but didnt have all the parts required for a complete New build.

But yes Mardave what I can......:)

Build.
 

Hi all,

Sorry for the delay on the build All. Been really busy with work, returning after lockdown......:cry:

Its coming.........:)

Few Additions.
 

I managed to source a few nice additions for the Mardave COBRA.

New in packet front and rear Mardave spike tyres.
Mardave COBRA original manual
Mardave COBRA original Tech sheet
Mardave COBRA original exploded view
Mardave COBRA original spares price sheet.

CLICK TO ENLARGE.....

COBRA Parts.....
 

Hi All,

So theres been a delay on this build for a few weeks, while I decide which way to go on this. So I have decided.

I have been in talks with Fibre Lyte and they have made a COBRA chassis for me along with Front Tower (standard), Rear (wide) tower and mounting for ballstuds and Tower.

So I will be building a complete Fibre Lyte COBRA, little different from the start.

I have also had the other bits come I was waiting for so I will be starting this evening....

CLICK TO ENLARGE PICTURES.......

Wondered why youd flogged some bit on ebay #stalker :lol:

:woot: Dazza.....:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

How much was the fibre lyte chassis? Tempted to do a custom cobra build myself

START !!!! Front End......
 

So here we go.

The front end. All new parts collected.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

CLICK TO ENLARGE PICS....

Front End.
 

I have decided to change the ballstuds and have gone for 4-40. The reason for this is so I can use the RPM 4-40 White ballends. The nuts will be changed for the colour Purple along the way........

The FIBRE LYTE Tower, as normal is a cracking job.

CLICK TO ENLARGE PICS......

Front End
 

I must say the front hinge pins are a little different to what I have been used to over the years, but I have been assured they don't fall out and are up to the job.

The uprights were a right pain to get in, but now all are fitted, I can actually see how good they are.....

The front axles have changed now I believe, to allow for a grub screw, so you can actually use a nyloc nut, rather than a screw. Or at least you have the choice of either...... Screw or Nut........:thumbsup:

Again all ballstuds changed to XTMs......

Genuine New Mardave screws used throughout. Again that FIBRE LYTE Tower looks stunning......:D

CLICK TO ENLARGE PICS.....

Hi lofty2332,

If you give Stephen a call at FIBRE LYTE, he will sort you out. A cracking guy to deal with and really really helpful......:thumbsup:

Glad you're back Mark...😉.....this should look good..👍

Cheers Alan.......:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup :

Turnbuckles.....RPM
 

Up next, the part I hate the most in any build. TURNBUCKLES.. still nursing my thumbs from the hinge pin moment....:lol: They actually went well. With the COBRA as you will know, the turnbuckles are either black plastic fixed items or the silver metal adjustable. I had this TRF set spare and wondered if they would fit and so far so good.

The RPM white ballends went on very well and made it easy in the end for adjustment.....

CLICK TO ENLARGE PICS.......:thumbsup:

Front End meets Chassis.
 

So with the front end near complete, the next stage is to mount it to the chassis... Hello Beautiful.....:lol::lol::lol:

CLICK TO ENLARGE PICS......

Steering Assembly and Turnbuckles...
 

With the front mounted with slotted screws and a dodgy flat head screwdriver, No scratches or slips...:)

It was time to fit yet another pair of turnbuckles and the steering assembly. Again I have changed the ballstuds for the 4-40 XTMs... Again the TRF Turnbuckles worked a treat......:)

CLICK TO ENLARGE PICS.....

Fantastic! Looking forward to seeing it come together!

Cheers Dom9, glad you like it so far..........:thumbsup:

Centre of COBRA..
 

So moving to the centre of the COBRA. New battery cups front & rear...

CLICK TO ENLARGE PICS......

GEARBOX !!!!
 

Well next is the gearbox.

I have heard a few comments with the gearbox being the weak spot of this buggy and how it all fits, with dremeling needed for the gearbox inside and internals needing shimming and a lot of fiddling needed to run smooth.

Well having built this gearbox, I must say it went together faultlessly. I used the all New,

Mardave EVO Diff
Mardave EVO Layshaft
Mardave EVO Delrin Idler Gear
Mardave Purple Motor Plate.

With the New EVO Diff you get 3 Delrin shims, which fit inside the ballrace holes to allow for the fit of the New outdrive bearings. These require a little super glue as per Mardave instructions, but nothing major, just a drop.

The only small issue I had, was with the original COBRA Gearbox. The outdrive holes need to be enlarged due to the new EVO outdrives being bigger. Easy job with a reamer.......:thumbsup:

Pictures coming now of the New Gearbox....

Gearbox Build.......
 

The New Mardave COBRA Gearbox Parts....

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Gearbox case, EVO Diff
 

New EVO Diff with delrin shims and new gearbox case....

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Gearbox case needed holes for New EVO diff outdrives to be enlarged as mentioned previous..... You can just make out the case on the right has been enlarged, the case on the left is standard. Not alot needed to removed, but it was enough......

CLICK TO ENLARGE PICTURES......

Gearbox case and internals
 

Gearbox case with holes enlarged and New internals ready, New Mardave bearings fitted to inside of Gearbox case.......

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Internals fitted inside....
 

EVO Diff, Delrin Idler gear and New EVO Layshaft fitted. I must say, Im very impressed with it and how smooth it is.....

CLICK TO ENLARGE PICS.....

GEARBOX Shut !!!!
 

GEARBOX with Purple Mardave motor plate. Now ready for the New Slipper assembly...... Again very impressed with the fit, feel of side to side movement and general smoothness. And this hasn't been run yet........

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NOW !!! The Slipper.
 

I think this Slipper gives the feel of the vintage MMS slippers. Again went together faultlessly and a nice bearing in the centre of the spur gear is a nice design.......:thumbsup:

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Slipper FITTED !!!
 

Slipper Fitted..........:thumbsup:

I think it looks so good, Vintage MMS/WASP looking. Love it !!!!!

CLICK TO ENLARGE PICS......

Looking good Mark...love your descriptions and photos...👍