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Goldberg’s Cobra kit car first test drive

Goldberg’s Cobra kit car first test drive

CarCast Oct 16, 2025 56 min
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About this episode

Bill Goldberg shares the thrilling journey of testing his Cobra kit car for the first time. After overcoming various mechanical challenges, including dry sump oil issues and electrical wiring, he finally gets the car running and takes it for a spin around the garage. The episode is filled with humorous anecdotes, technical insights, and the excitement of seeing the car come to life. Goldberg reflects on the learning process and the camaraderie involved in building the car, making it a relatable experience for any automotive enthusiast.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Shelby Cobra

"... post recently had the car out of the garage, the Cobra out of the garage. We left it last week that you..."

The Shelby Cobra is a classic sports car that is famous for being fast and exciting to drive. It was made in the 1960s and is now very rare, which makes it special to car collectors.

Term

dry sump motor

"...none of us really have a lot of experience with a dry sump motor. And so we obviously after running it for the first time had to top it off with oil,..."

In a dry sump motor, the oil is kept in a tank instead of the engine itself. This helps keep the engine lighter and ensures that oil is always available, which is important for performance cars.

Term

camber

"...if you look at the camber of the car, I mean, yeah, you can kind of see it on camera..."

Camber is how the wheels tilt when you look at them from the front of the car. If they lean in or out at the top, that's called camber, and it can change how the car drives and how the tires wear out.

Part

shocks

"...the shocks weren't set..."

Shocks are parts of the car that help make the ride smoother by absorbing bumps from the road. They keep the tires on the ground and help the car handle better.

Part

A arms

"...the A arms weren't set."

A arms are parts that connect the car's body to the wheels. They help the wheels move up and down while keeping everything in the right position.

Part

suspension

"...nothing was set, nothing on the suspension, zero was set."

The suspension is the system in a car that connects the body to the wheels. It helps the car handle bumps and keeps the tires on the road for better control.

Term

quad disc

"...it's a quad disc. So I mean, it's not the smoothest thing in the world and it's not set properly."

A quad disc clutch has four parts that help connect the engine to the wheels. It's used in powerful cars to handle more power, but it can make driving a bit rougher than simpler clutches.

Car

Cobra

"...driving around the garage in an eight hundred horsepower of Cobra with no doors and no lights."

The Cobra is a special version of the Ford Mustang that is designed to be very fast and powerful. It's popular among car fans for its performance and style.

Part

clutch

"...I tore it down, but that clutch feels good. Brakes feel great..."

The clutch is a part of the car that helps you change gears. It lets you connect and disconnect the engine from the wheels so you can shift smoothly.

Part

brakes

"...brakes feel great. Brakes and probably the brakes and the suspension completely different car..."

Brakes are the parts of the car that help it slow down or stop. They work by pressing against the wheels to create friction.

Term

dry sump oiling system

"Right, so this is, like you said, a dry sump oiling motor. So the tank for it is under the hood."

A dry sump oiling system is a way to keep the engine lubricated using an external oil tank. This helps prevent oil from sloshing around and ensures the engine gets the oil it needs, especially during fast turns.

Term

transmission

"No, I mean it moved when we hooked the, you know, clutch and tranny up and everything like that. It just, it never came off the mounts."

The transmission is a part of the car that helps it move by transferring power from the engine to the wheels. It helps the car go faster or slower depending on what you need.

Term

manifold

"The manifold is the only thing that came off. Right."

The manifold is a part of the engine that helps move air or exhaust gases in and out. It helps the engine get the air it needs to run and lets out the gases after the fuel has burned.

Term

prime the engine

"So there's probably some people listening going, oh, you shouldn't start the engine dry. You got to prime the engine first."

Priming the engine means getting oil into the engine before you start it. This helps keep the engine running smoothly and prevents damage when you first turn it on.

Part

speed sensor

"...it's like the speed sensor, right? Yeah. Every single time we turn the car on and try to run through everything, the speed sensor goes off."

A speed sensor tells the car how fast it's going. It's important for the car's computer to know this information to help with things like fuel efficiency and safety features.

Concept

settling of the car

"And we were going to alter based upon the settling of the car, right?"

Settling of the car is when the car's suspension changes height after you adjust it. It happens because the parts move and settle into their new position.

Part

roll bar

"It doesn't have the roll bar on it yet. Yeah. You know, that's asking to die."

A roll bar is a metal bar added to a car to keep it safe if it flips over. It helps protect the people inside by keeping the car's shape intact during a crash.

Term

fire extinguisher

"You got to around with the fire extinguisher on my back like a backpack"

A fire extinguisher is a tool that helps put out fires. It's important to have one in cars, especially when racing, to keep everyone safe in case of a fire.

Term

master cylinder

"...getting the quad clutch built and trying to bleed the master cylinder on that thing and not make a mess in the process."

The master cylinder helps control the brakes in your car. When you press the brake pedal, it sends fluid to the brakes to make them work.

Term

break-in period

"If you guys rebuilt the rear end, you know, that's got to be broken in. The clutch got to be broken in. Just look at the transmit, the clutch and the transmission because..."

The break-in period is the time you need to drive a car carefully after getting new parts installed. It helps the new parts settle in properly so they work well and last longer.

Car

Suzuki Samurai

"...o the car and you had cut down the seat with your samurai sword. We got the phone down and recovered it."

The Suzuki Samurai is a small SUV that people liked because it can go off-road and handle rough terrain. It's not very big, but it's tough and can be a lot of fun to drive in the outdoors.

Term

tilt column

"...but you have the shifter and you have the drift brake handle, the ebrae handle."

A tilt column lets you change the angle of the steering wheel so it's more comfortable for you to drive. It helps you see the road better, especially if you're shorter or taller than average.

Term

drift brake

"...but you have the shifter and you have the drift brake handle, the ebrae handle."

A drift brake is a special brake that helps drivers slide their cars around corners. It's usually pulled by hand and helps keep the car stable while drifting.

Part

wire separator

"...but they're pieces that hold you can put all your your plug wires together. And they it's a little like the wire separator. Our separator, right?"

A wire separator is a small part that keeps wires organized and prevents them from getting tangled or damaged. It's important for keeping the engine's electrical system working properly.

Part

throttle linkage

"...the throttle linkage is on top of that. OK, I can't put the separator down any further."

Throttle linkage is a part that connects the gas pedal to the engine. When you press the gas pedal, it helps open the throttle, allowing more air and fuel into the engine to make the car go faster.

Term

brake booster

"The booster you can put on the end of the master cylinder that the line hooks to."

The brake booster helps you press the brake pedal easier by using air pressure, so you don't have to push as hard to stop the car.

Car

Ford Mustang

"I'm going to be out there. He's got his own Mustang out there too. And I said, good, let's do it."

The Ford Mustang is a famous sports car that people love for its speed and cool design. It's been around for a long time and is often seen as a symbol of American cars, which is why it's often talked about.

Part

TKX

"it's the TKX actually worked out perfectly. Because if you went to something like the six speed, I don't know how it would fit. I don't forget about fit. I don't want six gears in that freaking car. What does Manny do now? He just does TKX on most of them? Yeah, he's just doing the TKX on that. Once that transmission came out,"

The TKX is a manual transmission that helps cars shift gears smoothly. It's popular among car enthusiasts because it can handle a lot of power and is lighter than some other options.

Car

BMW M3

"The one that really resonates with me is the BMW M3, the E46 Supercharged M3."

The BMW M3 is a special version of the BMW 3 Series that is designed for performance and sportiness. The E46 is one of the older models, loved by fans for how it drives.

Car

Dodge Dart Super Stock

"...My 68 Superstock Dart that was solid mounted that had the Ray Barton motor in it. The one thing that I didn't like about that car..."

The Dodge Dart Super Stock is a special version of the Dart car from 1968, built for racing. It was lighter and faster than regular Darts, making it popular among drag racers.

Car

Shelby GT500

"I mean, it's a drag car. So yeah, the GT500, it was an automatic. And I just didn't, it was ..."

The Shelby GT500 is a super-fast version of the Mustang that is built for racing. It has a really strong engine that helps it go from 0 to 60 miles per hour very quickly, which is why people love it.

Car

Porsche 911

"Wanda's Porsche. Yes. The Porsche, the 911 Turbo. What year is that? It's a 92."

The Porsche 911 Turbo is a fast sports car that has a turbocharged engine, making it more powerful. The 1992 version is part of a series called the 964, which featured updates to the car's design and technology.

Company

CarEdge

"That's why CarEdge's AI Negotiator is a game changer. It contacts the dealer and does the haggling for you and it costs less than paint and gas."

CarEdge is a business that helps people buy cars more easily. They have a tool that uses AI to negotiate prices with car dealers for you.

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