For what its worth to anyone, I recently had the exciting opportunity to make sort of a reverse type of driving comparison between these two cars, first hand. Lighter weight ERA vs. higher horsepower FFR.
ERA lighter weight car -
Recently drove a purpose built lighter weight ERA 427, completely set up for handling in every way (breaking ALL the purist rules), with a high winding small block and light-weight trans and accessories. Using special springs/shocks, and 16" track tires. I can't even begin to convey how good this light weight ERA was and how much improved it was over my ERA big block car for pure handling and driving excitement. Side to side transition was amazingly improved, very firm, but it still had the quality ride and control that ERA is known for. Shaving another 200-300lbs off with these mods is incredible on the ERA. All I can say is WOW WOW WOW! Unfreakinbelieveable.
FFR higher horsepower car -
One month prior to driving the ERA a friend handed me the keys to his wicked 550hp FFR tire burning machine set up for street with 15" wheels/tires more like my ERA. Very fun to drive, quick, and a totally different feel. I've driven other ERAs and FFRs, but this car was a bit more edgey. Handled well for how it was set up for street driving. However, not nearly as smooth and solid as my ERA for street driving. Reconfirming once again, I could instantly see how the light weight FFR arrangement is still an explosion of fun for less money using more affordable and more readily available parts and configuration. If I wanted to build a small block Cobra for less money, or to just do tracking, the FFR is a great way to go and certainly most bang for the buck.
Conclusions:
The moral of the story for me is I shoud have never driven the light weight ERA
. It made such an impression on me that I'm now considering saving my pennies for a while and pulling and selling my matching iron 428SCJ and Toploader trans to someone with a restore siutation, and replacing it with a light-weight aluminum engine/trans as others have done.