[PANAVIA]

All Vins aside, - So I am in the building stage of CSX4985 which is an HST car.

I have also built my SPF so I think I have some background on being able to compare the two.

On a component by component basis the CSX car seems to have higher dollar items in its overall build, but like anything else ,

--it is not who makes the ‘nut, but the *nut* who makes it. --

I disagree with the commentary that the HST cars are bad , or suck or x x x .. I think the instructions and training given to the HST assemblers are poor at best. You can see that there are such good intentions in so many places, then just a poor execution and poor support.

Some Examples:
1. Undercar Exhaust: My CSX is supposed to be an undercar exhaust car –it was ordered this way -- - but the brake tubing bender guy wasn't told this at the factory, so there are roller coaster rounds of brake tubing exactly where my undercar pipes are to exit the engine mounts/frame area before continuing to the rear of the car. (argh)

2. They shipped “side pipes” and side pipe headers with an undercar -car. (order management)

3.-- if it was undercar exhaust car, it would be configured as a “roadster” the roadster dash was not an “SC” dash –When you contact Shelby, they say that all CSX 4000 series are “SC” cars, hence they all have SC dashes.

This is a problem ; SC dash was installed before painted body was riveted to the frame at HST, and is covering 2 of the dash screw holes --so I cant replace the dash without drilling out rivets and possibly some paint work.

4. Seats : as csxwnab says --and I agree, - The seats are puffy by any standard on the CSX, they *are* patterned after original seats, -- I am having mine “reworked” now. –er –de’puffed.

5. CSX Steering column geometry in relation to seating is odd by any stretch of the imagination. – The steering wheel is angled too low to any drivers’ thighs, and is adjustable ---downward. I looked at the design and there is some room to rework and adjust the angle so things are a bit better in that neighborhood. –more on this later.

6. Electrical : there are some good components and the quality of the wire is mostly good, but they take some leaps in logic and use some components in areas that make no sense and have a few welding rods in various places. The main irritant is that all the wire markers /labels are scotch-taped paper strips onto the wires, and they flake off like little bilingual dandruff flakes.

7. CSX FANS : the fans in 4985 tickle and taunt the air and use more way amps than the SPF fans.

Note: I have not worked on any of the suspension as of yet on 4985, but our experience with other CSX chassis has had us source and generate bearings, spacers, cups , bolts , clips , etc (primarily front end) that we then subsequently certified for track use. –we have budgeted for that in 4985.

The superformance may have its shortcomings , but it has so many advantages that ;

"The more I work on my CSX, the more I love my SPF" .

SPF Features that I find cool/helpful :

A> The dropped drivers footbox and floor
B> A reasonable trans tunnel wide but not too wide in front, wide enough in back.
C> Seats that are firm and hold you in.
D> Good access to brake masters/clutch cyls/etc.
E> a usable trunk space
F> a sensible battery location
G> a top notch cooling system
H> Electric fans that work
I> Inner fenders that are actually attached to something

My 2 cents for the night. --Steve