1988 Everett-Morrison Frame/Build Help

[SeventyMach1]

Hi, I just purchased a 1988 E-M frame. It is set up for Jaguar XKE suspension front and rear, FE engine & Toploader transmission. I would like to hear opinions/experience on the XKE suspension used in a Cobra. Does it work well, how does it handle, longevity, strengths, weaknesses, etc. Also, if anyone has or knows where to get a build/assembly manual for this model of frame I would appreciate a lead. What is a good ballpark $$ for XKE suspension front & rear? Is any other Jaguar suspension interchangeable with the XKE? This is my first build. Thanks in advance for any and all help.

[DanEC]

The Jaguar rear suspension system is very popular in Cobra replicas - it's standard on ERA and Unique cars and an option choice on others like EM. the differential is a close cousing of the original Cobra differential and it's pretty tough. Most of the slavage yard units are an open differential so a limited slip unit if desired, must be added. For those building mega-power motors, there are improved halfshafts, bearings, stub axles, etc available. The in-board disc brakes are probably considered the major drawback. The location is not good for cooling and the stock rotors are only about 1/2 inch thick from memory. They are also not as accessible for changing pads or bleeding the calipers. Being in-board, they do reduce unsprung weight at the rear wheels. There are some upgrades for the brakes available also, but not many and some are expensive.

I don't know about the front suspension or your other questions.

[Tommy]

SeventyMach1,
I have an EM with a different suspension setup, but it has a very strong frame and has held up very well. I wish you luck with yours. .... As this is your first post, I will assume that you may not know about all the challenges of building a car from parts. One of the bigger challenges in many states is getting the finished car titled and registered. If you have not already researched that matter in your state, I suggest you look into it before you sink any more money into this project.

[*13*]

I've heard of some half shaft breakage, under serious track usage. There are people who mod them with outboard brakes. My ERA rear is built that way.

[55312]

I agree with everything DanEC said on the rear set up. My E-M is a 1991 vintage with an XJ-6 BPL (British Positive Lock) rear end. The half shafts are serious upgrades and are handling the 625 lb ft of torque from the KC 482 I'm running. My suggestion is to look at converting the front end to a Mustang II. Not sure how you would do this but they are so common, it would be worth the effort at this early stage of the build in my opinion. I'd try to contact E-M in Houston but you will need to be persistent as they aren't the most responsive bunch since being bought out and moved from Florida.

As far as the build manual, It's a nightmare.......................

Tim

[avdcav]

I have a 91 build also first gen .. Also have the mustang 2 front end,
It's awesome and parts are dirt cheap " brakes were okay
I just changed to the ECI large gm 13" rotor and caliper setup " best 600$ I spent in a while . Car stops on a dime and best part is it didn't move my wheels out at all.

There another guy here named Tom with an em that helped me when I first bought mine
He"s extremely EM knowledgable . I have to look up his screen name.

[Tom Wells]

SeventyMach1,

Agree with the Jag rear being very appropriate for the car. Mine uses one and has survived a lot of street and track time over the last 32K miles.

The front is good too - with one fairly major caveat: the torsion bars mount under the frame rails, making ground clearance a potential problem. The assembler who did my car talked me into the Mustang front which has more ground clearance and I have no regrets.

Possibly there was/is a conversion to coilovers for the Jag front. If so, it would be a good unit.

That said, I do have some XKE front suspension components; probably enough for 1 or maybe two complete XKE front suspensions if you are interested. If so, send me a PM.

Tom

[SeventyMach1]

To all, Thank you for the info and suggestions. I am wanting to build something a little different that what everyone else is currently offering which is why I was thinking of maintaining the XKE front and rear. My torsion bar mounts have been moved up more inside of the main frame rails to minimize ground clearance problems so should work better than the under frame style. I will ask about converting it to Mustang II for all the reasons mentioned tho. I could still use a dollar figure on what I should expect to pay for the front and rear suspensions. I have a stroked 428 for it and several options for the transmission. I have a toploader as well as C-4 and C-6, but am thinking of going with a T-600 6-speed. Any recommendations on transmissions? Is there a length issue with different transmissions and driveshaft/differential angles and/or lengths which anyone has experience with and found solutions? I plan on driving in recreationally and a few times a year at local track events hence the independant rearend. I have contacted Tom at E-M, visited with him by phone and exchanged some emails, but am waiting for more information. The only rear ends I have found have inboard discs. Is there a company that converts these to outboard? I have contacted my state DMV and replica/kit cars are not too hard to title here.
Thanks again.
Don

[Tommy]

Don,
I sent you a PM.

[55312]

Just a comment on transmissions. I have a top loader and love it for it's bullet proof performance. The worst thing about it is it's gear ratios. You hit 40 mph speed zones on a cruise and it's like rowing a barge with the constant shifting between 3rd and 4th. It's a real nuisance. Automatics get a bad rap around here and do affect the resale. The T-600 sounds like the right way to go if your looking to put lots of miles on.

Tim