earlier Superformance models problems?

[the shadow]

my question is are there any changes or updates that would need to be made to a superformance cobra from the late 90's as compared to a more current one, did any problems manifest that they have now rectified or is it all the same as todays chassis's .I believe the car number I was looking at is in the 330's with around 15K miles on the chassis -SP square tube chassis (newer engine). I know on other posts I have seen talk about different years introducing needed updates and if the older models could even be updated. I'm guessing suspension ,brakes ?

[sea2jet]

I think the early SPF cars had a rivet holding the roll bar on one mounting point. That should be addressed with a bolt of some sort.

[saki302]

The early cars had nothing. The later cars had a rivet holding the bar, which can be swapped out for a bolt.

Check the upper rear shock mounts, they are known to fail, even on later cars. Cobra Valley makes a nice replacement that bolts in and does not fail.

[1795]

Within car that old, go through and check all of the bushings. It is probably time to replace them as even with low mileage, the rubber will deteriorate. Go with poly bushings instead.

[Ozzie Goat]

I don't have a SPF, but I think this applies.

My car is now fifteen years old. Although the OEM spec has now changed twice, most changes cannot be retro-fitted.

Also true, after five years with the car it never ceases to amaze me what maintenance project is next. It's less about what's new now, and more about dialing in and optimizing what you have. After 15K miles on that car it's probably sorted.

[Mark IV]

If you can supply the chassis ("SPO") number we can give you a list of points to check. There have been upgrades made over the years but there are no "deal breaker" concerns with early cars.

There are brake upgrades that can be done to go from the sliding caliper, single piston on the front to the current type four piston Wilwood caliper.

We can supply O.E. parts, upgrades and some used/new takeoff pieces as well.

Contact is here: https://www.timemachineauto.com/part...cessories.html

[Blas]

I am currently in the process of compiling a list of changes to the Superformance MKIII.
If you are asking if there is a specific chassis number brake-point that you should not purchase from? Absolutely not. A chassis that was road-worthy in the 90's is still up to the task today, but as with any car, maintenance and upkeep is important. A good visual inspection of the car along with a good test drive is highly recommended. Ask if any service records are available. Ask who serviced the car, the dealer, owner or local garage. It is also possible to determine how many owner's a particular chassis has had too if all the owners registered the car with the SPF Registry. True, there have been changes to the MKIII's build specifications. Some were put in place to accommodate changes in availability of parts, Others, like better clearances for 460 engines (i.e. Changed to a higher cowl which required a slightly different windshield frame). Shocks changed, (but the newer shocks fit the older cars) But most of the changes are just plain enhancements to the product. Parts are available to fix anything from my experience.
Feel free to contact me with any specific questions or send me a PM with your phone number and we can chat.
But NOTHING beats your eyes looking over the car and taking it for a test drive.
Blas

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by Blas

I am currently in the process of compiling a list of changes to the Superformance MKIII.
If you are asking if there is a specific chassis number brake-point that you should not purchase from? Absolutely not. A chassis that was road-worthy in the 90's is still up to the task today, but as with any car, maintenance and upkeep is important. A good visual inspection of the car along with a good test drive is highly recommended. Ask if any service records are available. Ask who serviced the car, the dealer, owner or local garage. It is also possible to determine how many owner's a particular chassis has had too if all the owners registered the car with the SPF Registry. True, there have been changes to the MKIII's build specifications. Some were put in place to accommodate changes in availability of parts, Others, like better clearances for 460 engines (i.e. Changed to a higher cowl which required a slightly different windshield frame). Shocks changed, (but the newer shocks fit the older cars) But most of the changes are just plain enhancements to the product. Parts are available to fix anything from my experience.
Feel free to contact me with any specific questions or send me a PM with your phone number and we can chat.
But NOTHING beats your eyes looking over the car and taking it for a test drive.
Blas

What Blas said!

[the shadow]

thanks for the great info guys, I'm waiting for a deal to go threw and if it does I hope to pull the trigger on a used SPF cobra, hopefully the one I'm eyeing and asking about but of course I'd still have to go see it and drive it ect.

[jeffgrice]

Originally Posted by the shadow

thanks for the great info guys, I'm waiting for a deal to go threw and if it does I hope to pull the trigger on a used SPF cobra, hopefully the one I'm eyeing and asking about but of course I'd still have to go see it and drive it ect.

Agree with prior posts. I had #186 and it was flawless. I would as suggested check all rubber parts only due to age. And replace the upper rear shock mount with RTs if not already done.

Enjoy!!

Jeff

[GASKETBOY]

Shadow,

I currently have #62 and as Jeff Grice mentioned it has been flawless. Right now she sits with 20k on the odometer and over the past three years I've upgraded a few things by choice.

Don't be put off with an older sequence build - they are very well put together. Besides, the money saved could be used for (optional) upgrades.

In the past year I've swapped out shocks and brackets, sway bars, ball joints, a full set of Avons and an FMS 427.

Jeff

[tortuga]

Originally Posted by GASKETBOY

Shadow,

I currently have #62 and as Jeff Grice mentioned it has been flawless. Right now she sits with 20k on the odometer and over the past three years I've upgraded a few things by choice.

Don't be put off with an older sequence build - they are very well put together. Besides, the money saved could be used for (optional) upgrades.

In the past year I've swapped out shocks and brackets, sway bars, ball joints, a full set of Avons and an FMS 427.

Jeff

Hey Jeff how is your FMS 427? Any oil consumption issues?

Steve H
SPF 1764

[GASKETBOY]

Steve,

Right after I dropped it in I snapped a balljoint necessitating the front end rebuild. Still waiting to align the suspension so can't answer your question yet.

So to the OP. Yeah, replace the balljoints. You will have to weld in new sockets. And you can paint your control arms up nice nice.

Jeff

[tortuga]

Originally Posted by GASKETBOY

Steve,

Right after I dropped it in I snapped a balljoint necessitating the front end rebuild. Still waiting to align the suspension so can't answer your question yet.

So to the OP. Yeah, replace the balljoints. You will have to weld in new sockets. And you can paint your control arms up nice nice.

Jeff

Broke or cracked? First ive ever heard of that??

[tortuga]

Originally Posted by GASKETBOY

Steve,

Right after I dropped it in I snapped a balljoint necessitating the front end rebuild. Still waiting to align the suspension so can't answer your question yet.

So to the OP. Yeah, replace the balljoints. You will have to weld in new sockets. And you can paint your control arms up nice nice.

Jeff

Really like the silver coating and the perfect fairing at the joints you did!

Steve H

[GASKETBOY]

Originally Posted by tortuga

Really like the silver coating and the perfect fairing at the joints you did!

Steve H

Thanks Steve. Its the same silver paint we use at work for our commercial truck bumpers.

The balljoint separated - basically the ball pulled out of the socket. I thought I had a pic but nope. Good thing it happened a month after it was on track at Willow Springs.

Definitely a butt puckering moment and luckily it happened about 100 yards from my driveway at super slow speeds. Strangely, I had the new but uninstalled balljoint and socket kit in my pile of parts.