Pin drive vs bolt-on

[DAVESS]

Greetngs,
I am looking for advice/opinions on the pros and cons of pin drive vs bolt-on wheels. I have been thinking about the choices for a while, but would like to hear from owners that have been living with either set up for some time. My car is to be started at ERA next month (289FIA) and a big option decision like this one will need to be made. I do like the authenticy (and added value) of the pin drives but the bolt ons appear to provide more wheel options and may be more practicle to service. I plan to use the car for touring.
Thanks,
Dave

[Cal Metal]

Cost is a big factor. ERA used to make a great looking FIA insert that was used with a bolt on wheel. Great looking and could have fooled anyone. Reasonable in price, too.

[Chaplin]

Dave,
I was unsure which to use myself. Ultimately, I used the 5-lug hubs with the pin drive hub adaptors, so I essentially have the best of both worlds. With the hub adapters, the wheel is a true knock off, but if I ever wanted to use a different wheel I can remove the hub adaptors and just bolt on any other wheel I want.

But, in retrospect, if I were to do it again, I'd probably just use ERA's standard 6-pin hubs. When I ordered the car, I imagined changing wheels periodically and wanted the flexibility and options available by a simple bolt on wheel , etc., but quite honestly, I don't think I will be changing wheels any time soon.

But Cal is right, 6-pins and even the 5-lug hub adaptors are much more expesive than a simple bolt on wheel. How important is authenticity to you?

[Excaliber]

The ERA I recently purchased has the bolt on pin drive thing. I really like that idea. I DO plan to change wheels/tires from time to time so bolt on makes a lot of sense to me. I have not yet SEEN the car! It still awaits shipping from the pics (in my gallery) I cannot tell what the center section of the wheels look like, which is good?? They LOOK like pin drive!

Ernie

[REDSC400]

Hi DAVESS!

This is indeed an interesting question...

In a nutshell, I personnally feel that the choice is one that has both a financial criteria and an authenticity criteria that you will have to come to grips with.

Needless, to say, from my observation, the majority of ERA's have the pin drive with knockoff wheels.

My ERA has the pin drives with knockoffs. I do rather like them.
The wheels are super and extreamly well balanced physically with near zero runout on the latest Hunter wheel and tire balancing computer machine.

The downside of the pin drive is the knockoff and the chance that it can come loose. The safety wire ritual is a must. As are the accurtrements to insure they installed well (Mallet and spinner and wire).

BTW, on another note, you need to contact me and enroll in the New England Cobra Enthusiasts....

Please check out this link here on Club Cobra....

March 2004 NE Cobra Enthusiasts News

Hope to hear from you. If you have any ERA questions I will be willing to help in any way I can. When is your build starting?

[REAL 1]

Your going to use a Cobra as a tourer?

Bolt ons would be my choice for every day use and "touring."

For just weekend cruising and authenticity there is no other way to go. 6 pins.

[DAVESS]

Thanks for all the responses. I have been away from the "office" and had to look up the original post to check replies.

Cal - You are right, cost is a factor. The budget does have a limit, however there may be room in other options/areas to make it up (i.e.mild 302 for now).Things do add up quickly in that "candy store" in New Britain. The ERA "hubcaps" do look great however I believe (but I may be wrong) the base wheel that was used had been reconfigured by its mfg and the hubcaps do not work with the new wheel.

Chaplin and Excaliber - I did not consider the bolt-on-pin-drives. These do sound like a "have it all" solution. Are these the Trigo wheels/adapter hubs? The past couple summers I had a 69 Chevelle SS396 and I thought of running different wheel sets, but didn't. Just kept the originals on.

Red - I also have noticed that most ERA's do sport their pin drive wheels. I have thought about the nuances (nusances?) of dealing with the knockoffs (and safety wiring) but I figured that is part of the experience. I would love to hear from others about living with pin drives. They do look perty.
My build is supposed to start next month sometime (April). I will know for sure when Peter calls and asks for money! The wife said "turnkey", so it will be a looong $ummer. What a journey!
re: NECE - Thanks for the heads up, I did receive the last couple of mailings and look forward to attending some events this year.

Real 1 - I guess by "touring" I meant long/extended weekend get-aways to shows or destinations rather than jaunts of long distance or time. (I got to get these terms straight). I will also will use it for the obligatory cruise nights, of which there appears to be one for every night of the week up here in the White Mtns/Lakes region of NH. I do not plan on racing.

I really appreciate the feed back from this forum. You probably get the same questions asked over and over by guys like myself that are new to Cobra ownership. Its good to know you're not alone and that someones been there and seen it before. At this point, I believe am leaning toward the pin drives for the "look". But that could change tomorrow. Anyone know what the pin drive spare costs? Just kidding.


Dave

[G.R.]

I really debated about whether to go with Trigo's for my FIA--had pin drives on my SPF 427. Like the look, the "authenticity". I was looking through one of the Friedman "Cobra" books and spotted Ken Miles car being loaded on a trailer--Had 5-spoke Halibrand(?)knock-offs, ARE Torq-thrust D wheels are a very close wheel to the picture in a 5-bolt pattern---cost was about $700, compared to about $2400 from Trigo for FIA wheels---Cobra people will see it isn't "correct" big deal, The average Joe won't know the difference other than "it's a Cobra" ---my car is glass not "tin", and wasn't built in the 60's--


Guess it all boils down to what your desires are and what your wallet will allow. If you go pin drives be sure to use an anti-seize compound on your knock-offs or you may have a real problem trying to remove a wheel.

[Chaplin]

Dave-
Yes, I am talking about the Trigo hub adaptors.

Here's a link:

http://www.trigowheels.com/adaptor.html

[Johan]

Dave Crace has a set of bolt on torque thrust "D" wheels for an ERA fia that I think he would sell, with tires too. I think they look great ! Look at the mustang in my gallery if you do not know what torque thrust "D" wheels look like.

[Excaliber]

I want bigger wheels than the hub adapters allow for. 7.5" in fornt is to small. 9.5" in back is "marginal" at best.

This assumes TRACK duty, not street.

Ernie