What Kit and why

[Silverback51]

Originally Posted by fsstnotch

HOBIGBLOCK,
I'm no expert and don't try to be. But my honest opinion is that you should not worry about resale and just build the car the way YOU envision it to be! If you build the car just for resale, then you may not like it as much as if you had just built it for yourself. After all, if you are like most of us... this is YOUR dream. Build the car for nobody but yourself and you will love it that much more!

This exact advice was given to me when i started inquiring about building. this is the exact reason that I decided on a 351. I plan to drive the car alot! I don't want the maintenance and driveability problems that come with a big block. I want a reliable car that I can drive whenever, wherever (weather permitting! )

Just out of curiousity, what are the maintenance and driveability issues with big blocks?

[Joe Wicked]

Originally Posted by fsstnotch

The "concept" of the FFR is great... but don't get it twisted. That very concept can be used on pretty much any kit out there! However, MANY MANY MANY of the FFR owners are using all new parts and not an old beat up foxbody which is the concept. MOST of the kit manufacters will sell you whatever you are willing to buy. So you can break it down as much as you want.

Once again I sucked at wording when I say the concept, I am solely referring to the concept of the kit designed to use stock Mustang parts with no modifications needed. If I go FFR, I will likely order the Full Kit as I would be doing all new parts anyway.

Originally Posted by tmareina

Sounds like you have a lot of time...Go to the Cobra Country web site and order the "Complete Guide to COBRA Replicas - 4th edition". It has all of the major MFG. listed with a lot of helpful info. Also tips on what to look for when compairing.

I have a Unique and am VERY happy with the product and the company.

Tom

Thanks I'll check that out.

[Joe Wicked]

Originally Posted by Silverback51

Just out of curiousity, what are the maintenance and driveability issues with big blocks?

I had a big issue with keeping gas in the tank when I had a 460 Also had a problem with setting off alarms from 2 rows away.

[Silverback51]

Originally Posted by Joe Wicked

I had a big issue with keeping gas in the tank when I had a 460 Also had a problem with setting off alarms from 2 rows away.

Thanks Joe. Those problems I can live with.

But then it doesn't matter much. I'm going to live with what I have anyway.

[fsstnotch]

Well, keeping gas in the tank is a big issue when you plan to drive the car as much as I do. But I was mostly refering to the finicky FE series. (and now for the FE guys to pop in saying it's the most reliable engine EVAR! haha)

[Joe Wicked]

I liked my FE as well. Now, I did crack an intake, blow head gaskets, and eventually seize it, but it was so much fun when it was running that i didn't mind the down time. The wife hated that truck, but it was a blast to go over anything in the deserts of So-Cal at pretty much any speed. But I am happy when I am continually working on a car (truck in this case), so to me it is part of the enjoyment. Now I will likely end up with a small block in the Cobra when it happens, but that is more about what I want out of the car. A good cruiser with enough* power.

*enough used in this context is meant to be taken as enough power to get crazy, and enough room to go a little farther if later desired

[fsstnotch]

Joe, you have it exactly right! And the exact reason I also chosea small block. I can get more than "enough" power out of a small block!

My car WILL be going on power tour 2009. It's gonna be my little brothers grad present!

[Joe Wicked]

Now that is what I call a grad present. I want to do a power tour as well, but I can only hope to be purchasing my kit by 2009 unless something drastic happens for me.

Just curious, but how much longer to have to "play in the sand box"?

[ENTDOC]

I have found my 427so no more or less reliable than the 351 I had in my first cobra. There is one fact that you cannot run away from however,it is more expensive, both to build and to run.

[fsstnotch]

I come home on vacation Nov 1st. Then back for good around the 1st of June unless I extend for 3 months. Staying out here an extra 3 months is worth about 30k before taxes. I guess we'll see when the time comes if I can bear to stay another 3 months and what my savings looks like at that time, as well as what the wife thinks and such! There are some guys who have no problem staying out here for YEARS! To me... it's like prison. I live in a small connex shared with 1 other person, eat in a cafeteria, can't leave the fenced in area, nothing to do.... ya, I'd say it's like prison! haha

I have been wanting to go to power tour for a long time. I helped a friend restore his 65 chevelle, and another friend is restoring a 65 beetle that will pull the front wheels about a foot off the ground. We all plan to meet up and go together. Don't forget teh ear plugs! haha

[Joe Wicked]

Cool, stay safe over there. Off to bed for me.

[Grenamc]

This has been a handy thread to dig up and read. I am in process of determining my manufacturer right now. I want to do as much of the work myself as possible, much like Joe. Building my car will be my hobby for awhile. It about having something constructive to do with my spare time. Spreading out the cost is an added bonus, though I imagine once I start it will become less about spreading cost and more about getting finished.

As far as manufacturers, I am keen on both Unique and ERA. I like both their body shapes very well, and they both are well respected companies from everything I have encountered. I have been under the impression that ERA was a good 15% more expensive to complete in comparison to Unique, but after reading this thread, I will certainly take a closer look. If they're equivalent in expense to complete my decision will waffle back to them being neck and neck (as Unique has the edge right now). It seems like Unique doesn't get talked up here as much as the other brands, but I assume that is more a result of the customer forums than anything else, as nothing I have seen of them so far would indicate they are anything less than Top-Tier.

I am in Indiana, so I don't think there are any manufacturers very close to me. I definitely want to tour Unique, and I am inclined to do the same with ERA after some dedicated number-crunching. Are there any other brands I should definitely add to the list? I am curious about Hurricane and will be digging through their site soon. Any comments, suggestions, etc will be appreciated.

Oh, and my intent at the moment is to follow the original marginally well. I know off the bat, I will have a SB in the 427 body with intent of future modding, lol. A five or six speed instead of a four, and probably larger than 15" rims, though I switch back and forth on that. More or less a street rod in the shape of a cobra. It will mostly be for cruising around, but I could see myself gaining interest in some light Autox, road course, etc. No drag stripping, except when I want to beat a Vette to the next stop light.

[ng8264723]

WhenI looked at an ERA I found them expensive. A Beutiful kit but when you are done selecting options what is the total? My Kirkham will be mid $50's. What is a comparable ERA? Mine comes with the brushed finish therfore no paint. Add the options and see how close they are

[WarrenG]

ERA 289FIA pretty much optioned out, painted, engine, trans,tonneau, roof, cover, etc and built is low to mid $60K. The only options I didn't get were the front brake cooling ducts, the 13" brakes (opted for the 12.2s so I could use the 15" pin drives) and the 17" wheels.

If you do end up deciding on ERA you can lay down a deposit ($5K) to hold a place in the assembly line so they are ready to begin it when you are. Lead time on an ERA kit has historically been anywhere from 3-6 months, roller probably 6-12 months and a turnkey 8-15 months.

Some guys have been known to put their cars on hold for several months when money issues popped up and I don't think that ERA has ever charged anybody for storage.

They don't sell the basic kit in phases, but you can order all of the options in phases. i.e. get the kit and get started on it. buy the suspension later, etc. Make sure you check out their website as the information on it is extensive. www.erareplicas.com They will also refer you to owners, including local one to you, so that you can find out what issues, if any, they might have had with their builds.

In the end just make sure that you buy what you really want not what somebodyelse tells you you want or simply something you can afford. It will be cheaper in the long run to do it right the first time.

Warren

[RodKnock]

If you go down and check off most of the options on a Kirkham, you can hit $75,000-$80,000 in a hurry. The Kirkhams last sale was a nicely optioned car for $50,000, but you got the file finish. Add more money for the brush or polish finish. Stripes extra. If you're on the light side, ordering a crate FE, clutch, bellhousing and flywheel for $20K and the TKO600 (Toploader will save some money), then you can get to near $100K in a hurry. So a nice ERA for the low-to-mid 60's is an excellent way to go. Both are excellent kits, but I would argue that each kits is in different price brackets.

[ng8264723]

Rodknock,
You don't need most of the options. Don't get the bling and you can have a nicely optioned kit for mid $50,'s. I did with a brushed finish and the polished stripes. For instance why buy the wool carpet? I used to be a carpet installer nylon wears better. Why have the foam installed do it yourself save 500. The dash is 300 for a leather covering. Give me a break go buy a piece of leather for 20 and use contact cement to glue it on. Do you need a ss steering linkage save 125 and get mild steel and paint it. Do you need there rear? $5,000? A jag unit $300 and 600 to rebuild if it needs everything save 4,000. Put a toploader in the car look around 6-700. You don't need a tremec. Don't use the billet resevoirs save $100 or so. Things to buy the better breaks and shocks driveshaft and 1/2 shafts. Do you need a SS roll bar? No save what $400. There is no need to spend that much on a Kirkham. I will spend under $60 for the complete car minus the engine tranny and rear. You can run a 390 until you can afford a 27 and save a **** load there as well. A nicely optioned ERA is pretty expensive I ran through there website and came up with $40,000. That's not painted. What's a paint job worth? $5,000? So then were at $$45,000. That's $10,000 or so less than my Kirkham.

[ng8264723]

Here is my quote. A lot less than $75,000? Are you telling me it's not a nice car?

[Grenamc]

Trust me guys I know that Kirkham builds an extraordinary car, but they exceed my budget, methinks. I will price one out and verify it, but if it sails well north of 60 grand I think I will back away slowly.

All the same, I am certainly going to price out an ERA and a Kirkham at this point. I have what I think is a very accurate estimate of what it will cost me to build a Unique, so it will be my starting point. And I think Unique builds a car comparable to ERA, as far as photographic appearance and customer satisfaction is concerned. Ultimately, I still want most of the work done by me in my garage and I don't think I will get that option with ERA or Kirkham. I am 29 years old, single and bored. I could spend my time reading, listening to music and everything else I have consumed my life with to this point, but I would rather build something I can be proud of.

[ng8264723]

Evidently my attachment won't take. I will email the file to someone if they will post it
thanks
chris

[1985 CCX]

You guys are entertaining to follow.

ERA is a great car and so is their crew Peter, Bob, and Doug, cheaper to buy than build though. There have been two sales lately, 428 cars, both well under $50k already registered and titled with options. There is a FIA car now for sale in MA at 40k with nice options and priced wow.

UM are nice too and the Weavers very very nice people. I have a friends with UM FIA and one with 390FE powered car, they are high end and worth a look. When I purchased my CCX the Weavers actually told me what a nicely built car they were and that it should be considered. That translates to true blue great people.

KMS will be at least $50K in boxes ready to build. (ie LOTS of time investment) The powertrain 390FE, toploader, with all the accessories w/o use of high end items will run at least 6k if only a runner w/o total rebuild. Easily $60k for a bare bones runner and hours upon hours to build. These cars sell for more than the build price, for whatever that is worth.

If you have the time and patience KMS is the creme dela creme. Buy what you can afford and enjoy it as these cars are toys. With continued production via ERA, SPF, CSX, KMS, UM, B&B, EM, FFR, etc they are not collectable. Supply and demand drives this phenom with proof positive being glass roller CSX4000 cars selling at $50k. Drive them like you stole em', as they are cheaper than a shrink and more enjoyable too.