Any new ERAs in que? - Page 2

Dangerous Doug · #21 (**permalink**) 10-03-2015, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mongoose930

On my first Contemporary Cobra with a very streetable 428, I had a TKO 3550 with .68 5th gear and a 3.54 diff. I would absolutely not do this combination again as the car just lugged in 5th gear. I have a 482 in my Hi-Tech and went with the TKO600 with the .82 5th gear ratio. I haven't driven it yet so I can't tell how that combination would work but I drove with the .68 for 2 years and would not do that again. Sounds like a great project - you need to share pictures as soon as possible.

I have the 3.54 ratio with a TKO-600/0.82 in my ERA 289 FIA. I've very happy with this combination, and picked it after studying the TKO-600 0.64/0.82 threads here on CC (nearly a decade ago...).

I'm sure Bob at ERA could offer some sage advice here.

DD

*13* · #22 (**permalink**) 10-03-2015, 11:03 AM

I'm running 3.54 with top loader (wide) behind a small block in the 300-350 hp range. It seems good but might be a little nicer with a lower gear out on the highway. Around town I have no complaints.

lippy · #23 (**permalink**) 10-03-2015, 01:47 PM

You'll be happy with the ERA and with Brent. He is a solid guy. Check out my build thread Lippy's ERA #797 build log and PM me if you want any more color on options, etc. My car has been on the road for about 18 months and I've put on 3,500 miles. Of course there are a few things to figure out but generally it's been rock solid. FYI I have a 3.54/0.82 combo, but my engine is a solid roller/high revver. 640 HP/589 Tq.

AndrewB · #24 (**permalink**) 10-03-2015, 03:29 PM

I've got an order in on a slabside with a delivery ETA of May. Still have not decided on all the options I'm going with, but it'll have a 393w with a 3.31/.82 combo.

CSX 2568 is my inspiration for this build.

*13* · #25 (**permalink**) 10-03-2015, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewB

I've got an order in on a slabside with a delivery ETA of May. Still have not decided on all the options I'm going with, but it'll have a 393w with a 3.31/.82 combo.

CSX 2568 is my inspiration for this build.

That's a lotta motor for a skinny tire car!

RockBit · #26 (**permalink**) 10-03-2015, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewB

I've got an order in on a slabside with a delivery ETA of May. Still have not decided on all the options I'm going with, but it'll have a 393w with a 3.31/.82 combo.

CSX 2568 is my inspiration for this build.

When I visited ERA in August they were getting ready to start another chassis. I think it was yours. I hope it is a great car for you.

RockBit · #27 (**permalink**) 10-03-2015, 03:39 PM

I poured over gear ratio threads before making my choices. It seemed like cars that would be run on the track favored the .82 OD, while cars for the street and highway favored the .64 OD. I think it comes down to how the car will be used, and the engine and cam.

I appreciate everyone's thoughts. The expertise on this forum is amazing.

patrickt · #28 (**permalink**) 10-03-2015, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockBit

I poured over gear ratio threads before making my choices. It seemed like cars that would be run on the track favored the .82 OD, while cars for the street and highway favored the .64 OD. I think it comes down to how the car will be used, and the engine and cam.

Absolutely right. I've written time and time again that my TKO's first four gears will take me to (with a solid lifter cam, mind you) over 130MPH. My .64 fifth gear is used for one purpose, and one purpose only. And that is calm, relaxed, easy highway cruising, generally in the low seventies. There's a sweet spot where the engine is actually relatively quiet and you can chat with your passenger, or just hear yourself think. It is one of my absolute favorite things to do with the car. I'd still point you at the 3.54 though.

AndrewB · #29 (**permalink**) 10-03-2015, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *13*

That's a lotta motor for a skinny tire car!

I've actually been stressing out a bit over just that lately. I originally planned on building an FIA when I was getting the motor together, but after seeing the slabside it just really called out to me. People think I am crazy when mulling ways to reduce HP -- we'll just wait and see I guess. Hopefully I am not blowing spokes out all over the place

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockBit

When I visited ERA in August they were getting ready to start another chassis. I think it was yours. I hope it is a great car for you.

Thank you. I bet it was as that was around the time they sent me the first pictures.

RockBit · #30 (**permalink**) 10-03-2015, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lippy

You'll be happy with the ERA and with Brent. He is a solid guy. Check out my build thread Lippy's ERA #797 build log and PM me if you want any more color on options, etc. My car has been on the road for about 18 months and I've put on 3,500 miles. Of course there are a few things to figure out but generally it's been rock solid. FYI I have a 3.54/0.82 combo, but my engine is a solid roller/high revver. 640 HP/589 Tq.

Your car is gorgeous. Surprisingly, it is about the same color mine will be, very dark blue. I saw a Superformance this morning the same color. I will be getting silver stripes, though.

One difference is I went with a hydraulic roller cam. Lots of similarities between yours and mine, though!

RockBit · #31 (**permalink**) 10-03-2015, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

Absolutely right. I've written time and time again that my TKO's first four gears will take me to (with a solid lifter cam, mind you) over 130MPH. My .64 fifth gear is used for one purpose, and one purpose only. And that is calm, relaxed, easy highway cruising, generally in the low seventies. There's a sweet spot where the engine is actually relatively quiet and you can chat with your passenger, or just hear yourself think. It is one of my absolute favorite things to do with the car. I'd still point you at the 3.54 though.

I agree with you. My thoughts are gears 1 through 4 are for in town. OD is for the highway. I think either the 3.54 or 3.31 will be ok, but the local guy mentoring me knows a lot. (You guys know him). If it doesn't work out, I'll change it.

patrickt · #32 (**permalink**) 10-03-2015, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockBit

I agree with you. My thoughts are gears 1 through 4 are for in town. OD is for the highway. I think either the 3.54 or 3.31 will be ok, but the local guy mentoring me knows a lot. (You guys know him). If it doesn't work out, I'll change it.

You're going to be just fine with either. Who knows, since I've never had a 3.31 in my car, maybe he's right.

tomshep · #33 (**permalink**) 10-03-2015, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewB

I've actually been stressing out a bit over just that lately. I originally planned on building an FIA when I was getting the motor together, but after seeing the slabside it just really called out to me. People think I am crazy when mulling ways to reduce HP -- we'll just wait and see I guess. Hopefully I am not blowing spokes out all over the place

If you are going slab side, why not build a stroked 302 based block? That way it would look correct in your chassis. You can still get big inches out of a 302 block and maybe save some money.

Tom

jetblue69 · #34 (**permalink**) 10-10-2015, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanEC

Seems like it's been a long time since we have had anyone waiting for delivery or working on assembly of a new ERA project. I think prp289 (Phil) is in some stage of finishing his up but it seems like it's been awhile since he has checked in too.

Anyone lurking out there waiting on their car or working on assembling one?

Just put a deposit on mine Tuesday. Trying not to think about it too much otherwise the second hand only ticks once a day...

*13* · #35 (**permalink**) 10-10-2015, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetblue69

Just put a deposit on mine Tuesday. Trying not to think about it too much otherwise the second hand only ticks once a day...

There are benefits to the wait time. I came across some extra funds during the time of my wait which allowed some upgrades. I think the most unbearable wait is the time in which it's being transferred from ERA to you.

DanEC · #36 (**permalink**) 10-10-2015, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetblue69

Just put a deposit on mine Tuesday. Trying not to think about it too much otherwise the second hand only ticks once a day...

Congratulations - can you fill us in on some of the details so far?

jetblue69 · #37 (**permalink**) 10-10-2015, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanEC

Congratulations - can you fill us in on some of the details so far?

It's a 427S/C, other than having ERA bond the body to the frame I'll be doing most of the assembly work other than paint/bodywork.

I ordered the pin drives, girling cans, leather seats and a few other goodies for it.

I've got the rear-end setup and just have to get the shafts/control arms shortened and installed once I get the cage for it. I'm dropping a TKO600 in it and have pretty much all the drive-train stuff I need.

Engine is a 427 Side-Oiler that I personally built and tested. Kind of proud of myself on that one actually, real solid runner and sounds good too. It's stroked with a 428 crank and in the neighborhood of 500HP. What's nice is you can build one from scratch with all new stuff and I rather enjoyed building it as I like a challenge.

What I enjoyed most was probably the visit up there. I enjoyed talking to Peter and some of the staff as well as the folks at Connecticut Custom Car. All around great people to deal with and very personable.

DanEC · #38 (**permalink**) 10-11-2015, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetblue69

It's a 427S/C, other than having ERA bond the body to the frame I'll be doing most of the assembly work other than paint/bodywork.

I ordered the pin drives, girling cans, leather seats and a few other goodies for it.

I've got the rear-end setup and just have to get the shafts/control arms shortened and installed once I get the cage for it. I'm dropping a TKO600 in it and have pretty much all the drive-train stuff I need.

Engine is a 427 Side-Oiler that I personally built and tested. Kind of proud of myself on that one actually, real solid runner and sounds good too. It's stroked with a 428 crank and in the neighborhood of 500HP. What's nice is you can build one from scratch with all new stuff and I rather enjoyed building it as I like a challenge.

What I enjoyed most was probably the visit up there. I enjoyed talking to Peter and some of the staff as well as the folks at Connecticut Custom Car. All around great people to deal with and very personable.

Glad to see another do-it-yourselfer on board. Setting up your own rear suspension and building the engine in addition to overall assembly should give you a lot of satisfaction (I wimped out in those 2 areas but did most everything else). ERAs are so well engineered and sorted out that there is a lot of personal reward in working on them. Keep us posted.

jetblue69 · #39 (**permalink**) 10-11-2015, 06:07 AM

Will do, I'll try to get some pictures up on here too as I go along.

jetblue69 · #40 (**permalink**) 10-11-2015, 06:33 AM