Era #708

[cbmax]

Excaliber.

Upgrade is $1,900 NOT $9,000.

That is $1,200 for larger front brakes and $700 for optional rear suspension.

Trust me, if it was $9,000 it wouldn't be an issue.

CB

[decooney]

cbmax,

On the other side of the fence, I built my own std jag rear with re-enforced gussets for added strength, using stock jag V12 brakes and rotors, with stock GM brakes up front as standard per ERA. Works great as designed by ERA. The rear had some wheel hopp at first, but that was remedied with a custom dampner arrangement. I had Wilwood brakes on my last car, and my ERA stops better for whatever reason using stock stuff. I thought I might upgrade later, but never had to. Limited brake fade, but I don't race my ERA, just street fun now. Go figure for what its worth. I wouldn't change it since it works well as-is.

Good Luck.

[REDSC400]

These are fun questions you have regarding the suspension and brakes. Were I you, I would go with the larger fronts and outboard rears via the ERA upgraded suspension.

That said, my #375 is pure stock as of its 1992 vintage with the inboard rear brakes and standard front. I have never tested the newer ERAs with the newer and larger brakes. It would be interesting to have someone who has a good amount of time behind the wheel on an ERA with the standard setup as well as the newer larger brake setup give us some feedback as to the actual differences that manifest.

Now for the tires... I am running BF Goodrich TA Euros on both the front and rear. Goodrich has not been making these for some time now. They are H speed rated and they have NO SNIPING which means that the outer lugs are not slitted. The lack of sniping or slits means that they do not pick up tiny pebbles and fling them back at the exhaust and rear wheel cover.

I just picked up a second set of brand new (with the nibs and stickers on the treads) TA Euros for the rear in size 305/50-15. These came from a guy in Vancouver BC, Canada who had them in storage for his Camaro project. So now I have a second set for the rear end. If you watch EBAY you may be able to find a set. The side walls on the Euro TA are essentially smooth with the exception of the raised BF Goodrich T/A letters which are in black. The smooth side walls make for a nice clean look and they detail well. The Yokohamas mentioned, are not to my taste from a visual perspective. The sidewalls are rather busy on them as I recall. My original set of Euros, which is still on the car, has worn very very well and has about 18,000 miles on them with 3/4+ of the tread left. They are near perfect in balance and roundness as verified on the latest Hunter tire and wheel machine.
Needless to say I do not "burn" the rear tires alot. Just a few "chirps" here and there... hee hee

I would be wary of drag radial meats in the wet or on sandy roads, especially in fast curves. What rear end ratio are you going to run? I have the 3.31 rear end which does limit wheel spin and give a lower RPM at higher speed.

Good luck with the car... What state will it live in BTW?

[JWheaton]

Art,

An aside to the current topic. I went to look in your gallery to see what you meant by the tires and the "outer lugs". Found your gallery fascinating.

Your SC400 has the BEST looking stripe I have ever seen on a car.

[Excaliber]

OH,,, my bad. For $1,900 it is a bargain, I'd go for it!

[REDSC400]

Originally posted by JWheaton


Found your gallery fascinating.

Your SC400 has the BEST looking stripe I have ever seen on a car.

J:
Yah, my SC400 has a nice hood ornament! Keeps the paint from getting dull, ahem... as it were.

[mpotito]

I went with the optional front brakes and outboard brakes rear end with adjustable sway bar. Even though I will primarily drive the car on the street I'll always have the right options available to me when I want to get a little wilder. Adding the options leaves you with choices when you want them. A much better result than saying "I coulda shoulda".

Mike

[RICK LAKE]

cbmax Welcome to the ERA Gang. I have the 12" rotors on the front of my car #428 and have both 15" BFG's and 17" Mich pilots for racing. Both rims fit on 12" rotors. They are Serria calipers, 4 piston. Have soft pads and no problem withracing both autocross and roadracing. Rear brakes get warm, if you make some duct work to move the dead air in the rear of the car, the brakes are fine. I have not had a wheel hopping problem with my car. Setting up the suspension and getting the car balanced is a important step in my OPINION. It takes a couple of hours and is worth the different when the car is done. make sure you have your body wieght in the drivers seat when you do this. If you are looking for a 15" tire, try Dunlop GT Qualifiers, they are better handling than the BFGs. If you are going racing, go with the outboard brakes, plus the wieght savings. Have you looked into a shelby block or the new Pond block that just came out? This might be a better motor for a couple of hundred dollars more. I have 2 shelby blocks and they are still the best engineered of all. A little machine work needs to be done to any motor. Good luck with the car Rick Lake

[TampaFla]

On my ERA I had 15" wheels (purchased and machined at ERA -bolt on) but was told they discovered they would not fit the 12" brakes (won't clear the calipers). So back in November, ERA agreed to swap the wheels for 17" (which they ordered from PS Engineering). I don't expect any problems but have not put them on yet (waiting for delivery).

[cbmax]

Thank you all for the recent input.

I'm thinking no regrets and big front brakes and optional ERA rear,

Haven't heard of any issues with big front brakes and 15 inch tire, but I will look into this. I'm planning on using Trigo 15' pin drives.

As for the Motor, I'd love a Shelby aluminum block, but that would be stretching the budget a little too tight.

Still thinking Yokohama Avids in 15 inch will make for the stickiest rubber. That is unless Tireguy comes through in time.

[sgianino]

Mr CBMAX,
GET ALL THE OPTIONS!!!
From the aluminum trunk to the girling cans up front and alum engine bay as well........and original seat track knobs along with the correct signal indicators with the little groove in it......what else is there? Oh ya, remote oil cooler and dual fans and battery in trunk with the safety disconnect...... spend it all now

[cbmax]

Sigianino,

Sounds good!

Just let me borrow your check book for a day or two.

THX

CB