"Inspirations" for my ERA 289 - Page 17

patrickt · #1 (**permalink**) 05-07-2011, 06:10 PM

That's been a long time comin'.

So how'd you like driving it?

kgs365 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-07-2011, 06:10 PM

great day weather wise...how did it drive?...and did you take any other photos of projects in the shop

*13* · #3 (**permalink**) 05-07-2011, 07:27 PM

I hope you didn't hurt yourself, those Webers are tough to resist. Car looks great out in the sun. How long did it take you to get unpuckered from the seat?

tkb289 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-07-2011, 10:51 PM

Jeff ... Congratulations !!!

Car looks fantastic, nice to see it outside and ready to roll. Can't wait to hear how you like driving it. Have FUN !

- Tim

jeffy · #5 (**permalink**) 05-08-2011, 09:33 AM

Thanks, guys!

The maiden voyage was fantastic. The engine note alone is entirely worth it; I think that is the main reason I wanted a Cobra in the first place!

Absolutely delighted with the driving. Rock solid tracking, and the suspension handles all the bumps we have up north flawlessly. Steering, brakes, pedal placement, driving position, all just right.

Webers were nearly perfect. I tried but couldn't really find the transition from the idle to the main circuits, smooth all the way up. I could cruise at and smoothly accelerate from any RPM. No need to try to keep it in the main circuit RPMs (around 3,000 and above). Perfectly behaved in street traffic and a beast when let loose. And the sound as it winds up! I could listen to that all day!

Some who have the dual outlet Weber manifold and the oil cooler complain about not maintaining enough engine heat on the highway. I did not have that problem. Heat stayed right at about 140 degrees, sometimes a little under.

Although they weren't supposed to, the fancy McTrumpet stacks and wire mesh screens disrupt the air flow enough that Doug felt the Webers lost a little something at the high end. After Carlisle, I'll take it to Inglese for a look. May just go back to the open stacks.

Didn't really come close to the limit cornering, braking or accelerating, but it feels easily as strong or stronger on all counts than the Porsche Cayman, 911 and BMW M3 I drove at a Skip Barber school at Lime Rock (M3 is the closest). I don't think the Lotus Exige (which I also drove there) would have much edge handling, and it is a lot less comfortable than an ERA. And the Lotus doesn't make that great sound!

In fact, my ears are still a little sore after three hours driving yesterday. The noise is not really bothersome while driving, but I guess it adds up over time.

As far as wind goes, the car is pretty comfortable around 60-65, so the temptation to speed is dampened somewhat (almost got caught nonetheless!). Around 80, I wouldn't trust keeping a baseball cap on for very long.

The Kirkey is VERY comfortable even though it initially feels snug. Very happy with that choice. I'm 6', so sitting on the floor isn't a problem with visibility.

To anyone starting a build, I very much recommend the rectangular rear view mirror for the cockpit: you can hardly see anything in a Raydot.

The combination of the 3.07 differential and the Richmond Road Race 5-speed is very good. The 3.04 first is just right: starts rolling easily but I still get a nice long pull. The 1:1 final probably isn't the best for cruising and highway gas mileage, though, but I knew that going in.

The instruments all look great, but the NOS speedo started to go haywire after about 15 miles, so that will need attention at some point. I also think it is undercounting mileage. The only thing I would change is the placement of the oil pressure gauge. Where it is now it is partially blocked from view by the steering wheel. I think I'll have it swap places with the less critical fuel pressure gauge so it is easier to keep an eye on.

The only thing on the drive that was a concern was, more often than not, I got a bit of grinding on the shift from fourth to fifth. Very strange; no idea why that is happening. I'll check in with Doug and Peter tomorrow.

BTW, the 289 is now the hot car at ERA: Peter P. said that his backlog is nearly all slabsides and FIAs, with a couple of GT-40s. No 427s other than what's in the shop.

So there you have it! I'm officially an ERA owner now! Time to go for a drive!

patrickt · #6 (**permalink**) 05-08-2011, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffy

The only thing I would change is the placement of the oil pressure gauge. Where it is now it is partially blocked from view by the steering wheel. I think I'll have it swap places with the less critical fuel pressure gauge so it is easier to keep an eye on.

No. If it is one of the spokes on the wheel that is impeding your view then have them install a Quick Release hub on your steering wheel. You can then easily adjust the wheel so it is exactly where you want it. Not to mention the fact that if you, or anyone else, has to do any work under the dash being able to pull the wheel is a real blessing.

jeffy · #7 (**permalink**) 05-08-2011, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

No. If it is one of the spokes on the wheel that is impeding your view then have them install a Quick Release hub on your steering wheel. You can then easily adjust the wheel so it is exactly where you want it. Not to mention the fact that if you, or anyone else, has to do any work under the dash being able to pull the wheel is a real blessing.

I have the detachable wheel. The rim is blocking the gauge, not just the spokes. CSX 2557 has the layout with the oil pressure on the right (my car mimicked CSX 2558 which had the oil pressure on the left).

patrickt · #8 (**permalink**) 05-08-2011, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffy

I have the detachable wheel. The rim is blocking the gauge, not just the spokes. CSX 2557 has the layout with the oil pressure on the right (my car mimicked CSX 2558 which had the oil pressure on the left).

Yep, I see. If you were an inch taller, or an inch shorter, or sat an inch closer, or sat an inch farther back, then you probably wouldn't have the problem.

Switching mechanical gauges is a bit more of a PITA than most people think, but certainly not more than an afternoon's work. I don't know why you would grind going from 4th to 5th. That bears watching.

xb-60 · #9 (**permalink**) 05-08-2011, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffy

I have the detachable wheel. The rim is blocking the gauge, not just the spokes. CSX 2557 has the layout with the oil pressure on the right (my car mimicked CSX 2558 which had the oil pressure on the left).

Hi Jeff,
Tell me (for my own purposes, and as always, thinking ahead), would gauge visibility be improved if the whole grouping was shifted in towards the vehicle centreline a little?
Great shots, by the way, and I'm not surprised you're pleased with the Webers. Tuned by an expert, they're great.
And have you deserted NY?
Cheers,
Glen

Fullchat289 · #10 (**permalink**) 05-09-2011, 06:08 AM

Jeff:

Congrats! It's been a treat seeing your car come together at ERA and your build thread is a great resource for anyone in the beginning stages of planning their FIA car. Unfortunately, it appears I will be unable to make the Carlisle show this year due to some work-related travel...there are several details of your car I would like to view in person.

Wishing you many miles of smiles!

- Allen.

RAO-3 · #11 (**permalink**) 05-11-2011, 10:37 AM

Great to see it on the road, and just in time for the great warm season.

Really looks great in the outdoors!

Best of luck to you with it.

-Ray

jeffy · #12 (**permalink**) 05-15-2011, 11:20 AM

Had some nice driving yesterday. The Richmond 5-speed takes some getting used to but can be mastered. I had a tendency to go from third to second (instead of to fourth) that was annoying. Less often went from second to fifth. Just took some getting used to.

Was brave enough to floor it through the first three gears and it is wicked fast. My friend that races a Lotus Exige Cup car looked a little fearful as I was going through the gears, but when we were once again safe and sound said he was very impressed by the V-8's torque. Thought it was clearly faster than the Exige.

I had a bit of a shock when I snapped the turn signal arm while making a left. Not a very sturdy piece. Taped it up but will need to be replaced post-Carlisle. Has this happened to anyone else?

This car really sucks gas. Of course I've been keeping the revs high and not doing any real cruising, but it has burned up almost 20 gallons with just 167 miles on the odometer. As I said last week, the odometer seems to understate the mileage by 20%, but even accounting for that it's about 10 mpg. We had a '65 Cadillac that got that kind of mileage.

Where my right hand rests on the transmission tunnel by the shifter the aluminum is starting to tarnish. What do you guys use to clean up the aluminum?

Everyone oohs-and-ahs over it, and the paint job gets a lot of compliments, but the most fun is opening the hood. What's some backfiring compared to the bug-eyes the Webers always get? That and the exhaust note just gets people laughing and shaking their head. The car is just too much fun!

*13* · #13 (**permalink**) 05-15-2011, 12:10 PM

Turn signal is a British POS, what did you expect? Ha! Webers are always fun to unveil & open up next to a punk kid in a WRX. Got to love that!

Murky781 · #14 (**permalink**) 05-15-2011, 12:24 PM

Jeffy, The turn signal switch is pretty delicate and I've replaced mine once Easy enough to do, but a quick 45 or 50 bucks I think. I just keep handing Peter cash and he gives me parts. I've lost track now! LOL I'll be at Carlise with #781 with the ERA gang. Seems we keep the same friends as our cars shared the Ct Custom booth at the Frank Marrotta show in Jan. Are you going to Carlise or just the car? Wife and I will both be there.

FatBoy · #15 (**permalink**) 10-12-2011, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *13*

Turn signal is a British POS, what did you expect?

Up yours!

Actually, if it's the original style, it will be VW, which is obviously German.

BTW, beautiful car Jeffy with some really lovely detailing. Congratulations.

Paul

jeffy · #16 (**permalink**) 12-28-2011, 01:49 PM

Jim Inglese has added a "Customer Cars" page to his website, and guess who made the cut!

The rest are here:

Cobra/GT40 options13

Jeff

RodKnock · #17 (**permalink**) 12-28-2011, 01:52 PM

I'm thinking we can rule out CSX 2009 as the answer to your question.

Congratulations.

jeffy · #18 (**permalink**) 05-15-2011, 02:23 PM

The turn signal should come with a warning then! Seemed awfully flimsy.

Murky, I won't be at Carlisle, sadly. I heard there was a black Cobra at Marotta's show, so I guess that was yours!

Have fun at Carlisle, and good luck with the weather.

BTW, I grew up in West Hartford and sent you a pm a few days ago, in case you didn't notice it in your inbox.

xb-60 · #19 (**permalink**) 05-16-2011, 05:09 AM

Hey Jeff! So you and 2131 have gained celebrity status with an appearance on the ERA website!

Will you still talk to us commoners?

Seriously though, I've kept a keen eye on the latter stages of your build, made a few notes along the way, learnt a few things, and hope to translate them into the metal (and 'glass) a little bit further along the track.
Cheers!
Glen

Jim Holden · #20 (**permalink**) 05-16-2011, 08:48 AM

My recollection is that the turn signal is a VW part;

See: Your Parts Search Returned 1 Part(s)

Jim