ERA Owners- Time to Nitpick!

[LudicrousSpeed]

To All ERA owners:

I'm seriously looking at either an ERA, an SPF, or a BDR in the near future. I'm not looking for a comparison, thats been done to death.

What I would like is for you guys to critique, really nitpick, your car. Everything from the buying experience/ dealer issues & support (no names, just experiences), to maintenance issues, to the little details you've noticed that may not be a problem, but that you've noticed none-the-less.

Where have corners been cut, if any? what would you like to see improved?
No detail is too small, and you know your car best.

Thanks!
-Mark

[xracerbob]

The only real complaint I have is that the available options, extra little features, etc. are not well cataloged so you can pick and choose. When I asked about something I never saw on the website or anywhere else, the answer was always "Yes we can do/have done that". These guys have forgotten more tiny details about the cars than you will need to know to build and enjoy them. So the lesson is, if you don't see it, ask!

[cobred]

Xracer, can you explain or give some examples? When I ordered mine I went down the option list and just ordered what I wanted. That was 4 years ago, is it different now?

[xlr8or]

Mark it's too bad the local ERA wasn't in mission valley last week when you came down.
it is a spectacular build and definitely one of the most well detailed.

[LudicrousSpeed]

Originally Posted by xlr8or

Mark it's too bad the local ERA wasn't in mission valley last week when you came down.
it is a spectacular build and definitely one of the most well detailed.

Are you refering to the red Fia? If so, I met Pete last week. He was kind enough to drive up and we talked for a few hours. Beautiful car, he really did an exceptional job.

[RICK LAKE]

LudicrousSpeed The only thing I would like to have is about 200 lbs off, a lighter car.. With 17" wheels and tires, 2705 lbs with a half tank of gas. The car is a tank and safety wise, I wouldn't want to be in any other car. My car is a one off custom with FI system, Power assist steering. I believe the extra weight is from the body having more reinforcement than maybe be other bodies. Aluminum body would be nice but not for racing and out of my price range. That's it. 12 years and very happy with my car. I wish I aged and looked as good as the car. Rick Lake ERA 428#

[xracerbob]

Cobred-
It was mostly small detail stuff for instance- I wanted a 1/2" fuel line from the fuel tank with a return line connection in case I wanted to go with fuel injection in the future. They had already done this for other people. Also, I had them put in stainless steel brake lines.

There are a couple other things that if you don't specify, you might not get what you wanted. There are 2 radiators for the 427 car- one for the expansion tank option and one without. Its the same radiator, the inlet tube is different.

Hey Rick- my car is 2365 with 5 gals of fuel (no seats or carpet in yet). 15" wheels, ERA rear, Pond aluminum FE, QT bellhousing, aluminum flywheel, etc. You can get the weight down there.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by xracerbob

Cobred-
It was mostly small detail stuff for instance15" wheels...

XRBob raises a good point. LS, if you choose to go with ERA just remember that you are not limited to options/items that you find on the ERA web site or in their literature. They will put together for you anything you ask them to. And they will build/fabricate-from-scratch anything you want. But there's a price associated with that -- 1) You have to pay for it; and 2) You take on the responsibility of understanding and learning exactly what it is you want, not what it is that they sell. Here are two quick examples from my build. I told Doug that I wanted an adjustable rev limiter (not the MSD chips) mounted in an easily accessible, but not visible, location -- Done (mounted in the far corner of the glove box). I told Bob that I wanted a custom removable Turkey Pan so I could easily adjust my carb without having to remove it, and I gave him some photos of something I kind of liked. He custom fabbed a beautiful piece for me that works like a charm. BUT, you will not find options for "Adjustable Rev Limiter" or "Removable Turkey Pan" on their checklist. You simply have to ask.

[CobERA]

I have had my ERA on the road since 2003 and I have over 22,000 miles on the car.

I can't say enough about the quality of the car or the support I've received from the folks at ERA.

Any problems I had were not specific to ERA cars, but were related to individual components that can go bad on any brand (i.e. alternator, MSD) or self-inflicted problems.

If I were to buy another car, it would be an ERA.

[xlr8or]

Originally Posted by LudicrousSpeed

Are you refering to the red Fia? If so, I met Pete last week. He was kind enough to drive up and we talked for a few hours. Beautiful car, he really did an exceptional job.

No there is a black 289 car here in town that is just stunning.

[Chaplin]

Originally Posted by xracerbob

Cobred-
It was mostly small detail stuff for instance- I wanted a 1/2" fuel line from the fuel tank with a return line connection in case I wanted to go with fuel injection in the future. They had already done this for other people. Also, I had them put in stainless steel brake lines.

There are a couple other things that if you don't specify, you might not get what you wanted. There are 2 radiators for the 427 car- one for the expansion tank option and one without. Its the same radiator, the inlet tube is different.

Hey Rick- my car is 2365 with 5 gals of fuel (no seats or carpet in yet). 15" wheels, ERA rear, Pond aluminum FE, QT bellhousing, aluminum flywheel, etc. You can get the weight down there.

The easiest place for him to start would be to go on a diet

[Jim Holden]

"The easiest place for him to start would be to go on a diet."

Careful, Rick is a sensitive type guy. Lord knows I would be the last one to suggest that he has put on a few pounds over the years... so I wont. (Something about the pot calling the kettle...)

While the boyz up at ERA can fab up almost anything, try not to "re-engineer" anything. The day may come when you want to sell your car and if you've gone too far astray, a potential purchaser may not view your "modifications" with the same enthusiasm. Having said that I've had them do "custom" work on my cars. most recently my ERAGT.

Happy searching!

Jim

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by LudicrousSpeed

I'm seriously looking at either an ERA...

Mark, if you really are serious about an ERA then I would suggest you send Peter a check for $5k now while you continue your decision making. That will reserve your position in the queue and might, just might, allow you to drive your car in 2009 -- only Peter knows that, of course. The $5k is fully refundable should you choose to go elsewhere.... The long wait time is about the only downside to ERA that I found.

[lamaluv]

I can't speak for the other brands that you mention but I have been very happy with my ERA. It has been on the road since 1981 and I am the 6th owner of the car. At least two of the owners raced the car and I open track the car as well as drive it on the street. Customer service from ERA has been outstanding. Anything that I have ordered has been shipped promptly. The only thing that I have replaced because it wore out was a radiator expansion tank. I have given the car my personal touch by adding fuel injection, the aluminum engine compartment, ceramic coated header and side pipes, dual pusher fans and the comp dash.

Dick

[jagxjr5012]

I have had two ERA's (both purchased used) and I love them both....the fit and finish of ERA is excellent in my judgement. Both were factory builds. I needed help from the factory last winter for a mild restoration (the car is an early car #208 with 19000 miles on it) and Peter and the guys there were fabulous to deal with...The only thing I wish my car had was all the updates that were done after my car !! But that would certainly be done if you bought a new ERA or a later car!! Below is a link with a few pics of my older car !!

http://groups.msn.com/JagXJR5Chassis012/shoebox.msnw

[Kramer]

I've been watching this thread and can't say enough about the folks at ERA. Through thier customer service I am reminded all the time that I made the best decision. I know a lot of Cobra owners with great cars as well but if you plan on building the car and take some enjoyment in that aspect and want to rely on manufacturer help I would recommend ERA without a question. If you are simply looking to drive a cobra, I would look used b/c it will certainly be cheaper.

IF YOU DO GO WITH ERA, my only advice to you is know what you want and ask for it upfront. I have seen them handle all types of special request but you given their workload you need to spell out what you want from them and get it all down on paper.

Kramer

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Kramer

I am reminded all the time that I made the best decision...

Not to hijack this thread, but did you get that sneaky charging issue taken care of?

[Rickd]

I had another make cobra before that did have some design and build issues. The ERA is an incredible car - from the engineering detail to the build quality. Everything FITS perfect, finish is incredible, and it has the best chassis in the business. They are fastidious about details. Door latches on the body are mounted on a steel plate bolted to a steel chassis member. You could lift the car by the door latch!! My other cobra had a latch mounted into a fibreglass pad. I've had my ERA for 10 months, have 2500 miles on it, and it is a rock solid, finely engineered, exceptionally well built car (factory turn key). I had my first cobra for 2 years, had a chance to drive an ERA FIA and ordered one. Visited the factory in New Britain before ordering - that was the decision maker. USA built, craftsmanship, a work of art. The ERA custom rear end with outboard brakes is an absolute jewell. The detail in cosmetically duplicating the exterior and interior visual aspects of the original are unsurpassed (engine compartment, cockpit, trunk) body lines. In my opinion it can't be beat. Negatives - if it is one - is a 9 month wait - during which you can modify your build - have your engine built, etc. (if you are doing a turnkey), and you can visit at different stages to see the progress. It was a blast during the build, and it is every day. Enjoy! Rick

[SSSammy]

Yes, make up your mind on ERA, forget SPF and BDR, you won't have half the fun building those. Do a painted roller, not a turn key .. more fun! Not too many hours to finish it. I have wrenched on all three of these brands and the ERA is the easiest to work on, BDR is tightest under the hood. Apologies of course to fans of these other two, but this IS the ERA Forum

Do the rear mount battery. I'd have them upgrade the 2 ga. battery cable to something bigger, 1/0 ga, maybe. If you're going to use a monster FE, I'd do a 1/2" fuel line vs the stock 3/8". Also, If you're building a torque monster, see about getting a more robust differential from CWI. Call Mike Bontoft and talk about it. Cheaper to do it up front than after you twist the axles off like I did

I have the inboard rear brakes, think about the ERA design rear suspension with outboard brakes. I'd do that if I were starting over. If you do any tracking, I'd see about the 12" front brakes (Sierra?), still keeping the 15" wheels. Again if you are tracking the car, you will want heavier springs than the 250# jobs that ERA supplies. I forget what Rick Lake told me at RnG, I think he said 350#, but he is the expert for that question.

Go with the six pins if you can afford it. More authentic, and a good feature when it is time for resale.

If you plan to do a lot of your own work, you will have the tunnel and rear cover off a bunch of times. I have literally worn out the screw holes in the floor and the nut plates in the rear bulkhead. I would ask ERA to install them with DZUS 1/4 turn fasteners. I am going to do that just as soon as I get the next rush of energy. In other words, not any time soon

When you get it running .. drive it a couple months without the interior until you get it completely sorted out. You might be yanking the seats, tunnel, and rear cover a lot.

Sam

[cobraviper_99]

I am the original owner of jagxjr5012's ERA #208. It's a factory-built car which I took delivery of on Christmas Eve, 1988. I concur completely with him and the other ERA owners who have praised Peter and everyone at ERA. The entire purchase and construction process was outstanding and they were always available and responsive to any difficulties.

I think the best endorsement for them was when I had a problem with the 428 they had provided for the car. It was supposed to be a balanced and blueprinted engine but over a year after I had taken delivery, a friend who was working on the car discovered that the engine work was slipshod to say the least--including a crankshaft which looked like it had been balanced by PeeWee Herman ( I won't reveal the engine-builder's name here). I called Peter, told him what had been found and he said to bring the crankshaft down to him (luckily, I live in Massachusetts, about three hours away from him).

I drove down with the crank, he took a look at it, and told me to have my engine gone through at his expense. It was a couple of grand but Peter was good to his word and paid the tab promptly. Mind you, this was over a year after I took delivery of the car.

Just an example of why ERA sells so many cars and people are willing to wait a bit longer to have one. I constantly tell people who ask me about my CSX and can't spend that much that they should talk to ERA.

Downside? Yeh, the funky driver's side parking light that's tilted down a little. Maybe that's been corrected by now.