ERA 2136 Build Log - Page 23

tkb289 · #**441** (**permalink**) 12-05-2011, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got the Bug

Tim,

What's the latest? Just in time to get that car on road for some prime time (freeze your axx off) NorCal weather!

Doug,

Thanks for checking in!

Hope to be on the road quite soon … just love that ar$e freezing weather !

Update to follow ...

- Tim

tkb289 · #**442** (**permalink**) 12-05-2011, 11:15 PM

Have made some good progress of late …

Had the entire exhaust system ceramic coated (satin black) by Accessories Plus in Belmont, CA. Steve and his crew did a great job.

The coating is about 0.002" thick, so no real issues with slip fits. I used a bit of copper based anti-seize, and with a little gentle persuasion here & there, everything went together.

Next up is finishing the interior, seats & seat belts and 2136 is ready to roll.

I have some mandrel bent pipes coming that are much more substantial, so these pipes here just are 'temporary'.

Everything fits nicely under the car, the time spent during the 'fitment' process was well worth the effort. It really sounds great.

Once I get some miles on the car, the suspension should settle a bit, looks like the car is up on it's tip toes ... it needs to come down some.

xb-60 · #**443** (**permalink**) 12-06-2011, 12:57 AM

Beautiful job Tim, and it looks like the trees haven't lost all their leaves yet, so maybe some good driving time still available this season?
Cheers,
Glen

*13* · #**444** (**permalink**) 12-06-2011, 04:52 AM

Very nice!

Jim Holden · #**445** (**permalink**) 12-06-2011, 01:45 PM

To "settle" the suspension, call up one of your larger (ie; 250 lb =/-) friends and go for a drive on some back roads with a few "thank you ma'm" culvert crossings, etc. An hour or two of driving should bring it right down...

Jim

289fia_cobra · #**446** (**permalink**) 12-08-2011, 04:04 PM

Tim: that looks great! Been wanting to drop by and hear it (1/2 the time I drive home along Homestead).

Have you given thought to which CHP, BAR and B&L station to take the ERA to once it's roadworthy?

tkb289 · #**447** (**permalink**) 12-08-2011, 11:05 PM

Herman,

When I get to that point, thinking of trying the Dublin CHP office, based on a recent thread. For BAR I understand Evergreen college is the place to go. For B&L ... open to suggestions.

289fia_cobra · #**448** (**permalink**) 12-26-2011, 09:14 PM

So Tim, did you ever make it to a Christmas drive around the block????

tkb289 · #**449** (**permalink**) 12-29-2011, 11:25 PM

Herman,

Did not make the Christmas drive ... hoping for New Year's Day ... will keep you posted!

PANAVIA · #**450** (**permalink**) 12-30-2011, 08:16 AM

Let me know when you are ready for a Brake and Light - we have a partner shop that we have trained in the topic. --Steve

tkb289 · #**451** (**permalink**) 12-31-2011, 09:58 PM

Well 2136 has at long last turned a wheel under it's own power, man is it nice!

We had a few friends over for an launch party. Rolled the car out of the garage, the wife and I strapped in, turned the key and she fired right up. Let the motor warm up a bit then clutch to the floor, slid the sifter into first and away we went!

Took folks for rides around the block, lots of firsts all the way around. Later on I went to the gas station, put in 10 gallons and went for a short solo drive on the local expressway. Had some kid in a new black on black BMW show me how fast his car was, not interested … had some guy with a red mid 90's Firebird V6, same thing … really not interested. Wound up at a local park just as it was getting dark … had some older folks stop and ask a lot of questions and take some pictures … all stuff that you guys have been dealing with for years and years. I am sure it get's old after a while, but for now it's kind of fun.

What's left …

On the paperwork side:
- CHP inspection
- BAR
- Brake & Tail Lamp
- Back to the DMV, for hopefully the final time … then plates ?

On the car:
- Check all the nuts and bolts … look for fluid leaks (will be doing both of these a lot!)
- Mount the hood
- Have 3M clear tape spats put on the rear fenders … no more blue tape
- Locate and cut the hole for the shifter in the top plate of the transmission tunnel
- Remount the driver's seat just a bit further back
- Add the side badging & rear Cobra logo - holes were pre-drilled. The nose was not drilled, so will leave it bare for now
- Swap painted fender vents for the unpainted aluminum vents
- Try the full width roll bar setup
- After some miles and things settle, need to get the car lowered a bit and then corner weighted and aligned
- Paint the outside of the spare tire well (dark grey or flat black)
- Check all the nuts and bolts … look for fluid leaks ...

Needless to say, I am taking is very easy, but the car already feels comfortable. The steering and handling are great, motor sounds good and really pulls (and that's just with the primaries). Need to put some break in miles on the motor, the car and me for that matter. No clunks or rattles, the car feels tight … ERA builds a fine car!

At my blistering build pace, will probably take me a few more months to wrap things up, but really looking forward to my first of many drives to come with the local CC guys … soon one more blue Cobra will be added to the mix.

Before the first drive …

Finally on the road … some completion work yet to go.

289fia_cobra · #**452** (**permalink**) 12-31-2011, 10:23 PM

Tim, let me be the first to say Congrats!!!! This truly is going to be a HAPPY NEW YEAR!
You're a lot more controlled than most in those situations so kudo's to you.

That second picture... looks almost like Stevens Creek reservoir...?

tkb289 · #**453** (**permalink**) 12-31-2011, 10:46 PM

Thanks Herman!

Not Stevens Creek ... but close, Rancho San Antonio.

xb-60 · #**454** (**permalink**) 12-31-2011, 10:50 PM

And let me be the second, Tim.
Car looks great. IMO, you can't beat a 'clean' car - no stripes, discrete pipes....love it! After all, as the BM and Firebird drivers saw, you don't have to prove a thing with your car.
Best drivin' wishes for the New Year!
Cheers,
Glen

kgs365 · #**455** (**permalink**) 01-01-2012, 05:36 AM

Wow looks great ....many fun miles ahead!

Kevin

Got the Bug · #**456** (**permalink**) 01-01-2012, 01:32 PM

Looks awesome Tim! Can't wait to see it.

Cobra Pack · #**457** (**permalink**) 01-01-2012, 02:55 PM

That is a really nice looking car! Well done.

Flygirl · #**458** (**permalink**) 01-02-2012, 12:57 PM

So nice, what a great looking ride.

I've read up on the SB-100 process, but have primarily heard of guys trailering the car until it's been inspected, gotten the VIN and the process is complete. My Honda Fit isn't such a a great tow vehicle, so anything you can tell me would sure be helpful. Are you working with Panavia to complete SB-100?

It appears that you went to the DMV, probably paid a bunch of money for registration and taxes and whatnot, and they provided you with that red temporary registration, I think it is...? Is that how it went?

Does the 3 indicate it's good until March? Can you tell me a little more about your experience?

________

Rancho San Antonio. Peace sign hill. The power poles road. The Catholic Seminary which was destroyed in the '89 quake. Three flies up frisbee on the front lawn. [sigh]

Got the Bug · #**459** (**permalink**) 01-02-2012, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flygirl

So nice, what a great looking ride.

I've read up on the SB-100 process, but have primarily heard of guys trailering the car until it's been inspected, gotten the VIN and the process is complete. My Honda Fit isn't such a a great tow vehicle, so anything you can tell me would sure be helpful. Are you working with Panavia to complete SB-100?

It appears that you went to the DMV, probably paid a bunch of money for registration and taxes and whatnot, and they provided you with that red temporary registration, I think it is...? Is that how it went?

Does the 3 indicate it's good until March? Can you tell me a little more about your experience?

________

Rancho San Antonio. Peace sign hill. The power poles road. The Catholic Seminary which was destroyed in the '89 quake. Three flies up frisbee on the front lawn. [sigh]

The DMV will give you a temporary operating permit the first time you visit to pay your fees. There's really no need to trailer a car around to get the inspections done when you can enjoy driving it.

tkb289 · #**460** (**permalink**) 01-02-2012, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flygirl

So nice, what a great looking ride.

I've read up on the SB-100 process, but have primarily heard of guys trailering the car until it's been inspected, gotten the VIN and the process is complete. My Honda Fit isn't such a a great tow vehicle, so anything you can tell me would sure be helpful. Are you working with Panavia to complete SB-100?

It appears that you went to the DMV, probably paid a bunch of money for registration and taxes and whatnot, and they provided you with that red temporary registration, I think it is...? Is that how it went?

Does the 3 indicate it's good until March? Can you tell me a little more about your experience?

________

Rancho San Antonio. Peace sign hill. The power poles road. The Catholic Seminary which was destroyed in the '89 quake. Three flies up frisbee on the front lawn. [sigh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got the Bug

The DMV will give you a temporary operating permit the first time you visit to pay your fees. There's really no need to trailer a car around to get the inspections done when you can enjoy driving it.

Thanks one and all for the nice comments

Flygirl ... Doug is correct ... if one has the paperwork in order, the DMV will issue a TOP (Temporary Operating Permit) ... and you can drive the car to the inspections, rather than trailer it. Consider asking for a 90 day TOP so you have some time to complete the different steps. The red 3 sticker in the windshield is as you noted, is good till March.

In my case, I started insuring the car once it left ERA and was headed out West. That way during transport, final assembly in my garage and now driving the car to wrap up the registration & licensing, I am covered.

My experience so far as been as follows … In June I took the MSO, proof of insurance and all the receipts to the Santa Clara DMV and started the SPCNS & SB-100 process. They reviewed the documents, I paid the use Tax and other fees and the DMV provided me with a checklist of items to complete before I can license the car. They also called for, and I received an SB-100 number. The go to person at the Santa Clara DMV is Jody, very knowledgeable, courteous and efficient.

There are lots of threads here on SB-100 and PANAVIA (Steve) is a great local resource.

Rancho is a wonderful place … fond memories as well.