Superformance & ERA owners I need your help!

[Cashburn]

And why can't they use '80s GM brakes???

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Ol' Red is blowin' smoke, Ernie. They widened the foot boxes starting with ERA #731 and here's a shot of my pedals, spaced a bit more apart than the norm. Plenty of room for my Bozo the Clown size 12EEE's plus a dead pedal. Thank you very much.

"AC" pedals??? Expect a call from Lubninsky's lawyers shortly.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Cashburn

And why can't they use '80s GM brakes???

Most of us simply "upgrade" to the Sierras or Wilwoods, depending on one's preference.

[Excaliber]

My pedal spacing is just right. I dialed in the brake pedal height to be "right at" the throttle level for a better heel/toe action, by the way. I wonder what it would take to remove part of the left side glassed in area to widen the footbox like the newer cars have? I might be getting out my sawzall in the near future... Still, I'd like to see the dead pedal further down below the pedals to stretch out a bit, like the Excal.

That dead pedal, I need to add that to my list of the "perfect street Cobra" specs!

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

That dead pedal, I need to add that to my list of the "perfect street Cobra" specs!

Uhhhh, you just might want to add this to your list as well. It's an adjustable rev-limiter that I have tucked in the back of my glove box. I can turn the knob and the car won't rev over a certain RPM -- had that Kirkham that got "rocked" by the German safety inspector had this he could have simply turned the knob all the way down and told the guy "it doesn't rev very well, and it doesn't go very fast." That just might have saved his car.

[Excaliber]

I don't know if the rev limiter is a must have, BUT... I'm getting ready to ship my car to the mainland. Lately I have found myself contemplating my options to limit the power in some way. Not a bad idea, just in case some shipping nut decides he wants a quick test drive.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

I don't know if the rev limiter is a must have, BUT... I'm getting ready to ship my car to the mainland. Lately I have found myself contemplating my options to limit the power in some way. Not a bad idea, just in case some shipping nut decides he wants a quick test drive.

Once or twice I have forgotten and driven it with the knob cranked all the way down and what happens is the MSD unit starts alternating spark systematically missing on different cylinders. Your immediate reaction is "OMG, what is wrong with my engine!" I think it would be difficult to get in real trouble with it turned all the way down. Still possible, but difficult.

[Cashburn]

Or maybe those rolled edges on the interior?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Cashburn

Or maybe those rolled edges on the interior?

You don't want rolled edges?

[Cashburn]

Originally Posted by patrickt

You don't want rolled edges?

Yeah, standard... like your brakes

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Cashburn

Yeah, standard... like your brakes

Walt and his band of merry elves takes care of the rolling.... I don't think it cost much either (seriously).

[Cashburn]

It really should be discussed in another topic, so take it away... at the end of the day why would you buy an ERA over a Kirkham? If you are not building it from kit form yourself, I think that is the big question.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Cashburn

It really should be discussed in another topic, so take it away... at the end of the day why would you buy an ERA over a Kirkham? If you are not building it from kit form yourself, I think that is the big question.

ERA is the clear choice if, for whatever reason, an aluminum body is not important to you. To some people, it is very important... just like to some people the Shelby name is very important.

[Bob In Ct]

Do the ERA cars have the transverse front leaf spring like the originals or the inferior coil-overs? This thread has become a real pissing contest.

Bob

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Bob In Ct

Do the ERA cars have the transverse front leaf spring like the originals or the inferior coil-overs? This thread has become a real pissing contest.

Bob

Well then I'll politely shut up. But I will mention to Jay that I think he would be shocked at how many people have examined my car and exclaimed "this is aluminum, isn't it?" even after running their hands under the lips, etc. I think for most car nuts (not just people) it is much more difficult than you would think to tell aluminum from plastic. I know, I know... you probably don't believe that, but it's true.

[Cashburn]

Originally Posted by patrickt

ERA is the clear choice if, for whatever reason, an aluminum body is not important to you. To some people, it is very important... just like to some people the Shelby name is very important.

Again, it is not a clear choice. It was for you, but I think many would disagree. It makes no difference to me, other than adding to the discussion and getting to the bottom of the superiority claims (or complex perhaps).

[Cashburn]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Well then I'll politely shut up. But I will mention to Jay that I think he would be shocked at how many people have examined my car and exclaimed "this is aluminum, isn't it?" even after running their hands under the lips, etc. I think for most car nuts (not just people) it is much more difficult than you would think to tell aluminum from plastic. I know, I know... you probably don't believe that, but it's true.

Not shocked at all, but they would say the same thing to a bunch of other "replicas" because they don't know... as they proved to you. You wanted a time machine and you got the full experience (aside from some significant telling features). Don't pretend it's at the top of the heap though

[Excaliber]

Oh I wouldn't call it a pissing contest, just another day at the office. No doubt I personally would go with Kirkham over ERA, PRICE being the major factor there.

But I'd rather walk than own some of the replica's I've seen, even if you gave me them for free.

I see Kirkham has recently adopted CV joint axles, I'm disappointed, another move toward modernization is better I guess. Sigh,,,

No question there IS a pecking order among the various manufacturers. All though some may adjust where any given one lands on the chart, most would agree to the basic premise. Shelby, Kirkham, ERA, oops, I mean SPF, uh oh...

[Cashburn]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

Oh I wouldn't call it a pissing contest, just another day at the office. No doubt I personally would go with Kirkham over ERA, PRICE being the major factor there.

But I'd rather walk than own some of the replica's I've seen, even if you gave me them for free.

I see Kirkham has recently adopted CV joint axles, I'm disappointed, another move toward modernization is better I guess. Sigh,,,

That's why there should be another topic on the comparison, I don't think the price difference will be significant (at that level) once you factor in all the options of one brand and having them assemble it too.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by Bob In Ct

This thread has become a real pissing contest.

Bob

It sure has, I wonder what the original thread post must think of Cobra owners after he asked a few simple questions and had it blow up into what it has. Buy or build, big block or small block, one manufacturer over another is all a very personal choice that the thread starter must now decide on. I do wish him the very best regardless of which car/kit/manufacturer he chooses, why, simple, because when all is said and done we'll have another cobra owner on the forum.

Yours In Fords,

Bill S.