how to finish my cobra?

[DrC]

Spoke to Pete at ERA yesterday. My Cobra will be ready for delivery in about three weeks (I've been waiting for 6 months). He and I decided for ERA to complete in what Pete described as the "scrub" work ( I think that's the term he used) which include dropping in the engine and transmission, the front and rear ends brakes and brake lines. I will complete the rest of the car. I am VERY excited about completing the rest of the work. I have never attempted something like this before. A lot of people assured me that it will be easy. I know what ERA will supply me in terms of a manual which will be great, but does anyone have any advise or have come across "tricks" that will help me with my build? Any special tools that may come in handy? Thanks Rich

[S_Beaudry]

Well, I do not have an ERA but......

Someone told you that building a Cobra is easy?

Building a soap box derby car is easy, building a Cobra is hard!

As I curse that thing in my garage......

[chuckbrandt]

I had ERA assemble my car to a roller. I think that is what you did except you also had them put in the engine and trans.

I have put a lot of the day to day effort on my website, if you are really bored you might want to check it out.

www.chuckbrandt.com

I just now finished the carpet, other than having the top fit I'd have to say I'm pretty much done. The carpet was pretty easy, everything fit well and is well made.

If you have any specific questions when you get started don't hesitate to contact me.

Chuck

[Steve Riley]

Boy, you're gonna wanna use a tool on whoever told this kind of project is easy! It's not. It takes a lot of work and effort, plus I got a large batch of help form the guys on this site!
Steve

[chuckbrandt]

I would not say it's easy, but there is really no use in scaring you at the point you are most excited about the project.

But ERA puts out a decent manual and if you read it and follow the instructions most people can get the job done.

There will be countless issues and challenges as you go through it, but evidently you like that sort of thing or you'd buy a regular car. My best advice is to ask questions here when these issues arise. Most likely someone here has had the same issue and can help.

Having ERA assemble the car to the extent you have will save a lot of time and some mis-steps.

Here are some tips I've thought of:

Get the big fan if you are not going to run the front fans.
If you are considering undercar exhaust and the outboard brakes rear suspension there are issues you need to be aware of. PM me or read my site.

Chuck

[DrC]

I hear what everyone has said. I'm not daunted by the challenge of this build, thats why I chose to go through with it. I always like to continue to challenge myself. When I said "easy" that was in relative terms. If it was EASY everyone would be building from scratch. This WILL be a project. What I'm looking for from members is the BEST way to do it to have great and predictable outcomes or as close to those peramiters as possible. So if anyone has suggestions on how to have a great, reliable, safe build please give me your thoughts. If I need a specific question answered I will post my delema and will be positive an answer will be forth coming from a member of CC. Thanks for everything.

rich

[strictlypersonl]

DrC,

Don't be intimidated by what the owners of other kits say.

The ERA kit does not require that you design, invent or fabricate anything. What you do have to do is assemble more-or-less standard mechanical bits correctly, or have an expert do it for you.
If you have questions about engine, trans or suspension, we are just a phone call away. But, read the manual or check here first please...

The good thing about these cars is that the original was a pretty basic vehicle. If you keep it simple, the project is relatively straightforward. Don't think that you will have to do everything that's listed in the manual either. It is also a service manual, and therefore covers many things that you will not have to deal with when you put your kit together. About half the manual procedures are built into the standard kit - especially if you get the bonded-body option.

I haven't had a chance to do a good "tour" of the 427 kit, but this FIA tour will give you an idea of how you recieve an ERA kit. Kit Tour

Have patience.

And fun, too.

[sharpe 1]

don't let any one scare you. The cars are challanging to build,but a lot of them have been put together by people with limited mechanical skills and have had great results.Enjoy the build !

[USrowboy]

I got a roller and did the body work myself. I had limited experience in that. Patience made for a pretty good finish. I have zero understanding of wiring and did it all myself with the manual and an occasional call or email to Bob or Dave. With the engine and trans in, it might be a little tough to do the dash wiring but you'll manage. EVERYTHING is in the manual. Walk the process through in your mind first with the parts in front of you and you'll probably avoid having to disassemble and reassemble, but it's all just that, assembling....no fabrication. Take your time, enjoy the journey. You'll be driving it soon enough. Have fun.

[Tongue Pirate]

Take your time & have fun. The wiring wasn't bad. There were some points where I wish I had smaller fingers to get up under the dash but most of it was with the dash out & then in my lap. Everything is layed out in the book & matched for assembly. Kinda like a lif size model car. YOu sound like a patient person, you'll be fine. If you have any specific questions there are many of us here who will be happy to jump in & help you with any questions you may have! Good luck!

[DrC]

Thanks Hyde,

Thats the kind of responce I was looking for. I know the guys at ERA will be there as soon as I call but the idea of "tight" quarters give me an insight of what too expect. Again I feel I chose the best replica out there, got great suggestions from Peter P and the crew at ERA. My post was simply what did others find in there build and how they handled it. So thanks Hyde for the insight and if anyone else has simular insight fire away. If not I will keep you posted.

Rich

[Tongue Pirate]

What number is your car? What color scheme did you choose?

[Trueoo7]

Building a soap box derby car is easy, building a Cobra is hard!

Have you built a winning soap box derby car lately? Believe me, thats no easy task either. Talk about cut throat competition.

True

[Tongue Pirate]

Hard? I don't know about that. I rebuilt a 59' coupe deville from the ground up placing a BB Chevy in for a power plant. That was hard. A cobra like this is a walk in the park compared to that.