New Leaf Spring 289 Just Finished

[Riverside racer]

"I'll jump in on this, but I believe you probably already know the story. It's the COCOA windshield decal. I think I sent you some."

Correct Jeff, You did, but I was so impressed by the quality that I was sure some other owners would firstly like to know the story and secondly would like to own one.
Best,
Ross

[legenmetals]

Sooooo! where does the line start for a decal?

[Armrer]

Hey,

Just PM me, and I'll get you taken car of!

[LMH]

Armrer has done a couple updates and thought you guys would like to see them. Made a Lucas DB10 a little wider and covered the factory relays with it. Pretty cool!
Larry

[LMH]

Restored grease gun installed and restored jack installed. Jack handles on the right too!
Larry

[LightNFast]

Larry,
Thanks for posting the photos... that really is pretty cool!

Armrer,
I'd be interested in an Lucas DB10 conversion kit. If you're up for it please tell us more about it, or just PM me.

Thanks

[1985 CCX]

Awesome.........

[my427cobra]

Once again - spectacular!

Cheers
Greg

[Armrer]

Originally Posted by LightNFast

Larry,
Thanks for posting the photos... that really is pretty cool!

Armrer,
I'd be interested in an Lucas DB10 conversion kit. If you're up for it please tell us more about it, or just PM me.

Thanks

Sure thing, I can show all of the details and sources for it, so you can duplicate it. I have a day job, so making more to sell probably won't happen.

The engine bay needed a little vintage 'tuning' to hide the contemporary electronic relays and fuse box. I'll see if I can get Larry to graciously post images of the DB10 cover fabrication tonight.

If you like the relay cover, you're gonna LOVE the 'Lucas' fuse box cover I'll try to have Larry post those tonight as well. If you like that, I think I can sell a few of those for a decent price. You decide when you see the pics.

[era cobra]

Awesome Cobra.

[Armrer]

Thanks, ERA. Much appreciated

[LMH]

Here's some pics of the DB10 modification . Pretty cool!
Larry

Cut and splice together two boxes:


Clamp:


Weld:







Dummy harness:

[Armrer]

Thanks for posting the pics, Larry! Above images show the Lucas DB10 (available from XKs Unlimited, etc.).

I bought 2, removed the covers and cut & spliced them to cover the SPF relays as a single cover wasn't quite long enough. After cutting the mounting ears off the relay base, I Tig welded the cover halves together, filled unused stamped letters, and welded the ears to the inside of the new stretched cover along with some dummy fastener heads.

I bonded some strong magnets (found at Lowe's furniture hardware section) with Contact cement to the front of the relay housing. The thickness of the magnets juuuust contact the cover. I added a dummy wire loom to the firewall with 2 sided Wirth emblem tape.

I painted the cover after the mods with silver aerosol, and added a schematic inside for road-side relay I.D. to finish it off

[LMH]

Here's the one with the schematic inside. It slipped past me when posting!
Larry

[acinider]

This is such a beautiful build! Seeing the ERA and SPF slab-sides has definitely cemented my decision to build one of these for my next project. I really enjoy how you built-in the period details and replicated a street car instead of a comp.

How was the assembly? Were most/all of the hardware items included and did everything mate together well?

Thanks for posting the detailed pictures and enjoy her on the road!

Brent

[1985 CCX]

Bravo!
Great work

[Armrer]

Originally Posted by acinider

This is such a beautiful build! Seeing the ERA and SPF slab-sides has definitely cemented my decision to build one of these for my next project. I really enjoy how you built-in the period details and replicated a street car instead of a comp.

How was the assembly? Were most/all of the hardware items included and did everything mate together well?

Thanks for posting the detailed pictures and enjoy her on the road!

Brent

Hey Brent,

Thanks for the compliments on the car. Yes, the ERA and the SPF 289s are pretty spectacular. I can't speak to the ERA, as I have no experience with them other than looking at them, but the SPF is straight up. Ross Henry and Blas Costagli (who chip in often here) put together a very comprehensive SPF build manual full of details and options.

I always admired the 289 since I was a kid. Later in life, after a driving a few original CSX 289s, well.. let's just say "I got it'. A total joy to drive, not finicky and full of driving pleasure not easily found in other sports 'icons' of the period. Guess that's why they have such a rabid following

I recommend researching the manual, talk to other owners and see what they did for engine and transmission choices. Compare that to the driving experience you expect. Be realistic in horsepower choice. Many owners regret putting too much horsepower/ carburetor on the car.

Webers are sexy as hell, but for (almost) daily driving they are expensive and high maintenance. The biggest tire you can put on the rear of the street slab is a 205. Anything over 350 hp is a huge waste, and possibly hazardous. Stay in the 350 range, and it will reward you. That's what the car was set up for originally (close, 271 hp), and it became a legend.

[Armrer]

Originally Posted by 1985 CCX

Bravo!
Great work

Thanks, Jeff. Coming from you, that's a tall compliment-

[Mark IV]

Originally Posted by acinider

This is such a beautiful build! Seeing the ERA and SPF slab-sides has definitely cemented my decision to build one of these for my next project. I really enjoy how you built-in the period details and replicated a street car instead of a comp.

How was the assembly? Were most/all of the hardware items included and did everything mate together well?

Thanks for posting the detailed pictures and enjoy her on the road!

Brent

The Superformance product comes a "roller" completely assembled, brakes bled, wired, etc. The only assembly is the powertrain installation.

Here are some pictures of how the chassis arrives to the dealer:

[LMH]

Here's one thats really cool! Note the factory fuse box on the firewall:




Armrer came up with this as a cover for it. Here's how it came about:












Is that cool or what?!!
Larry