SPF #1050--major spf changes since 2001

Tday · #1 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 02:32 PM

Am looking hard at SPF #1050...built in 2001...a beautiful and beautifully cared for car with 4K miles...

Are there major SPF changes since 2001 that you'd should care about if you were buying? I'm not asking about motor and transmission but the SPF part of the build.

Thanks, Tom

RedBarchetta · #2 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 05:17 PM

Tom, the changes over the years are subtle but could be significant depending on the buyer. This link explains the primary ones:

http://performanceunlimited.com/supe.../features.html

More recent cars have reverted back to the original, one-piece windscreens (yes...makes parts availability for guys like me better!), a completely different differential (no more T-Bird based 8.8 IRS but still an IRS), and the engine bays have been adapted to accommodate the width of modular engines. There's even a little stretch in the vertical portion of the cowl (for more hood clearance) that is very subtle and can only be noticed when the car is lined up to an earlier model. I have #747 (built very early 2000) and I have noticed that the hood scoop on my car is slight lower than the newer cars (and, quite honestly, looks more in touch with photos that I have seen of original Cobras).

There was a range of earlier cars (can't recall the sequence off hand) that experienced a rear suspension bushing recall of sorts (mine included). In the annals of SPF builds, that incident and a batch of cracking windscreens or delamination problems ("bad glass" that seemed to crack when barely breathed on) have all been long remedied. Also expect the parking brake on #1050 to be mostly useless/non-functioning, as they are prone to get out of adjustment quite easily (that too has been remedied with the newer cars).

The good news is that the SPF dealer network has always stood behind these issues. Buying an older car may not necessarily afford you that same level of attention, but the dealers do want your parts business and they realize that, sooner or later, you'll end up upgrading and buying a new one. So they tend to treat us older owners quite well overall.

If you buy this particular car, join SCOF right away (a private Yahoo-based forum operated by an owner for the exclusive use of SPF owners). You can ask SPF-specific questions and other owners can offer helpful hints and possibly part # cross-references for most of the cars. "Blas" (CC and SCOF member) has also produced a wiring schematic for each "generation"...and it's priced very reasonably.

Good luck!

-Dean #747

ENTDOC · #3 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 05:31 PM

you better join the SCOF early since it seems to take weeks if not months to get a response to applying for membership and they do not answer emails.

Blas · #4 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 08:55 PM

#1050 also has the updated wiring harness. I guess you could call it the 2nd generation design. It is a great improvement in design from the original - 1st generation design, and very similar to the current 3rd generation version. But please note: There's nothing inherently wrong with any of the 3 versions of wiring of Superformance cars, just evolved over time.
I have all 3 versions available when you finally decide on a car. (see my gallery for sample screen shots)
While you are waiting for SCOF to sign you up (when you purchase a car) - just ask any questions here on the Club Cobra/SPF forum...you will get the same answers from may of the same people who are on SCOF...

Tday · #5 (**permalink**) 10-11-2007, 05:19 AM

Thanks, sounds like 1050 should be as good as it looks. Blas---thanks for the three wiring harness diagram pics in your gallery. I asked because a thread about a lower control arm rubbing on a guy's rotor talked of a mod to the arm. Got me thinking. Thanks again.

Control arm thread: Help - Lower Control Arm Rubbing on Rotor

JCoop · #6 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tday

Am looking hard at SPF #1050...built in 2001...a beautiful and beautifully cared for car with 4K miles...

Are there major SPF changes since 2001 that you'd should care about if you were buying? I'm not asking about motor and transmission but the SPF part of the build.

Thanks, Tom

Tom, I have #1052 and Dean is right on about the brakes. I tried adjusting and it worked marginally; but never on any sort of grade, however. I sprung for the $500 upgrade kit (driveshaft-mounted disc type). Other than that, I switched to poly motor mounts after the 460's torque kept breaking the RH exhaust mounts, switched to poly swaybar bushings, and S/S braided brake lines. Good luck!

wtm442 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 08:17 AM

Tom
I have #1049 and have not had any major problems. If the price is right ... buy it!

The emergency brake is a POS on all early SPF's but I did not spring for the $500 upgrade that adds the emg brake to the driveshaft. You will probably want to upgrade to the bigger rear sway bar if you do any spirited driving.

Also, if you do any high speed night driving, you might want to upgrade the headlights.

I got some from Olthoff, but have not installed them yet!

rob frink · #8 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 10:27 AM

.............

Madmiles442 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 05:22 PM

I got #867, year 2000, with 4000 miles on it 1 1/2 years ago and love it!!