SPF Owners- Time to Nitpick!

[RedBarchetta]

I've been hesitating to post on this thread, not so much to protect any one brand, but more so because anything that has gone wrong or wasn't exactly "right" has either been a by-product of usage or is a compromise that the factory has had to make to run a profitable, ongoing operation.

1. Agree that the cheap Wilwood two-piece remote clutch reservoir is a POS. Replaced that with a billet piece very early on. The factory could do better in this area but has chosen to stick with it because more have stayed sealed than have actually leaked.

2. The standard SB header design is well built, but the ports are designed as a one-size-fits-all. Unfortunately, most SPF buyers don't install a standard Ford cylinder head but either an Edlebrock Victor Jr. or AFRs. And, unfortunately, the port designs of both of these heads are quite different. So what you end up with is a rather restrictive header at the ports and the only fix is a custom header (and not cheap).

3. Same goes for the mufflers. 2" ID for the core is much too small for most applications. The factory could do itself a favor and redesign these to a minimum 2.5" ID, which would be a better compromise for SB vs BB. I don't think any manufacturer is going to spend $$ on tooling etc to offer multiple header pipe and sidepipe configurations, but offering a better base ID would be well received.

4. The cars have experienced consistent issues with the parking brake mechanisms. Very finicky to adjust properly, but the ones that have been adjusted the right way will hold the car on an incline. I believe the newer cars have resolved this issue.

Short of the usual stuff you experience with any Cobra (i.e. loosening bolts due to vibration, gauges that may fail due to the same conditions, etc.), the car is rock solid and worth every penny. I could easily list 20 things that are absolutely great with the car, but this thread is about nitpicking. If anyone's expectations of buying/owning a Cobra are that it's going to run perfect for the first 30K miles like any Honda off the showroom floor, then you're dreaming. It's the nature of the beast.

Having said that, I really like the build quality of the ERAs and given similar circumstances would consider looking more closely at them, too. It really comes down to how long you want to wait. ERA makes a really fine car. But so does SPF.

-Dean #747

[Jake]

Originally Posted by Silverback51

The only issue I have with mine, and it's an earlier car, # 532 from 1999 is that the inner left hand CV boot is to close to the frame. I cannot keep a clamp on it. It hits the frame and the clamp is ripped off.

My only other issue is that I did not buy it years ago when I first planned on it, so I could have been enjoying it all these years.

Silverback, I am having the same issue with the inside CV boot (My car was also built in 1999.) Olthoff is sending me a different style boot.

Jake

[Got the Bug]

Originally Posted by vanoochka

Hey Doug,

Happy holidays!

We are in the process of acquiring another, similiar company in Dallas, so I'm holding off on shipping the car until those negotiations conclude and we can decide where we will end up. Buffalo is now out, as we've figured out our operations (and I!) need be in a warm climate.

So, either Tampa or Dallas is in our future.

I'll be back in CA this weekend, and Milana can then figure this all out over the holidays. She's been pretty good about all these changes.

I feel like I'm living the Chinese curse: "May you live in interesting times."

Chuck

Hey Chuck,

Glad to hear you're gravitating towards a warmer location!

Happy Holiday's to you and Milana as well.

Sorry for the thread hi-jack guys....back to the nitpicking....

[JTD]

I love my SPF but prefer the shape of a CSX....more elegant.

[Great Asp]

I'm building my 3rd car.

Nuff said!

E

[LudicrousSpeed]

Gentlemen,

Thankyou for all the Great info, it is really appreciated!

[Sailfish]

madmaxx-----
As a repeat, long time Lexus owner I can attest to the amazing fit and finish, the ride, the comfort and the reliability. After all, these are what defines a Lexus. My Superformance is much the same. Not withstanding the three VERY MINOR issues that were easily and quickly resolved, the overall fit and finish, comfort and reliability, mirrors that of my Lexus. Granted, the ride is not that of a Lexus. But then, the Lexus doesn't have the 5 speed, loud exhaust, wide tires and blistering acceleration. Overall, I consider myself extremely fortunate to have both.

[madmaxx]

Sailfish,

I agree with your last comment, I just would not want anyone to beleive a Cobra is anything close to a dailey driver that can be safely driven all types of weather and distances. A cobra is you describe "5 speed, loud exhaust, wide tires and blistering acceleration", along with wind noise, exhaust smell, constant drolling by eveyone that sees one. I'll take a SPF even with some minor issues over any other cobra I have driven or own (8 cars total). The design of a SPF is very good, the quality control as far as the factory needs improvement.

I see you have 15 post, forgive my drug comment on my previous post, I thought you may have been a long time member like PatrickT. You will find out I am an ahole, LOL!!

[RPK]

Great comments..Can someone clarify the differences between the MK lll and the Coupe ?

[Got the Bug]

MK III is the covertible:

http://www.superformance.com/mkIII.aspx

The Coupe is the Cobra Daytona Coupe:

http://www.superformance.com/coupe.aspx

[PANAVIA]

I rebuilt an ERA, ERA is an OLD design using increasingly hard to find OLD CAR PARTS.

After building an ERA I bought a SPF. -- I like my SPF and would (probably will) buy another.

If I had it to do all over again, and probably will-- I would pull the complete wiring harness and redo it, the wire is made down to a price and not up to a standard.

My only SPF nitpick is that the wiring is seemingly cheap wire. --not as good as most of the repro classic car wiring out there and not as good as ford OEM wire. --and here is the biggie, not as nice as old british wire.

positive Battery cable to starter is soo oversized that it is obnoxious and hard to route properly. ( i ended up replacing it)

I wish you could order it slightly less completed....but other than that, I am a happy guy.

Steve

[RPK]

So if I`m looking at a 1999 Superformance convertible it " is " a MK lll model???

[CBattaglia]

The only thing that some what bothered me and this is really nit picking...

The quality of the carpet is not that great. The car is really built well. Rides far better than the old Vettes, which is how i expected it to ride. Not a squeak or rattle, a lot to be said for something that shakes like a helicopter !!

[Sailfish]

madmaxx---
I'll confess my Lexus is the vehicle of choice for longer distances, or inclement weather conditions. However, for anything under 300 miles in dry conditions above 55 degrees, the Cobra gets the nod.

And, in all honesty, my Superformance was absolutely amazing regarding fit and finish. No observable flaws, blemishes, squeaks, rattles, leaks, etc. Maybe I was just lucky, but so far, I'm extremely happy.

And not to worry about the drug comment-------------anyone who willingly spends the kind of money to buy a car that is totally unnecessary, hot in summer, cold in winter, noisy, craves gasoline, and doesn't have a radio, air conditioner or cup holder either has to be crazy or under the influence!

[RedBarchetta]

Originally Posted by CBattaglia

The quality of the carpet is not that great.

Not to pick on you, but I wonder if the buyers of ORIGINAL Cobras said this to Carroll?

[TimM]

My SPF (1314) has one minor paint issue, some tiny bubbles on the front right fender. To really nitpick, the guage lights are too dim, and the pedals are shifted over to the left. That's about it. It is amazingly well put together. It goes over bumps with the solidness of a Benz, and the fit and finish are indeed Lexus-like.

[PANAVIA]

Dean, If original cobra owners nitpicked like this-- he would have sued them already.

[thudmaster]

RPK...........yes

[Threebrand]

I've got #258 so she's been around awhile. After 10 years she is as tight and rattle free as new. Frame is super stiff and she is subjected to extracurricular activity from time to time if you know what I mean. Rock solid at 130+mph (race track of course). If I were to buy again I would only consider a Kirkham, otherwise its another Superformance for me.

[Terry Brown]

Thudmaster:

Ed, why don't you unload that Jag and join the Brotherhood again?