Superformance Purchase Advise

kbrosmith · #1 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 07:39 AM

I'm about to purchase my first cobra. See the listing attached. Any advise or things to be wary of? Particular wear points?

Two things I know of :
1- the orginal engine mounts failed hence the reason the owner had them replaced. Any thing that sould concern me here?

2- Drivers side door drops a little ( about 1/4") when it is opened. Is this a simple hingle adjustment or could it be a result of sonthing more severe (bent frame)?

Any and all suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks looking forward to joining the club!!

http://www.clubcobra.com/classifieds...t=2219&cat=all

mrmustang · #2 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 07:50 AM

1: Concerns, I don't see why as the problem has been fixed, bad engine mounts happen from time to time (mostly a manufacturers defect), again nothing about that would concern me as a buyer.

2: All Cobra hinges have a tendency to drop when opened. This is due to the design of the hinge assembly itself. That and some people when getting in and out of their Cobras use the door (or worse, top of the windshield frame) as a balancing point for themselves. Does the door rub the body anywhere? If not, then I would not worry about that either.

Looks like a really nice car, and at a price point tough to beat.

Bill S.

kbrosmith · #3 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 08:01 AM

Thanks for the post.

The door rubs at the top such that there is some slight wear in the paint. It will definitely need to be addressed as I'm sure the wear would continue. Are the hinges easily adjustable?

RodgerH · #4 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 08:23 AM

As a Superformance owner, let me add a little.

First, yes the hinges and latch are fully adjustable. The proceed is fairly simple and fully explained in the manual. Not a big deal...I had to do this to my driver door once when I first received the car (new purchase). Probably should have been corrected by the dealer, but it wasn't a big deal so I did it myself. (One more lesson to help me better know my car!) No problems since then, but I NEVER push down on the doors when they are open.

Second, look at the poly motor mounts as an upgrade. The original motor/trans. mounts are rubber and designed to dampen out vibration. But in doing so, they can also allow a lot of movement...not a good thing in a high HP/torque installation....and fail. Many cobra (and other high performance car owners) have upgraded to poly mounts. I did so and was very happy that I did.

Rodger

madmaxx · #5 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 09:14 AM

It looks good and includes $2500 ss side pipes, WOW!!!. I replaced my POS rubber mounts with the polyurethanse since the side pipe would touch the opening under hard acceleration. Now no issues what so ever. SPF should come standard with them.

jwoodard · #6 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 10:51 AM

Just FYI, motor mounts are at the discretion of the installer/owner and are not provided by SPF as part of the roller.

madmaxx · #7 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 03:20 PM

are you sure??? when dynamic did my install i had the impression they came with the "factory" install kit. If you are right, it kinda pisses me off they stick a roush 427 in with those rubber sheet mounts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwoodard

Just FYI, motor mounts are at the discretion of the installer/owner and are not provided by SPF as part of the roller.

RodgerH · #8 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 05:12 PM

Superformance supplies (with the car) a Small Parts Kit and one of 3 Engine Mounting Kits (small block, 460 big block, FE).

Dynamic has (had?) a parts/accessory company called Snakebite Performance that sold (optional...separate item listed on your invoice) a Install Package that contained just about everything to complete the car that was not included in the kits supplied from Superformance.

The engine mount pedestals were part of the Superformance Engine Mounting Kit, the actual mounts were part of the Snakebite Install Kit.

Your installer (not Dynamic, they don't do installs...they can only sell rollers, not completed cars) probably used what came in the Snakebite Install Kit (rubber mounts)....unless you specifically told him to use something different.

Rodger

madmaxx · #9 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 05:25 PM

Thanks for the clarification. The proper pathforward for Superformance, is to only supply the polyurethane mounts. The proper path for any installer is to only supply the polyrethane mounts. The proper path for any individual installing their own engine and trans is to use polyurethane mounts. The 1972 olds delta 88 ruber town mounts are sheet and should have never been supplied with a superformance.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodgerH

Superformance supplies (with the car) a Small Parts Kit and one of 3 Engine Mounting Kits (small block, 460 big block, FE).

Dynamic has (had?) a parts/accessory company called Snakebite Performance that sold (optional...separate item listed on your invoice) a Install Package that contained just about everything to complete the car that was not included in the kits supplied from Superformance.

The engine mount pedestals were part of the Superformance Engine Mounting Kit, the actual mounts were part of the Snakebite Install Kit.

Your installer (not Dynamic, they don't do installs...they can only sell rollers, not completed cars) probably used what came in the Snakebite Install Kit (rubber mounts)....unless you specifically told him to use something different.

Rodger

madmaxx · #10 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 05:27 PM

On the engine mounts i had to modify/cut the part that the bolts go through to utilize the polyurethane, this would indicate that superformance planned on the rubber mounts being used. Sure they will give you the lilne of sheet drill a hole and put a bolt and nut to limit movement. Give me a fuking break, if that is the case let the drill the hole and jerry rig the car mount like a junk yard special.

Bob Malmen · #11 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 05:52 PM

I have seen this car, the owner is a Windy City Club member. From what I can tell it's in great shape.

Bob

RodgerH · #12 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 06:01 PM

Talking about poly engine mounts for the Superformance....

If you've got a small block, contact http://www.olthoff-racing.com/ for the good stuff.

If you've got a big block (460-based or FE), these are the trick: http://craigscobras.com/parts/mounts/index.htm

BTW, I believe Craig is the ONLY supplier of FE poly mounts for the Superformance. I just purchased a set to replace my rock-n-roll rubber mounts. They are truly impressive!

While we're talking Superformance-specific mounts, here's a bolt-on replacement poly mount to tie the tranny down: http://performanceunlimited.com/cobr...ransmount.html

Rodger

sparks · #13 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 07:19 PM

Dont think the small blocks can break the cheapo mounts, can they ?

CHRIS DAMSCH · #14 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 08:10 PM

Funny Joonier.

I've seen this car also a few times. It's in nice shape.

Bartruff1 · #15 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 09:13 PM

Get a complete workup...there is hope....if however you cannot be cured or put in remission...welcome to the madness...

kbrosmith · #16 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 09:44 PM

Thanks for all the posts. The car is in great shape, the deal is done, I'm thrilled with purchase. Looking forward to clocking some miles.

ekrupa2 · #17 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 06:42 AM

Congrats! Been 2 years with mine and every drive is just like the first. The poly mounts are an upgrade...but well worth the money. When you look at a Cobra you can usually tell what mounts it has by the glass near the sidepipes. If its cracked or scuffed the mounts are definitely not poly. I also changed the transmission mount as the one made in India supplied in my kit cracked after 500 miles. Doors are very easy to adjust btw.

Bob Malmen · #18 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 07:13 AM

Hey Joonier, I Broke the stock mounts twice with my little small block. The poly mounts from Dennis are rock solid. By the way I thought those big blocks were so heavy that they did not need motor mounts and were held in place by gravity.

TerrysSPF · #19 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 09:10 AM

I also know this car........because it used to be mine! Car is in terrific shape and Craig (sparks) took good care of it. The poly mounts were a definate upgrade (the original mounts were cracking). He also upgraded the side pipes over the stock SPF pipes that I had on it. I heard it really opened up the engine (that was built with all high quality parts) because it could finally breath better.
I kept the paint/body looking like new, and the full 3M nose protection was worth every penny. It's one of the cleanest SPF's I ever saw with that amount of miles on it because it didn't have the usual chips that you normally see around the nose, chin, and headlight areas once you get a few thousands miles on them.

I was sorry to see Craig letting go of it, especially after seeing how excited he was when he bought it, but I understand he's getting ready to start a new business and I wish my friend well in that endeavour.

Have fun with it kbrosmith! It's good to see her going to yet another good home.

RodKnock · #20 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TerrysSPF

I also know this car........because it used to me mine! Car is in terrific shape and Craig (sparks) took good care of it. The poly mounts were a definate upgrade (the original mounts were cracking). He also upgraded the side pipes over the stock SPF pipes that I had on it. I heard it really opened up the engine (that was built with all high quality parts) because it could finally breath better.
I kept the paint/body looking like new, and the full 3M nose protection was worth every penny. It's one of the cleanest SPF's I ever saw with that amount of miles on it because it didn't have the usual chips that you normally see around the nose, chin, and headlight areas once you get a few thousands miles on them.

I was sorry to see Craig letting go of it, especially after seeing how excited he was when he bought it, but I understand he's getting ready to start a new business and I wish my friend well in that endeavour.

Have fun with it kbrosmith! It's good to see her going to yet another good home.

That's very cool that it's staying "in the family." Congrats on the purchase!