ERA 289FIA On Order Today (again)

[66gtk]

Hey David,

Great choice and congratulations! 12 months may be optimistic, but quality takes time. It might be realistically closer to a 2 year wait, which gives you enough time to make and change your mind a few times on the details (:

My 2 cents (since you asked for it):
1. 302 stroker - great choice! My car actually has a 351W based stroker. Webers are cool, but a single carb is much easier.
2. Viking blue - another great choice! If you want to add any bling to the paint I would stick with the team stripe up front and roundels (if you want those).
3. ERA Jag rear is more than adequate for street use, as are the standard brakes. However, it seems a lot of the FIA owners select the competition brakes and ERA rear for their FIA cars. It depends on how you will use it and where you want to save your budget.
4. TKO 5 speed is a great choice with the 3.54 gears and a .82 5th.
5. Wheels - definitely go with the 6 PIN FIA style wheels. There is no visible difference from the 5 PIN, but this is money well spent not having to deal with adapters and such which can be problematic. Still, the 5 PIN is a good system and is a popular place to save a few bucks without any ill harm done.
6. Black accents (roll bar, quick jacks) are period correct compared to chrome, and the white exhaust is really racy and cool, especially with a white painted wheel. However, they are difficult to maintain. My vote would be black. Most good coaters will tell you that white has issues from the start with hot exhaust pieces that are intended to look nice for a while.
7. Leather seats are nice, but the vinyl is nice, too. Might be a good place to save some money, but if you want leather you are in good company. Might as well go with full carpeting and street interior, but I'd keep the dash the classic FIA comp style. That means Stewart Warner gauges, which will also save you money over the SMITHS and be period correct for your car.

Other:
Skip the top, but a tonneau cover is really nice in case it rains on you while you are out/parked somewhere. Get the ERA steering column. Get the sway bars, as they are inexpensive. Consider skipping the oil cooler. These are not needed on the street and tend to cause more issues than what they are supposed to resolve. With an oversized oil pan you will likely never have oil cooling NEEDS unless you are racing. You will have more trouble getting your oil properly warmed up in normal street use, especially if you want to drive on cooler days. You can also add an inline thermostat bypass, which you should most definitely do if you insist on installing the oil cooler. I love the trunk suitcase dimples option. It gives you a great story to tell admirers.

HAVE FUN with the process and be patient.

Congratulations again!
Troy


Sexy trunk dimples shown nicely below (:

[crendonman427sc]

Originally Posted by 66gtk

Hey David,

Great choice and congratulations! 12 months may be optimistic, but quality takes time. It might be realistically closer to a 2 year wait, which gives you enough time to make and change your mind a few times on the details (:

My 2 cents (since you asked for it):
1. 302 stroker - great choice! My car actually has a 351W based stroker. Webers are cool, but a single carb is much easier.
2. Viking blue - another great choice! If you want to add any bling to the paint I would stick with the team stripe up front and roundels (if you want those).
3. ERA Jag rear is more than adequate for street use, as are the standard brakes. However, it seems a lot of the FIA owners select the competition brakes and ERA rear for their FIA cars. It depends on how you will use it and where you want to save your budget.
4. TKO 5 speed is a great choice with the 3.54 gears and a .82 5th.
5. Wheels - definitely go with the 6 PIN FIA style wheels. There is no visible difference from the 5 PIN, but this is money well spent not having to deal with adapters and such which can be problematic. Still, the 5 PIN is a good system and is a popular place to save a few bucks without any ill harm done.
6. Black accents (roll bar, quick jacks) are period correct compared to chrome, and the white exhaust is really racy and cool, especially with a white painted wheel. However, they are difficult to maintain. My vote would be black. Most good coaters will tell you that white has issues from the start with hot exhaust pieces that are intended to look nice for a while.
7. Leather seats are nice, but the vinyl is nice, too. Might be a good place to save some money, but if you want leather you are in good company. Might as well go with full carpeting and street interior, but I'd keep the dash the classic FIA comp style. That means Stewart Warner gauges, which will also save you money over the SMITHS and be period correct for your car.

Other:
Skip the top, but a tonneau cover is really nice in case it rains on you while you are out/parked somewhere. Get the ERA steering column. Get the sway bars, as they are inexpensive. Consider skipping the oil cooler. These are not needed on the street and tend to cause more issues than what they are supposed to resolve. With an oversized oil pan you will likely never have oil cooling NEEDS unless you are racing. You will have more trouble getting your oil properly warmed up in normal street use, especially if you want to drive on cooler days. You can also add an inline thermostat bypass, which you should most definitely do if you insist on installing the oil cooler. I love the trunk suitcase dimples option. It gives you a great story to tell admirers.

HAVE FUN with the process and be patient.

Congratulations again!
Troy

Hi Troy,

Fantastic looking car you have there! Who did the Paint as I am painting before assembly.

Your input has been invaluable so I am updating the specification

SPECIFICATION (SO FAR)

ERA 289FIA – Viking Blue with Roundels - (Type and colour of Stripes undecided)
302 Stroker (Troy, I love your Engine) - can you stroke a 289? or otherwise I may go for the original 289 Cobra Engine with 8 stack webers from Cobra Automotive) - Comments Please
ERA Jag Rear End
Tremec TKO 500 (maybe TKO600 for cruising?
Wheels - 6 Pin Starburst (Black hub with natural rims)
All Quick Lifts/Roll Hoop and Brace Black
Side Exhausts (Black)
289FIA Comp Dashboard. (What was the finish to the original dashboards?(certainly not leather!!)?
Warner Gauges
Leather Seats (I’m an old man I need some comfort)
1/2 Carpet set (will leave some aluminium on view)
Standard Windshield (Chrome on Brass) where are the frames from US or UK??

If anyone else can suggest options or improvements please feel free to add your comments


Regards

David

[xb-60]

Hi Dave, and congratulations on ordering your ERA 289FIA.

Comments:
Viking Blue – perfect colour choice for an FIA or USRRC replica, and same choice as mine (it's an AP 289FIA)
(My engine is a 302, gearbox is a Toploader)
Wheels - is there another option other than the FIA style wheels? I had seriously considered painted matt black, but they look so good in their standard polished rims and silvery grey centres that they are staying that way. They really suit the blue body.
Agree that quick lifts, Roll over bar and brace should be black.
Dash – mine is a drop centre roadster dash, similar to a number of original USRRC cars, and also same as one that you might know of, COB6008.
Seats – why not leather? My upholsterer used 2 hides, at a cost of around $300 (for the hides), which also left enough for my leather covered dash. Leather smells great too. I have Smiths gauges too, but sounds like you’re going the more normal comp. dash route with SW gauges?
What about a genuine CSX-type Moto-Lita steering wheel?

Enjoy the anticipation!

Cheers,
Glen