[ERA Chas]

The forum has definitely changed, in content and demographics.

In the years before SPF's, KMP's and CSX (replicas), there was a much great exchange of technical info because the 'pioneer' cars required it. Arntz, CCX, ERA, Shell, Unique, Midstates and a few others required a more hands-on build experience and guys came here to ask questions (me) and share solutions (me). The cars were much more elemental then than factory assembled cars now.

You didn't see any 'Which kit should I buy?', 'What do I have here?', 'Corvette or Cobra?' threads then. Guys had a better technical understanding of the cars and educated themselves much more before jumping in. I retch when I see threads that start, 'I just bought this and tell me what it is and what's in it'...

Great builds and modifications came from guys like Decooney (Jag rear improvement) Chuck's Garage (ERA build and undercar exhaust), Buckley, Roscoe, Hal Copple, Turk and more I can't remember who are essentially gone now. Beautiful work from the K bros. is a treat but mostly not available because they're bought that way, not constructed by the owner. Morris' KMP 186 build was a tour-de-force but sadly few and far between.

Simply stated, there are many fewer hands-on guys now. I know, I know - every one that can afford one is free to enjoy it any way they please. You get plenty of 'which armrest' and 'floor mat' threads from them. Not many going to driving schools or have prior race experience though.

The 'buy-it now crowd' has no tech to add, only questions to ask. Which would be fine, except few have the depth of understanding and experience to comprehend the answers. Engine builders have to run businesses and their input is welcomed by tech-heads but understandably scarce. Builders like Clayton and the KMP bros again, have livings to make. We're lucky to have Putnam but he's much more burdened than ever before so we get less of him. Losing Richard Hudgins and less of JacMac was a sad loss for tech lovers. Kris Kincade has no stomach for what this has become on CC I guess-a loss far as I'm concerned.

An improvement in content (for me) has been the leap in FE development and Windsor tech. Clutches and trans' like the TKO 600 have been similar improvements.

A step backward (again for me) has been the CSX snobbery which has essentially crystallized the 'class-based' pecking order of manufacturers. CSX's are fine cars-er, HST CSX's-no wait African CSX's-or is it Vegas or Malta CSX's...one of 'em is! Endless speculation about their values, continuation, 'genuineness' and pedigree are not only lame but do nothing to advance the concept that all Cobras is what brings us here. We're a really small group in the automotive world and should all carry that pride around. We all have 'big d!cks' not some of us bigger than others in my view.

Advice and step-by-step can still be found here which is as it should be for noobs and experienced alike. But my biggest criteria for acceptance is relevance and credibility of the giver. I hate advice given by someone wanting to be an 'authority' on all matters-unless he's been a professional in this business. Sharing info is great but when I do, I do so with the caveat that someone else can always show me a better way. I'd really rather learn than preach. Everybody's got opinions but they should be based on user experience when given, not second-hand or web-based prattle. Countless dyno debates and knock-off threads are examples. Second-hand information when presented as such should direct the reader to form his own opinion as to it's value. But don't present it as fact because it doesn't help those that asked for it.

There are probably exceptions to every point I made but painting with this broad brush is a comprehensive view of my seven years here. Feel free to disagree or ignore.