Brett,
The suspension on the ebay Hybrid car is the same billet aluminum design we currently use on our 427 cars--AND it is identical to the suspension that came on the SEMA car. Nevertheless, the suspension is constantly evolving as we find better methods for manufacture, weight control (don't we all need some of that--it's a lot easier on a control arm than on me)
or geometrical improvements.
The geometry on our new billet suspension has been slightly modified from the original with beneficial effects. Nevertheless, the biggest effect on the handling of the car from our new suspension components is not from geometry changes, but from weight reduction. Our new suspension is over 60 lbs lighter than an original suspension--all unsrung mass. The original suspensions were amazingly heavy as they were made out of steel.
The body roll will be the same, (well, close), as a 427 car because we have not really modified the geometry that much. Much of the handling of the car depends on the engine you will be using. If you use a small block, I imagine (don't know, would have to ask Thomas) the CG of the car would be significantly different which would change the handleing of the car. In my experience with these cars, lighter is way better for the windy mountain roads. As you know, weight is critical to the handling of a car. The 289 car has a VERY primitave suspension, yet handled quite well despite the suspension problems. The same suspension with a 427 engine would have been an interesting ride.
I do know the small block cars do handle better in the 427 chassis than the big block cars. (No, that doesn't mean I would choose a BB over a SM--still love that torque).
The Shelby suspension, (from what I have seen in the past--they may have changed some things), is still a suspension based somewhat on the original. They have made some changes to the original, (whether or not they are significant depends on your point of view), but the suspension generally still looks and performs like the original. I believe they have changed the brakes away from the original Girlings as well.
(What I mean by significant is: Their suspensions wouldn't pass a concours test on an original Cobra, but geometrically they are still very close. I think one of the geometrical modifications they have made was to shorten the steering arm to quicken up the steering. Of course, they have also made the front, upper control arm adjustable which will have some effect on the geometry as well.) None of this should be taken as a negative comment on their suspensions--just giving you my opinion on what I see.
I am unfamiliar with the ERA suspensions. I believe they run upper and lower control arms in the front and use a Jag rear end in the rear--using the 1/2 shafts as the upper control arm. (Someone please correct me if I am wrong.)
Therefore, the rear suspensions of an ERA are quite different from ours--as ours (and Shelby's) has a true rear upper control arm with a plunging 1/2 shaft. If you use a Jaguar DIFFERENTIAL, (NOT JAGUAR REAR END) in our car, there is NO change to the geometry of the rear suspension. We ONLY use the differential. The suspension remains identical for the Jaguar differential cars as well as for the aluiminum differential cars.
As for the JBL, I really can't comment at all intelligently as I have never seen one in person. Also, I have not looked at the numbers, (geometry, roll centers, wheel rates, etc.), though I would like to.
Thanks for asking,
David
