ERA or Superperformance 427 Thoughts and Observations

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Learjockey1

My question, is it better to wait and pay a bit more for the ERA or just get one of the many reasonable priced readily available SPF’s already powered with a Roush and overdrive 5th gear TKO?

As much as I love ERAs, you have to remember that not all ERAs are built by the guys there in New Britain. An ERA built by someone else may be as good, but it will never be "better," and it might not be "as good" either (if I had built ERA732 it would not be nearly as nice as it is now). Just keep that in mind. If you're seriously going to track your car hard, then you might appreciate the additional strength of the ERA frame and their outboard braked rear. You have to run the car pretty hard to notice the difference. I'm going to put all that aside though and point out a few words in your question: "or just get one of the many reasonable priced readily available SPF’s...." Remember that a lot of the "Cobra experience" is getting what makes you happy. From your question alone, I would say that if you "just settled for an easily available SPF," you would not be happy. I think you've already made up your mind, you just need "reinforcement."

[*13*]

Originally Posted by patrickt

As much as I love ERAs, you have to remember that not all ERAs are built by the guys there in New Britain. An ERA built by someone else may be as good, but it will never be "better," and it might not be "as good" either (if I had built ERA732 it would not be nearly as nice as it is now). Just keep that in mind.

I'm not going to argue patrickt's point. In theory he is correct. Having built my own I know first hand that a guy with some restoration experience, familiarity with most parts of an automobile & tools who can follow directions would have a tough time screwing one of these cars up if he is detail oriented & let ERA or a highly skilled individual take car of a few key items. #1. Let ERA Powder & Bond Body to Frame. #2.Buy full rear suspension from ERA. #3. Body & Paint. I am somewhat skilled at bodywork. I took my time & knew that someone else locally would not get the result & was after so I took it on myself. I am happy with it but I now know what it takes to work with a fiberglass body & this particular body in general. If you desire a "show car" finish or know you do not have the patience to get the results you desire, have the ERA friendly paint guy do the work. Fiberglass bodies have certain details that need to be addressed & someone who paints as many ERA's as this guy does will know how to bring out every nuance & address every idiosyncrasy that is involved in dealing with Fiberglass.