In the market for a kit

[KrackShotKarl]

[quote=patrickt;1143894]) If you decide to go with an ERA, it's pretty straight forward on how to fit you.

I have recently sat in a ERA Cobra, and it was to say the least, a really tight fit! The owner did say that he could move the peddles back another 3-4 inches, but I highly doubt that would be enough to make it comfy. So might I inquire as to how you made yours suited to fit men of our stature? Also, I would like to add that the color choice on your Cobra is quite nice! Well done!

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by KrackShotKarl

...I would like to add that the color choice on your Cobra is quite nice! Well done!

Well thank you very much. That is an off-beige, in case you were wondering. It's a favorite of ERAChas as well.

Originally Posted by KrackShotKarl

So might I inquire as to how you made yours suited to fit men of our stature?

When I flew up to ERA, over six years ago, for what they call a "butt-in-seat" test, I sat in Peter P.'s (the head honcho) own personal ERA. My knees barely fit under the wheel and I looked right over the top of the windshield. I thought to myself "this is never gonna work." However, after working with the folks up there, the car fits me like a glove. Here is what was done:

1) Minimal seat cushioning (they custom make their own seats); driver's seat moved back; angled slightly and bolted directly to the floor -- no sliding rails.

2) 15" Moto-Lita wheel shimmed at the proper angle to fit my sitting/steering position while still looking proper.

3) Special, larger clutch master cylinder used that allows the pedals to be moved forward an extra couple of inches.

4) More room was built in to the footboxes starting with ERA #731 (one car before mine) -- that helped as well.

Don't discount the need for a "butt-in-seat" test -- it's pretty important. Depending on whether your height is between your feet and knees, knees and butt, or butt to head all makes a difference in how it's done.

[AL427SBF]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Karl, I'm the same height as you, but you've got a good 30lbs on me. Muscle, no doubt. If you decide to go with an ERA, it's pretty straight forward on how to fit you. I always post this shot of me when someone asks about fitting a tall person in to an ERA Cobra. This same shot is also on the ERA web site.

What you don't see, because of careful planning no doubt, is patrickt's knees buried in his chest

[Rickd]

Krakshot. Welcome to the world of cobras. I've wanted one since Mechanics Illustrated had the photos in - I believe - 1964 - and those were on my wall as a high school senior!! Wanted an ERA since I discovered them about 12 years ago. But I started with a used Unique FIA about 5 years ago. Kept it for 2 years and sold it to order a turnkey ERA FIA. Visited the factory in Ct. 4 times during the build (frequent flyer miles come in handy).

ERA has custom fitted some cars for guys bigger than you. Things like pedal position all the way forward, using a racing seat vs the more heavily padded street seat, and seat position "all the way back". Since they build them from scratch - they can modify the drivers foot well if necessary to have pedals moved even further forward.

I have the "street dropped dash" in mine - and that takes away a little bit of clearance. A racing dash is slightly shorter in height. I would strongly recommend visiting the factory in Ct. Definitely (in my opinion) the best quality overall fibreglass cobra replica on the market.

[PDUB]

No doubt ERA is an awsome ride. I'd have one if I didn't have a Unique.

Check out pgermond, a Kaulifornia guy over on the Unique Forums... I think he is in your size range, and he is a great guy. Also, it's a really good place to go to get info, ideas, insight, and answers to your questions about the products and services offered by Unique. The owners of the company will talk with you there...

[Bill Bess]

Krakshot, after reading all the posts here I do agree that the Coaches Hurricane is the deal, but I'm saying that because I built my own Hurricane.
I researched most of the Replicas out there and most are very good, it really depends on how much work you want to do. Money wise..buy used you will save about $10,000 bucks over building yourself. ERA's are very good machines and have great resale, the Hurricane kit is the most complete Kit, very authentic and easy to build, they also will install engine mounts for whatever engine you want. These two cars were my top choices for me after all the research.
Truthfully, just buy or build the cobra you like most and you'll be happy and proud.
Bill
I'm pushing 14,000 miles on my car and it runs like a fine tuned watch.

[Dwight]

Coach build his Hurricane in my garage and I helped a little. I kept a mental cost of his build. As parts came in I would ask what he paid. I stopped at $56,000.

Coach's Cobra has got to be one of the best deals going.

Several Cobras have been purchased in our area in the last year or so. They are not cheaper, they do not have the motor, tires, wheels, etc that Coach's car has. When you add up the cost of all the parts, the Hurricane is the best buy. And they needed a little work on them.

I don't understand why this car has not sold. Is it the color? Brand? What?

And this Cobra run great, I would drive to California in it. And back, with the hardtop on, of course.


Dwight

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

This guy said he and his wife wanted to BUILD their own Cobra. Why would everyone & their uncle want to sell him one already built? Give him the info he requested. He realizes the rewards in building his own car. Tell him your BUILD experiences with the Cobra YOU built.

[Dwight]

We watch the Cobra market and see that you can buy a great Cobra for half of what it would cost you to build it. Pick the color, motor, trannie, brand you like and buy used. Spend all the money you saved on changing the things you don't like, a lot easier that a full build.

And you can drive it while you make your changes.

Best of both worlds.
I have a B&B in my shop that a guy bought and plans on spending a couple of thousand on maintaine items and a few changes. He will be driving it next month.
There are a few guys that can not and will not buy used, they must build their "own" Cobra. I'm one of those guys.
But the best buy in this Cobra market is a good use one.
Dwight

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

Dwight, that's not what he asked. I realize what you're saying, but he asked for build info. When I decided to build my own car, my mind was made up. I didn't want someone else's car.

[elmariachi]

Oh it gets better. In addition to the novel requirement that one must own a Hurricane to be a member of the Hurricane Owner's Forum, you should also know that we are also all members of the Bohemian Club and we all have Black American Express cards. Weaving Spiders Come Not Here.

[onetrackrider]

KrackShotKarl,
PM sent....

[eschaider]

KrackShot,

To your original desire to use an 03/04 Terminator powertrain, I think you will be very happy. Those engines can easily put over 600 RWHP to the ground and have a table flat torque curve from below 2000 rpm all the way to redline. They will cruise on the highway below 2000 rpm without bucking and farting or other unpleasantries - and deliver 25 mpg when your foot is not in it. When you are on the loud pedal it is an 8 mpg or so experience.

Like all high powered Cobra's you will have to be attentive in first second and third gear. Because the torque curve is so flat and so early it is quite easy to light the tires without intending to. This usually leads to all type of squirrely behavior that only is a problem in traffic or near trees and other such items. Big rubber in the back will go a long way to moderating the problem but in the end it will always be your responsibility.

The Terminator engine is massive in size. It is actually larger (only slightly) than a 427 SOHC. That's the bad news. The good news is that if you use an aluminum block the engine, size not withstanding, it is as light as a SBF. Mine with a Whipple weighs in at 450 lbs. This makes for a nice light car with stunning throttle response.

Because of a lot of things, including size, the 03/04 Terminators only fit a few cars easily. They can be made to fit any Cobra if you are willing to do some fabrication and modification to accommodate their size. That I am aware of Factory Five, BDR and Superformance have chassis specifically built to accept the engine and also have installation kits with stuff like mounts and headers to match up with the side pipes. There may be other manufacturers today.

When you open your 'bonnet' you will literally be greeted by wall to wall engine with a blower mounted top center just where you intuitively though it ought to be. When it comes time to resell the car (if that time ever comes) the more traditional SB Windsor and BB FE powered cars could easily be more attractive to your buyers especially if originality is important to them.

When you choose to build a Terminator powered Cobra you are straying from the beaten path and building just for yourself - which is OK. You just want to go into it with your eyes wide open. The 03/04 Terminator engine will be unlike any performance engine you have ever experienced before.

Ed

p.s. The Terminator engine does have the right DNA though, after all it came from a modern day Cobra ...

[KrackShotKarl]

@eschaider- You've hit upon my reasoning for posting on here, and that is, I want to make MY OWN Cobra, I don't want to buy anyone else's. The wife and I have brain stormed over how we want this car, everything from color to rubber, and frankly, I didn't check on this site for some weeks due to people arguing about light and dark sides or what have you, I honestly just want to hear what people liked and didn't like about there builds, that will tell me more than someone telling me what they think it would be like to build another model they haven't. So thank you for reading my post!