Excalibur Owners: Please Reply! - Page 5

B. SMITH · #1 (**permalink**) 08-28-2002, 04:56 PM

I HAVE EXCALIBUR #121. IT IS A 1996, 302 HD TRUCK BLOCK WITH A KENNE BELL SUPERCHARGER, NOW 450 HP, 3.73, 8.8 REAR, 5 SP W .68 OD IN 5TH, AIR COND. RED WITH BLACK LEATHER, ETC. IT HAS BEEN A FUN CAR, 10000 MILES AND LOTS OF AVAILABLE SUPPORT FROM KENNE BELL. THE GUYS AT EXCALIBUR IN MILWAKEE TOLD US 165 CARS WERE PRODUCED. HE ALSO REMEMBERED TESTING MY CAR WITH THE BLOWER. GOOD PEOPLE. THEY STILL LOVE CARS. MUCH MORE FUN THAN THE TRAILERS THEY NOW BUILD.
I ALSO RECOMMEND UNIQUE COBRA, GADSTEN AL, MY FIRST SNAKE. GREAT CAR, GREAT SUPPORT.
I AM IN LIGHTHOUSE POINT, SOUTH FL AND WOULD ATTEND AN EVENT IN CENTRAL FL.
NICE TO SEE THE LOST EXCALIBURS SURFACING, B. SMITH

Excaliber · #2 (**permalink**) 08-29-2002, 12:36 AM

Wow, I been trying to find out how many Excalibur Cobras were built forever! So, it looks like 165! Interesting! I was told when I bought mine it wouldn't do that well in an SCCA event. But I'm holding my own and finding the car does very well indeed!

A super charger! Very cool, I want one, ha ha.

Ernie

BLACKJACK · #3 (**permalink**) 09-04-2002, 07:47 PM

HI, GUYS:

MY EXCALIBUR IS A 1995 - PROBABLY AN EARLY ONE BECAUSE IT HAS A '94 ENGINE.

OTHER POSTS ON THIS THREAD INDICATED THAT SOME OF THE FRONT BRAKES ARE FROM A 1979 GRENADA AND ANOTHER MENTIONED A 1982 MUSTANG V-8.

I APPARENTLY HAVE NEITHER.

I HAVE A FRONT BRAKE THAT IS "DRAGGING" AND SPREADING BLACK SOOT ON THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL. (WHILE AT THE SAME TIME WEARING DOWN THE PADS). MY MECHANIC SAID THE CALIPER WAS THE PROBLEM BUT IT IS DEFINATELY NOT FROM A MUSTANG OR A GRENADA.

IT IS A FOUR PISTON STAINLESS STEEL CALIPER. HE SAYS IT'S REBUILDABLE IF WE CAN DETERMINE WHAT KIT TO ORDER TO REBUILD IT.

ANY ADVICE OR RECOMMENDATIONS HERE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

THANKS, AND, Y'ALL HAVE A REALLY GREAT DAY.

BLACKJACK

ohekk · #4 (**permalink**) 09-04-2002, 08:39 PM

Cobraeric in Germany had similar situation and found the calipers
to be Wilwood.

Tom

Excaliber · #5 (**permalink**) 09-04-2002, 09:18 PM

Blackjack, Haven't seen you post in awhile. I guess things are getting better around your house!

Still don't know what calipers I DID have, but replaced them with Wilwood. The old were polished aluminum (looks like stainless steel, maybe it was?). Four piston Wilwoods just like the old ones. Mine were dragging also! I was able to get a diagram off their web site that showed the deminsions (thickness, mounting holes, etc.) sure enough, it was an EXACT match. I ordered pads, brake fluid and calipers for about $380 bucks. Wilwood refered me to a "dealer" in Calif. to make the actual purchase. Man, these new brakes are great!

Front end was a "little" to low. Got new 1978 Mustang II coil springs for a V-6 with AC. Then CUT them down to 10" in height (or same height as the old springs in other words). This raised the car by 1/2 to 3/4" in ride height. I suspect the OLD springs were "sagging". Now it's perfect, I JUST clear the speed bumps around my house! AND, the car handles better than ever!
Ernie

Anyone know what springs fit the back? Mine have a tag that says 150 lbs, which is WAY to weak.

94 model with a 93 engine.

Excaliber · #6 (**permalink**) 09-04-2002, 11:25 PM

ALOYS sent me these pics of his Excalibur Hard Top. I had to "cut them down to size" in order to post.

Excaliber · #7 (**permalink**) 09-04-2002, 11:31 PM

From the rear. Cool wrap around back glass (or what ever it is).

BLACKJACK · #8 (**permalink**) 09-10-2002, 09:55 AM

HI,

IN YOUR RECENT POST YOU DESCRIBED YOUR 1996 EXCALIBUR AS HAVING A 302 TRUCK BLOCK AND HAVING A/C.

MY 1995 HAS A 302 HO ENGINE WITH A/C AND WE TRIED TO INSTALL A KENNE-BELL. IT FIT THE ENGINE JUST FINE BUT THE HOOD WOULD NOT COME CLOSE TO CLOSING (LACKED ABOUT 4 INCHES AT THE REAR OF CLOSING).

WE DISCUSSED ALTERING THE HOOD BUT DECIDED THAT LITTLE SHORT OF "BUTCHERING" IT WOULD MAKE IT FIT.

* * IS THE TRUCK ENGINE LOWER THAN THE 302 HO ???

* * DID YOU HAVE TO MODIFY THE HOOD AT ALL ???

* * HOW IN THE WORLD DID YOU GET IT TO FIT ???

* * IS YOUR MECHANICS NAME MR. HOUDINI ???

I'D LOVE TO INSTALL A KENNE-BELL IN MY EXCALIBUR

THE SHOP I USE WAS NICE ENOUGH TO ARRANGE, IN ADVANCE, WITH THEIR SUPPLIER, TO BE ABLE TO RETURN THE UNIT WITHOUT COST IF IT DIDN'T FIT.

THE SHOP I USE HAS SOME REALLY CREATIVE GUYS WHO DO A LOT OF WORK ON COBRAS. IF THERE IS SOME TRICK THAT WE MISSED I'D SURE APPRECIATE HEARING ABOUT IT.

THANKS, AND, Y'ALL HAVE A REALLY GREAT DAY,

BLACKJACK

Excaliber · #9 (**permalink**) 09-10-2002, 10:21 AM

Blackjack,

No no, that wasn't me that had the truck block OR the AC, ha ha! I do recall someone mentioning that setup though.

I have the HO engine. I bet the truck block is the SAME over all deminsions though! My Excalibur DOES have the evaportator installed next to the heater, but no AC compressor, condensor, etc. I bet they ALL have the Evap installed also!

I think an AC compressor would fit on the left hand side of the engine how ever, and have considered putting one on. More seriously considering a Super Charger which would mount on the RIGHT hand side of the engine. I know a Mustang with one that is way LOWER than the top of the EFI manifold and it looks like it would clear the right hand fender area, a VORTEC model I believe.

I'm going to take extensive measurments and pics of his installation before I "go for it". I was almost SURE that Excalibur offered a Kenne Bell unit as an option, so HOW did they do that? Special model SC? Mounted low not high? Sorry I can't help you out here, but I sure appreciate your feedback on what does and doesn't work!

Did you get new four pot claipers yet? The Dynalite Wilwoods I got are an EXACT match and they work great!

Ernie

BLACKJACK · #10 (**permalink**) 09-10-2002, 10:42 AM

THANKS, ERNIE:

I WAS DIRECTING THE INQUIREY TO "B. SMITH". WHO POSTED A LITTLE EARLIER DESCRIBING HIS CAR.

I DO HAVE AN OPERATING A/C IN MINE. IT'S GREAT WITH THE HARD TOP. ON THE WAY DRIVING TO DVSF II (IN 96 DEGREE WEATHER) I REMARKED TO SOME OF THE OTHER GUYS, WHO WERE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE HEAT, THAT I KNEW IT WAS BAD BECAUSE I HAD TO HAVE THE A/C CRANKED ALL THE WAY UP TO "MEDIUM". THEY TRIED TO PUSH MY CAR OVER A CLIFF WITH ME IN IT.

MY ALTERNATOR IS ON THE RIGHT AND THE A/C COMPRESSOR ON THE LEFT. THE KENNE-BELL FITS THE ENGINE BEAUTIFULLY. THE PROBLEM IS I COULDN'T CLOSE THE HOOD.

I'M CURIOUS AS TO HOW B. SMITH'S K.B. FITS WITH THE HOOD AND IF THE ENGINE BLOCK HEIGHT IS DIFFERENT.

PLEASE KEEP ME POSTED ON WHAT YOU FIND OUT ABOUT THE VORTEC MODEL I. I LIKE THE K.B. BECAUSE OF THE HIGHER BOOST AT LOW ENGINE RPM AND THE FACT THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE TO RELOCATE THE A/C COMPRESSOR OR THE ALTERNATER.

THANKS, AND, HAVE A REALY GREAT DAY,

BLACKJACK

ohekk · #11 (**permalink**) 09-10-2002, 10:47 AM

Jack,

Check with Jay Nordstom as I recall he worked on Scott Lougheed's #106 Excalibur with the Kenne Bell supercharger.

My research indicates only two left the factory so equiped.

I'll do some diggin'

Tom

PS: #071 is for sale here in Milwaukee..equiped with NOS and
is supposed to be rather quick. "Runs like a lady but can be
a real "B_tch" on demand!

Excaliber · #12 (**permalink**) 09-10-2002, 10:55 AM

Oops! Ha ha, I see you were talking to B. Smith. Wanted to push you over the cliff,,,,,thats funny!

Ernie

Excaliber · #13 (**permalink**) 09-25-2002, 10:05 AM

Pic of B. Smiths KENNE BELL SC.

MAKE A NOTE BLACK JACK! The hood is "special"!

Ernie

BLACKJACK · #14 (**permalink**) 09-25-2002, 06:56 PM

LOOKS GREAT,

I COULD LIVE WITH THAT HOOD.

THANKS, AND HAVE AREALLY GREAT DAY,

BLACKJACK

ohekk · #15 (**permalink**) 09-25-2002, 07:47 PM

Looks very similar to the hood on Excalibur #200 the Black 2002 "R&D" Cobra with the 4.6L Cobra engine.

I don't recall seeing a mold for that when I visted the factory.

Tom

Best I can find only two Excaliburs sold with the Kenne Bell
supercharger...maybe the hoods were modified by hand?

ohekk · #16 (**permalink**) 09-25-2002, 07:55 PM

I've located #164 Red/white stripes 5.0 5 spd
original owner

Excaliber · #17 (**permalink**) 09-25-2002, 09:09 PM

Apologies are in order! I might be selling my Excal as I contemplate (NOT SURE, JUST THINKING ABOUT) a JBL.

The Excal is truly a GREAT car, wish I could have both, lol. Everytime I compare it to any "local" Cobra around here I walk away thinking,,,,"Man, I got a very nice Cobra indeed"!

Ernie

ohekk · #18 (**permalink**) 09-25-2002, 09:25 PM

Just don't come crying when it's gone

I guess I'm lucky as I've gotten to know 8 other Excalibur owners in the area here and they all love their cars.

I've also met a few FFR,ERA,CRL and SPF owners...and they love their cars too.

Ernie...keep the Excalibur as a daily driver (as they were intended) and buy a real race car and beat the living daylights out of that!

Excaliber · #19 (**permalink**) 09-25-2002, 10:24 PM

That also is something I'm thinking about, buying a car strictly to race. That would allow me to keep the Excal, which would be cool. How 'bout, get a trailor for the race car, bumper hitch on the EXCAL???? Whoa! That would make a heck of a tow vehicle and still get the Excal to the track, ha ha!

Ernie

BLACKJACK · #20 (**permalink**) 09-26-2002, 11:17 AM

HI, ERNIE:

I RECEIVED YOUR "BIG PICTURE". GREAT, THANKS.

** WAS THAT A "FACTORY" INSTALLATION AT EXCALIBUR??

** THE KENNE-BELL BLOWER THAT WE TRIED - THE ONE RECOMMENDED BY K.B. SEEMED TO FIT EXACTLY ON TOP OF THE ENGINE MORE TOWARDS THE CENTER. IT FIT THE ENGINE PERFECTLY BUT THE HOOD WOULD HAVE REQUIRED MORE "COSMETICS" THAN YOURS DOES.

** DOES YOU CAR HAVE AIR COND.??

** DO YOU KNOW IF THEY LOWERED THE 302 ENGINE BY USING 351W MOTOR MOUNTS?? (SUPPOSED TO LOWER IT 3/4").

I'D LIKE TO TAKE ANOTHER TRY AT FITTING A K.B. INTO MY EXCALIBUR.

** WHAT MODEL K.B. IS IN YOUR CAR??

** COULD I POSSIBLY PERSUADE YOU TO SEND ME ADDITIONAL PICS OF THE INSTALLATION FROM DIFFERENT VIEW ANGLES???

I COULD CERTAINLY LIVE WITH THAT LITTLE BUBBLE ON THE HOOD SCOOP.

THANKS VERY MUCH, AND - - Y'ALL HAVE AREALLY GREAT DAY,

BLACKJACK