New SPF owner, questions!

[Bill Wells]

Triton..

lots of replies to your queries. to echo some :

1. brake stopping stats. who cares about the stats, the brakes work and yours should be Willwoods. leave the proper distance between you and what is ahead and you will be fine. I have not heard of anyone getting hurt or punting their car due to lack of brakes vs too much throttle instead.
2. badges...no big deal, as stated already, grind down the pins and epoxy them on if ya even want em. I put A/C badges on my cars nose and now wish it was badgeless.
3. R clutch ? can't help ya but if that is what Eric recommends ,then go4it ! Eric has done many installs and builds and stays tuned in for what is the best combo. He is smarter than you, more experienced than most folks , so let Dr Eric prescribe what your medicine should be.
4. There are many drivers schools available, Bondurant, Russell, Panoz and many many more. Get a copy of Autoweek magazine (weekly publication) and check their ads in the back section, you will find many advertised there weekly .
5. Maintenance ? hey, someone in Chicago can help ya out with who to see for what ya need. Join their local Cobra club and stay tuned to their suggestions. Also, there is (or was) a Ford dealer who is /was also a SVT and SPF sub dealer north of Chicago. He too would be a good source for mechanical/parts needs . Someone from Chi will have to tell you the dealers name.
6. Heat shields ? i added them this year after several years without.They ain't the prettiest things but neither are snake bite burns. Neither myself or passengers got burned on my car but i always had the nervous feeling about the first time and concerns for liability ....they are a couple hundred bucks, chump change in your total cost. your choice, put em on / take em off..easy to do. if ya dont like em, sell em. the DO WORK though, i gotta tell ya.
7. not on your list...17' wheels/tires being considered. a different look but provides different usage possiblities and improved high performance tire choices vs 15"....your call, adds cost and if you are not going to do track time then ask yourself if you really want them . one side says yes, one side says no...cheaper to do now though vs later when you try to find a home for used 15" take off tires and wheels and take a depreciation hit.
8. not on your list. impressive buy at age 24, be sure you have found insurance coverage ! NOW ! many collector co's will not allow anyone under 25 to drive one of these, so they in turn will not also insure anyone under 25. ya better get it locked up now and be prepared to pay a high premium due to age...
9. implied in your list : HAVE FUN! and DO get involved with a local cobra club, best source of local resources you can find as well as folks to do cobra things with.

good luck, bill , spf #156 ( an old one by comparison to yours )