What Kit and why

[Dangerous Doug]

Joe Wicked: I have a spreadsheet that I set up for determining the cost of an ERA in a "phased-build" approach, which is they way I'm getting/building my car. PM me with an email address and I'll send it to you.

The spreadsheet lets you select which options you want in a time-phased build. It does some error checking (so you don't check the same option twice) and sums up the project cost in total, and in phases. It's worked well for me.

Seems to me I saw an unfinished ERA for sale here on CC recently. You might do a quick search for that.

DD

[Joe Wicked]

Originally Posted by Dangerous Doug

Joe Wicked: I have a spreadsheet that I set up for determining the cost of an ERA in a "phased-build" approach, which is they way I'm getting/building my car. PM me with an email address and I'll send it to you.

The spreadsheet lets you select which options you want in a time-phased build. It does some error checking (so you don't check the same option twice) and sums up the project cost in total, and in phases. It's worked well for me.

Seems to me I saw an unfinished ERA for sale here on CC recently. You might do a quick search for that.

DD

PM sent. Thanks

I was looking at their website and I could not find where you could get the kit in phases. Was I looking in the wrong area?

[Joe Wicked]

Speaking of building in phases, I know lonestar has a Kit in phases program, I added it up and it is a little more, but easier to spread out the cost. Are there any other kit manufacturers that also do this? So far i haven't found any, but I keep finding new manufacturers that I did not know about.

[J. T. Toad]

is there a kit company who isn't willing to sell in stages?
FFR used to.
Classic Roadsters used to.
yadda yadda...

maybe consideration of Curt Scott's book on www.cobracountry.com is appropriate

[M164285]

Joe,

I am in the same decision making process as you. I have visited B&B, Unique and will be going to ERA at the end of the month. I really like Unique and the people there are really nice. I am anxious to see ERA and make a comparison between Unique and ERA. My biggest concern is the car fitting my son who is 6'4". I have compiled a spread sheet comparing 9 manufacturers listing what comes with the kits and what are the options. If you are interested please e-mail me at clyde.a.johnson@boeing.com.

Good luck in your decision.

Clyde

[Joe Wicked]

Originally Posted by M164285

Joe,

I am in the same decision making process as you. I have visited B&B, Unique and will be going to ERA at the end of the month. I really like Unique and the people there are really nice. I am anxious to see ERA and make a comparison between Unique and ERA. My biggest concern is the car fitting my son who is 6'4". I have compiled a spread sheet comparing 9 manufacturers listing what comes with the kits and what are the options. If you are interested please e-mail me at clyde.a.johnson@boeing.com.

Good luck in your decision.

Clyde

Email Sent. I know Lonestar likes to showcase that the 4" longer wheelbase makes for more legroom for people 6' and taller. I don't know if you have checked them out yet. I will likely make a trip over there in the next couple of months. They are only about 1.5 hours from me depending on traffic through dallas and fort worth (They are west of FTW and I am NE of Dallas).

Edit: I just realized that Shell Valley's headquarters are only a short drive from where I grew up in Nebraska. Looks like that will be another easy visit for me, when I take another vacation up there.

[Joe Wicked]

Now that I have looked at Dangerous Doug's spreadsheet, I better understand what he means by phases. This is kind of what I had in mind as well, but I was wondering about breaking out the Standard Kit to Phases. Chassis assembly, body & electrical, etc...

[Dangerous Doug]

The "basic" kit from ERA is very complete. If you get the powder coated frame and bonded body option (strongly recommended) you'll be astounded at how much is done. I don't think ERA just sells a chassis, then a body, then suspension et cetera. The path to competed cars is paved with a very complete "starter" kit, which you can get from ERA---and others, I'm sure.

DD

[Dwight]

I have a Lone Star Cobra and they added 4" to the wheelbase and put that 4" into the driver compartment. My doors are 4" longer than most. Eight years ago when I did a lot of research on Cobras, there were a couple of companies that had 94" plus wheelbase. They did not use the extra inches in the drivers compartment. I think one had most under the hood and 1 1/2" behind the seats. We have a couple of big guys with FFRs and other 90" wheelbase cars and they get in and out with little or no problem. There is an easy way in and out of a Cobra. You just have to practice.
With the drop floor pan it makes it a lot easier to drive. Adjustable seat tract, tilt steering wheel and removable steering wheel are some of the things a big guy can do to make driving a Cobra a better experience. Some times you can get in but have a hard time working the pedals.
I'm only 5' 10" and 170 lbs but I have a few big guy Cobra buddies.
Dwight

[fsstnotch]

Hey Joe, If the GM brakes are the only thing keeping you from hurricane.... You can upgrade to willwoods all the way around and still be under the initial cost of a lonestar. Also, I dunno how much you researched, but MANY of the kits come with the GM brakes in fact.. this is what Era gives for part numbers of the brakes you need to buy

Brakes, Bearings, Front

Brake Rotor/Hub (bolt-on wheels) GM 334348Bendix 141040 GM dealer or many (Front) GM cars 1970-78 (see page 21)
Brake Calipers (Front) GM 18002421, 18003761 Rebuilts: Bendix L55001, L55002 (Includes pads) GM dealerLocal parts place
Pads Semi-metallic for street use

the rear are the Jag brakes which would come with the IRS.

I'm pretty sure shell valley also uses the same brake setup.

[Joe Wicked]

Originally Posted by fsstnotch

Hey Joe, If the GM brakes are the only thing keeping you from hurricane.... You can upgrade to willwoods all the way around and still be under the initial cost of a lonestar. Also, I dunno how much you researched, but MANY of the kits come with the GM brakes in fact.. this is what Era gives for part numbers of the brakes you need to buy



the rear are the Jag brakes which would come with the IRS.

I'm pretty sure shell valley also uses the same brake setup.

Thanks. I did not know that. It is not the fact that they are GM brakes, it is is GM up front, SVO in back/Jag in back, etc... If it is a standard brake setup (over the counter) then I would prefer for them to all be GM, Ford, whatever. It just makes it simpler. I realize that this can all be changed, but I am looking for convenience.

[fsstnotch]

Originally Posted by Joe Wicked

Thanks. I did not know that. It is not the fact that they are GM brakes, it is is GM up front, SVO in back/Jag in back, etc... If it is a standard brake setup (over the counter) then I would prefer for them to all be GM, Ford, whatever. It just makes it simpler. I realize that this can all be changed, but I am looking for convenience.

Ya, I got ya. Most all the kits come with the GM fronts. Then you add IRS (Jag, BMW, Ford, etc) and you still end up mismatched. Put a solid axle, 8.8 or 9" and guess what... still mismatched! lol It sucks unless you go aftermarket.

What does the lonestar come with in the kit and what is it's price? If it is anything compared to the ERA kit... I was deciding between the Era kit, SV, and hurricane. After taking a real close look at all 3 and crunching the #'s, the Era kit would have cost me almost $10,000 more than the hurricane or SV because there were alot of MAJOR parts not included (rear end, brakes, sidepipes, headers to name a few). I figured at that point, I could buy a turn key minus car from BDR, Hurricane, or SV!

Josh

[Joe Wicked]

Originally Posted by fsstnotch

Ya, I got ya. Most all the kits come with the GM fronts. Then you add IRS (Jag, BMW, Ford, etc) and you still end up mismatched. Put a solid axle, 8.8 or 9" and guess what... still mismatched! lol It sucks unless you go aftermarket.

What does the lonestar come with in the kit and what is it's price? If it is anything compared to the ERA kit... I was deciding between the Era kit, SV, and hurricane. After taking a real close look at all 3 and crunching the #'s, the Era kit would have cost me almost $10,000 more than the hurricane or SV because there were alot of MAJOR parts not included (rear end, brakes, sidepipes, headers to name a few). I figured at that point, I could buy a turn key minus car from BDR, Hurricane, or SV!

Josh

The lonestar also does not have the rear end, and the brakes depends on what kit you buy. If you buy the standard, it does not come included, but you could purchase them. It is still a little less than the ERA, but the convenience of being local is the biggest advantage they have for me.

That is what I liked about the FFR was the the SN95 Mustang setup, which I am already familiar with.

[DTurnbull]

I was sold on FFR from the beginning, but I just had so many projects going on already that I kept the option of buying a completed car open. I shopped and compared over & over again and by luck a nice FFR MKII that was nearby went up for sale & I nabbed it. The builder spent well over what I paid and left enough undone that I could personalize the car for myself. Sooooo, keep the idea of buying a built car open. The Cobra market, like a lot of things, is soft right now and there are some great bargins to be had on basically "new" cars. Ours only had 1700 miles on it and it was 10K cheaper than what it would have cost me to build! I'm not a fan of cobracountry - the cars tend to be way tooooo much, but Ebay, this site, and others like ffcobra.com are excellent resources for buying a completed car.

My two cents,

Dave -

[ICBomber90]

Here's my two cents

Look for a manufacture that is close to you and visit their operation. Is it professional? or fly by night. Things can look real good on a web site and be junk in person. The closer you are to the factory will allow to visit after you have the car. (Open Houses)

Stay within your means, yea Kirkhams look great but can you REALLY afford one? Look at build sites and find out what guys are REALLY building them for. Know what they are actually selling for when complete. I know I have over run my budget but there are some great value kits out there. I'm entering my third year of building but everything is paid for and I will have a great Cobra when I'm done.

If you're up to building one, understand it is not a model it is a car and it DOES NOT build itself.

HIH, Pat

[Joe Wicked]

Thanks Pat.
This is a big part of my debate. The concept I like best is FFR, but I am local to Lonestar here in DFW. I can make time any date to make a trip to see them. I am within 40-50 miles of Shell Valley at least once or twice a year (I grew up around there). Now if FFR were to suddenly decide to move to DFW, I would likely be sold .

I completely understand it is not a model. Once I have all parts, my goal is to have it completed within 2 years. That is after the kit and remaining parts are purchased. The research I have done has shown me that I am not yet financially ready to do the car the way I want to, so there will be at least 1-2 more years before I start I wish I could start tomorrow, but I refuse to compromise on the car. It will be built correctly, I want specifics that are going to cost me more, but I will not be happy without them. When I do this, I will not be cutting corners, or shortcutting anything. I intend to build as much of it myself as I can possibly do.

[fsstnotch]

The "concept" of the FFR is great... but don't get it twisted. That very concept can be used on pretty much any kit out there! However, MANY MANY MANY of the FFR owners are using all new parts and not an old beat up foxbody which is the concept. MOST of the kit manufacters will sell you whatever you are willing to buy. So you can break it down as much as you want.

[tmareina]

Sounds like you have a lot of time...Go to the Cobra Country web site and order the "Complete Guide to COBRA Replicas - 4th edition". It has all of the major MFG. listed with a lot of helpful info. Also tips on what to look for when compairing.

I have a Unique and am VERY happy with the product and the company.

Tom

[Joe Wicked]

Originally Posted by fsstnotch

The "concept" of the FFR is great... but don't get it twisted. That very concept can be used on pretty much any kit out there! However, MANY MANY MANY of the FFR owners are using all new parts and not an old beat up foxbody which is the concept. MOST of the kit manufacters will sell you whatever you are willing to buy. So you can break it down as much as you want.

Once again I sucked at wording when I say the concept, I am solely referring to the concept of the kit designed to use stock Mustang parts with no modifications needed. If I go FFR, I will likely order the Full Kit as I would be doing all new parts anyway.

Originally Posted by tmareina

Sounds like you have a lot of time...Go to the Cobra Country web site and order the "Complete Guide to COBRA Replicas - 4th edition". It has all of the major MFG. listed with a lot of helpful info. Also tips on what to look for when compairing.

I have a Unique and am VERY happy with the product and the company.

Tom

Thanks I'll check that out.

[HOBIGBLOCK]

I'm in the market for a cobra and decided to go with a Superformance, however, I am perplexed as to which engine to run with (427Fe, 428FE or a 429FE). . I know I want to stay in the big block family, and part of it is nostalgia. Now I know if I go with an original 427FE it will cost more than a 428FE. Can anyone perhaps shed some light when it comes to re-sale value does the 427FE fetch more than a 428FE or about the same?