Performance Engineering Yea or Nea?

[SKINNEDR]

Check with the SPF website (Forum). Those guys have a totally different perspective about PE.

Dex....

[Dan Semko]

Originally Posted by SKINNEDR

Check with the SPF website (Forum). Those guys have a totally different perspective about PE.

Dex....

Having been a past member on SCOF for several years, Dex's statement is true BUT it's important to be "unbiased" and the conflicts between the SCOF participants isn't always the case. If you have a problem with a product and approach the owner with guns blazing and demands, you'll be met with an appropriate response/reaction. If you approach the owner trying to "mutually resolve" the problem, the reception and results will be favorably productive.

First time cobra owners don't have the historical privilege of knowing the "balanced sides" of all engine builders, so weigh the information with a jaundiced eye and be specific on what you want and expect out of the engine you're having built. Forget the testosterone, egotistical approach of wanting the biggest and baddest engine built and installed. Just because you're fortunate enough to afford a high end, big horse powered car doesn't qualify you as an experienced competent owner/driver. Be sensible and do your homework. Talk to several engine builders, visit their shops and check out owners on both sides of the fence as to quality of build and after install service.

My experience with Eric has been exemplary and I did have one custom built engine that melted down due to a building error BUT that wasn't Eric's fault, it was one of his workers (Jerry) and unfortunately one of the guys that subsequently purchased and lost Competition Motorsports (while dragging the established good reputation through the dirt) during Eric's brief hiatus. Eric corrected the problem and that engine is still running strong 8 years after the build.

Best of luck, they're wonderful cars and will provide more memories and smiles than you ever imagined.

[Great Asp]

Originally Posted by Dan Semko

Having been a past member on SCOF for several years, Dex's statement is true BUT it's important to be "unbiased" and the conflicts between the SCOF participants isn't always the case. If you have a problem with a product and approach the owner with guns blazing and demands, you'll be met with an appropriate response/reaction. If you approach the owner trying to "mutually resolve" the problem, the reception and results will be favorably productive.

First time cobra owners don't have the historical privilege of knowing the "balanced sides" of all engine builders, so weigh the information with a jaundiced eye and be specific on what you want and expect out of the engine you're having built. Forget the testosterone, egotistical approach of wanting the biggest and baddest engine built and installed. Just because you're fortunate enough to afford a high end, big horse powered car doesn't qualify you as an experienced competent owner/driver. Be sensible and do your homework. Talk to several engine builders, visit their shops and check out owners on both sides of the fence as to quality of build and after install service.

My experience with Eric has been exemplary and I did have one custom built engine that melted down due to a building error BUT that wasn't Eric's fault, it was one of his workers (Jerry) and unfortunately one of the guys that subsequently purchased and lost Competition Motorsports (while dragging the established good reputation through the dirt) during Eric's brief hiatus. Eric corrected the problem and that engine is still running strong 8 years after the build.

Best of luck, they're wonderful cars and will provide more memories and smiles than you ever imagined.

I'll add a +1000 to what Dan said. There is an element on every forum that "drives" a conflict. I had two blown head gaskets on a 418 that Eric built for me. Eric said if I brought the car to him, he would repair it (I live in St. Louis). I thought this was "fair". I brought the car to Eric, and he fixed on a weekend while I waited. no charge.

These are high performance engines, anything can happen. You have to be realistic when you buy the motor.

If you buy Eric's motor and take it to another builder, there are better than even odds the builder you take it to will talk crap about the motor and the builder. It happens over and over again. There is always omeone pointing the boney finger at someone else in the performance parts/engine business. Even the most respected builders have their detractors.

If you are the kind of person that thinks these cars or their engines and drive train are not quirky, that you should not have to work on them, not improve them, not modify them, buy something else.

I owned an MG once, these cars are a breeze compared to that thing.

Eric

PS I forgot to mention that this was the first 418 Eric had built using AFR 205 heads.

[Dan Semko]

One mans trash is another man's treasure and I wish I had some of Old Shel's earlier "trash" sitting in my barn.

Cobras are fun, "enthusiast's cars". not designed or meant to be daily drivers but then again who drives a bike, Ferrari or Duesenburg as a daily driver? They're more fun than headaches, literally and figuratively, so if you're purchasing a cobra and not expecting an equal investment in Bristol-Meyers Excedrin, bandaids and legal support, think twice before your purchase. One fact remains consistent, you'll meet and enjoy some of the nicest people as a result of owning a cobra......which is significantly better than the "friends" you'd meet at any political rally, unless of course it's the infamous Real 1, then you double your pleasure.