Quote:
Originally posted by Joe Viola
In the past couple of weeks I think I'm going with ERA. I plan to lay down the cash in November. My next decision is the motor. I want this car to handle like nothing else. Should I focus on keeping the front end light vs. originality.
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Hi Joe:
Since you live so close to ERA, it makes wonderful sense to do business with them all other things being equal. That is the reason I drive an ERA, I live along the coast in Connecticut.
I wonder what you mean by keeping the front end light? Are you saying that you are not going to put a Big Block in the 427 or are you saying you are leaning towards the 289 FIA?
The ERA 289 FIA is a real nice car. I have seen a few done as street cars with wire wheels, under car exhaust and no rollbar with full bumpers, etc. Quite a nice car indeed and a very very good performer. I do not know this for a fact, but I would suspect that the 427 S/C is the more in demand car at ERA and that the mold queue for the FIA is shorter. Perhaps you could be into an FIA quicker.
That said, I do wonder what you mean by keeping the front end light. Sure the BB in the 427 feels heavy when the you try to turn the front wheels when the car is standing still. But, the darn thing is like liquid mercury on the turns when moving. My S/C has a mild 428 FE in it. The only downside of the 428 is the cockpit heat on days over 85 when you are at a standstill. The upside is the nice toasty feeling on cool spring/autum evenings. No need for the heater! Wasted weight in the 427 S/C IMHO.
Upside of the BB in the S/C aside from being "correct" is the power and torque. It is very hard for me to get out of 2nd gear in town.
Lastly, you just cannot underestimate the value of and the comfort provided by having the guys at ERA support you before, during and especially after the purchase. You really do become part of a "family". (Sometimes it is like the Costanza family on Sienfeld Ha Ha) But when all is said and done, that combination of locality, and longevity and customer satisfaction has tipped the scales for me towards ERA.
Also contact Bob in CT, he has a real nice Superformance and is very pleased with it and SF as well. Which ever way you go Joe, you will be in good company. Always nice to have another CT Cobra around! Cheers.
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