SPF Brock coupe

G.R. · #1 (**permalink**) 11-10-2003, 07:39 PM

Your opinions would be welcome would you if buying the coupe opt for the undercar exhaust with the side ones being "dummy" or have only the side exhaust, keeping in mind that this would be a sort of daily type driver?

Curious as I need to make a decision on this when I order

valpodoc · #2 (**permalink**) 11-10-2003, 07:45 PM

side pipes....no decaf coffee either
Roland

Specialk · #3 (**permalink**) 11-10-2003, 07:52 PM

The sidepipes. I would want a coupe for one reason, and that reason is not civility!

xlr8or · #4 (**permalink**) 11-10-2003, 10:32 PM

Sidepipes only.

Stainless if thats an option.

750hp · #5 (**permalink**) 11-10-2003, 11:32 PM

Count me in for sidepipes only. It just wouldn't be right to have anything on the car that didn't serve a clear purpose.

Woodz428 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-11-2003, 04:36 AM

It's my understanding that they come with the under car exhaust that are routed through the side pipes. That is the way they are equipped, no option.

Lowell W · #7 (**permalink**) 11-11-2003, 05:07 AM

Yeah, the side pipes are a nuisance, but having them on there just for decoration spoils the effect. I think I'd hook 'em up and put up with the noise and the stinky pants legs. Or...seems to me the exhaust goes part way through the side pipes, then is diverted to the mufflers. I don't know whether it's feasible, but how about opening the side pipes all the way through, then welding on some flanges with covers, like the "laker pipes" common in the 50's and 60's? That way the side pipes would be functional but you could also make the car easier to live with. Just my $.02.

Excaliber · #8 (**permalink**) 11-11-2003, 07:59 AM

I'll take it just the way it comes! Side pipes the cleverly hide the connection to the rear pipe outlets.

The drivers used to complain about the exhaust getting into the cockpit of the originals. For a daily driver side pipe exhaust is just not a good option.

Ernie

OneFastRide · #9 (**permalink**) 11-11-2003, 08:01 AM

Folks,
I gotta believe that everyone here who is saying they need functional sidepipes on a Brock-SPF coupe have never seen , sat or ridden in one. The Brock-SPF Coupe is NOT a Cobra. It is an entirely different animal. In the words of Bob Olthoff, it is a "touring motorcar". While Spartan in design and amenities when compared to any modern automobile, when compared to the Cobra roadster, it is luxurious. It comes with a hard top, roll up windows, air conditioning and cutout for a dashmount stereo of your choice for chripes sake! I repeat, this is not a Cobra roadster and it is not meant to duplicate the Cobra/Harley-Davidson riding experience. This is performance at a whole new level. In my opinion, you would HATE side exit exhaust on this car.
Now back to your regularly scheduled programming...
Steve

Dream Master · #10 (**permalink**) 11-11-2003, 08:39 AM

Well said Steve, I have my car up and running, just doing the little stuff like charging the A/C and alignment etc.

Amazing how many people what to redesign in meer seconds what has been pondered on and developed for years. SPF has proven they know what they are doing. This is not meant to be an all out race car. It is a serious 200 mph touring car with A/C power steering, radio, roll up windows, etc. A huge leap from anything out there a-kin to a kit car.

I will have my car at Texas Motor Speedway from the 19th thru the 22nd. We have a introduction party at Panoz Driving school, then an open track day on Saturday.

With the Jim Price/Pete Brock "no compromise" approach to this car it has delayed the certification of the final 18" period correct looking magnesium wheels. I have fitted a set of Roush 18 on mine as did the Olthoffs for the time being.

The side exhaust works well the way it is.

Doug Reed

coyled · #11 (**permalink**) 11-11-2003, 09:40 AM

Doug, I saw the daytona at the SEMA show last friday and also spent some time with Pete Brock. Pete was not only nice and informative but complimentary to some of the other branded cars and their markets. This is one of the finest looking vehicles in the cobra/daytone coupe arena and once you see it, it speaks for itself. It really looks good with those 18 inch pin drives. I will be interested to know how well it performs on the track. It seems really well thought out. Do you think the rear end will withstand high hp? What a nice car. Scott

keithw · #12 (**permalink**) 11-16-2003, 08:51 AM

Got a chance to see and drive the Coupe at No Problem Raceway this past Thursday. The car handles, grips and brakes like no other car I've driven.

I haven't decided if I'll modify the exhaust or not. The exhaust reminds me of the Corsa exhaust I have on my ZR1. It's very docile sounding till you get in it and then it's pretty loud.

Doug's car has the Roushe 402 500/500 motor in it. Went with him around the track and I can tell you the rearend can definately handle this horsepower. I'm going with a Keith Craft 550/550 motor in mine and Doug said no problem in the Coupe handling it.

It is one beautiful car!

Keith

Lowell W · #13 (**permalink**) 11-16-2003, 10:13 AM

Steve, Doug,

Well, actually, I have seen, sat in and driven one of the new SPF Coupes. While I like the car very much, I wouldn't trade my SPF Cobra for it. But that's not germane to this discussion. I'm not complaining about the design, and didn't mean, in any way, to denigrate all the engineering efforts which went into its development and production. My feeling, and again, only my opinion, is that non-functional side pipes on a car are like chrome doodle-covers on a Harley, or a non-functional hood scoop. If you like chrome bolt covers and axle covers and battery covers and fender tips and all that stuff, by all means hang 'em all over your bike. If you want to glue a hood scoop on your Camaro, great! I agree: the exhaust works just fine, but to me, anything non-functional detracts from the overall presentation. That's all...

Excaliber · #14 (**permalink**) 11-16-2003, 10:26 AM

Pretty easy to modify the side pipes to become functional from what I've heard.

I do tend to agree, non functional items leave me a little cold. BUT in the case of the Coupe, I'd leave under car and out the back for me!

Ernie

jhein · #15 (**permalink**) 11-16-2003, 12:45 PM

Non-functional? Since these pipes are in fact part of the cars exhaust system I don't see how they can be considered non-functional. Now, if the car had an under car exhaust system and hung some ornaments on the side to look like exhaust pipes, I agree, that would be offensive. Personally if I were to consider buying one of these cars I would see it more as a daily driver than I do my roadster. I would guess that the SPF engineers and designers probably envisioned the car in the same way. Hence the air conditioning, roll down windows, accommodations for a stereo, 18" wheels, quieter exhaust, and what looked to me like an inflator bulb for lumbar support in the seat. None of these are period correct/original but all are tremendous improvements for a modern daily driver.

John
spf1421 - love my roadster, but a SPF/Brock coupe as a daily driver, that would be sweet!

TerrysSPF · #16 (**permalink**) 11-16-2003, 02:18 PM

John: That is indeed an air lumbar support in the seat. VERY comfortable! You could definately use the coupe as a daily driver. From what I was told @ Dynamic, SPF gives you the choice of under car exhaust, or going through the sidepipes. The sidepipes ARE functional.
As a side note: The car looks AWSOME with the Roush 18" 5-spoke polished rims. What a ride...........and, for what you're getting, it's really a "bargain" for a car with these capabilities. 0-60 in the 3's and a 200+ mph top end. OUCH!

I took some pictures of the Blue / White Coupe @ Dynamic in Ohio. I just need to figure out how to post them here!

mikiec · #17 (**permalink**) 11-24-2003, 11:28 AM

Saw the coupe up close this past weekend. I was favorably impressed. The fit, finish was up tp SPF standards. I liked the roll up windows.

The 2 things I did not like were the 18 inch tires and the wheels that were on the car. These were white slotted style. Most everyone there did not like the choice of wheels.

I have seen pics of a polished 5 spoke that looked better. But, still not happy with the 18 inch.

Mike

JoeLafives · #18 (**permalink**) 11-24-2003, 12:15 PM

A very handsome automobile. Nice touches throughout. Definitely not a race car though.

C4 Cross Fire · #19 (**permalink**) 01-22-2004, 06:05 AM

Wow--what a car! I like ALL of the SPF improvements except the non-functional sidepipes. Please don't get upset, but they ARE non-functional. Period. It seems to me that if sidepipes function AS SIDE PIPES, then they're functional. If they don't, well... It's OK, though--a bit more engineering is all that's needed! The driver needs a lever or switch to route the exhaust into the undercarriage system in situations when noise would be a problem. How hard would that be--the side pipes are already there waiting to BE functional! Functional on the fly--if Monster Garage could do it, SPF sure should be able to...or should we give Jesse a call?!

nanard289 · #20 (**permalink**) 02-01-2004, 06:30 AM

Hey Gary, if you are talking about a Daytona coupe, side pipe is not an option, as say Craig, the only option is stainless steel (look the purity of the Daytona rear side and compare with a 275GTB Ferrari where there are ungainly rear exhaust pipes). If your dealer propose this option, you have to found an other one! However, for the side exhaust pipe mounting, you have to take care about the installation. I suggest to provide 2 flex pipe at both sides (see picture) to avoid engine vibration to be propagated in the pipe (and to destroy it, that is a frequent problem). External look is very important, you have to be as close as possible of the Legend's car. If a day you want to sell it .....