#775 update

[RAO-3]

Originally Posted by Jim Holden

RAO-3:

As for your car, what have you spec'd out for options at this point?

Jim

Hi Jim,

I know that Tony was quite happy with the way your car turned out. It really does look great in pictures, but even better in person.

The engine is a 428 with dual quads.

the major options I went with are:

trunk mounted battery
stainless steel sidepipes
heavy duty fan
heater & defroster
chrome roll bar (driver side)
sc dash with glove box
leather seats etc
seat tracks
side curtains
Smith gauges
soft top
sunvisors
15" steering wheel
sierra front brakes
FE expansion tank
outboard brakes
6 pin wheels
nylon carpeting
remote oil cooler/filter

I'm going with 15" wheels but have not specified tires yet. Looking for something not so sticky that it throws every rock up and chips the paint. Not looking to race, just to drive.

Everyone has been great sharing their tips and thoughts with me, both here and at the meets. I really appreciate all the help.

-Ray

[Bobcat]

Ray ... if you plan on getting a tonneau cover , have ERA do it for you . I was stubborn and said I`ll do it . It involves locating and punching thousands ( at least that`s what it seems like ) holes in the cover and then installing all the fasteners .... and each fastener has 4 ears that have to be bent over individually !
Also look at the spats so you don`t ding up the paint on the rear fenders . I went with the Avons and they do throw some stuff , but not as much as the Billboards .
You don`t show it , but also look at the inside heat shields ( over the primaries ) for the exhaust .... heat may not be a big issue for you up there , but in the deep South it is ... will hit 97 to 98 today !

[RAO-3]

Originally Posted by Bobcat

Ray ... if you plan on getting a tonneau cover , have ERA do it for you . I was stubborn and said I`ll do it . It involves locating and punching thousands ( at least that`s what it seems like ) holes in the cover and then installing all the fasteners .... and each fastener has 4 ears that have to be bent over individually !
Also look at the spats so you don`t ding up the paint on the rear fenders . I went with the Avons and they do throw some stuff , but not as much as the Billboards .
You don`t show it , but also look at the inside heat shields ( over the primaries ) for the exhaust .... heat may not be a big issue for you up there , but in the deep South it is ... will hit 97 to 98 today !

Bobcat,

Thank you for the tips...When I was up at ERA last time, Peter asked me if I was considering the tonneau cover, but I've been on the fence with it. How often do you use it?

Good to hear your comments about the spats and the Avons. Spats are on my list, and I was considering Avons as I was told they don't kick up as much as the Goodyears do, although the Goodyear Billboards do look good.

Ray

[patrickt]

Ray, there is one option that you might want to speak with Doug about because it is easy for him to put it in when he's putting the car together. I spent years spec'ing out my car and this is the only option that, if I could go back, I would now add (of course I got just about every conceivable option there was). What I would have done then (and what I am doing now myself) would be to add a small removable access panel along the tunnel on the passenger side so that you can grease the front driveshaft U-Joint by merely removing the passenger seat, lifting up the carpet on the tunnel, and removing the small access panel. Trying to grease the front U-Joint fitting from underneath the car is very difficult. This is not a big-deal option; it's just cutting aluminum and adding fasteners. I guess another option would be to tell Doug not to use greasable fittings up front.

By the way, even with the battery up front you will still have a weight bias on the rear. Unless you're putting the battery in the back solely for the coolness factor I would leave it up front. I can post my corner weights if you're interested.

I didn't see pusher fans on your list. Nor did I see wind wings, Tripod lights, brake light reflectors, chip guard on the rear fenders, steel spinners (not aluminum), and of course the extra venting and heat shielding is always a good idea... I'm sure I'll think up some more after I hit the "post" button.

[patrickt]

... this came to mind as well

A/C Pedals
Heater shut off valve on Manifold
Original Brake & Clutch Reservoir Cans
Quick Release Steering Hub
Front and Rear Sway Bars

[RAO-3]

Hi Patrickt,

Thank you for the tips...

Like you, I also kind of feel like I'm ordering everything I can think of, but of course I have to turn to you guys for the things I never would have thought of...like the access panel.

I was putting the battery in back for both the "coolness factor" and to keep it cool - don't like to have the battery in the engine compartment with it exposed to all the heat.

I did leave a few things off the list I posted here but have them on my add list, such as the pusher fans, tripod lights, foot box heat shield, the sway bars front and rear.

I'm adding to the list:brake light reflectors, stainless steel spinners, extra venting and heat shielding

Thought I had the AC pedals already on the list, but don't see it, so adding that...

What's the purpose of the heater shut-off valve on the manifold? That's a new one to me.

Peter had me down for the bmw reservior... what are your thoughts on that?

The quick release steering hub is not legal in NJ...

One of the concerns I have is getting this past the inspectors in NJ.

-Ray

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RAO-3

What's the purpose of the heater shut-off valve on the manifold? That's a new one to me.

Peter had me down for the bmw reservior... what are your thoughts on that?

The heater/defroster in our cars is really "always on" to a certain extent, even if you don't have the fan blowing. You turn it "off" by closing the little vent flaps -- but the heater is still pretty hot. Here's a shot of it so you can see what I mean. In the summer you don't want any heat coming out of your heater, so the best way to really turn it off is to shut off the hot coolant supply to it. The next picture shows the shut off valve to the heater hose on the manifold (big red arrow). Below that is a shot of the nicer, "classy reservoirs" -- the BMW reservoir will work just as well, but doesn't look as cool.

[Chaplin]

Originally Posted by RAO-3

Hi Patrickt,

Thank you for the tips...

Like you, I also kind of feel like I'm ordering everything I can think of, but of course I have to turn to you guys for the things I never would have thought of...like the access panel.

I was putting the battery in back for both the "coolness factor" and to keep it cool - don't like to have the battery in the engine compartment with it exposed to all the heat.

I did leave a few things off the list I posted here but have them on my add list, such as the pusher fans, tripod lights, foot box heat shield, the sway bars front and rear.

I'm adding to the list:brake light reflectors, stainless steel spinners, extra venting and heat shielding

Thought I had the AC pedals already on the list, but don't see it, so adding that...

What's the purpose of the heater shut-off valve on the manifold? That's a new one to me.

Peter had me down for the bmw reservior... what are your thoughts on that?

The quick release steering hub is not legal in NJ...

One of the concerns I have is getting this past the inspectors in NJ.

-Ray

It allows you to completely shut off the flow of hot water to the heater core so that when you are driving in the summer, you don't get any unwanted heat in the car. I have one and it works. Open it in the fall/winter when you want heat, close it in the summer when you don't- ask Joe @ Danbury to install one for you.

Also, in terms of tires- I have been very happy with the Dunlop GTs. They are not expensive and have excellent traction and don't really throw any stones. Avons are excellent too, but if you are just a street cruiser, don't know if it is worth spending the extra $$ over the Dunlops. Of course, nothing beats the look of the Billboards.