#775 update

RAO-3 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-10-2009, 07:10 AM

So I spoke to Tony yesterday. He's finishing up the paint and expects my car to be going back to Peter next week.

(Jim Holden - Tony mentioned that he had just picked up your slabside in the morning.)

So my plan was to go up to ERA to check out the car and to go over the rest of the build details with Peter. I was going to bring my list with me to go over the build and the items I had left off of my list when I had first visited Peter and left my deposit.

I'd appreciate hearing any suggestions from those "in the know" about things I definitely need to address with Peter. As a refresher, I'm getting a full build, with the engine coming from Joe at Danbury Engines. Joe has had the engine finished and is ready to do the dyno run.

-Ray

Jim Holden · #2 (**permalink**) 06-10-2009, 08:31 AM

RAO-3:

Apparently Tony wanted the car for a car show up in Mass this week and for some pictures with the original car from which he took measurements.

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

Jim

RAO-3 · #3 (**permalink**) 06-10-2009, 08:59 AM

Quote:

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 · #4 (**permalink**) 06-10-2009, 09:17 AM

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 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-10-2009, 10:49 AM

Quote:

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 · #6 (**permalink**) 06-10-2009, 11:13 AM

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.

RAO-3 · #7 (**permalink**) 06-10-2009, 12:42 PM

Patrickt - pictures definitely make it easy to understand your points. Both the valve and the reservoirs are on my list.

Chaplin, thanks for the tip on talking to Joe at Danbury, maybe I can get it done before the engine leaves his shop. Regarding the tires, I did notice the Dunlops on several cars at the Washington Crossing get together on Saturday, but had forgotten to ask about how well accepted they were. As much as I like the looks of the Billboards, I'm concerned about them kicking up stones - many have told me they do that - and the pamphlet I received from NJ motor vehicles specifically mentions tires, so I really don't want to gamble with trying to get them thru the inspection process.

-Ray

Jim Holden · #8 (**permalink**) 06-10-2009, 12:59 PM

Bias ply race tires, "track" every little bump in the road and are not as compliant as radial tires. They look great (I have them on my FIA) but living with the stone chips and the tracking gets old very quickly.

As for the brake cans, the brake fluid tends to bubble the paint after awhile. So, again, like the decision on tires, it's a trade off between form and function.

Jim

RAO-3 · #9 (**permalink**) 06-10-2009, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Holden

Bias ply race tires, "track" every little bump in the road and are not as compliant as radial tires. They look great (I have them on my FIA) but living with the stone chips and the tracking gets old very quickly.

As for the brake cans, the brake fluid tends to bubble the paint after awhile. So, again, like the decision on tires, it's a trade off between form and function.

Jim

Hi Jim,

I was hoping to stay away from the bias ply tires because of the tracking issue.

Jim, I assume you mean the paint on the cans? Do the cans themselves deteriorate, or is it from splashes and spills of the brake fluid that the paint gets damaged? I think the bmw reservoir is plastic.

-Ray

Jim Holden · #10 (**permalink**) 06-10-2009, 02:22 PM

The tanks themselves appear to be fine. The cans have a lip around the top, so any spilled brake fluid collects and sits there... but the cans look trick. I always specify them.
Jim

RAO-3 · #11 (**permalink**) 06-11-2009, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Holden

The tanks themselves appear to be fine. The cans have a lip around the top, so any spilled brake fluid collects and sits there... but the cans look trick. I always specify them.
Jim

I really do like the look of the cans and will definitely be discussing them with Peter when I go up there.

-Ray

RAO-3 · #12 (**permalink**) 06-11-2009, 11:33 AM

patrickt - good points about knowing your audience. Also, one never knows who may find a posting using the 'search' feature - I use it quite often.

Bob, good luck with all the snaps. I will be talking to Peter about the cover as I think I would have messed it up by now.

Talked to Peter earlier today - He expects that Tony will be delivering it to ERA on Wednesday!

-Ray

fkemmerer · #13 (**permalink**) 06-11-2009, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAO-3

So I spoke to Tony yesterday. He's finishing up the paint and expects my car to be going back to Peter next week.

(Jim Holden - Tony mentioned that he had just picked up your slabside in the morning.)

So my plan was to go up to ERA to check out the car and to go over the rest of the build details with Peter. I was going to bring my list with me to go over the build and the items I had left off of my list when I had first visited Peter and left my deposit.

I'd appreciate hearing any suggestions from those "in the know" about things I definitely need to address with Peter. As a refresher, I'm getting a full build, with the engine coming from Joe at Danbury Engines. Joe has had the engine finished and is ready to do the dyno run.

-Ray

Hi Ray,

Congratulations on choosing an ERA. I think that you will be very happy with your choice. Not clear from your post but it sounds like you are doing a 427 car? We just recently completed ERA 753. Some options that I would suggest considering include:

1) Competition style dash with smiths gauges including the reverse speedo. This is the most authentic looking dash combination that we've seen. Smiths gauges can take a little fiddling to get everything right but once that is done you'll be happy with the choice
2) Go with the oil cooler and the H-D cooling system. The Oil cooler looks authentic and help cooling which can be a problem with a big block (esp a cast iron one). Also suggest the dual fans in front of the radiator. They look cool and will help cooling a little bit as well.
3) Go with the pin drive wheels and outboard brakes. This costs a bit more but it make the car more authentic and easier to service
4) Chrome the roll bar
5) We liked the single square tail lights instead of the round ones but check on your registration/inspection reqs to see if these will give you problems. They did not in NH where we live.
6) Driveline. For street use, we choose 3.54 gears and a Tremec 5-speed 0.64 OD transmission. The OD on this trans will allow you to cruise the car at very low RPMs. I've used this setup in two street cars and have been very happy with it. The richmond trans. and taller gears might be better if you plan to track the car alot.
7) Sidepipes - lots of choices here. We liked the look of "chrome" so we choose the polished stainless steel pipes that ERA has. Very happy with the sound (not excessively loud but means business) and the mtce. on these pipes looks to be minimal to keep them like new. The more we hit them with a polish to clean them, the nicer they look!
8) Wheels and tires - we have vintage 15" pin drive wheels and Goodyear Billboard competion tires. We really like the look and the handling to the Billboards but they do have need to be warmed up and they throw alot of stones. Lots of other threads on this board discuss the pro's and cons. Suggest you work out some sort of protection for you rear fenders no matter what you choose for tires. ERA has a set of removable protectors that we use - they look good with our red paint but my not be as good appearance wise with other colors.
8) Paint and Body - I strongly suggest you talk with Ron Randall in Wallingford, CT about your paint and body work. I think that Ron is one of the higher end painters that Tony works with and I belive he is hands down the best in the CT area.
9) Get the adjustable seat tracks - the ERA footboxes are deeper than you think and you'll like the adjustability I think.
10) Consider the rivet on hood scoop - I think this looks more authentic and its a nice detail.
11) If you live somewhere cool, get a heater. It will help when you drive the car in cooler weather.
12) Wind wings and visors are a good idea to make the car more comfortable to drive.
13) Suggest windshield wipers. You will get caught in the rain at some point and you'll be glad that you have them. May be a requirement for inspection in many states also.
14) Have you battery mounted in the trunk. It will help with the wieght balance on the car (a big block can make these cars a little nose heavy and moving the battery to the back will help with this).
15) Get the AC pedals - again, they are more authentic.
16) Suggest you get a Tonneau cover - this can he hepful if you get caught in a rain storm somewhere.

There are lots of other details to consider that are a matter of personal preference. Here's a link to our build thread on this board and to our website. These links have lots of pictures of our car and the options that we choose.

ERA 753 - Final Assembly in Progress

http://www.anitafred.net/Cobra.htm

Let me know if we can help you on anything specific.

- Fred

RAO-3 · #14 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 06:40 AM

Hi Fred,

I've been following your build since I saw your car up at ERA when I first visited there. A beautiful car that can best be appreciated in person and shows what can be done to an ERA...

To hit your points, one by one...

1 I am also going with the competition dash with glove box and Smith's gauges. I'd be interested to hear comments on the reverse speedometer as I have been unsure about that one.

2 I did go with the HD fan, and the supplemental front fans, is that what you are referring to? Yes I also have the oil cooler on my list.

3. One of my first selections was for the outboard rear brakes and the pin drive wheels.

4. Went with the chrome rollbar.
5. Went with the square tail lights
6. When I had spoken to Peter about this, he had suggested the 3:31 rear for me; I am getting the Tremec 5 speed. My engine is the 428FE with dual quads, and although not yet dyno'd it's meant to be a mild build as I don't plan on racing it. Thoughts?
7. Went with the stainless steel sidepipes for the same reasons you did.
8. My plan has been to go with the 15" vintage pin drive wheels as well, but was looking at the Avons due to the stone issue, but am open to suggestions on tire selection. I'm getting the spats for the front of the rear fenders for protection as well. Tony is doing my paint, with my car due back to Peter on Wednesday.
9. Went with the adjustable seat tracks.
10. I guess the hood scoop is a personal preference issue - after looking at many cobras outfitted both ways, I liked the cleaner looks of the integral hood scoop and went in that direction.
11. Went with the heater.
12. Added the wind wings based upon an earlier suggestion and already had the visors on my list.
13. Went with the wipers; they're required in NJ.
14. Went with the battery in the trunk.
15. Adding the AC pedals based upon prior recommendations and do like the looks. Peter showed me the pedal collection when I was last up there.
16. Going to talk to Peter about the Tonneau cover, if for no other reason than for the 'snap' issue Bob spoke about.

Thanks for your suggestions, I do really appreciate everyone's input. As you all know, there are quite a few 'uncataloged' options for the ERA out there and would hate to miss out on something I may have liked because I was not aware of it, like the shut-off valve on the manifold.

-Ray

RAO-3 · #15 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 06:42 AM

Does anyone have any thoughts about the Halibrand Magnesium wheels being discussed on a separate thread? Or are the Vintage wheels the way to go?

I'd appreciate hearing your thoughts and experiences.

Ray

xracerbob · #16 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 08:20 AM

Vintage wheels are awesome in terms of looks, quality and service. I have them and am very happy. If you order them direct, make sure you tell them you have an ERA and he machines the front wheels for you.

That being said, I love magnesium wheels and am considering grabbing one of these sets. Even though they are more work, not as strong, can possibly leak, etc.

RodKnock · #17 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xracerbob

Vintage wheels are awesome in terms of looks, quality and service. I have them and am very happy. If you order them direct, make sure you tell them you have an ERA and he machines the front wheels for you.

That being said, I love magnesium wheels and am considering grabbing one of these sets. Even though they are more work, not as strong, can possibly leak, etc.

And they're the twice the money. $3,200 for a set. I've seen them and after 5-ish years of sitting on a shelf inside a garage, they still look brand new. As for leaking, I believe the recommendation is to paint the part that the tire hides to help with sealing, although the newer magnesium wheels are much improved in this area.

ERA713 · #18 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 10:47 AM

rao-3,looks like your going have a real nice car.tony & the guys at ERA are true artists.My biggest regrets would be not getting the tonneau cover fitted,pusher fans,and spats fitted.I also screwed up on the gearing.I got the era rear with 3.31 then chose the tko 600 with 0.62 od thinking I needed that tall 5th for freeway cruzing.It was way to tall.I've since changed out the trans to the 0.82 5th & the gearing is now perfect.I bought the pusher fans from era & installed last year.I too put the battery in the trunk & put disconnect behind pass seat.The quick disconnect steering hub is hard to see and works great.the bmw fluid bottle works great but i will be ordering up the 3 cans for the look.Good luck with your build and have fun that car.jim k.

RAO-3 · #19 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 11:21 AM

xracerbob and RodKnock - sent an email to the the guy with the magnesium wheels and he replied that they're all gone. Guess that's settled!

Jim, thank you for your insights. Given everyone's recommendation, I will definitely go for the tonneau cover, and already decided to get the pusher fans and the spats. I think that I will have a further discussion with Peter about the transmission and rear gearing based upon your input and Fred's comments. I wouldn't want anything too tall either. My concern about the steering hub is getting it through inspection here in NJ or I would go for it. Already decided about the battery in the trunk and like the idea of the disconnect behind the seat. Also am leaning toward the original cans. Great input and thanks again.

-Ray

Chaplin · #20 (**permalink**) 06-12-2009, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAO-3

xracerbob and RodKnock - sent an email to the the guy with the magnesium wheels and he replied that they're all gone. Guess that's settled!

Jim, thank you for your insights. Given everyone's recommendation, I will definitely go for the tonneau cover, and already decided to get the pusher fans and the spats. I think that I will have a further discussion with Peter about the transmission and rear gearing based upon your input and Fred's comments. I wouldn't want anything too tall either. My concern about the steering hub is getting it through inspection here in NJ or I would go for it. Already decided about the battery in the trunk and like the idea of the disconnect behind the seat. Also am leaning toward the original cans. Great input and thanks again.

-Ray

Ray-
Go with the 3.31 and the TKO 600 with the .82 5th gear. That's what I have and is a very nice all around set up. 1st is still usable (with a 3.54, you will run out of 1st gear very quickly) and in 5th you can do 75 or 80 and be turning about 2700 (if my memory is correct).