ERA GT 2072 - Almost

Dave Wharran · #1 (**permalink**) 10-18-2003, 10:35 PM

Almost ready for the road.
Should be off the "ERA dollies" and on it's own tires and wheels tomorrow.

Getting real close at the wrong time of the year for us northeasterners.

Rodney · #2 (**permalink**) 10-18-2003, 10:42 PM

Wow! What a beauty!

joea · #3 (**permalink**) 10-18-2003, 10:46 PM

Drool!

Fox · #4 (**permalink**) 10-19-2003, 04:59 AM

I have to say, that is mechanical, and soon to be drivable art.

Tongue Pirate · #5 (**permalink**) 10-19-2003, 07:21 AM

Wow! That looks really great!!! Hopefully you'll have a mild winter & get plenty-O driving time.

PatBuckley · #6 (**permalink**) 10-19-2003, 07:22 AM

Dave, that is stunning! Good job.

Dave Wharran · #7 (**permalink**) 10-19-2003, 07:45 PM

It hit the ground on its own tires and wheels today. Can't wait to get it on the highway!

super40 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-22-2003, 06:42 PM

It looks good!

Greg Kulp · #9 (**permalink**) 10-22-2003, 07:51 PM

My gosh Dave, what an awesome car.

Greg

ERA 626 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-22-2003, 09:23 PM

WOW the ERA GT40 is amazing!!!
Maybe someday.

Johan · #11 (**permalink**) 10-23-2003, 04:48 AM

Looks great ! Mine used to look like that, but after years of track use, I need to do a restoration, especially after looking at your photos. Tell us a little more about what you did. Is it dry sumped ?
Brakes ?
engine ?
BRM pindrives ?
Really looks fantastic!

Johan

jamvan · #12 (**permalink**) 10-23-2003, 05:43 AM

Dave:

I must say I get excited just looking at it standing still!!!!

jim

ST · #13 (**permalink**) 10-23-2003, 06:44 AM

Looks like a winner and done "right".
If only I could fit in one.....oh well, good luck!

BT SNAKE · #14 (**permalink**) 10-23-2003, 01:09 PM

Dave,
You have done a great job on that beauty. Congratulations !
I noticed that the license plate area looks filled in. Did
you fill it and if so, where are you going to mount the license
plate ?

Hersh

Dave Wharran · #15 (**permalink**) 10-23-2003, 08:28 PM

Thanks all.
We gave the car a baptism by fire this morning. I had set up an appointment to do a 4 wheel alignment and had figured on putting the car on the trailer to haul it to the alignment station.
Most of the suspension adjustments were left loose.
Well, it wouldn't go on the trailer because of the long nose. The ramps for the trailer were too short and the nose would have drug.
So, I tightend the suspension adjustments where they were and off the car went on its maiden voyage. Suprisingly, once on the alignment machine, the suspension wasn't that far out. We ended up also going through state inspection today...no problems. Put about 130 miles on the car today.

It's fun to watch road construction workers stare at it as it goes by. Likewise with people riding alongside on the interstate and flashing a thumbs up.

The car is an ERA kit that we took delivery on about mid Janurary of this year. We stripped it to the chassis so it could be painted and started building back up from there.
It has a 351 Cleveland engine in it, which is supported by ERA, but is a bit unusual. The physical size of the engine is much bigger than a 302, so it fills the engine bay. The engine is '71 vintage, but is updated with EFI, direct fire/crank triggered ignition, electrick water pump.......
The engine dynoed at 410 HP/410 ft-lb. Probably pretty tame by current standards, but the engine should make that all day.

It was dynoed without 180 degree headers. With them, there was a slight lean spot just off idle. We tweaked the program today to richen it up. EFI makes it easy. Just tweak while riding around.
The headers are 304 stainless patterned much like a 427 exhaust system. Edelbrock RPM mufflers. They are quite quiet. You hear a lot more intake noise than exhaust noise.

Brakes are standard Corvette rear with 12" Baer rotors.
Front is Baer Alcon 4 piston calipers and 13" rotors.
Wheels are Jongbloed BRM 3 piece, pin drive.

Hersh, the licence plate bracket sets below the exhaust pipes.
it is now installed, but I haven't taken pics yet.

WBMusarra · #16 (**permalink**) 11-11-2003, 03:19 AM

Dave,
I am curious to see how you mounted your tag. My DRB is finished just as yours. It isn't ready for it yet. Long way to go.
Bill

Dave Wharran · #17 (**permalink**) 11-11-2003, 06:09 PM

Bill,
I'll take some photos and post. I've been too busy having fun with the car to take any photos! Almost 1600 miles since it hit the road a few weeks ago!

Dave