First Post.....contemplating a Roadster

[kbscobravert]

Contemplating a FFR Roadster. I am currently working in Afghanistan but my home and heart is in Texas. Actually less than 2 miles and no more than 2 right turns from Lone Star Classics. However, there is bad blood there and I like the FFR chassis 100 times better.

My current pride and joy is a never ending money pit of a 1995 Cobra convertible (32,000mi) that I have built into a full Maximum Motorsports suspension, Viper 6spd transmissioned, 76mm Turbo and Dart 4.125” big bore 348ci motor. Of course with that comes the fixins and she belts out 650hp to the tires on a lazy, lazy (too lazy in fact and my EGTs are paying a hefty price) tune. The car is a full body, AC and PS completely custom that I have built, fabricated, modified and enjoyed every hour of it. No expense has been spared down to the 2 piece rotors, space shuttle’s worth of –an fittings (not a hose clamp on the car), over kill oil cooling, etc. etc. etc.

The time has come though, for me to upgrade. My plan is to buy a base kit and swap the running gear from the 1995 over to the FFR Roadster. Everything that will swap I am gonna use…complete built 33spline Auborn HD diff, 3.27:1 gears etc, MM front lower control arms, all the brakes, cooling system and fan, gauges (11 all total), FRPP Cobra R wheels (rears widened to 10.5” for 315’s), complete engine and EFI system, trans, etc.

For a looong read here is the build thread for the money pit as she sits right now.

http://forums.corral.net/forums/member-build-up-projects/1038793-keiths-95-cobra-money-pit.html

Here is a pic of the engine bay. I am ready to rebuild the turbo kit from scratch to transplant it into the FFR Roadster.
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q313/robertbarton76015/20120608_190359.jpg

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q313/robertbarton76015/20120604_133041.jpg

[2FAST4U]

Welcome aboard! Sounds like a great plan.

[kbscobravert]

Welcome aboard! Sounds like a great plan.

Thanks. Love the site. I have been on here and the FFR main site for three days looking at options and trying to plan this thing out.

Already found.....T56 is not going to work with my solid axle. Meaning either sell the T56 for a T600 and pocket some cash or convert to IRS and be out some cash after selling my current built rear. Having a 6spd sure is nice though with the .50 overdrive and 3.27:1 gears. It is the being out some cash part that I have to keep to a minimum or the wife will put the brakes on the project.

[SStrong]

Hello from deep south TX. I have relatives in the Dallas area (all the way to Granbury).

I am getting near completion on my Roadster, just started the go-cart stage. The FFR kit is excellent and everything goes together well. I looked at all the major kit companies and found nothing bad about this company, and my experience has all been positive.

My donor was a 94 GT, though I wound up not using a most of the gear (only used the brakes, T-5, and front spindles, used tires/wheels during build). You may want to keep your pride and joy (great looking car) and buy what you need at junkyards and on Ebay. Going back, that's what I would have done.

This site has been indispensible for me. Have fun!

[68GT500MAN]

Welcome to the forum.

[MPTech]

You may be better off financially to sell your car outright, and just buy the few parts you would need and build an engine from scratch.
Seems like a shame to tear apart that well built car for just a couple items.

If you are running a lot of hp and like to drag race, the IRS may become a weak-link in your drivetrain (unless you upgrade the IRS, then you are in the same downward spiral you're currently experiencing.) You're current rear-end sounds like a good match for your motor.

Yep, planning your build is part of the process, and there will be compromises and plan changes.

fyi, here was my plan, may be helpful to you or give you some ideas:
MPTech Build Plan (http://www.ffcars.com/forums/17-factory-five-roadsters/264052-mptech-build-plan-revision-9-counting.html)

btw, I've got about 1k miles on my roadster and I'm REALLY enjoying it, even in gel-coat!
Building is a lot of fun and driving it is your reward!
Do it! You won't regret it!

[Mike N]

Thanks. Love the site. I have been on here and the FFR main site for three days looking at options and trying to plan this thing out.

Already found.....T56 is not going to work with my solid axle. Meaning either sell the T56 for a T600 and pocket some cash or convert to IRS and be out some cash after selling my current built rear. Having a 6spd sure is nice though with the .50 overdrive and 3.27:1 gears. It is the being out some cash part that I have to keep to a minimum or the wife will put the brakes on the project.

I think you will be quite happy with the 5 speed. I guess it depends on how many freeway miles you plan on driving. For that amount of power the solid rear is got to be the best option. Don't forget to beef up the 3 link attachment to the axle and chassis. It's been done a few different ways but VPM sells a bolt on solution http://www.vpmcobras.com/