New FF MK4 Owner

[thedonva]

Hi. I've been bitten by the Cobra bug after my friend picked up a FF MK3 a couple months ago (it's extremely infectious). I bought a MK4 with just over a 1000 miles that was built about a year or so ago by the Mesquite ISD in Texas. The car should be here tomorrow and I've already purchased wipers and a heater from FF. Anyway - I'm looking forward to taking my new baby out on the open road.

Hopefully I can post some pictures to my profile but until then here is my new car:

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f47/Don_Marrow/cobrafront_zpse7833718.jpg

Don
Stafford, VA

[cobraguy13]

Don,
I am one of the instructors from Mesquite. The car you purchased was built by my students. The gentleman that bought it a year ago bought it to use as a race car and found that it was not built to perform in that way so he lost interest in it. I will say it was one of the strongest street versions we have built and I hope you enjoy the car as much as I am enjoying the one we built for myself.

[thedonva]

Thanks for the reply. I just got the car yesterday and I think it needs a tune up. The brake light would not turn off but luckily a forum member replied with a suggestion that worked. The gas pedal is very soft, I'm not sure how to fix that? I also noticed a little fluid on the garage floor below the engine (it's raining here or I'd back the car out to investigate). The car is beautiful and you guys did a great job. I think it just needs a few tweaks. I'm hoping to find someone in N.VA that can help me fix her up.

[David Hodgkins]

Gorgeous car!

You know, it might be good for you to take the build school even though you bought a completed car. You would learn a TON about how they come together and making "adjustments" wouldn't seem as daunting...

Congratulations, and welcome to the forum!

:)

[skullandbones]

Hi thedonva,

Nice ride! You mentioned you are having some go pedal issues. The builder said your's is one of the strongest street versions they have built so I would work on that issue first. I don't know how much power it has but if the throttle cable sticks or binds, it could be dangerous especially in one of these roadsters. Don't want you to scratch up that pretty paint job!

Good luck, WEK.

[thedonva]

Thanks for the praise and suggestions. I took it out today, I think I just need to get used to the car. It's a little different than my Audi. The build school is not a terrible idea but that would be a haul. I still think I need to add power steering and a few other mods.

[cobraguy13]

Adding mods to the car to make it your own is the best part of owning one. If the throttle seems too light you might check the throttle spring we normally install two springs on the throttle, the previous owner may have removed one of them. I saw you were interested in adding seat heaters I found some on amazon that were very easy to install and work quite nicely. behind the center of the dash are the extra wires for wipers, heater, and radio. i recommend you use one of those to power the seat heaters.

Hope this helps. By the way did the previous owner give you the build manual and wiring manual with the car there is a lot of really good info in those books.

[thedonva]

Adding mods to the car to make it your own is the best part of owning one. If the throttle seems too light you might check the throttle spring we normally install two springs on the throttle, the previous owner may have removed one of them. I saw you were interested in adding seat heaters I found some on amazon that were very easy to install and work quite nicely. behind the center of the dash are the extra wires for wipers, heater, and radio. i recommend you use one of those to power the seat heaters.

Hope this helps. By the way did the previous owner give you the build manual and wiring manual with the car there is a lot of really good info in those books.

Thanks - the build manual was passed on but not the wiring manual. I bought some inexpensive seat heaters today from Cobra Heat - waterproof and only $85. I am getting used to the gas pedal but wish it was a little firmer. I'll see if I can figure out where the two springs go, perhaps I can find it in the manual. I'm going down to the DMV to see if I can register it as an antique, I'm not sure since it is titled as a Factory Five Replica. If not then I'll have to add wipers and get it inspected.

So the question is - will it pass the emissions test - hopefully it does not come to that.

It is a great car and you can tell your students they did a great job.

[68GT500MAN]

Enjoy your purchase it looks great. Those are the seat heater that I have in my roadster and they make the car enjoyable to drive year round.
Doug

[edwardb]

Your Roadster looks good. I like the color. These things are never really done (:p) so your journey is just starting. Enjoy the process.

I purchased a partially build Mk3 several years ago, so I can relate to the learning curve. Enjoyed the build so much, now building a Mk4. Here's my build thread if you're interested. http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?8296-Mk4-7750-Build-Progress-Update