edwardb
04-07-2015, 10:31 PM
Time to go ahead and post the official graduation thread for my #7750 Mk4 Roadster. Many have been following my build thread – link in my sig line – but let’s make it official now that I’m legal and can give a driving report.
First I have to thank my wife Sharon for her support for me and my crazy hobby. She has been very encouraging and a willing cruise partner for our many outings and club events. As long as her car goes in the garage and I don’t ask her to do anything crazy helping me (the one Mk3 engine install notwithstanding) all is good. Huge thanks to Factory Five for making a quality product that’s accessible to us average guys. I also want to thank the many forum vendors – Fortes, Breeze, Gordon Levy, Dark Water Custom, **********, Tangent, Russ Thompson, Mike Everson, FFMetals, Cobra Earl, Whitby Motorsports, Herb Fraiser – who helped me spend my money, but more importantly provide great service and products. Also thanks to some key non-forum vendors, like Fordstrokers, Liberty’s High Performance, GT Performance Coatings, Dun-Right Q.C. Coatings, Motor City Solutions, and of course my friends at Summit, Jegs, and McMaster-Carr. What would we do without you guys? Finally, huge thanks to all my forum buddies for their support, answers to my questions, and overall encouragement throughout the build. It means a lot!
This is my second Roadster build. #5125 Mk3 was completed in 2011. It was great to get it done and on the road, but I missed the build. So when FFCars forum member GT-Tom advertised his several month old build, we reached a deal and off we went to New Hampshire to pick it up.
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%20Mark%204%20Roadster%20Build/Delivery/th_IMG_1807.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/edwardb123/media/Factory%20Five%20Mark%204%20Roadster%20Build/Delivery/IMG_1807.jpg.html)
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%20Mark%204%20Roadster%20Build/Delivery/th_IMG_1806.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/edwardb123/media/Factory%20Five%20Mark%204%20Roadster%20Build/Delivery/IMG_1806.jpg.html)
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%20Mark%204%20Roadster%20Build/Delivery/th_IMG_1812.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/edwardb123/media/Factory%20Five%20Mark%204%20Roadster%20Build/Delivery/IMG_1812.jpg.html)
The deal on the home front was that once the new build was complete, we would sell one of the two Roadsters. Guess which one made the cut? The Mk3 was sold to a local fellow club member last November. #7750 started as a basic kit. Options included powder coat frame, body cut-outs, Speedhut gauges, wiper kit, Ron Francis harness, FFR Wilwood brake upgrade, FFR 17 inch Vintage Halibrand Replica 5-lug wheels, and FFR 2-piece spindles. Tom ordered the 5-link rear suspension from Gordon Levy, and had just completed the installation when the build stopped. Also ordered and received was an 8.8 inch rear axle, Wilwood pedal box modified for hydroboost, and a hydroboost assist and dual master cylinder. All from Fortes. All around a very nice set of parts to start a build.
My goal for the non-donor build was primarily a street cruiser. Engine choice was to be a carb’d small block Windsor. 5-speed, power steering, power brakes, hydraulic clutch, mechanical throttle linkage, no heater, FFR low back seats with heaters, glovebox, competition style dash, and in general a pretty traditional overall look. My goal was to finish in roughly two years, which I almost achieved. During the build, I was working full time most of the time, including lots of travel. Near the end of the build, we took a break for our youngest son’s wedding. Also had an extended visit from our oldest son and his family. Always great because they live out of the country. He even got to help with the build a bit. Late last year, I decided it was time and retired after 41 years doing mostly IT work. So lots going on including this build! It's been an eventful couple of years. That’s life, right? So on to the details.
For the engine, I decided to go 347 stroker. The 306 in my Mk3 was plenty, but wanted to do something a little different. I chose Fordstrokers in the Chicago area to build the short block, and after a side-by-side comparison, upgraded the engine build to a DART SHP block. Jim at Fordstrokers also installed the cam and the Moroso pan. I finished the rest. The engine components include a SCAT forged crank and forged H beam rods, Wiseco pistons, AFR 185 heads, COMP Cam custom billet cam, COMP Cam Ultra Pro Magnum roller rockers, Edelbrock Air Gap intake, Edelbrock water pump, Edelbrock engine driven fuel pump, Quick Fuel SS-750-AN double pumper carb, MSD distributor and digital ignition box, Cobra Earl water neck and Jegs thermostat housing, all ARP hardware, Billet Specialties valve covers and air cleaner, March Performance pulleys, FFR/BBK 4-into-4 headers, and GAS-N side pipes. The engine hasn’t been dyno’d, but is estimated around 475 flywheel hp. Compression ratio calculated as 10.5:1.
The rest of the drivetrain is a Ford Racing billet flywheel, QuickTime bell housing, McLeod Super Street Pro clutch, Fortes hydraulic clutch actuation, a TKO600 from Liberty’s with their upgraded synchro and shift upgrade and .82 final drive, Denny’s Driveshaft, Metco Motorsports safety loop, Ford 8.8 Trac-Loc solid rear with 3:27 gears and Yukon axles.
For the chassis build, all aluminum panels were gloss black powder coated, Lizard skin sound and thermal insulation in the cockpit and trunk, rigid stainless fuel and brake lines. I did the PS footbox expansion mod and added the .090 firewall from FFMetals. Front suspension is FFR uppers and lowers, FFR 2-piece spindles, Koni coilovers with Eibach 600 lb springs, Breeze/Unisteer 3.0 turn power rack, Fast Freddie’s Electro-Hydraulic kit powering the steering and brakes, Wilwood 12.88 dia rotor and 6-piston caliper. Rear suspension is Gordon Levy 5-link, Koni coilovers with Eibach 300 lb springs, Wilwood 12.19 dia rotors and single piston caliper with integrated parking brake.
The electrical system is the usual Ron Francis wiring harness, stock FFR lighting all around with the added driving light and grill from Tangent Technologies in the oil cooler opening, footwell and trunk LED lighting, front battery mount from Breeze, headlights controlled with an American Autowire module and added warning chime. Gauges are Speedhut with the water temp converted to Fahrenheit and an added oil temp also in Fahrenheit. The dash layout started as a blank from FFR, and is a modified competition layout. Switches are mostly Lucas. Indicator lights are LED’s from Del City. The dash vinyl and glove box are from Alex’s Custom Roadster Interiors. I added a sound system made up of components from Infinity, Polk Audio and Alpine.
The paint is by Motor City Solutions in Taylor, MI. The colors are Ford RZ Red Candy 2 and GM Arctic white. It’s stunning, especially in sunlight. The body is undercoated. The roll bar is from Breeze and chrome plated. Tires are Nitto NT555 Extreme, 255/40’s in the front, 315/35’s in the back.
Enough details about the build. I now have 130 miles on the odometer. After some initial carb tuning and touching up the front end alignment, it’s ready for some more extensive cruising. Impression so far? Amazing. The engine is running great and is very strong. No surprise there. The TKO shifts clean and crisp. I was a little worried about it after being very comfortable with the T-5 in my Mk3 and hearing stories about the TKO. But it’s nice. The hydraulic clutch and mechanical throttle linkage are smooth and precise. I love the power steering. I turned down the pump just slightly and it’s perfect. The FFR spindles are amazing. Absolutely zero bump steer. Just smooth as can be. I was a little worried about the hydroboost power along with the Wilwood brake components. I shouldn’t have been. Even after bedding them in per Wilwood’s instructions, which made them a lot stronger, they’re still reasonably modulated and will be fine for my street driving. The car is solid with no squeaks or rattles. Sound with all the insulation and GAS-N pipes is reasonable, but we’ll still use our ear plugs. I haven’t pressed it too much, but the 5-link rear rides well and feels planted and controlled. My wife gave it a hearty “thumbs up” after her first ride yesterday. I hesitate to say it drives like a modern car, because after all it is still a loud, short wheelbase, overpowered, open top roadster. But it really is a pleasure to drive. Lively, light on its feet, quick, extremely precise steering and braking, centers up and goes down the road with ease. Exactly what I wanted. I couldn’t be more thrilled with it. Did my first “new engine” oil change yesterday. Everything looked good. Cut open the oil filter with nothing found. A very slight oil drip was solved with new crush washers on the drain plugs.
Many know that the new build was entered in the Hand Built Sports class at the 2015 Detroit Autorama about a month ago. I had a great time with its first public showing. Reaction was amazingly positive. I was also quite excited that it received the first place award in its class.
We are registered for the London Cobra Show, and right now are also planning to attend the open house at Factory Five the weekend before London. Hope that I can meet and greet some of you at those events! Now finally for some graduation pics before this post needs a table of contents. Enjoy!
First I have to thank my wife Sharon for her support for me and my crazy hobby. She has been very encouraging and a willing cruise partner for our many outings and club events. As long as her car goes in the garage and I don’t ask her to do anything crazy helping me (the one Mk3 engine install notwithstanding) all is good. Huge thanks to Factory Five for making a quality product that’s accessible to us average guys. I also want to thank the many forum vendors – Fortes, Breeze, Gordon Levy, Dark Water Custom, **********, Tangent, Russ Thompson, Mike Everson, FFMetals, Cobra Earl, Whitby Motorsports, Herb Fraiser – who helped me spend my money, but more importantly provide great service and products. Also thanks to some key non-forum vendors, like Fordstrokers, Liberty’s High Performance, GT Performance Coatings, Dun-Right Q.C. Coatings, Motor City Solutions, and of course my friends at Summit, Jegs, and McMaster-Carr. What would we do without you guys? Finally, huge thanks to all my forum buddies for their support, answers to my questions, and overall encouragement throughout the build. It means a lot!
This is my second Roadster build. #5125 Mk3 was completed in 2011. It was great to get it done and on the road, but I missed the build. So when FFCars forum member GT-Tom advertised his several month old build, we reached a deal and off we went to New Hampshire to pick it up.
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%20Mark%204%20Roadster%20Build/Delivery/th_IMG_1807.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/edwardb123/media/Factory%20Five%20Mark%204%20Roadster%20Build/Delivery/IMG_1807.jpg.html)
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%20Mark%204%20Roadster%20Build/Delivery/th_IMG_1806.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/edwardb123/media/Factory%20Five%20Mark%204%20Roadster%20Build/Delivery/IMG_1806.jpg.html)
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%20Mark%204%20Roadster%20Build/Delivery/th_IMG_1812.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/edwardb123/media/Factory%20Five%20Mark%204%20Roadster%20Build/Delivery/IMG_1812.jpg.html)
The deal on the home front was that once the new build was complete, we would sell one of the two Roadsters. Guess which one made the cut? The Mk3 was sold to a local fellow club member last November. #7750 started as a basic kit. Options included powder coat frame, body cut-outs, Speedhut gauges, wiper kit, Ron Francis harness, FFR Wilwood brake upgrade, FFR 17 inch Vintage Halibrand Replica 5-lug wheels, and FFR 2-piece spindles. Tom ordered the 5-link rear suspension from Gordon Levy, and had just completed the installation when the build stopped. Also ordered and received was an 8.8 inch rear axle, Wilwood pedal box modified for hydroboost, and a hydroboost assist and dual master cylinder. All from Fortes. All around a very nice set of parts to start a build.
My goal for the non-donor build was primarily a street cruiser. Engine choice was to be a carb’d small block Windsor. 5-speed, power steering, power brakes, hydraulic clutch, mechanical throttle linkage, no heater, FFR low back seats with heaters, glovebox, competition style dash, and in general a pretty traditional overall look. My goal was to finish in roughly two years, which I almost achieved. During the build, I was working full time most of the time, including lots of travel. Near the end of the build, we took a break for our youngest son’s wedding. Also had an extended visit from our oldest son and his family. Always great because they live out of the country. He even got to help with the build a bit. Late last year, I decided it was time and retired after 41 years doing mostly IT work. So lots going on including this build! It's been an eventful couple of years. That’s life, right? So on to the details.
For the engine, I decided to go 347 stroker. The 306 in my Mk3 was plenty, but wanted to do something a little different. I chose Fordstrokers in the Chicago area to build the short block, and after a side-by-side comparison, upgraded the engine build to a DART SHP block. Jim at Fordstrokers also installed the cam and the Moroso pan. I finished the rest. The engine components include a SCAT forged crank and forged H beam rods, Wiseco pistons, AFR 185 heads, COMP Cam custom billet cam, COMP Cam Ultra Pro Magnum roller rockers, Edelbrock Air Gap intake, Edelbrock water pump, Edelbrock engine driven fuel pump, Quick Fuel SS-750-AN double pumper carb, MSD distributor and digital ignition box, Cobra Earl water neck and Jegs thermostat housing, all ARP hardware, Billet Specialties valve covers and air cleaner, March Performance pulleys, FFR/BBK 4-into-4 headers, and GAS-N side pipes. The engine hasn’t been dyno’d, but is estimated around 475 flywheel hp. Compression ratio calculated as 10.5:1.
The rest of the drivetrain is a Ford Racing billet flywheel, QuickTime bell housing, McLeod Super Street Pro clutch, Fortes hydraulic clutch actuation, a TKO600 from Liberty’s with their upgraded synchro and shift upgrade and .82 final drive, Denny’s Driveshaft, Metco Motorsports safety loop, Ford 8.8 Trac-Loc solid rear with 3:27 gears and Yukon axles.
For the chassis build, all aluminum panels were gloss black powder coated, Lizard skin sound and thermal insulation in the cockpit and trunk, rigid stainless fuel and brake lines. I did the PS footbox expansion mod and added the .090 firewall from FFMetals. Front suspension is FFR uppers and lowers, FFR 2-piece spindles, Koni coilovers with Eibach 600 lb springs, Breeze/Unisteer 3.0 turn power rack, Fast Freddie’s Electro-Hydraulic kit powering the steering and brakes, Wilwood 12.88 dia rotor and 6-piston caliper. Rear suspension is Gordon Levy 5-link, Koni coilovers with Eibach 300 lb springs, Wilwood 12.19 dia rotors and single piston caliper with integrated parking brake.
The electrical system is the usual Ron Francis wiring harness, stock FFR lighting all around with the added driving light and grill from Tangent Technologies in the oil cooler opening, footwell and trunk LED lighting, front battery mount from Breeze, headlights controlled with an American Autowire module and added warning chime. Gauges are Speedhut with the water temp converted to Fahrenheit and an added oil temp also in Fahrenheit. The dash layout started as a blank from FFR, and is a modified competition layout. Switches are mostly Lucas. Indicator lights are LED’s from Del City. The dash vinyl and glove box are from Alex’s Custom Roadster Interiors. I added a sound system made up of components from Infinity, Polk Audio and Alpine.
The paint is by Motor City Solutions in Taylor, MI. The colors are Ford RZ Red Candy 2 and GM Arctic white. It’s stunning, especially in sunlight. The body is undercoated. The roll bar is from Breeze and chrome plated. Tires are Nitto NT555 Extreme, 255/40’s in the front, 315/35’s in the back.
Enough details about the build. I now have 130 miles on the odometer. After some initial carb tuning and touching up the front end alignment, it’s ready for some more extensive cruising. Impression so far? Amazing. The engine is running great and is very strong. No surprise there. The TKO shifts clean and crisp. I was a little worried about it after being very comfortable with the T-5 in my Mk3 and hearing stories about the TKO. But it’s nice. The hydraulic clutch and mechanical throttle linkage are smooth and precise. I love the power steering. I turned down the pump just slightly and it’s perfect. The FFR spindles are amazing. Absolutely zero bump steer. Just smooth as can be. I was a little worried about the hydroboost power along with the Wilwood brake components. I shouldn’t have been. Even after bedding them in per Wilwood’s instructions, which made them a lot stronger, they’re still reasonably modulated and will be fine for my street driving. The car is solid with no squeaks or rattles. Sound with all the insulation and GAS-N pipes is reasonable, but we’ll still use our ear plugs. I haven’t pressed it too much, but the 5-link rear rides well and feels planted and controlled. My wife gave it a hearty “thumbs up” after her first ride yesterday. I hesitate to say it drives like a modern car, because after all it is still a loud, short wheelbase, overpowered, open top roadster. But it really is a pleasure to drive. Lively, light on its feet, quick, extremely precise steering and braking, centers up and goes down the road with ease. Exactly what I wanted. I couldn’t be more thrilled with it. Did my first “new engine” oil change yesterday. Everything looked good. Cut open the oil filter with nothing found. A very slight oil drip was solved with new crush washers on the drain plugs.
Many know that the new build was entered in the Hand Built Sports class at the 2015 Detroit Autorama about a month ago. I had a great time with its first public showing. Reaction was amazingly positive. I was also quite excited that it received the first place award in its class.
We are registered for the London Cobra Show, and right now are also planning to attend the open house at Factory Five the weekend before London. Hope that I can meet and greet some of you at those events! Now finally for some graduation pics before this post needs a table of contents. Enjoy!