5-Day Snap-On Tools-Factory Five Coupe Build

[Mad Dog]

This week we are building a Gen 3 Type 65 Coupe-R with the crew from Snap-On Tools. This build will be part of Snap-On’s broadcast series “From the Ground Up.” The quality of the parts going into this car is really exciting. We have one of the very first, if not THE very first, Ford Performance 5.2L Aluminator 52XS crate engine going into the car. Our long term partners at KONI have set us up with a great set of double adjustable shocks. The crew at Wilwood shipped us a nice set of their cross drilled and slotted racing brakes. We’re running a Fuel Safe racing fuel cell and full fire suppression system. Unique to this car, and a first for Factory Five, are the All-Star Performance air jacks. Other parts include Aviaid dry sump system, Rays 18″ racing wheels, Sparco racing seats, and Aim digital race dash. The car will have full aero front and back and use our new front aero bumper cover, carbon fiber front splitter, and double front aero canards. In the back, we will run a rear wing and under aluminum sheet.

Day 1 – Monday, March 13

Cold and snow is forecast for tomorrow, but we’re running red hot here at Factory Five on day 1 of our Snap-on Tools Gen 3 Type 65 Coupe build! Huge thanks to the amazing people at Ford Performance for delivering a very exciting engine. This will be an epic build, and we’ll keep you update all week. The full episode will be available on Snap-On’s series “From the Ground Up” in about a month.

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The first day was for set-up, tool and part inventory, and getting ready for the action to start.

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The white powdercoated Coupe-R chassis is ready for the project.

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The crew from Snap-On spent the day organizing their tools, unpacking, and getting ready for the build.

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Scott Sengpiel from Snap-On shows Jesper his mega tool cabinet.

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We are sponsored by Snap-On and all of our tools come from them.

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Lots of shiny metal parts!

[Mad Dog]

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We are starting the build with a painted body. Jon had to do some engine work to get the 5.2 ready for a dry sump oiling system.

At the end of the day, we had done a few hours of assembly work on the car which included front and rear suspension and about half of the aluminum panels. The engine is ready for install.

Tuesday, March 14

Today is day 2 of the Snap-on Tools Factory Five Gen 3 Coupe build. We started out the day with front and rear suspensions installed on the chassis and about half of the aluminum panels drilled and mounted. Check out the progress.

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The very, very cool Ford Performance Aluminator 52XS engine awaits install.

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Jim finishes installing the dry sump on the engine while Tony, Jesper, and the Snap-On crew work on the chassis.

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Those cylinders behind the suspension are air jacks. Did you know the original 1965 was the first race car to feature air jacks for pit stops?

[Mad Dog]

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We painted the body in advance of the one week build. We also powder coated the aluminum panels metallic grey. All race chassis at Factory Five are now powdercoated white standard.

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Engine was in by 2 PM today and now Jon is working on plumbing and headers.

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Scott from Snap-On helps Jim and Tony from Factory Five up top while Factory Five’s Jon works on the headers.

[johngeorge]

Great work guys!

[Mark Dougherty]

well done guys
John maybe we should put red stripes on yours.
It would be a carbon copy of this build.

[FFinisher]

Looks good guys, Very impressive.

[Garry Bopp]

Lots of drooling going on here! What are the specs on the 5.2 Aluminator?

Garry

[GoDadGo]

Lots of drooling going on here! What are the specs on the 5.2 Aluminator?

Garry

I'm Drooling Too; However, It Needs A 572-BBC Or LS-3 Instead!

[Jeff Kleiner]

...It Needs A 572-BBC Or LS-3 Instead!

Ya' know Steve, you started out telling us that you put the SBC in the roadster "because I already have it" but after that comment I'm beginning to think you're just contrary :)

Looking great guys!

Jeff

[GoDadGo]

Ya' know Steve, you started out telling us that you put the SBC in the roadster "because I already have it" but after that comment I'm beginning to think you're just contrary :)

Looking great guys!

Jeff

It is true that I had the engine and transmission sitting around; however, the Chevy stuff yields a lot of power for the dollar and doesn't the GTM run GM power too? Hummmmm??????

Man I Want To Build One Of These Things Down The Road!

Have a great day Sir Jeff!

[Mad Dog]

This new engine from Ford was dyno'd by the boys at Ford Performance before it shipped. The engine produced 570 HP and around 450-460 lb.-ft. of torque. They ran it on 101 octane.

[Garry Bopp]

Steve, you are definitely a visitor from the "Dark Side" with your LS leanings ... but we love you anyways!

Garry

[GoDadGo]

Steve, you are definitely a visitor from the "Dark Side" with your LS leanings ... but we love you anyways!

Garry

What I Love About The Factory Five Family Is That I've Only Had One Person Really Get P/O'd That I Put A Chevy In A Factory Five!

Statistically, that is totally insignificant so the cool thing is that this forum proves that there is room for everyone, even this Dark Side Guy!

Steve

[Mad Dog]

Day 3 – Wednesday, March 15

On day 3 of the Snap-on Tools Factory Five Gen 3 Coupe build we expect to wrap up the engine and plumbing. The footbox and pedals are in as well.

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Tony from FFR and Scott from Snap-On started bright and early at 8 am.

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Wilwood brakes are going to do a great job of slowing the car down. KONI double adjustable shocks and Fuel Safe fuel cell are race duty parts.

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The body was painted in advance and Jim spent the morning getting the headlights, tail lights, and trim items on the body so it is ready to be mounted by the end of the day.

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Above & Below: Tons of details to attend to like bleeding brakes, finishing wiring and plumbing, and getting the dash wiring complete.

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Filming tends to slow down the project, but the crew is making good progress.

[Mad Dog]

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The R frame has functioning doors with the outer skin only. Behind the door are the crash bars added to the R Coupe.

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Factory Five’s Dave Smith talks to Scott Sengpiel from Snap-On about the progress of the project.

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Factory Five’s favorite road racer came by to spy on the race car.

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Nate Johnson leads the team in an impromptu sing-a-long of “Low Rider.”

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The end of the day witnessed the very first start of the very first 5.2L Ford Aluminator 52XS engine outside of the walls of Ford Performance!

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“From the Ground Up” host Jared Deanda talks to Factory Five’s Tony Zullo about this exciting new engine.

[Mad Dog]

Day 4 – Thursday, March 16

Big day today as we fired up the Ford Performance 5.2L Aluminator 52XS engine for the first time. We confirmed with the team at Ford that this engine is THE very first aftermarket 5.2L in the world. Such a great honor, and after hearing it come to life, we are even more anxious to get the car to the track and see what 580 normally aspirated horsepower in this car is like.


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It’s alive! Here’s a short video of the Ford Performance 5.2L Aluminator 52XS first start in the Type 65 Coupe.

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Above & Below: This morning, this is where we started with the crew staying late last night and mounting the rear body clip.

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We are soon to be introducing a new line of aero parts for the Gen 3 Coupe. These rear brake vents are just one of these new parts.

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The carbon fiber rear brake vent installed.

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Jon Dean preps some custom brackets.

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FFR’s Jay Kravitz mounts massive 335/30/18 rears with 295/30/18 fronts with Scott from Snap-On.

[Mad Dog]

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FFR’s Tony Zullo and Jim Schenck love working together!

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The doors were mounted right around noon today.

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Above & Below: The team is THRASHING today with tools and parts everywhere!

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Nothing like fresh rubber!

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The second half of the day there has been a flurry of activity. The windshield glass is going in this afternoon and the nose will be installed later today.

[GoDadGo]

What Do You Get When The Master Technicians From Factory Five & Snap Tools On Come Together For A Little Fun?

A Masterpiece Of Course!

[Al_C]

This is truly impressive! I'm blown away.

[Mark Dougherty]

Well done guys
Absolutely incredible
Love the new brake vents

[Vman7]

Very Nice!!!!! :) hmmm... why do those rear fender vents look so familiar....oh I know...LOL!!

I love the new Gen 3 BIG TIME!!!!! :)

Keep up the great work!!!

David

[smithtlw]

Great to see the coupe getting some lovin'

Thanks for posting - looks awesome!

[65 Cobra Dude]

Nice work guys!!!

Henry

[Vette1972]

Snap On & FFR guys,

Totally awesome build! What a fantastic build by the team. Excited to see the finished racer in action!

Congrats!
Len

[RoadRacer]

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FFR’s Jay Kravitz mounts massive 335/30/18 rears with 295/30/18 fronts with Scott from Snap-On.

What brand/model tires are those? I assumed Nitto, but can't find that tread pattern..

[johngeorge]

Those are toyo r888

[Mbuosaircd]

Tires are toyo r888

[RoadRacer]

Thanks johngeorge & Mbuosaircd

The car looks great guys!

[RogerB]

Wow, awesome build guys... Love the Aluminator, Gen 3 combo and all the cool new performance parts!!

[Mad Dog]

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Day four was the day that lasted forever as the crew worked until about 11 PM to finish mounting the front nose, side exhaust, and aero components.

Day 5 – Friday, March 17

First thing Friday morning the car gets sponsor decals/graphics. Today we are going to spend the day cleaning up the shop, putting tools away, and getting the car ready for track duty. The car is running/driving, but will need another week or so of nut and bolt checks and small details. Here are some shots of where we ended up at the end of four days.

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[Mad Dog]

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It’s hard to believe that five days ago this car wasn’t far away from the kit in the background. Huge thanks to the crew from Snap-On Tools for a fun week and for the awesome free tools! The road ahead for this particular car is very exciting. The car will be heading south to do some track testing for the show, after which it will headline Snap-On Tools National Convention and end the year at the 2017 SEMA Show with lots of track time between now and then!

[Vette1972]

WOW! What an amazing build! Great job guys.

[Vman7]

I get a kick out of when FFR and I are on the same page, minds thinking of the same stuff :) Mostly talking about the engine side vents and the rear fender vents. Those are the design ideas I have been thinking about for the GTO Design Project. Pretty close to what I had in mind.

I am so glad and very enthused about the new body curves, mostly on the rear fenders, roof and new rear window curves!!!!!

Can't say it enough, great job Jim S. and everybody at FFR as well as the Snap-On people for putting together this Great Race Car Build!! :)

David

[GoDadGo]

Great Job Gang!

It Looks Better Than I Had Imagined!

Can You All Come To Slidell, Louisiana For A Day?

[FFRSpec72]

Amazing job ! I would hope that the wing strut mounts become standard on the R frame as looks like everyone has been adding them, also would like to see jack points added right behind the exhaust using the frame's 2x2 there.

[chmhasy]

Wow looks great!!

[Jim1855]

Great job guys. I really like the look with the spoilers and vents. The red is great too.
Any chance you could provide wheel mfg info, sizes and offsets? Would be appreciated.
Do the tires hit anywhere? Inside front on a full lock always seems to be an issue but this generally only happens at low speed in a parking lot.
Thanks,
Jim

[David Hodgkins]

Amazing job ! I would hope that the wing strut mounts become standard on the R frame as looks like everyone has been adding them, also would like to see jack points added right behind the exhaust using the frame's 2x2 there.

Deploy those ram jacks!

Wow, what a build. An amazing, amazing car.

Wow.

[65 Cobra Dude]

Wow, I am speechless and that's hard to do. Awesome job guys!!!

[Abgar]

I love this Gen 3 more and more. Really an awesome car

[WIS89]

Wow, I am speechless and that's hard to do. Awesome job guys!!!

Henry-

I like the name of your company! First time I have seen your logo. Well done Sir!

The Gen III coupe is amazing, and that Snap On build is too good! I really love the race version and all the aero parts that have been added. True to the original, yet includes so many modern touches in and out of view, to make one heck of a car!! I can't wait to hear how it does on the track.

Well done Factory Five and Snap On!!

Regards,

Steve

[jkrueger]

What a great looking car. Great job guys!!

A couple of questions.

Is that the 67" GTC-500 AFR wing?

I like the wheel vents. Do you guys plan on doing any wind tunnel testing to see how effective they are?

Thanks

JC

[John Dol]

One heck of a car, love the aero parts.

John

[Boil]

Man, that 52XS is AWESOME…!

Any insight as to the retail on that bad boy…? The 50XS lists at about 17K, so the 52XS might run about 23K…? (…those heads, that block…)

Would LOVE to see Ford offer a package like the Coyote Power Module kit, but with the 52XS & appropriate tranny/engine controller/wiring harness…

Cannot wait to see some track footage of this beauty in action…!!!

[erlihemi]

That was an awesome week! Snow storm and all. When I look at this car I want to plumb twin turbos forward in the air box behind the radiator. Is that achievable? Route the intake out the side to the front and exhaust down and back out the correct location? Keep the heat out of the engine bay? Don't be afraid to tell me why it's a bad idea. Hate to spend next fall building a twin turbo V12 only to find out I can't get enough airflow through the radiator thingy...or the pull rope won't reach the crank.

[q4stix]

@Mad Dog or someone else involved with the build, is there going to be a parts list published? The R-coupe is evident as is the engine, but what about the wheels (Volk ZE40s?) and tires, aero bits, fuel cell, dry sump system, seats, etc.?

There are general statements of brand but no part number specifics that I can find. Thanks!

[Dave Howard]

This would be the craziest ultimate Type65 Coupe if you guys could spring to throw a Whipple 2.9 supercharger on that Aluminator. I dare you.

[HCP 65 COUPE]

Now all it needs is a flat under tray and a diffuser this thing is getting close to a imsa gt car. I wonder if imsa would allow it to run in the Gtd class.

[454bug]

@Mad Dog or someone else involved with the build, is there going to be a parts list published? The R-coupe is evident as is the engine, but what about the wheels (Volk ZE40s?) and tires, aero bits, fuel cell, dry sump system, seats, etc.?

There are general statements of brand but no part number specifics that I can find. Thanks!

These are good questions!!!

Is someone going to respond???

Could we please get a parts list together with part numbers?

[R Thomas]

As to part numbers if you refer to John George's - Gen 3 FFR#48 post I believe the second post in it contains Johns part list. I believe many of the parts have links to suppliers. If not on the forum post then check out the http://www.johngeorgeracing.com where he also has the list. The wheels and seats aren't there but most everything that's needed for a Coyote build can be found.
The Aero bits are in the FFR Parts catalog mostly. IMO they should have an Aero section because the Rear Wing and Heat Extractors are on the GTM page and the Splitter is listed in the 818 stuff. Only the front spoiler shows in the Type65 stuff. I believe the Front and Rear Wheel vents are FFR parts as well but I have yet to see them in the catalog.
I would really like to see John get a shot with this car at the Ultimate Track Car Challenge as it is much like his own build but not restricted in engine power or tires by NASA ST2 class rules. Maybe it will show up for the event and if not Johns Coupe is already entered along with an 818.

[454bug]

I'm more interested in the wheels and wing. I have already copied John's list. I want to know the size and backspacing of the 18" wheels to fit the 295/335 front/rear tire combo with the new Gen 3 body/chassis. Also, which wing did they use (APR GTC-500 or GTC-300) and which width stantions did they use for the wing? Was it a wing that came from a specific car or is it a custom width?

[454bug]

Well, I see they have already changed out the APR GTC-500 wing for a GT-1000. They also installed the GT-1000 on Factory Five's personal 818R that's running at the VIR Fastest Track Challenge in May.

I need to call FFR and ask them the width of the GT-1000 as well as the center-to-center measurement of the stantions.