Building a Cobra for a youtube series

[Kalvin28]

hey guys my lady and I just bought a house in the boulder colorado area and are moving out there from silicon valley ca. since it's our first time with a garage, and it's a big 3 car garage, i figured now would be a good time to throw together a factory five and document the process for social media. We're in our 20's, she's an engineer at google and I'm a fitness coach at apple and neither of us really know much about cars so this will be a fun way to learn. We recently rebuilt a 66' mustang in our driveway, and realized if we ever want to do in-depth work on cars we needed a real garage. I'll post links to the youtube videos and maybe ask some questions when we get stumped. The plan is to build and sell a cobra, and if we enjoy it maybe build one for ourselves (possibly a 33' hotrod or the upcoming supercar that factory five is planning to release).

[dallas_]

That is awesome. Can't wait to follow along. Glad to see some younger people in the hobby.
Growing up in Colorado I expect you will like Boulder a lot. :)

[Jeff Kleiner]

This should be interesting.

Jeff

[gtaroger]

Welcome! Roger

[Dewey McBride]

Can't wait to follow along!

[MPTech]

Just so you're not surprised, it will PROBABLY cost you more to build, than you can sell it for.
Your 2 most needed skills will be Problem-Solving and Determination, not mechanical (although it certainly helps).

Good luck and keep us posted, they are a lot of fun to build, even more fun to drive.

Btw, our club (Gateway Cobra Club) is planning our Long-Haul Cruise to Denver 8/18 - 8/23. We expect about 12-ish cars and will be cruising the fun-roads around the area, if you want to catch up with us you can ask questions and get a lot of knowledge from the group. I should have a schedule / itinerary soon. :cool:

[jrcuz]

Sounds interesting, welcome.
JR

[Papa]

Boulder and a Cobra seem kind of like like oil & water, unless you are doing an all electric or pedal powered version. :p Welcome to Colorado and to the FFR family. I have a free body buck available if you want it.

Dave

[wareaglescott]

Cool
Serious question... do you plan to build one and sell it for a profit?

[Kalvin28]

Thanks everyone, yeah the offers we have so far are about 1.5x the build cost but we might end up keeping it and building them another if we like it enough. I’ll post up the YouTube video of what we have so far but I have to say I’m NOT impressed with the quality of the chassis so far. The front lower control arm mounts are all over the place. One of them is 3/8” smaller than the others and will have to be either ground down, bent (doubtful) or completely cut off and re welded. I’m wondering what the point of a kit car is when I have to start cutting and welding chassis parts on. That being said I’m stayig optimistic that maybe we just discovered crappy mistakes early on and the rest of the chassis will be correct! The 427 and 5 speed we ordered from Forte parts connection are being dyno’d today as well, so I’ll post up the results of that. Mike forte has been awesome to talk to and very helpful.

[Kalvin28]

https://youtu.be/iT9-fATipX4

Follow that link to the first YouTube video! The editing won’t be anything fancy so don’t expect magic but we’ll try to post updates over the next few months!

[JohnK]

Nice! Congrats on the delivery and good luck with the build. Can't wait to see what you do with it.

-John

[wareaglescott]

Thanks everyone, yeah the offers we have so far are about 1.5x the build cost .

Waving the BS flag as high as possible. LOL

[RickP]

Got the popcorn ready.

[GoDadGo]

Welcome aboard and you will be surprised as you work your way through the entire process as to how rewarding building a car really is.
Good Luck & Know That The Folks On This Forum Are Here To Help You Both!
Just understand that we like spending other people's money.

[GoDadGo]

I’ll post up the YouTube video of what we have so far but I have to say I’m NOT impressed with the quality of the chassis so far. The front lower control arm mounts are all over the place. One of them is 3/8” smaller than the others and will have to be either ground down, bent (doubtful) or completely cut off and re welded.

How Much Difference Do You Have Between The Tabs Where They Are Welded Versus The Opening Between The Tabs Where The Lower Control Arm Mount?

You may be able to spread the lower bracket by inserting a piece of threaded rod through the holes and using a couple of nuts in the center of the rod to spread the bracket.
Mechanically you can likely spread them by simply doing a little wrench swinging if they aren't so far off that they need to be cut off and be re-welded.
Just put some washers between the frame and the nuts to spread the load plus the washers will protect the powder coating.
If this doesn't work, contact Factory Five as soon as you can and send them some photos.
My dealings with Factory Five have been very good so I hope yours will be too.

[JohnK]

I'll second what GoDadGo said. When I first got my chassis and did some test-fitting of control arms, all the mounts needed a little spreading with a threaded rod and some hardened washers/nuts. One, in particular, was pretty far off (also about 3/8") and I was sure it needed some sort of cutting/re-welding. I called FFR not once but twice because I was pretty uncomfortable with the situation but they were pretty chill about it and said to just spread them as far as necessary to get the control arms in there and everything will be fine. They were right.

[Kalvin28]

Thanks for the replies, it being that far off was certainly disconcerting. I got it sorted and the front suspension buttoned up last night, I’d like to have a roller by sometime next week but haven’t gotten rubber on the halibrand knock offs yet. I’ll be interested what they say when we get it aligned down the road though lol hopefully the rest of the chassis was built to more exact tolerances (although I’ve accepted that I’ll be doing a lot more fab work than advertised) Thanks again for the replies!

[Kalvin28]

How Much Difference Do You Have Between The Tabs Where They Are Welded Versus The Opening Between The Tabs Where The Lower Control Arm Mount?

You may be able to spread the lower bracket by inserting a piece of threaded rod through the holes and using a couple of nuts in the center of the rod to spread the bracket.
Mechanically you can likely spread them by simply doing a little wrench swinging if they aren't so far off that they need to be cut off and be re-welded.
Just put some washers between the frame and the nuts to spread the load plus the washers will protect the powder coating.
If this doesn't work, contact Factory Five as soon as you can and send them some photos.
My dealings with Factory Five have been very good so I hope yours will be too.

This is exactly the question that made me feel better! The difference between where the tab was mounted and the actual holes for the lower control arms was significant, leading me to think their measurements were decent and it was just a bit of shift during the welding process- Either way I’m not ashamed to say a torch and a large mallet did the trick and squared it up.

[GoDadGo]

This is exactly the question that made me feel better! The difference between where the tab was mounted and the actual holes for the lower control arms was significant, leading me to think their measurements were decent and it was just a bit of shift during the welding process- Either way I’m not ashamed to say a torch and a large mallet did the trick and squared it up.

Glad You Got It Sorted!

[frankeeski]

Got the popcorn ready.

No kidding right? :eek:

[Papa]

Waving the BS flag as high as possible. LOL


Got the popcorn ready.


No kidding right? :eek:

Maybe this will help explain it...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnPsjCQXywM

Sorry, Kalvin! I couldn't resist poking a little fun at the People's Republic of Boulder. In all seriousness, if it were that easy to turn a 50% profit building these, I would be on my next build already! Good luck with the build and I hope it works out the way you have planned.

Dave

[JimLev]

The best part of Boulder is probably the brewery.
Extra butter on my popcorn please.
All kidding aside good luck with your build.
You need to get or build a big workbench.

[Kalvin28]

Lol these replies are so cringey. If you want to turn a profit on anything, you have to use your brain. I could teach you guys how I got 4 buyers lined up at 75k for these if you’d like, or you can go on eating your popcorn and watch haha. Either way I’m excited for the finished product and will post updates regularly to the YouTube channel!

[Jeff Kleiner]

...I could teach you guys how I got 4 buyers lined up at 75k for these if you’d like, or you can go on eating your popcorn and watch haha...

It must be your honesty:

"We will be building this car in our garage. and no, we don't know what the hell we are doing."

:)

Looking forward to following along!

Jeff

[Papa]

Subscribed! I want to learn how this is done. Most of the nicer builds I've seen for sale have sold in the $35-45k range with the occasional exceptional build bringing more. I have more than that in parts in my car. Of course there are people selling oceanfront property in Arizona, so anything is possible. Good luck and I'll enjoy watching your progress on YouTube.

Dave

[JimLev]

Subscribed too. Hope I don't run out of popcorn, this is going to be good.
Being Apple and Google peeps I hope you can handle that 427, it's not going to be anything like driving a Prius.

Once you start the build we'll stop razzing you.
Good luck.

[Big Blocker]

I have to go along with Jeff here, it must be your honesty that appeals to people (buyers) . . . they are willing to pay for your effort to build and the "entertainment value" of watching or following along two inexperienced builders tackle this build.

Ask as many questions as possible, there is an enormous amount of talent on this and the other forum (mostly comprised of the same people) that will be more than willing to help out when you get to parts you have trouble with. I know I will be following along.

Good luck and may the F5 forces be with you . . .

Doc

[DadofThree]

I was a first time builder, and first time you tuber. My videos are not at all professional, but was what I did to get thoughts out of my head, and to document the process. No money related. But fyi, I have found that when viewers find your channel, they are interested in direct information on how to do something instead of watching you "learn your way" through a build.

Good luck with your venture. Dave

Link to my videos on Build A Cobra (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDbftLPzSdWZsfEe5LfhHog/videos)

[JohnK]

Lol these replies are so cringey. If you want to turn a profit on anything, you have to use your brain. I could teach you guys how I got 4 buyers lined up at 75k for these if you’d like, or you can go on eating your popcorn and watch haha. Either way I’m excited for the finished product and will post updates regularly to the YouTube channel!

OK, I'll bite. Please teach me how you got four buyers lined up to pay $75K for it?

[David Hodgkins]

Lol these replies are so cringey. If you want to turn a profit on anything, you have to use your brain. I could teach you guys how I got 4 buyers lined up at 75k for these if you’d like, or you can go on eating your popcorn and watch haha. Either way I’m excited for the finished product and will post updates regularly to the YouTube channel!

If this is true perhaps you can let them know I have a 15th Anniversary MKIV (one of 15) available for $55k:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=79341&d=1516074013

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=53465&d=1462194805

This car is fairly famous, having been displayed at several FFR events and winning runner-up, best in show at the HB cruise-in. The build thread has over 250K views on this site.

:)

[GoDadGo]

David,

You for got to also explain that your car is likely the only Factory Five that can properly fit a Wookiee sized driver.

Steve

[SerpantFL]

I wrenched at an AMC dealership in the '60's, and I still am apprehensive about my car building skills... Hope their life insurance is paid up... Good luck to them...

[CDXXVII]

I’m also in the 15 year anniversary club and would sell in a heartbeat for that amount. Heck, I’ll throw in a 5% finders fee. Mine is currently in the home page photo of the month.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=106597


If this is true perhaps you can let them know I have a 15th Anniversary MKIV (one of 15) available for $55k:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=79341&d=1516074013

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=53465&d=1462194805

This car is fairly famous, having been displayed at several FFR events and winning runner-up, best in show at the HB cruise-in. The build thread has over 250K views on this site.

:)

[Vspeeds]

I work in San Francisco and have dealt with some young folks in certain industries that have an extraordinary salary. I’ve seen their lifestyle and could see someone offering an amount for the car not even knowing what it is. Wondering if these offers are from the Tech industry

[Vspeeds]

Welcome aboard Kalvin28. Im looking forward to seeing your videos.

[Kalvin28]

Subscribed too. Hope I don't run out of popcorn, this is going to be good.
Being Apple and Google peeps I hope you can handle that 427, it's not going to be anything like driving a Prius.

Once you start the build we'll stop razzing you.
Good luck.
Well my last fun car was a 700whp 2016 mustang built by my uncles speedshop in San Diego. The cobra will be lighter and a hell of a lot sketchier but I think we’ll manage. After all... it won’t be as fast as a tesla or anything.:p

[Kalvin28]

I work in San Francisco and have dealt with some young folks in certain industries that have an extraordinary salary. I’ve seen their lifestyle and could see someone offering an amount for the car not even knowing what it is. Wondering if these offers are from the Tech industry

Yep! All offers thus far are from my clients who make 5-10x that a year. Offer to paint it the colors of their former university, engrave their kids names on the valve covers etc etc and suddenly non- car people are ready to drop big $$.

[Kalvin28]

A body buck would be much appreciated! I’ll DM you!

[JimLev]

Well my last fun car was a 700whp 2016 mustang built by my uncles speedshop in San Diego. The cobra will be lighter and a hell of a lot sketchier but I think we’ll manage. After all... it won’t be as fast as a tesla or anything.:p

That's good to hear, yes it will be a lot sketchier.
You need to start a build thread too.

Our son is living in Evergreen, when I get my 33 done I'll probably drive up there.
Maybe drop in to see your build too.

[WIS89]

Maybe this will help explain it...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnPsjCQXywM

Sorry, Kalvin! I couldn't resist poking a little fun at the People's Republic of Boulder. In all seriousness, if it were that easy to turn a 50% profit building these, I would be on my next build already! Good luck with the build and I hope it works out the way you have planned.

Dave

Dave-

Thanks for posting this. Living in Chapel Hill, I can relate to this exact situation! Folks here can be "interesting," in many of the same ways shown in that video.

To the OP, best of luck with your build(s)! As already stated, there are some great folks here with tons of experience that are great at helping folks with their builds. I think you will be surprised at the selflessness routinely demonstrated here!

I look forward to following along, and hope the build progresses in line with your expectations.

Regards,

Steve

[glastron351]

signed up as well....got the popcorn popping!

Good luck with the build and Welcome!

[Kalvin28]

That's good to hear, yes it will be a lot sketchier.
You need to start a build thread too.

Our son is living in Evergreen, when I get my 33 done I'll probably drive up there.
Maybe drop in to see your build too.

Awesome, I would love to pick your brain about the 33 if you stop by too!

[RAMRobAZ]

Looking forward to watching this series and seeing how it all turns out.

[SSNK4US]

Ya gotta admit the Rat Fink and the Mystery Machine on the garage wall is pretty cool :cool:

I’m on Vspeeds thought process.... wouldn’t be surprised if Kalvin could actually pull something like that off... you never know.
Anyway... welcome Kalvin! I’m subscribed, good luck and I’m looking forward to watching your build.

Kurt

[RickP]

Kalvin28 -


where are you at in your build? Did you meet your mark of being a roller "by next week"?

[RickP]

Any progress??

[GoDadGo]

Hey Kalvin,

Can you give your extended family an update?

Steve

[RAMRobAZ]

Here is the latest of 5 videos.

https://youtu.be/JqiMOzUgu6U

Looks like the engine and trans are in. They decided to make it a broad stroke video series, instead of a boring Turn Wrenches series.

Should be starting it soon.

[miller7448]

Wow, I'm new to all this but I can't imagine installing or pulling the engine without using an engine leveler on the hoist. Is this common? I pulled and reinstalled mine twice by myself last weekend while fitting the T56 but that was with the leveler.

[GoDadGo]

Wow, I'm new to all this but I can't imagine installing or pulling the engine without using an engine leveler on the hoist. Is this common? I pulled and reinstalled mine twice by myself last weekend while fitting the T56 but that was with the leveler.

Da-Bat

How About No Hoist But With An Engine Leveler?

https://youtu.be/Vhbftk4AP4k
https://youtu.be/-nVDzIjSjh8

Swamping It In Da-Swampy South!

Da-Dad

[miller7448]

That works! If the engine needs to be pulled with the radiator on, will need to do something similar as the hydraulic cylinder on the hoist will hit. Hopefully it's in for the final time.