Just ordered, did I miss anything?

[CoreyB]

Just a quick intro my name is Corey I live in Tucson, AZ area. This is my first attempt at a build although I had a ‘67 Camaro in my 20’s. My plan is a weekend cruiser ’33. Factory Five’s completion date is May 7, 2022.

Here’s what I ordered:
• Powder coated frame
• IRS
• Standard hood and side panels
• Full fender kit
• Platinum gauge set
• Rear exhaust
• Sound insulation kit
• Chrome tilt steering column
• Power steering
• EFI fuel system
• IRS 13” brake kit
• 18 x 9 and 20 x 11 wheel/tire combo
• Planning to purchase a 376 LS with 4L70E auto trans from BPE and a soft top in about a year

Would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions. Thanks.

[Kamp]

Not sure what you are planning for tires but check to see if your going to have enough tire to fender clearance especially in the front. FFR used to have recommendations on max tire wheel size in the manual.

[CoreyB]

Kamp thanks for the input.
I am going with the tire and wheel package from the Factory Five order form. I figured that the tires and rims from the order form should fit. The manual recommendations for full fenders has the max front wheel width at 9" and a rear max width at 11" with a max tire diameter of 25.7". I may have to call and find out what the tire diameter is.

[33fromSD]

Welcome, you're going to love the build

If it's the Bonneville rims / tire package from FFR they fit fine (see the pic), I love the look. Congrats on the order, sucks the kit doesn't arrive until May but it will come soon enough.

I also ordered the rag top from RagTops (but you have to order it through FFR) for storage in the winter, the fit is awesome.

Jim

156332 156333 156334

[Brastic]

There is always more that you can ad to these builds. The only thing that pops to mind would be getting the QA1 shocks. If your roads are smooth, then the stock Koni shocks will be just OK. The difference between the Koni's and the QA1s is huge. But only on the road. If you track the car, I can see them both being about the same.

[CoreyB]

Jim thanks for the pics, those are the wheels / rims. Nice to know they work with the full fenders. I think your build pics may have pushed me toward going with the full fenders, I really like the looks of your build.

[CoreyB]

Brastic,
I have no plans on tracking the car, just want a car I can take out for drives on the weekends with the wife. Will look into the QA1's. Would you recommend trying the Koni's first or just starting with the QA1's?
Corey

[progmgr1]

For a street / cruiser I would recommend going straight to QA1's. Got mine from Dan Ruth, but available from many sources.
Keith HR #894

[CoreyB]

Kieth
Thanks for the reccommendation and the heads-up on Dan Ruth
Corey

[Brastic]

I wouldn't buy to much more before the kit arrives. This is a good time to clean out the garage and get the tools ready. I like to do my builds on not the final rims/tires. I like to have junk wheels on the car with it goes to paint.

If you are interested in a stereo, I would look at the Bluetooth amps. Keeping the interior clean and decluttered just looks nice.

[Iziks]

Corey. I am looking at the same drive train and getting ready to order the kit soon. What drive shaft did you get? It seems there are a couple for the 4L70e.

[CoreyB]

Hello Iziks
I went with this one [34048 - 27 spline driveshaft for SBC or LS-X with 2015 IRS and 700R4 or 4L60 transmission (except Corvette)] as this is the only one I saw for the independent rear suspension. If you are going with a 3 or 4 link I think it would depend on if you were using the engine and transmission from a Corvette.
Hope this helps
Corey

[McGuyver]

Be sure and factor in any lead times on the LS3/4L70E combo. I ended up going with GM Performance and very happy with them.

[HVACMAN]

I second the Chevy Performance LS3/4L70E combo. The included 3400 stall converter works great for this light car. Also the laptop interface is handy too.

[cob427sc]

The soft top is nice although ease of entry is tighter for a big guy. I only wish it would fold back and into a boot as the way it is built you need to remove and store in the trunk if you want to bring it along (and its a little bit of a job to re-assemble). The car does look sharp with the top up!

[33fromSD]

The soft top is nice although ease of entry is tighter for a big guy. I only wish it would fold back and into a boot as the way it is built you need to remove and store in the trunk if you want to bring it along (and its a little bit of a job to re-assemble). The car does look sharp with the top up!

100% agree on all comments

Jim

[Brastic]

I went over my hot rod and the only thing that jumped out at me to get done sooner than later would be the remote battery jumpers. The battery is mounted below the trunk and is a major pain to get in and out once the body is one. That is why most people use the AGM batteries. They cost more, but are lighter, last longer, and have a slow discharge. With that said, I have a trickle charger plug in the trunk and battery jumpers behind the license plate.

[CoreyB]

Thanks for all the comments everyone. I'm planning to order the engine / transmission combo after I get the car delivered in May / June. I figure even with a 8 month or more lead time I probably won't be ready for it for almost a year, with work intruding on my free time.

With the soft top I'm thinking along these lines for storage when not in use https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?26765-Convertible-top-boot I've always loved having the top down on the convertables I've owned so it may not spend much time up.

With the Gen 2, I think Factory Five has moved the battery from below the trunk to in the trunk. The build manual shows the battery right in the middle of the trunk. I've been trying to come up with a better location but have not yet found one.

Corey

[RoadRacer]

Thanks for all the comments everyone. I'm planning to order the engine / transmission combo after I get the car delivered in May / June. I figure even with a 8 month or more lead time I probably won't be ready for it for almost a year, with work intruding on my free time.

With the soft top I'm thinking along these lines for storage when not in use https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?26765-Convertible-top-boot I've always loved having the top down on the convertables I've owned so it may not spend much time up.

With the Gen 2, I think Factory Five has moved the battery from below the trunk to in the trunk. The build manual shows the battery right in the middle of the trunk. I've been trying to come up with a better location but have not yet found one.

Corey

Yeah, I quickly realized that the battery should be in the trunk as I got closer to finishing my Gen1. Don't be afraid to make your own decisions - you don't have to stick to the book! If you're a show car, under may be better, but if you're a daily driver you can't beat the trunk! I even bought remote jumpers, but didn't use them. You'll find that you'll make early decisions but change your mind as you get a feel for what you really want.. it can evolve over the life of the build!

Mine's still evolving after 6000 miles.. new springs, sway bar, new alignments, new wheels, new brakes are next.. it never stops. :D

[progmgr1]

I went a different way with my Gen 1 '33. I mounted the battery underneath, in a battery box, in the stock position. I also added remote terminals under the rear deck. The big difference is that I have custom fuel tanks mounted around the battery below the trunk floor. The space where the stock fuel tank normally resides is now part of the trunk. As a result, I just have to remove an access panel in the trunk floor if I need to change the battery.

That's the great part about these kits. You can go off in any direction your imagination and wallet take you to make a "kit car" a personal vehicle that is customized to your tastes.

Keith HR #894

[Brastic]

I would love a bigger trunk in the hot rod. The Cobra has a much better trunk. I find that my bags fit in the Cobra and not the Hot Rod. An overhead bag will fit in the Cobra. I can pick my wife up from the airport in the Cobra. Not a change in the Hot Rod. I am also not a fan of the gas tank. If I ever get to slow down my driving, I am looking to build gas tanks that Keith did.

[progmgr1]

I designed the "saddle-bag" gas tanks and Boyd Welding built them for me. I will share the drawings if you want to talk to Boyd or fab them yourself - just send me your email address by PM. One word of caution: my solution may only work if you have the 2015 IRS (minor chassis mod required.) I understand that the chassis behind the cockpit is different for the IRS and 3/4 link suspension, so check before you cut!

Keith HR #894