Soon to be Builder questions.

[Bill Elliott]

Hello all. I feel like a know several people from all the reading I have done here. So I will try not to get long winded about how great everyone in this community is and like most everyone else, I have waited a very long time for this. I had a garage (24x46x12) built 10 years ago for the sole purpose of the Cobra, but due to financial hurdles, and sometimes poor judgement, am know ready for this. It never was about the time to do this. Mostly just the money. Anyway from all the reading I feel I have walked through the entire build already. If I post a lot of questions please don't kick me moderators ( not spamming, lol) . I just like to be very sure of what I am doing.

I am probably going to order my kit next month. MKIV complete kit w/ IRS, no power steering, Wilwoods all around, 17" Halibrands, windwings, visors. I am going to have someone locally build a SBF Dart Block 427 with RHS heads, Fitech fuel injection, Eagle rotating assembly (pretty sure) and Tremec TKX.

here is a couple questions.

1. could someone give several opinions of parts that I should upgrade or purchase from vendors that are necessary for durablity of ease of installation etc. ? For example I ready something about the filler neck gasket on the fuel tank that comes with the kit is no good.

2. Does the headers that comes with the kit have a port already for O2 sensor?

3. What is the best size tires for 17" Halibrands front and rear? , and does the 17" wheels clear the largest Wilwoods that you can order with the kit.

4. Anyone know of a good "Cobra" painter in central Texas area and is there one that would have frame in shop for fitting and painting? Or is it better to take whole car to paint shop?

Any other tips about ordering kit or 3rd party vendor parts are greatly appreciated.

Also is there anyone in central Texas that has built a MKIV that would be willing to show me their car and let me ask questions about their build?

Bill

[edwardb]

You don't say, but since no donor is mentioned I'm assuming you're asking about a complete kit. My random responses:

1. You'll get opinions all over the map on this one. I've always said a stock build per the manual with stock parts results in a safe and perfectly fine build. Since a lot of the bandwidth of this forum is about modifications, the impression could be the stock kit needs a lot of changes. Certainly many of us do (myself included) but mainly they should be considered mods vs. upgrades IMO. Includes things like front mounted battery, radiator mounting, dropped trunk, larger fuel lines, etc. You'll get lots of suggestions. Make it your own but not too many of them I would consider mandatory. Maybe with the exception of the famous gas tank filler gasket where the Ford F4ZZ-9072-DA is highly recommended.

2. The parts page at Factory Five lists the 351 headers as having an O2 bung. If those are the ones you're planning to use. https://www.factoryfiveparts.com/16793-351-headers/

3. Assuming the 17 x 9 fronts and 17 x 10.5 rears, the common sizes for the fronts are 245/40 or 255/40. Some squeeze in 275's but you may need to limit the steering turn amount. For the rears, 315/35 are the most common. Others may suggest other sizes. Those are the ones I've used and observed from others most frequently. The optional Wilwood "big brake" option will fit into the 17 inch wheels.

4. Can't help you there.

Curious about your "no power steering" comment. Of course you'll get lots of opinions. My standard speech: Make the decision based on a front end setup that allows much higher caster and significantly improves how the car drives, centers, etc. Huge difference and I've had both. Many want to make power steering about effort, but that's a side benefit. You can have power steering and keep your man card. :p

Good luck and welcome to the madness.

[rich grsc]

You don't say what your intended use of the car is, just a cruiser, show car, or do you intend to take it on the track occasionally? I'll just right off the bat agree, power steering, you will NEVER regret it. Maybe do more research on the RHS heads? I've heard a few negatives about them, but that was a couple of years ago.
Oh, and be aware, coming here will cost you $$$, we all like spending other peoples money. ;)

[Jeff Kleiner]

Power steering…power steering…power steering.

Carry on.

Jeff

[Bill Elliott]

My intended use is all the above I guess, not serious about the track but would want the car ready for it if I ever decided to.

I am seriously reconsidering the power steering already, I will start a separate thread for the discussion on that subject.

Bill

[egchewy79]

Breeze automotive (Mark Reynolds) has a lot of nice add-on accessories. Just browse their website and you'll find things you didn't know you ever needed. Mike Everson (replicaparts.com) also has some nice finish products.
Here's a list of add-ons I used. Try to combine as much as you can in one order if possible. I wasted a ton in shipping costs over the years w/ the vendors and others like Jegs/Summit by not getting everything I needed at once.

Breeze
-radidator shroud, upper and lower rad mounts
-adjustable seat bases
-front battery box
-shifter ball knob
-lower radiator hose bracket
-offset steering rack spacers
-(not used but I really like the look) thicker/shorter roll bar

Replicaparts
-front radiator aluminum
-seat belt bezels
-weatherpack connectors for lights

Russ Thompson
-drop trunk kit
-RT gas pedal

Mike Forte
-8.8 Moser rear end
-AN fuel fittings, SS braided PTFE flex fuel lines
-Flywheel and hardware
-in tank fuel pump and hanger

********** (use with caution, poor communication and slow shipping, but I've had nothing but good luck)
-Hood/trunk emblems

[edwardb]

My intended use is all the above I guess, not serious about the track but would want the car ready for it if I ever decided to.

I am seriously reconsidering the power steering already, I will start a separate thread for the discussion on that subject.

Bill

There are already multiple threads on the subject. They all tread the same ground as already mentioned. https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?29327-Power-steering-or-not-Pros-and-cons, https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?36754-Power-steering-one-last-question-before-putting-in-my-order!, https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?35093-Power-Steering-vs-Manual-Steering, etc.

[rich grsc]

Breeze
-radidator shroud, upper and lower rad mounts
-adjustable seat bases
-front battery box
-shifter ball knob
-lower radiator hose bracket
-offset steering rack spacers
-(not used but I really like the look) thicker/shorter roll bar

Replicaparts
-front radiator aluminum
-seat belt bezels
-weatherpack connectors for lights

Russ Thompson
-drop trunk kit
-RT gas pedal

Mike Forte
-8.8 Moser rear end
-AN fuel fittings, SS braided PTFE flex fuel lines
-Flywheel and hardware
-in tank fuel pump and hanger

********** (use with caution, poor communication and slow shipping, but I've had nothing but good luck)
-Hood/trunk emblems
And here we have the first of many mostly 'bling' items for your wallet .:D

[egchewy79]

And here we have the first of many mostly 'bling' items for your wallet .:D

project creep is real. Seems like nothing costs less than $50. I was lucky because I got engine/trans for free (good buddy who had it sitting in his barn who was willing to barter for it) which helped keep costs down.

[Bob Cowan]

For an engine and transmission, call Mike Forte. But whoever you call, don't wait until you need it. Order early. Lots of supply problems in recent years. Last I heard a Dart Sportsman block was about 8 months out.

Same goes for other low volume specialty parts.

[dbo_texas]

Hi Bill - I'm located in Pflugerville just north of Austin. Check out my signature for build thread (Coyote Gen 2 + T56 MK4) - if it's convenient for you, you can check my build out any time you want. I've got a ton of options/upgrades from both FFR and a lot of the other vendors that support them. I also have a lead on a painter in the Houston area I plan to use. From what I've gathered from this forum, the Facebook FactoryFive Builder page, and the Texas Cobra Club, the options around us are somewhat limited with specific FFR experience.

[CaptB]

For an engine and transmission, call Mike Forte. But whoever you call, don't wait until you need it. Order early. Lots of supply problems in recent years. Last I heard a Dart Sportsman block was about 8 months out.

Same goes for other low volume specialty parts.

I bought my axle and engine/tranny combo from Mike. He answers his phone 24 hours a day (it seems). I also have to give a shout out to Gordon Levy, he supplied my brakes for the 15 inch wheel but also does a lot of other things.

[Bill Elliott]

177931

My Garage, also seeing if I can post pictures properly

[Bill Elliott]

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=177933&d=1673400739

[Bill Elliott]

Ok , I got this now. Sorry for the random posts but I figured this is a good place to figure things out.

Bill

[Bill Elliott]

Cobra Tow Vehicle

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=177934&d=1673401448

[bobl]

Bill,
I live in Spicewood, which is west of Austin. I've built/rebuilt several roadsters and many engines. Feel free to reach out or drop by. I'll be glad to take you for a ride.

Bob

[Bill Elliott]

Thanks Bob, I'll probably visit sometime.

[dbo_texas]

Thanks Bob, I'll probably visit sometime.

Bob took me for a ride and that sealed the deal for me! I went out to his house several years ago and he took me down some back roads. Showed me what these things are capable of :) After that I was set on building one.

[Blitzboy54]

Make sure to paint it some sort of color. Preferably something pretty.

[Papa]

Another item similar to the fuel filler tube gasket is the upper ball joint dust boots. The ones that came with my kit were pretty useless and the fix is cheap:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CN9AQU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here is what the kit-provided boots looked like:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=136208&d=1602452358

And this is what the Energy Suspension boots look like:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=136430&d=1602892574

[Bill Elliott]

Thanks Papa, things like this are very helpful. I’m sure there are lots of issues like this that I will only come across by chance. Keep the information flowing everyone. This is why FFR is the best.

[Bill Elliott]

Breeze
-radidator shroud, upper and lower rad mounts
-adjustable seat bases
-front battery box
-shifter ball knob
-lower radiator hose bracket
-offset steering rack spacers
-(not used but I really like the look) thicker/shorter roll bar

Replicaparts
-front radiator aluminum
-seat belt bezels
-weatherpack connectors for lights

Russ Thompson
-drop trunk kit
-RT gas pedal

Mike Forte
-8.8 Moser rear end
-AN fuel fittings, SS braided PTFE flex fuel lines
-Flywheel and hardware
-in tank fuel pump and hanger

********** (use with caution, poor communication and slow shipping, but I've had nothing but good luck)
-Hood/trunk emblems
And here we have the first of many mostly 'bling' items for your wallet .:D

What are the offset steering rack spacers for?

[Mike.Bray]

What are the offset steering rack spacers for?

Centering the rack so that the pivot points of the tie rods are inline with the A-arm pivots to eliminate bump steer while also having the same number of turns left to right.