Please Graduate FFR 7216 for 2012

[3kcarbon]

FFR 7216 is a product of a single car garage build. That my friends does slow things down a bit. Everyone wants a great place to work but sometimes you have to go with what you have. Having been away from cars as a hobby for 30 years and as a way to pay the bills for 11 it seems you have to go back to your roots at some point. The complexity and complication of modern automobiles is a wonderful thing up to a point. I must admit part of my desire to build a FFR was to take a step back to a 60's style both in design and function. FFR provides the basic platform which is perfect to obtain that end product. Early on I decided I was going to do it all in a single car garage and knew exactly some of the negatives that meant. Yes it did prove to be a challenge at times and things didn't always go my way.
For those of you who can't afford a $ 8000.00 paint job this car proves it all can be done with the help of a $300.00 Lowes compressor and a $35.00 on sale Harbor Freight paint gun which somehow out sprays my $ 400.00 Sata gun so it got the nod. I bought the Harbor Freight gun as a backup and was amazed I got a "good one". I know they all probably aren't this good due to manufacturing tolerance and it probably won't last like the Sata but wow that $35.00 gun shoots some PPG! Two quarts of Nissan Daytona Blue code B17 and and a pint of Ford White for the stripes took care of color. Between trim out and final paint I used about 5 quarts of PPG 2021 clear. While I have not added up the total on paint and primer I expect it is under $800.00. One tenth the going price of a pro paint job is ok with me and I'll accept a few defects for the difference in price. Its all part of the challenge of the one car garage build formula.
While I have a large box full of bills related to the build I have not had the nerve to add it all up. I may follow the advice of the Grand Poobah of Roadsters and burn the box as a offering to the completed car. The money is in the past the car is the future. Now if FFR will offer a Flux Capacitor I know I can it it up to 88 MPH and you know what happens then...

[3kcarbon]

Hey, I might be the first graduation for 2012!

[3yearplan]

Your car looks fantastic. Very nice attention to details, especially in the engine compartment AND the engine itself. I have painted in the past, but have never done body work, so I am a little leery of attempting that. Just out of curiousity , what are your rpm at highway speeds 75-80 mph. I have the same rear end and gearing, but have the Tremec 3650 out of a 2003 Mach 1. Again, great looking ride.

Mike

[3kcarbon]

I don't recall rpm above 65 which is around 2000. 5th gear is not a good idea below 50 mph. It is about 1100 at 40mph with is lug lug slow. I'll have to check next trip out. Shhhhhh. don't tell anybody but paint and body work is easy, after 10 or 15 years. :)

[Wrenchette]

Congrats! I think you are the first graduation of 2012. Was wondering if you timed your post that way. ;) Great work on the Roadster!

[Tpa65cpe]

Hey!! Nice job on the roadster and nice color combo!! ENJOY the ride and don't worry about the reciepts just like you said the cash is gone and now it is time to "drive it like you stole it"!:cool:

[jlfernan]

Beautiful! Now the real fun begins. I just hope your not shy, people will be constantly staring at you and asking questions. Enjoy!



http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/2561/jorgec.jpg (http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/private.php?do=newpm&u=111)

[CapeCoralCobra]

Congrats on graduating. I'm with you on the self done bodywork/paint, very satisfying, even enjoyable. Nice detail, great job!

[3kcarbon]

Beautiful! Now the real fun begins. I just hope your not shy, people will be constantly staring at you and asking questions. Enjoy!



http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/2561/jorgec.jpg (http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/private.php?do=newpm&u=111)

Boy thats a fact! You can't go anywhere without comments or down the road rubber necking. Its part of the fun I guess.

[3kcarbon]

Congrats! I think you are the first graduation of 2012. Was wondering if you timed your post that way. ;) Great work on the Roadster!

I put the last part on when the Ball dropped in NY. Your turn next year!

[AC Bill]

Great looking Roadster, you should be very proud..:)

Good on you for doing the body and paint! Still torn about trying that aspect myself..

[Cobradavid]

Can you provide some details on the carbon fiber panels (F panel, radiator shroud and footbox access cover)?

Great job on your car!

David

[NICK C]

Very nice build. I to am leary about my paint and body abilities, but will cross that bridge when the time comes. Enjoy the new year with your car. Nick

[3kcarbon]

Your car looks fantastic. Very nice attention to details, especially in the engine compartment AND the engine itself. I have painted in the past, but have never done body work, so I am a little leery of attempting that. Just out of curiousity , what are your rpm at highway speeds 75-80 mph. I have the same rear end and gearing, but have the Tremec 3650 out of a 2003 Mach 1. Again, great looking ride.

Mike

I just had to go out and drive it just for you.... you know so I could check the rpm's. :) 5th gearshows 2050 at 65 mph and just under 2k at 60 mph. 5th gear being overdrive is pretty much dead below 50mph. Your 5th ratio maybe different.

[3kcarbon]

Can you provide some details on the carbon fiber panels (F panel, radiator shroud and footbox access cover)?

Great job on your car!

David

I work as a avaiton Composite Technician and do one off experimental work for Lear, Gulfstream and HondaJet and some FAA PMA parts for Cessna's. Car parts are pretty much the same you just have to spend the time to make 'em shiny. I had to make the molds for all of those parts so it would be a bit more of my input into the car.

[3yearplan]

Sorry to put you out, especially on a holiday no less. Yes, I'm jealous. I do appreciate it though. Just want to make sure I don't put too much gear in it for the occasional highway trip.

Thanks again, Mike

[3kcarbon]

Sorry to put you out, especially on a holiday no less. Yes, I'm jealous. I do appreciate it though. Just want to make sure I don't put too much gear in it for the occasional highway trip.

Thanks again, Mike
I had a easy run today, it hit 60 degrees! I'd say the gearing is about right for a performance minded owner. The first gear in the T5Z is "over" pretty darn quick. Second gear is my favorite. It lets the motor work a little more and gives you just a bit more time to think about 3rd gear.

[fastlane82]

as far as one car garages go that is a pretty big one! 'round here you have to use grease to shoehorn a car into a one car garage! nice build, I like the carbon fiber under the hood.

[Rome]

Great Job,..!! Congrats
I want to add the carbon fiber to the the engine bay as well. So the heat wont' bother it?

[3kcarbon]

Great Job,..!! Congrats
I want to add the carbon fiber to the the engine bay as well. So the heat wont' bother it?

Most Carbon Fiber is made around 3000 degrees in the manufacturing process. It is the resin that is the issue. Polyester resin looses shape at low temps and becomes flexible. Epoxy resin is the answer. It can be purchased with different service temps in mind. Some of the aviation parts I make are cured at 265 degrees and are rated to 350. My fan shroud is made with standard 225 degree epoxy resin and automotive clear and shows no signs of stess. It is mounted on silicone pads since carbon and aluminum are best seperated with a barrier to prevent a form of galvanic corrision. This can also be done with a layer of fiberglass during the part layup in the contact area. Even clearcoat or mylar tape will work. Keep in mind this would be something over a very long period to be a issue.

[jakester888]

Nice body buck and frame roller. Do you have a link to the build plans for that? Body buck is next on my list.

[3kcarbon]

Nice body buck and frame roller. Do you have a link to the build plans for that? Body buck is next on my list.

Its on the old forum FAQ. Works fine with a Mk 4. I ended up cutting it down for body work and paint. But a rollover type is a must in a single car garage.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Great job! Now go burn that box ;)

Jeff

[3kcarbon]

Great job! Now go burn that box ;)

Jeff
I guess the "burning of the box" should be done on delivery anniversary.

[3kcarbon]

After a long winters nap 7216 has roared to life despite 3 month old gas in the tank. Wow that $4.00 a gallon stuff sure does run better than when it was only $3.25. Not really but whatchagonnado? I made a trip to the local gun store just to have a direction of travel. It was about time for their 2 pm closing so I wasn't going to stop just a turn around in the lot. When I pulled out on the road I realized somebody in the store must have reported a Chicken Farmer Special on the lot and I saw what must have been every person in the store outside to see me pull off. Yeah I made a little noise for them at that point. That was fun. Where to now? Nowhere in a hurry I guess. On the way back home I noticed the Speedo hit 427 miles directly as I passed the local Ferrari dealer. Coincidence or carma you decide.:cool: