Welcome to the Roadster forum! PLEASE READ

[Randy Jones]

Hi All,

Welcome to the Roadster build forum!

This is a forum that will be used to trade information, tips, tricks, etc. about anything related to the building of a Factory Five Roadster. If you have a question, ask it! If you have a tip, post it! This forum is for you and written by all of us!

The intent here is to keep the discussions build-related. We'll do our best to keep things on track!

If something is posted that is not related to the actual building of these cars, we'll move over to the lifestyle general forum or other fun threads section.

Here are some links for some other fun non-build related places: :D

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/forumdisplay.php?9-General-Discussions

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/forumdisplay.php?23-Off-Topic-Discussions


This is the start of something great!!


R :D

[Jethrow]

Thanks for the welcome. Best of luck with the new forum.

[1HotSC]

Good Morning!
It feels nice to be a "newbie" again.

Doug

[Randy Jones]

Hey all,

Keep in mind that the 'community section' is the place where non build related stuff is perfect for. This is for build related items. :)

R :)

[mrmustang]

Hey all,

Keep in mind that the 'community section' is the place where non build related stuff is perfect for. This is for build related items. :)

R :)

Got someplace for my 289FIA related items :D .


Bill S.

[NicksPapaw]

Thanks for the welcome Randy. Happy to be here.

[Darren]

Interesting, I wonder how this will work out.

[CobraSnake7]

This is great. I can't wait to start using it. I've been on the FFR forum for about 4 plus years, and it is about time we have our own. Larry

[SR71]

....well... glad to be here ...post #1......good luck with the site

[Joe]

Looking great Randy!

[steno]

Seems like home!

[Jim Wehr]

Just when I was getting close to 1000 posts........I'm back to 2. Oh well, glad to be here too.

[65_427_Cobra]

Aha a Nice new hang out. Looks great Randy.

Steve

[XLR8]

Looks good! And the default here is for the newest post to be at the BOTTOM!!! I like that....I never got used to scrolling UP to to see what the NEXT post was! (I am sure I could have changed that but who has time to figure that out???)

[canuck1]

Now I can say to the wife (when she's on me for being on the computer again) "but honey, I've only got 3 posts!"...

Hmmm... so much for my 'lifetime' membership on the other site! I imagine it's a goner!?

Sean

[DMW]

I'm thinking of changing my name to "NAGA" on this Forum so that maybe I could get some respect. Would that be OK?

[E-Ticket Ride]

Just when I was getting close to 1000 posts........I'm back to 2. Oh well, glad to be here too.

I hear you! Over there since 2005, and at about 950 - and still no car! The remodel is approaching completion, so and order should be made in the next 3 months or so. I guess that's when the real questions begin.
CL

[dallas_]

Got someplace for my 289FIA related items :D .


Bill S.

Bill, did your car get delivered?

[2FAST4U]

Hi everyone! Nice site. Can I bring my post count over with me?

[dallas_]

just 2 more to 25,000 over there!
wow!

[mrmustang]

Bill, did your car get delivered?

Not yet, but it is on a truck headed east .



Bill S.

[UpstateCobraGuy]

IMHO...going to be a long time before this forum is so busy that things will need to be moved. BTW looks like you should move just about everything!!! :mad::mad:


Hey all,

Keep in mind that the 'community section' is the place where non build related stuff is perfect for. This is for build related items. :)

R :)

[herb fraser]

HI Randy, thanks for the welcome, glad to be here, Herb

[Marty Prario]

Great Job Team FFR. There is no better place to have a FFR Forum.

Herb, what are you going to do without Wayne's Pub. I think you are going to have withdrawals. Don't forget we are here for you.

[Riverdaves50]

I think the new forum is great, now I just have to have Marty help me put all my pictures and data on it.
Oh well, life is tough when you are just a truck driver and not a computer geek.
Hey where is all the funny faces at the bottom.
Dave

[weendoggy]

Given time, I believe this will be a fun forum. Like anything else, it'll take time to develop. Some of us have been around awhile and although not as suggestive as before, still pop in to see what's going on. I fit that bill and will see how this takes shape prior to my knowledge (little left) being shared here. :) If the serious intent is to be more active from F5, I'm 100% in on this.

[dv/dt]

Looks and works great so far. Only thing I've seen so far that is strange is that it re-sizes pics to a maximum width which messes up the pics in some cases.

Cheers, Rod

[ChopperJustin]

Hi everyone! Nice site. Can I bring my post count over with me?

Wow, I get to quote your "first" post. Folks this is history in the making!

Oh, ps... Formerly Cobra232 :rolleyes:

[Kc_Shane]

Only at 2?

[KrissMotors]

Looking forward to the new forum.

[DougR]

Now I get to be one of the "Charter Members" of the site. Even though I joined the other forum in 2005 I felt like a rookie. In a few years I can be one of the originals!

[LuckyWinner]

Love the Site, Love the FFR Company, Love the Owners, I think I have something in my eye :(

[Pierre B]

I see from the tags we have on this Forum that we all start as junior members. Ah but it's nice to be young again...I think! I offer my sincere gratitude to Factory Five for getting us all started here.

[Brandovibe]

I was directed over here by a friend i met on the toher forum....what is the deal, are people using both or abandoning the old for this one? Is there somewhere i can read the story of what transpired?

[Dave Smith]

I think both sites will continue. The other forum has been serving the community for almost 10 years and has a huge following. I posted my reasons for why we started this forum and I think the best summary is that we did this for the long-term best interests of the community. When I say community, I mean the suppliers, customers, company and everyone that affects. Here's what I wrote and hopefully it will help explain the reasons...

The short story is that the new FFcars forum owners that Bill sold to had dramatically increased advert rates and the trouble is that the strength of the FFR community comes from the grassroots level. Most suppliers cannot afford $4800 per year and I felt there was a legitimate threat to the community if the forum excluded the bulk of core supporters in exchange for Tire Rack and Summit Racing sized sponsors... These bigger advertisers might make the site even more profitable than it was, but the loss of the smaller (and in my opinion, more important) hard-core suppliers (most central part of the FFR community), guys like Russ Thompson, Cobra Earl, Mark Reynolds at Breeze, Max, Forte, Oben, and so many others... that loss would be a disaster to the community. I can tell you that still waters run deep here with these people. Mark Reynolds was instrumental in getting the SEMA model legislation passed in Massachusetts. That's one guy and one story. The success of FFR is inseparable from the success of the community. I can tell you that a large forum management company has no understanding of the unique FFR society. And to us at FFR, how can you seriously quantify the value of these guys by measuring ad rates. No way.

Factory Five is not in the business of forum management. We are a parts and engineering company. Still, without the core FFR community, we are severely diminished. We're never going to make our money on a Forum, rather, we are going to use it to promote, protect and grow this most amazing asset of all, THE FFR COMMUNITY. That community includes all of us, the crew at FFR, suppliers big and small, clubs, customers, enthusiasts, etc, a tremendous spectrum of people from all different backgrounds and experience.

The other reason is that I had a huge number of people asking us to do this. The forum, as it exists today, has evolved thru three versions (four if you count the new owners and name), and many of the guys in the FFR community have witnessed these changes, each time, having to see the community adjust and shift over each time. First was the old SW Specialty cars email list, then Mike Seniors Cobraforum, then Bill stepped in and copied the cobraforums email list and started FFCobra. FFCobra would become FFCars after a lawsuit with ****** and then it would be sold to the new corp owners. My loyalty was to Bill and once he sold the forum, I felt clear air to build this one.

I decided to start this forum and dedicate the place to a simple concept of building the FFR community. This is done in a number of ways, one big way is to provide advertisers (those guys who provide such important parts to the FFR community) access to FFR guys for ads that only reflect the shared cost of running the site. Based on a Co-op model, this place will also benefit from a closer link to our company and (when ready) we will leverage the great relationship with larger companies and suppliers to deliver real cool stuff and value to forum members.

Both organizations can co-exist just fine. In three weeks we have gathered almost 2,000 members. I am excited because the charter of this place is community above all and as this job is done well, we will see more and more people use this as a resource. Worried about censoring and freedom? We gathered the best moderators and guys with more FFR knowledge and expertise than anywhere and worked hard to ensure everyone knows the mission is to serve the community rather than promote FFR.

We have just started out and there is so much work to do. The front page layout has to change. We have to contact vendors as our vendor page and banner locations just launched a week ago, we have to tie the ffr tech guys in to reply quickly to inquiries. I do feel terrible as the first few weeks I've been out and unable to "pull my weight". Jen is doing better and this place is about to explode as we bring a bunch of new things on-line. There is a tremendous library of things that can be added, but we are taking our time and trying to make sure that the basics are covered, that we walk before we run, and that we have all the mechanics, links and programming done before we start dropping too much content on. I've got ten books worth of discovery, data, cool facts and historical stuff from the CS lawsuits that I want to post, along with so many other things.. It is a real shame that there is only 24 hours in the day!

I'd say keep an eye on both forums and support em both. Plenty of bandwidth.

Dave Smith

[wrw2497]

Hope this works out well.....all the best......

[CombatEN]

Thanks for the welcome.

Important question to me that I really want an answer to.

How is it your company is getting around California emmisions? Are your cars just registered as a 1965 roadster?

[David Hodgkins]

CombatEN,

FFRs are sold as component cars, meaning without an engine and transmission. It is up to the customer to finish the car and register it. Most - if not all - guys in California register their cars as a SPCN vehicle, otherwise known by it's legislative bill number, SB100. That law allows for 500 exemptions a year based on either the car it most resembles or the year of the engine. Since my Roadster resembles a '65 AC Cobra, I was allowed to build a car that matched that year's emission standard (although my car runs a Ford Crate engine, catalitic converters and is fuel injected, and would actually pass a smog test :))

MY car is NOT titled as a 1965! The year listed is actually 0000 and the has an initial registration year of 2006.

Welcome to the forum!

HTH,

:)

[Marc Wulf]

Sorry for posting in the wrong place
Learning

[Windy City Boys]

The Windy City boys are seriously moving forward to determine our order. My son and I are welcome to all your tips, and ideas both for the orginal order and all the interesting ideas and modifications you have made for yours. We will order the full kit. We are looking at 400-450 hp engine from forte or engine factory. Please feel free to send me anything and everything. I would greatly appreciate it or.. direct me to the threads you think worthy of looking at. Remember anything and everything. Also we are 6' and 6'2" so foot space is a "hot" topic.. but really anything. We did take the build class Dec '11. All your help, experience and advice would be greatly appreciated..

[eagle81]

newbie here. just starting to look for a donor car and getting to learn from the threads. found a car that is not starting but seems cheap but still have to do research if the vin is provided to me by the seller. 2000 GT 4.6 automatic 81k miles garage kept. seller claims has no clue why the car is not starting despite having "many new parts". not thrilled with the automatic so how much woud switching with a manual set me back if I had to. do automatic transmissions sell in the used market?
my thought is to invest in cheap donor first and the dive in to order the kit when I have a better handle on how much more I have to buy away from the donor.

appreciate any thoughts.


given the welcome message - should I go for an 818 instead for something more manageable?

thanks.

[68GT500MAN]

Welcome to the forums. Building a roadster is an experience that many over the years have shared. Building most of the FFR products is pretty straight forward and the forum is here to offer assistance and spend your money. Not many have built the 818 as production is only about two months along. In my opinion the GTM is the hardest build followed by the coupe and then the rest are about the same. There have been builds using an automatic transmission so unless you actually want the 5-speed you could convert later provided you get the manual pedal box parts.
Doug

[eagle81]

I like your offer to help me spend my money - not sure what my wife and kids will think though!

I see an ad for a manual transmission from a 2001 Mustang Cobra - Tremec 5 speed Transmission (listed as in excellent condition) - is that tranny compatible with the 2000 GT 4.6 that I am considering for a donor car to replace the automatic transmission? Is $450 a fair price for a 12 year tranny used in the northeast? If I want it re-conditioned, how much should it cost? There is probably some recovery value to the automatic transmission but I'll cross the bridge when I get there.

I think this idea for a project is starting to become an obsession.

Thanks

[Claytong]

Hi. I am considering buying a mk4. I am fairly mechanically inclined but necessary in auto. I have messaged factory five and they don’t seem to think assembling one should be a problem. I have watched a few YouTube videos and browsed the manual and it doesn’t look too intimidating. I would like other builders opinions on the difficulty of the build please.

[David Hodgkins]

Hi. I am considering buying a mk4. I am fairly mechanically inclined but necessary in auto. I have messaged factory five and they don’t seem to think assembling one should be a problem. I have watched a few YouTube videos and browsed the manual and it doesn’t look too intimidating. I would like other builders opinions on the difficulty of the build please.

I had never done anything on a car other than changing a tire and I was able to build two roadsters thanks to the help on the forums. YOU CAN DO IT!

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=92413&d=1535841443

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=49193&d=1451252643

:)

[Claytong]

Appreciate the response. Can I ask what all u used for engine drivetrain and how difficult that part was?

[David Hodgkins]

Appreciate the response. Can I ask what all u used for engine drivetrain and how difficult that part was?

I used crate motors for both of my builds. There are several vendors who can supply "turn key" drivetrains. I'm a big guy so I got 302 cu in motors for both of my builds.

:)

[Claytong]

Perfect thanks for the info

[tt400]

You can do it. It just takes persistance.

[Aircontroller]

Howdy David,

I’m trying to get more info on the head pad you attached to the roll bar there on your blue build.

Is that a custom product you created?




I had never done anything on a car other than changing a tire and I was able to build two roadsters thanks to the help on the forums. YOU CAN DO IT!

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=92413&d=1535841443

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=49193&d=1451252643

:)

[Jeff Kleiner]

Howdy David,

I’m trying to get more info on the head pad you attached to the roll bar there on your blue build.

Is that a custom product you created?

In case he doesn't see your post I'll answer for David---the pads like shown on the blue car were produced by our friend Cobra Earl and are out of production. You might turn up an unused one by posting a "want to buy" in the classifieds. Heck, it might be worth sending Earl a PM on the off chance that he has some old stock.

Jeff

[Rusis]

Hi guys,
I am going to be mounting the brake reservoir today and wondering where people mounted it in there car? Here is a photo of the one I am using.
124930

[egchewy79]

are you going to use one or two reservoirs? are you running a cable or hydraulic clutch? many use a triple reservoir setup (2 for front/rear brakes and 1 for hydraulic clutch) and mount it to a bracket attached to the 3/4" tube just in front of the DS footbox wall. you want to make sure the top of the lid is below the 3/4" frame for hood clearance issues and that you don't place your bracket/reservoirs too far in front of the footbox to avoid issues w/ the hood struts. CNC used to make a double/triple reservoir but they went out of business. Contact Mike Forte, I think he has some aluminum billet triple reservoirs for sale. I have an unused stock FF brake fluid reservoir like in your pic if you want to run a double reservoir and want matching units. I just have the reservoir and none of the mounting brackets. FF sells the whole kit for $62. make me an offer if interested.

[GoDadGo]

Hi guys,
I am going to be mounting the brake reservoir today and wondering where people mounted it in there car? Here is a photo of the one I am using.
124930

Most of us mount it on the 3/4 tube in front of the driver's footbox.
Remember that the top of the reservoir must be above the master cylinders.
Just make sure it doesn't interfere with the body or hood and you'll be fine.

https://youtu.be/_wnHDNgnNqs

Welcome Aboard From The Dark Dart Side!

[Rusis]

Just one reservoir for front and back and I am running a cable clutch. Thanks for the advice on where to place the brake reservoirs, I think I will use one for now and see if I need to upgrade later down the line. Have a good weekend

[Rusis]

Tomorrow I am going to start on the wiring harness and the dash. Any advice that you guys can give me to make the process go smoother and make the dashboard look professional?

[rich grsc]

This is the wrong forum.

[Rusis]

Hi guys,
I am dropping the fuel injected 347 engine from Blueprint Engines today, I am wondering if I should put my exhaust manifold on before I put the engine in or is it something I can do once the engine is mounted?

[edwardb]

Hi guys,
I am dropping the fuel injected 347 engine from Blueprint Engines today, I am wondering if I should put my exhaust manifold on before I put the engine in or is it something I can do once the engine is mounted?

Rich tried to tell you. You're doing this wrong. This thread is a welcome thread with info, guidelines, etc. for general forum use. Not a build Q&A thread. You need to go to the Roadster forum and ask your questions by posting a new thread. That's how it works plus you'll get helpful responses.

[Olli]

I have PM'd Rusis bringing his attention to the fact that he is posting in the wrong thread/sub forum. He has a build thread...

Olli

[mark jones]

Hey all,

Keep in mind that the 'community section' is the place where non build related stuff is perfect for. This is for build related items. :)

R :)

my big decision believe it or not to build a MK4 is if I can find a good hardtop for it.
Has anyone come across one to buy new?

[juddster]

Thanks for setting this up!

[Ford & Jeep Fan]

I have a question that may not have been asked before. (i did search/cant find) I see the crate size for both the Base and complete Kits are the same. But what are the shipping weights??

[Mad Dog]

I have a question that may not have been asked before. (i did search/cant find) I see the crate size for both the Base and complete Kits are the same. But what are the shipping weights??

The crates measure 16' L x 52" H x 6'6" W, and weighs about 2,500 lbs. when fully loaded.

[M22_COBRA]

New guy here from the Mitten (Michigan). Long time lurker first-ish time poster on the boards. While covid was on us all it made me realize that time with my father is shorter lived than I thought and made me re-evaluate some things. We moved back to Michigan, but since I was remote we went to Traverse City. Its a big tourist and winery area on the water. The roads up here are two lane blacktop and full of breathtaking views. I could not believe my wife's reaction when she said hell yes you can build that car! I had a 2005 SRT-4 red neon STAGE 3 that I had bought for myself as I graduated college. Had her since mile 0, but I knew if I was gonna build the dream and do it with Dad something had to give. The wife was not a fan of the neon you see, it only did one thing which was go real fast in a straight line. I sold her last winter at 20k miles and in pretty much mint condition and have been in savings miser mode ever since. I wanted to build a car that would stand and mean something many years down the road vs just what I had rolled off the showroom floor with my bank account. I cant think of a better way to have a car that one day will always remind me of the memories of him, and the good times had than building one. Every time you strap in it will be a great reminder.

I've never build something like this; but I'm pretty experienced as I have 15 years experience working in NASCAR in a multitude of roles. I can draw up just about anything from body panels to interior components and maybe even some trick suspension if needed. I worked for Hendrick Motorsports in the design engineering department for ten of them and saw how some TRUE MASTERS did things. I'd like to apply what I know and have seen to my roadster. I have a CAD system, three 3d printers, a scanner, a whole pile of tools, and anything I'm missing I'm sure I might be able to get some help from my current co-workers. We did win the 24 Hour of Le Mans this year, so they also may know a thing or two about cars. ;)
I'm about a year out from pulling the trigger, a few more side job's and I should be there. The plan is to get the complete kit in house and start working. I can continue to save for the coyote as I build. Is there any draw back to not having the engine there for the start of the build? Any Pro's? Love to get your thoughts.

[David Hodgkins]

New guy here from the Mitten (Michigan). Long time lurker first-ish time poster on the boards. While covid was on us all it made me realize that time with my father is shorter lived than I thought and made me re-evaluate some things. We moved back to Michigan, but since I was remote we went to Traverse City. Its a big tourist and winery area on the water. The roads up here are two lane blacktop and full of breathtaking views. I could not believe my wife's reaction when she said hell yes you can build that car! I had a 2005 SRT-4 red neon STAGE 3 that I had bought for myself as I graduated college. Had her since mile 0, but I knew if I was gonna build the dream and do it with Dad something had to give. The wife was not a fan of the neon you see, it only did one thing which was go real fast in a straight line. I sold her last winter at 20k miles and in pretty much mint condition and have been in savings miser mode ever since. I wanted to build a car that would stand and mean something many years down the road vs just what I had rolled off the showroom floor with my bank account. I cant think of a better way to have a car that one day will always remind me of the memories of him, and the good times had than building one. Every time you strap in it will be a great reminder.

I've never build something like this; but I'm pretty experienced as I have 15 years experience working in NASCAR in a multitude of roles. I can draw up just about anything from body panels to interior components and maybe even some trick suspension if needed. I worked for Hendrick Motorsports in the design engineering department for ten of them and saw how some TRUE MASTERS did things. I'd like to apply what I know and have seen to my roadster. I have a CAD system, three 3d printers, a scanner, a whole pile of tools, and anything I'm missing I'm sure I might be able to get some help from my current co-workers. We did win the 24 Hour of Le Mans this year, so they also may know a thing or two about cars. ;)
I'm about a year out from pulling the trigger, a few more side job's and I should be there. The plan is to get the complete kit in house and start working. I can continue to save for the coyote as I build. Is there any draw back to not having the engine there for the start of the build? Any Pro's? Love to get your thoughts.

Holy smokes what an intro! It sounds like you have more than enough experience to build a killer version of the kit. And tell us more about the type of driving you will do. Have you decided on which version of suspension you are going with? There’s no problem starting the kit without the motor you can Ruffin, the fuel lines and the ecu harness can be installed later in the process.

Welcome to the forum! Something tells me I’m going to enjoy following this build!

:)