What to buy?

[MrMacRazy]

Hello Everbody,
This is my first post, I have been reading them for a while and decided to jump in today and try to post a question.
I have wanted to build a cobra for along time and like the FFR.
However I cannot decide on whether to buy the Base kit or the complete kit?
I do not intend to use a donor car and plan on using all new parts. I also don't want to buy a complete kit if I will be replacing parts with better options.
I plan on using IRS and a New Ford racing 427 motor.I will be doing all the work myself.
Any input would be appreciated.

[Bob Cowan]

Depends on what you plan on doing with it. If it's going to be a track monster, you may end of up replacing a lot of parts. But if it's going to be a fun street car with some occasional track time, then the complete kit is a good way to go.

Also consider some of the aesthetic parts. personally, I don't like any of the gauges FFR has to offer. I would replace them all with something else.

Another thing to think about is cash flow. If you have $20K on hand, get the complete kit. If it's going to be a pay as you build project, get the base kit, and buy the parts as you need them. You can save some money by buying off of Craig's List, E-bay, etc.

[MrMacRazy]

Thanks for your response Bob.
I will only be running on the street.
I just want it to be a nice handling muscle car.
I want to make it as pure as possible, I like smith gauges etc.
That is my point about the complete kit it comes with gauges I will not want to use?

[Bob Cowan]

I mentioned the gauges because is probably the main thing I would want to change. The Cobra gauges that you get look exactly like the originals; which I don't particularly like. Aut the speedometer is mechanical, I prefer electric. If I was building again, I'd probably install one of the new GPS speedometers.

For a fun street car, I think the choices FFR has made are very good. I'm a little OCD, so I would want to change a few small things, but nothing big. And only for looks, not for function. Except the gauges, of course.

[WIS89]

Mr. MacR-

Many people who have had some wonderful builds have done something which I have emulated. What they have done is created a build plan.

Some of these plans are pretty basic, outlining their build in broad brushes with major components, and little else.

Still others have literally included every part and component they intend to include in their car (including vendors and sources for those parts), and add/modify this plan as they progress in their build and change their mind on things.

I found this process has really helped me refine my goals, as well as help me determine what parts I intend to use, and which parts I will likely purchase, including from where I intend to purchase them.

This is a very personal decision, as I said above; it can be as formal or informal as you wish it to be. However, I suspect if you find a few examples on this board and the other, that you will answer your own question. That is because it will work itself out as you develop your plan both in your head and on paper/spreadsheet. Again, this process helped me infinitely as I was forced to think through the build process, decide what I liked/didn't like, what modifications I wanted to include based on other people's cars that I liked or did not like. And between this, and my desired use for the car, allowed me to really identify most of my decisions, and some others that I plan on leaving until I reach that point in the build. Another idea is to purchase a build manual for the car, and work through it, and look closely at it, and decide what works for you, and what parts you may wish to upgrade, or modifications you wish to make, etc.

I hope what I have written makes things more clear, and not muddy the water. However, I hope it has allowed you to take a step back and think about your goals, and how the parts you intend to use as you work that build fit into those goals. This is perhaps the best advice I can offer on your question. Best of luck as you move forward, and don't be afraid to ask questions. There are countless very smart and talented folks here on this board, and you can align their advice with your build plan, and make well informed decisions, and an excellent guide to follow as you work your build.

Best of luck, and I hope I have helped!!

Regards,

Steve

[skullandbones]

Hi MrMac....

I started with basic kit when it was the only option. I can't say I would have ever bought the complete kit even if available at the time. If I was going to spend that much money it would have to be things I hand picked. So Bob makes a real good point. The basic kit also gives you time to do just that. It's a lot easier to decide on some of the components when you have the chassis and main parts right in front of you. I did get some options like front lower control arms (look nice). Personally, I don't want mine to look anything OEM except maybe the shortblock, trans, and rearend. In my opinion it should give you the impression that it is a real race car even if you are just driving it on the street. I haven't change the donor gas tank out yet but I can see that going pretty soon after I get it on the road. So the base kit will give you room to make executive decisions when you want and spend your money more efficiently along the way. It also gives us more time to talk you into breaking your budget!!! Good luck. WEK.

[Jeff Kleiner]

...the speedometer is mechanical, I prefer electric.

Just a point of clarification, the speedo included with the FFR Classic gauges is electric, not mechanical.

When I built my car the complete kit was not yet offered. Last year I built a Mk4 roadster for a customer using the complete kit. In my opinion if the builder is not straying too far from the "recipe" (and it doesn't sound as if you are) the complete kit makes it easy with one stop shopping. It is very complete, the parts are good and they all work together. Yes, you can aquire all the same pieces "a la carte" and probably save a bit of money (however when looking at the cost differential don't forget to include shipping costs for all of the parts that have to be sourced elsewhere). After having built both ways I can say that when going the base kit/non-donor method you will have a significant investment of time and research to assure that you have the correct parts on hand when you need them.

Good luck,
Jeff

[gtaroger]

I started out as a donor build.As the build went on ,I ended up useing very few parts from the donor. I used most of the parts as core parts.I used the rearend,trans,driveshaft,wire loom,gas tank and spindles.I had the trans and rearend rebuilt.I'm sure I saved money becouse I sold about $1700.00 in parts off the donor.Roger

[riptide motorsport]

Simple, if your going to use all new parts....complete kit. FFR sourced them for you cheaper already.