Open house Update

[07FIREBLADE]

Thanks Dave for the video. And I know that you are attending to all of your loyal customers so you are going to be busy, but can someone who went to the open house provide any updates. It's torture being stuck over here in SoCal; and at work and trying to wait patiently for info. The video is great but it's such a teaser. It's like getting a stripper for your bday but you only have enough money for a few minutes....

If there are no updates then we will just have to wait.

[RM1SepEx]

I'd love to hear more too
I didn't need to bring down the video, Adam got it there by internet
Wife had car problems in NY got back late last night
Life got in the way yet again
I did get the donor's battery charged up, damage to left front won't allow proper clutch operation though...

Did you check out the other threads? http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?6298-Milk-Carton-Guy-Looking-for-Advice/page12

see #476 by etos

"Ok so I just sat down at a hotel for WBM after visiting FFR open house event(got there super late). I got a chance to 1on1 with Jim about the car and I'd like to share some info.

-Bodies are universal. Hardtop/coupe/whatever it will be will fit a subaru drivetrain no problem. Dave needs to work on his wording as well

-A hardtop/coupe version will not cost too much more. For reference he says one of their models(either 33 hot or mk4 roadster) cost $2200 for a hardtop with power windows. Said 'should' be a little cheaper but couldn't say how much yet. I am 100% ok with this pricing as it includes a top, doors that support real windows, and ofcourse real windows.

-For those interested in how the intercooler gets air, it's from the top 2 vents on each side.

-Links for the STi wheel hub is being considered and Jim assures me he understands why people want the STi hubs. A little CV mutilation is required but cheap if you take it to a shop that specializes on such things.

-Use of the motor mounts/tranny mount are needed. This is a great thing as it allows the user to decide how much NVH they would prefer.

-Holes must be drilled into the front arms for the coil spring. Jim says this is fine and done on many FFR cars. Templates will be provided to get the right holes.

-The car is surprisingly easy to get in and out from. To understand I have a completely busted up left knee that can't bend further then ~70 degrees so it's hard to get out of cars for me. S2000 is a serious pain in the ***. The 818 was surprisingly easy.

-It seems the NA exhaust is causing them some problems. They are figuring out how to get the exhaust to work and it definitely looks like a challenge.

-People worried about the rear shifter assembly, there will be guards around it to survive a small fender bender. A flat out rear end will probably result in damage but that's just the nature of the beast. "

[shim2]

I'm pretty curious if there will be an option for roll up windows later down the road for roadster buyers

[NonProfit]

-People worried about the rear shifter assembly, there will be guards around it to survive a small fender bender. A flat out rear end will probably result in damage but that's just the nature of the beast. "

I wanted to build a RHD with a sill shifter ala GT-40. I hope the cable is long enough!

[flynntuna]

At Huntington beach Dave mentioned that the bodies would be made in 12 colors.

[Kalstar]

Wanted to add, Jim says the windshield will be a bolt on affair. The race/challenger cars either need to be raced with no windshield or if it has a windshield, then must have a full roll bar. The 818 will be able to drive to the track, pull the windshield, race all day, bolt it back on and drive home. What a cool idea. He also said their target is to make it easier to build the hot rod, their target is 1/3 the build time of the GTM. He also said the $9,999 model will have the windshield standard but the powder coat frame will be an option, it will come standard raw.

[07FIREBLADE]

Sweet thanks for the updates from the people who were able to go.

Rm1sepx - Did Jim say anything about the width or the sedan and wagons playing any roll in the designs. If I remember correctly the wagon had a wider track. Not quite sure. Just wondering. Also when you said motor and transmission mounts are needed. What does the NVH stand for. Sorry of that's a stupid question. It's late.

[Mechie3]

Wagon is narrower than the sedan.

[07FIREBLADE]

Thanks for clarifying about the wagon/sedan. Main reason is to know if it's ok to buy a wagon as a donor vs the sedan. Wagons seem to be cheaper. Also I figured out the NVH question. Just had to think for a minute. Lol

[NonProfit]

He also said the $9,999 model will have the windshield standard but the powder coat frame will be an option, it will come standard raw.

I hope powder coating will offered in at least one color. So much of this frame will be exposed, it would be nice to have an option other than black.

[shim2]

I hope powder coating will offered in at least one color. So much of this frame will be exposed, it would be nice to have an option other than black.

+1 to this

[Someday I Suppose]

Wasn't it Henry Ford that said you can have it any color you like as long as it is black? If you want the frame a different color they will probably offer it uncoated and you can paint or PC it any color you want. That said, I don't know that I agree with a lot of the frame being visible, at least not until we see the final product and how the body and sheet metal come together.

-Scott

[NonProfit]

If you want the frame a different color they will probably offer it uncoated and you can paint or PC it any color you want.

Kalstar has stated "...the powder coat frame will be an option, it will come standard raw." And yes, I'm aware paint will stick to just about anything. However, I don't particularly want to pay them to PC it, just so I can paint over it. If I had the choice of spending $400 for black or $500 for another color, I'd probably spend the extra. That's just me.


That said, I don't know that I agree with a lot of the frame being visible, at least not until we see the final product and how the body and sheet metal come together

Judging from the only photo that's been released, a whole lot is exposed. I had originally thought I'd try to pad and wrap in Naugahyde but between the curves and all the intersections, I doubt I'd be able to get everything to fit right.

10203

[RM1SepEx]

Is their black semi gloss black? I want PC frame and will be coating pieces of my donor soon.
I prefer semi gloss black's look and will do valve covers etc... in wrinkle finish black

[apexanimal]

10205

eastwood extreme chassis satin black... really quite durable when you prep...


http://www.eastwood.com/ew-extreme-chassis-black-satin-aerosol-14-oz.html

[riptide motorsport]

12 colors////thats fantastic!

[projectrally]

Is their black semi gloss black? I want PC frame and will be coating pieces of my donor soon.
I prefer semi gloss black's look and will do valve covers etc... in wrinkle finish black

Painting or powder coating the valve covers seems a waste of time. Don't forget it's a flat four. You'll never see them. On Subarus, the STI came with a red crinkle coated intake manifold. You could always pull and PC that in a gloss black. Not much else to see, really...

[jimgood]

From my experience and reading the experiences of others, there are practical reasons for a light frame color. Shows cracks more readily and reflects light so you can see stuff under the car better.

[Flamshackle]

From my experience and reading the experiences of others, there are practical reasons for a light frame color. Shows cracks more readily and reflects light so you can see stuff under the car better.

Worst mistake I ever made= painting the inside of my race car black... White is the way!

[RM1SepEx]

Painting or powder coating the valve covers seems a waste of time. Don't forget it's a flat four. You'll never see them. On Subarus, the STI came with a red crinkle coated intake manifold. You could always pull and PC that in a gloss black. Not much else to see, really...

doesn't matter what you can see... I'm not fun of grungy finished parts and I have the PC equipment, powder is cheap and time I've got! :):o:rolleyes:

[Someday I Suppose]

NP, I am just going by the PC options on the other cars, black or bare right now. I believe with the other cars there is a savings on the bare frame, and maybe they will sell the 818 bare and PC will be an up charge, we shall see. If it is, then its possible they will offer it in more then one color. As for the exposed frame, on the R version, of course the roll bar / cage is going to be largely visible, I don't see a way around that, but the frame itself I'm not sure how much you will see.

-Scott

[NonProfit]

As for the exposed frame, on the R version, of course the roll bar / cage is going to be largely visible, I don't see a way around that, but the frame itself I'm not sure how much you will see.
I guess it's just semantics. I was simply calling everything "frame." I expect to see something similar to above and perhaps some cross bracing in the doors.

Wait and see...

[CHOTIS BILL]

I have painted many tube frames many different colors and my favorite ended up being a light gray. It isn’t almost hidden like black
and isn’t as much in your face as white. It doesn’t show finger prints like white and show up cracks much better than black. I pick
a light gray that matches a spray can color so small touchups are easy.

Bill Lomenick

[Someday I Suppose]

On the R model I expect you are right and the cage will be seen along the "doors" which may ot open like on the spec racer roadster. On the roadster 818 though I would expect the bars inside the door skin and not exposed except for the rollbar, which if it bolts in would be easy to powder any color you wanted.


I guess it's just semantics. I was simply calling everything "frame." I expect to see something similar to above and perhaps some cross bracing in the doors.

Wait and see...

[Mechie3]

doesn't matter what you can see... I'm not fun of grungy finished parts and I have the PC equipment, powder is cheap and time I've got! :):o:rolleyes:

I get comments on my painted valve covers. :) IMO, it's the small things that people often overlook as pointless that garner the most "oh hey, that's cool" simply because no one else does it.

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q291/mechie3/TueMar16123754AmericaNew_York2010.jpg

[wallace18]

I agree. They look great. Good job.

[flynntuna]

Did anyone find out how many parts the body will come in?

[agepag]

So was there any talk about the 818 at the open house? I can't seem to find any pictures or much discussion about it.

[NonProfit]

So was there any talk about the 818 at the open house? I can't seem to find any pictures or much discussion about it.

I was not there, but there was no mention of the 818 on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150882275782336.414681.169610262335), although one pic showed up on their blog (http://www.factoryfive.com/whats-new/2012-open-house-report-best-ever-full-coverage/).

10244

[agepag]

You think there would be something more at the open house? And nobody took any other pictures?

[Kalstar]

There was a lot about the 818 but not a lot of new info.

[shinn497]

Sigh you have the 818 forum to blame for that. We had all hoped they would show images of the roadster (non-track), but drama prevailed...

[Someday I Suppose]

Jim seemed like he was pretty well occupied most of the day talking about the 818, I don't think he ever got a chance to leave the R&D department or even grab a bite to eat. I know Etos spent some time at the end of the day talking with him and even got a chance to hop into the car. So there is plenty of info out there on it, but as Kalstar said, I don't know that a lot of it is new news vs. confirmation of a lot the questions on the board and a few yes we are still looking at the best way to do that answers as well.

I was pretty impressed with seeing how easy the wheel turns at a stop with the depowered manual rack in the car. In talking to Jim I think we were guessing there is only about 700 - 750 lbs on the front of the car so the steering effort is pretty light. Jim mentioned possibly playing with a smaller wheel which will give less mechanical advantage, but make the steering response quicker. (If you see the one moment in the video where he counter steers, the wheel currently has a pretty big swing on it.)

-Scott

[shim2]

Sigh you have the 818 forum to blame for that. We had all hoped they would show images of the roadster (non-track), but drama prevailed...

Pretty much. It really sucks for the guys that liked the car and was excited to see more.

[agepag]

I'm glad I didn't take time off work to head down! I would have been pretty pissed. I guess we will have to wait for Sema