Neptune's Snorkel
09-08-2012, 03:03 AM
Hello, everyone! I've been lurking around here for about a year now, and I thought it was about time to register as a member. I can't remember exactly where I first heard about Factory Five Racing,
much less why I fell in love with the FFR '33 "Hot Rod", but it made my current car projects seem like pointless endeavors. I have a bunch of Nissan 240SX's that have fulfilled their duties in teaching
me how to drive like a god, now it's time to manifest a chariot meant for one. :rolleyes: lol
About me: I get my automotive kicks through cutting and buffing (I am a self-proclaimed detailing expert). That being said, I have VERY little wrench time. I'm also pretty scrawny.
I make up for these shortcomings by being resourceful, organized, and obsessive-compulsive...and by having a nostalgic gearhead for a father who is retired and therefore bored.
Also, I have as much mechanical understanding as you could optimistically hope a college dropout to have ascertained....and no, it's not based off of Gran Turismo 4 (but that was a GREAT GAME).
I have been busy building a new garage and workshop for the past few years and I'm getting close to finished!! As soon as it's done, I hope to be "READY" to purchase a '33 kit and to start purchasing/rebuilding/coating the powerplant and drivetrain.
I've already got a lot of the "big tools" like Goodyear Engine hoist + load leveler, Engine stand, Transmission jacks, rolling floor jackS, drill press, etc. and I'm willing to buy/rent/borrow tools like air rivet guns, AN fitting tool, and what not.
I have been systematically reading through all the builds I could find here, as well as everywhere Google would take me :p
I've been trying to compile a "supplemental" build guide based on all the issues that people have seemed to have trouble with. That being said, I am also optimistic that some of these issues will be ironed out by the time I purchase my kit.
I understand that these are by no means "bolt together" cars, but I want to know what I'm getting myself into. Any info and/or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Will the "post-#500" FFR 33's have to have the firewall grinded down on the passenger side to fit the body? That seems to be the most common issue I've heard of.. It's an easy enough fix, but just wondering if it will be addressed in the "Gen 2".
If I plan on doing a stock FFR 33 with an LS6, will I need to grind or cut the chassis anywhere? I would like to have the frame powdercoated from the factory, but that seems kinda pointless if I'm going to have to chop into it anyway.
Heck, I might even get ambitious and cut off the unneeded brackets and powdercoat it a unique color...but if y'all are pretty sure that I won't have to make more than a few "adjustments" then I might as well save my focus and energy on more
important issues. That way I won't have to pull the fully assembled car ALL THE WAY DOWN to finish (and i can install a lot more panels and stuff permanently, instead of with Cleco pins)
Will I have to cut the (lower) control arms to get alignment within spec? Will cutting the control arms negatively affect other factors of the steering geometry? Honestly, this is THE issue that worries me most...a body line off here and there is
annoying, but it doesn't affect the way I turn a corner at 120 mph...UNBALANCED front suspension will.
Are the new dust boots helping to get more life out of the LCA ball joints? There was a replacement part made, correct?
Any issues with the gas tank leaking? I've considered going with a racing fuel cell or a mini-keg setup anyway (mostly because I don't need, nor want a 15 gallon tank), but this might be THE reason I go with something aftermarket.
I've already got a Walbro 255 that should be PERFECT for my needs (intending to go LS6 swap)
much less why I fell in love with the FFR '33 "Hot Rod", but it made my current car projects seem like pointless endeavors. I have a bunch of Nissan 240SX's that have fulfilled their duties in teaching
me how to drive like a god, now it's time to manifest a chariot meant for one. :rolleyes: lol
About me: I get my automotive kicks through cutting and buffing (I am a self-proclaimed detailing expert). That being said, I have VERY little wrench time. I'm also pretty scrawny.
I make up for these shortcomings by being resourceful, organized, and obsessive-compulsive...and by having a nostalgic gearhead for a father who is retired and therefore bored.
Also, I have as much mechanical understanding as you could optimistically hope a college dropout to have ascertained....and no, it's not based off of Gran Turismo 4 (but that was a GREAT GAME).
I have been busy building a new garage and workshop for the past few years and I'm getting close to finished!! As soon as it's done, I hope to be "READY" to purchase a '33 kit and to start purchasing/rebuilding/coating the powerplant and drivetrain.
I've already got a lot of the "big tools" like Goodyear Engine hoist + load leveler, Engine stand, Transmission jacks, rolling floor jackS, drill press, etc. and I'm willing to buy/rent/borrow tools like air rivet guns, AN fitting tool, and what not.
I have been systematically reading through all the builds I could find here, as well as everywhere Google would take me :p
I've been trying to compile a "supplemental" build guide based on all the issues that people have seemed to have trouble with. That being said, I am also optimistic that some of these issues will be ironed out by the time I purchase my kit.
I understand that these are by no means "bolt together" cars, but I want to know what I'm getting myself into. Any info and/or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Will the "post-#500" FFR 33's have to have the firewall grinded down on the passenger side to fit the body? That seems to be the most common issue I've heard of.. It's an easy enough fix, but just wondering if it will be addressed in the "Gen 2".
If I plan on doing a stock FFR 33 with an LS6, will I need to grind or cut the chassis anywhere? I would like to have the frame powdercoated from the factory, but that seems kinda pointless if I'm going to have to chop into it anyway.
Heck, I might even get ambitious and cut off the unneeded brackets and powdercoat it a unique color...but if y'all are pretty sure that I won't have to make more than a few "adjustments" then I might as well save my focus and energy on more
important issues. That way I won't have to pull the fully assembled car ALL THE WAY DOWN to finish (and i can install a lot more panels and stuff permanently, instead of with Cleco pins)
Will I have to cut the (lower) control arms to get alignment within spec? Will cutting the control arms negatively affect other factors of the steering geometry? Honestly, this is THE issue that worries me most...a body line off here and there is
annoying, but it doesn't affect the way I turn a corner at 120 mph...UNBALANCED front suspension will.
Are the new dust boots helping to get more life out of the LCA ball joints? There was a replacement part made, correct?
Any issues with the gas tank leaking? I've considered going with a racing fuel cell or a mini-keg setup anyway (mostly because I don't need, nor want a 15 gallon tank), but this might be THE reason I go with something aftermarket.
I've already got a Walbro 255 that should be PERFECT for my needs (intending to go LS6 swap)