Lucas L539 clear front side lamp/indicator lenses
After reading about the L539 clear turn signal lenses from JohnK I decided I was going to add them to 9818. I like the clear lens look and also there is definitely a bump in quality difference from the FFR amber lens that come with the kit. Price was not too bad either, however it did require two different flashers to accommodate the LED amber bulbs. These are complete plug and play, the L539 covers go right onto the old FFR mount and the LED bulb will pop right in. The new flashers do require a separate ground wire but other than that it is a simple install. My entire car now is all LED, so everything is now matching which really gives off some nice bright lights and indicators. Thanks again John for helping me find the correct flashers!
Very pleased with the final look, and anything for under $60 on these cars is a win! :cool:
Link to Lucas539 clear lens from Rogers motors:
https://jollyrogersmotors.com/store/...-Pair-New.html
Link to correct flashers needed to run Amber LED indicators:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JXLH7CG...roduct_details
Link to Amber LED lights:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RQCHBH5...roduct_details
Here is the look of the clear lens which will turn amber when turn signal or running lights are turned on.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...5&d=1649392208
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...6&d=1649392208
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...7&d=1649392208
Budget oil cooler and driving shoes
I always liked the look of the oil cooler lines showing in front nose opening on the Roadsters. However, I don't think it is necessary for my driving and some of the coolers can run up to $350. I did want the look of the oil cooler and I was able to source this Evil Energy cooler for $88. It is nice compact unit and fortunately tucked in right behind the driving lights, it was a perfect fit. I was also able to make it work with the Michael Everson nose cone which was a nice discovery too. The fittings on this cooler look like they are nice quality with the black braided lines. The lines are not connected to anything, they tuck behind the front of the car.
Link to Evil Energy cooler:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07W3LQ786...t_details&th=1
This was the final outcome, had to pick up (4) 1/4-20 stainless bolts/nylock nuts from Ace to hold down the oil cooler.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...9&d=1649822516
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...6&d=1649818246
Driving shoes??? I have always battled my feet with the small Roadster footbox. There definitely is a little safety factor not pressing the gas pedal while trying to brake. Someone recommended wrestling shoes actually work very good for driving. So I figured I would give it a shot. Wresting shoes are about half the price of driving shoes. I took a drive today with these Adidas and I must say it really did make a difference! They really do narrow up your feet giving you a little more real estate inbetween the pedals. A nice upgrade from wearing my Nike running shoes. If your looking for a low budget driving shoe option these Adidas are definitely worth a try.
I picked them up on Amazon: (Adidas HVC wrestling shoes)
https://www.amazon.com/Adidas-Wrestl...%2C470&sr=8-13
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...8&d=1649818246
Moroso catch can/Pro Flo 4 update
I am up to 3700 miles now on the roadster, I have had a couple people inquire about the Edelbrock Pro-Flo 4 EFI system and how it is treating me. Truth is I was really struggling what EFI system I was going to install when building my car, Sniper and FiTech were definitely also at the top of my list. I decided on the PF4 system and up to this point the PF4 system has been spot on. I installed the system, ran the wizard and used the 500 mile learning mode, set the IAC (idle air control), set base/advanced timing and that is all I have done to it. I have not had it tuned professionally the PF4 system by design was meant to be a set it and forget it system. Really have no complaints about it, car runs great and it starts right up every time I turn the key. I get no exhaust fuel smells and it runs clean. I am averaging about 13-15 MPG around town, for a 500+ HP 427 is not bad. I also did add a MSD box with the initial install which came recommended to do this by Gordon Levy. There are some features about the PF4 system I do really like... comes with a tablet, ECM is located out of the heat behind my dash, true multi port EFI, can adjust base/advanced timing on tablet, complete system which includes intake manifold (with two temp sensor ports), TBI, distributor, ECM and good installation instructions. Throttle response in this car is instant with zero lag. I do get some mild down shift exhaust popping between 1400-1100 rpms, I actually don't mind it so I have just left it alone. So at this point (knock on wood) I would have to definitely recommend the system for anyone interested in installing EFI on there SBF. Nothing is 100% so hopefully this system will continue to perform for the long term future.
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Edelb...oaAlOHEALw_wcB
One other item I added a few months back is an oil catch can. I did some research on this and figured better to have one than not. I do have baffled good quality valve covers and I would consider myself to be more on the chill side of driving. I don't hammer the throttle much and usually just cruise the car. RPMs are typically 3-4k shifts. I was not sure how much oil (if any) I would collect from a catch can. To my surprise after checking after 500 miles I did have enough oil in the catch can to steadily flow out for a few seconds, probably 1-2 ounces. Not an overwhelming amount but enough to make me realize I am glad I do have the can installed and that oil is not going into my valves/intake system.
I went with a Moroso catch can, not the cheapest on the market but the quality is there. It is a nice can with a large holding reservoir and quarter turn ball valve to easily open and close for draining. Installation was easy and I as able to install it right next to my PS reservoir.
For anyone interested this is where I picked up the catch can:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...0&d=1655694080
Installation of the lines goes from PCV valve to catch can back into your intake manifold, simple.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...9&d=1655694080
Happy motoring... hope everyone is out enjoying there roadster and if you are building one enjoying the build journey!:cool:
Winter dash mod - vinyl wrap
Did not work on the car much this winter but did accomplish one task that had been bugging me over the past year. To make a long story even longer my upholstery guy did not adhere my vinyl properly on my dash and it was starting to create this uneven "spotty" appearance to the dash. I have seen this happen before on other Cobras. The cold and hot weather cycles can create this affect. My upholstery guy did offer to repair it free of charge but pulling the dash was a much bigger project than I wanted to take on. Went with plan B and decided to create a template with some thick craft board and use a piece of .040 scrap aluminum I had in the garage, then wrap it in matte auto film and use some stainless button head screws. I was actually quite surprised how it turned out and added some new dimension to my dash. Planning on adding a Carroll Shelby signature decal to finish it off. All in was about $20.
Hope everyone is getting some wheel time in, just took a cruise today! Spring is starting to peek out a little here in Nor Cal, great Cobra weather!
Cheers :cool:
For anyone interested here is the wrap I ended up using, very easy to work with and they also have carbon fiber, gloss black, etc. Would definitely consider using this product also on a complete dash wrap.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GL2342H...roduct_details
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...2&d=1676851444
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...1&d=1676851444
Lower hood button heads (16)
Was able to get my button head hood mod completed today. I wanted to thank Ken Pike for answering a few text messages to give me some guidance on how this was supposed to happen. I ended up deciding on 16 button heads, below are some pics of the process I used. Overall not too bad other than the stress of drilling 16 holes in your hood, it was definitely a measure twenty times pick up the drill then measure another ten times then actually drill.
Here are the tools I ended up using for the project. The 2" nail in the picture was used as a guide to give me the proper distance around the perimeter of the hood. Ken advised me to make sure 2" would land all the button heads inside the rib of the hood and it did. You cant see anything under the hood, very clean doing it this way.
For anyone wanting to do this mod here are some links to purchases I made.
8/32 x 3/8" stainless button heads:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0899P1WWN...roduct_details
1/16" Cobalt pilot bit:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q64J6LR...roduct_details
5/32" Drill bit:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q9XWGWT...roduct_details
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...2&d=1677794953
This is the schematic I used with slight modification to the lower section of the hood. I decided to go 1" outward from dead center, this put the 3" spaced holes down below on the inside areas of my stripes, I did not want to run a button head through the edge of any stripe. The side button heads are 5" spaced.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...9&d=1677254179
I used some low tack painters tape to mask off and create my template. Notice the small pieces of tape on the drill line, I ended up re-measuring about twenty times and realized I was about 1/8" off so I used the tape to mask the old hole and create the new one. The pencil line also works really good and with the eraser you can easily re-draw your lines. This is when I used the 2" nail to create my guide line around the perimeter hood.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...6&d=1677794881
No turning back now! Holes are drilled. At this point I was like holy **** I hope I do not peel this tape and find some surprises. I used 1/16" pilot bit for the first hole followed up with the 5/32" bit and this worked really good.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...7&d=1677794881
I was pleasantly surprised I had no issues with paint chipping, the cobalt bits worked like a champ just like Ken recommended.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...8&d=1677794881
The final product, the button heads all threaded perfectly into the holes and I stopped tightening immediately once I bottomed them out. Ken mentioned if you go too tight you will split the paint and have much bigger problems. I really like the look of the hood now with the added button heads, it might not be for everyone but I am diggin' it!
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...9&d=1677794881
And lastly my Carrol Shelby signature decal arrived and is installed on my dash.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/275168439449
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...5&d=1677796621
Overall a great day in the shop!
Cheers!
Lunch meet up - Kirkham Cobra
We had a nice break in the weather over last couple days our local Sacramento FFR club met up for lunch today out in Granite Bay at the Flower Farm. We all had to get out and get some wheel time before the rains return tomorrow. Also had a nice surprise a Kirkham Cobra showed up this owner had just finished this car. It is absolutely beautiful, Kirkham definitely puts together one amazing car. I was fortunate enough to park next to him not too often you get this opportunity so I had to snap a photo!;)
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...8&d=1677890771
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...9&d=1677890788
Compound 302 stainless pipe treatment - purdy pipes!
My side pipes start to develop a little yellowish hue over time, I was using bar keepers and mothers to bring them back which took a lot of time and elbow work polishing them. TedG in our local FFR Sac group used Compound 302 with great results so I ended up picking up a can. Compound 302 is specifically designed for stainless. First off this stuff is nasty, use eye protection and gloves whenever handling it and use in a well ventilated area. I was shocked how well this product works, after spreading over the pipes you let sit for about 30 seconds and buff of with a terrycloth towel followed with a wet wipe soapy solution clean and your done! It brings them back to brand new condition in a matter of seconds. The container I purchased is enough to last a lifetime, you don't need much only a light layer. I definitely would also mask off around side pipe cut outs, this stuff would probably do some damage to paint.
Compound 302 is a must have for any hot rodder with stainless exhaust components that need to be refreshed! It is not easy to find but I was able to locate some from this supplier and they even shipped it to Commifornia which was surprising.
https://weldingsupply.com/cgi-bin/einstein.pl#ezScrl2
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...8&d=1681482628
Results after a 30 second one time treatment...
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...9&d=1681482628
Cheers to some purdy side pipes! :cool: