Fmans Dart 427 build #9818 - 14" Leather steering wheel

[Fman]

Fman, great job! You are almost ready to hit the road. Question: Where did you get your interior door panels, they look nice. Are they from Herb's? Are you happy with the quality and fit?

Hey thanks, I am getting close! still a few more small items to go.... The door panels are from Cobra Herb and yes they are good quality. Simple to install, they come with Velcro on them to affix to the door. I sent Herb pieces of the leather hyde from my build and he used that leather on the door panels to match my dash, center console, etc...

[Fman]

A couple more small items taken care of....

Thought I would post up a pic of Cobra Herbs door panel which are simple, functional and look great. The storage pocket is also a nice bonus.

https://cobra-herb.tripod.com



I got my lower door trim installed. I was going to carpet it but after seeing it with the powder coating I am going to leave it be, I kind of like the industrial look plus it is very durable with the hammer tone finish/clear coat on it. I will be adding one more trim piece where the carpet meets the panel but won't do that for awhile.



Shower mat? Yup! These are a life saver once your car gets painted. They do not slide around and do a great job of protecting the paint from a dropped tool or screw. Highly recommend them and they are only $10/ea. Definitely slowing down my pace when working around the car with fresh paint. I picked up three of them and use them every time I am around the car.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1



Last bit of good news is I passed my brake and light inspection today for registration! One less hoop to jump through. Have my CHP appointment in a couple weeks to get my VIN assigned, then off the BAR.

[Fman]

I am about 99% done with this car and it is ready to hit the road. Will be about another 6 weeks before I get my registration finished. What a fun journey and although my wife will never be on this forum I really need to thank her for allowing me to tackle this project. Also a shout out to many people on this Forum for all the help which made this journey possible, THANK YOU!. I am looking forward to getting #9818 out on the road soon!

[Fman]

[TMartinLVNV]

Stunning FMan. You done well!

[JB in NOVA]

Absolutely beautiful! Proud to say yours came off the same FFR truck as mine (although I still have a ways to go.) When this COVID madness is over and we can start traveling again, maybe I'll try to stop by for a visit. I've got family in your area. Enjoy that awesome car!!

[toadster]

[Blitzboy54]

You killed it. It’s a piece of art

[NYMike]

Looks incredible! You did a great job.

[Fman]

Absolutely beautiful! Proud to say yours came off the same FFR truck as mine (although I still have a ways to go.) When this COVID madness is over and we can start traveling again, maybe I'll try to stop by for a visit. I've got family in your area. Enjoy that awesome car!!

Thanks JB, for sure! welcome to come by anytime. Your car is looking great, cant wait to see it with some color on it.

And thanks everyone for the kind words, I really cant thank people enough on this forum for helping me through this journey. This site is such an awesome resource for builders.

[Straversi]

Beautiful work all around. Congratulations!
-Steve

[Fman]

Today was a great day, I took out the car for its first "official" drive and everything for the most part went well. The only item I had a problem with was my attwood blower fan on drivers side did not work, passenger side was blowing but this should be an easy fix. Other than this it was a successful 30 mile drive. I have no plates on the car with a temp driving permit. I really don't know if the permit allows me to drive "anytime" or just to my DMV appointments for registration. I figured better to ask for forgiveness than permission The car performed great, temps were good and the PF4 EFI system is continuously learning, this was the first "real" drive I have ever taken the car on. Previously I had some short 4-5 mile go-kart runs. I am not going to go on the freeway until I have the car aligned, still playing with ride heights a little but I think I am close to a good height and will then take the car in for a professional alignment.

I did come close to burning my leg on my side pipe today so I figured I better install my drummer mike covers while I am ahead of the inevitable. They look nice and will definitely give a warning shot before you end up burning your leg.




I also found these caution hot exhaust air craft decals to help remind myself and passengers about the exhaust when they get out of the car.



Also got my wheel well liners installed, these are really nice and will help eliminate any starring in the paint from a rock hitting the underside of the fender. Some minor trimming in the front, the rears dropped right in.



I can't install any Xpel or 3M protective coatings on my paint for at least 90 days so I came up with a temporary rock guard to help reduce the chances of hitting my front back fender area. It is a simple set up but seemed to hold up fine today on my drive. I will take them off once I have some type of protective film on the car. They are velcro'd on and are easily removable. They dont protrude outward too much, tried to make them as less noticeable as possible and still providing some protection.

[FLPBFoot]

Great idea on the splash guard. I followed Nuhale's lead and got clear window clings and put them on my rear fender fronts. I go for Xpel next week so they can then come off.

[Fman]

Great idea on the splash guard. I followed Nuhale's lead and got clear window clings and put them on my rear fender fronts. I go for Xpel next week so they can then come off.

Are you doing install yourself or having a shop do it? Any other area of the car than rear fender area?

[FLPBFoot]

Are you doing install yourself or having a shop do it? Any other area of the car than rear fender area?

Having a shop do it. Bra, front of rear fenders, tops of doors where you would lay your arm. Maybe 6 to 8 inches up on the rear fender behind the rear wheels.

[460.465USMC]

Looks fantastic, Travis! Your car really came together nice. I bet it was awesome taking it for the short cruise.

P.S. You're color is making me consider something in the gray family. Great color choice.

[Vspeeds]

Travis
What an awesome job! Beautiful work!

[Fman]

Looks fantastic, Travis! Your car really came together nice. I bet it was awesome taking it for the short cruise.

P.S. You're color is making me consider something in the gray family. Great color choice.

Thank you Chris, I have always been a neutral color guy but there are a lot of awesome color combos out there. Good news is you can't go wrong on any color scheme with a good painter.

The drive was probably one of the best feelings I have had in a long time. Knowing you built this machine cruising down the road with the sound of a healthy engine is about as good as it gets. I am really pleased with my engine thus far, I can mildly cruise it but when you want the power it is all there. So far the Pro Flo 4 EFI is doing good and it will keep learning/improving for the first 500 miles.

[Gordon Levy]

Now just go drive and enjoy, once you get through the CA bureaucracy

[Fman]

Now just go drive and enjoy, once you get through the CA bureaucracy

Thanks for all your help Gordon and that Jones Racing power steering setup is feeling great! It might take me longer to register the car than it did to build it

[Fman]

Getting some more miles on the car, had a great drive this evening in 85ish degree weather. Cant stop smiling while in this car it really is a fun machine to get behind the wheel with! Car is running good, temps are 185-190 all day and the PF4 EFI is performing well. Going to schedule my alignment for next week.

It got toasty in the cockpit, I am getting a lot of heat in-between the gap behind door and outside footbox area. Would be nice on a 50 degree day but not 85. If anyone else has a recommendation other than pool noodles or egg foam mattress please let me know! I am also quickly realizing why a lot of builders do not put heaters in these cars, there seems to be PLENTY of heat in the cockpit area. I am hoping blocking off that door gap area will help reduce some of the heat down.

Edit: Per my painter Ken Pike, told me to pick up some of this. Hoping to get this installed in next couple days.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...KIKX0DER&psc=1



I did get my license plate frame in this week, figured I would put it on to let our local sheriff know the car is a home grown build Have my CHP Vin assignment this week, will be one more hoop down towards registration.

These guys were really quick and have a nice website to make your own frame.
https://www.googleadservices.com/pag...6BAgGEAE&dct=1

[Vspeeds]

Getting some more miles on the car, had a great drive this evening in 85ish degree weather. Cant stop smiling while in this car it really is a fun machine to get behind the wheel with! Car is running good, temps are 185-190 all day and the PF4 EFI is performing well. Going to schedule my alignment for next week.

It got toasty in the cockpit, I am getting a lot of heat in-between the gap behind door and outside footbox area. Would be nice on a 50 degree day but not 85. If anyone else has a recommendation other than pool noodles or egg foam mattress please let me know! I am also quickly realizing why a lot of builders do not put heaters in these cars, there seems to be PLENTY of heat in the cockpit area. I am hoping blocking off that door gap area will help reduce some of the heat down.

Edit: Per my painter Ken Pike, told me to pick up some of this. Hoping to get this installed in next couple days.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...KIKX0DER&psc=1



I did get my license plate frame in this week, figured I would put it on to let our local sheriff know the car is a home grown build Have my CHP Vin assignment this week, will be one more hoop down towards registration.

These guys were really quick and have a nice website to make your own frame.
https://www.googleadservices.com/pag...6BAgGEAE&dct=1

I used memory foam mattress top. I have a ton if you want to use it.

[Fman]

I used memory foam mattress top. I have a ton if you want to use it.

Eddie, I might take you up on it... let me see how that AC weather stripping works. I just ordered some from Amazon.

Thanks!

[GoDadGo]

Eddie, I might take you up on it... let me see how that AC weather stripping works. I just ordered some from Amazon.

Thanks!

I used the same thing, prior to mounting the body, and it works fine.
I used the 2X2" stuff that they had at Home Depot.

[jiriza84641]

Totally stealing your license plate idea, just wording it different.

[Jeff Kleiner]

I always glue the AC foam as shown before installing the bodies but it is pliable enough that it can stuffed in after the fact.







Cheers,
Jeff

[Fman]

I always glue the AC foam as shown before installing the bodies but it is pliable enough that it can stuffed in after the fact.







Cheers,
Jeff

Thanks Jeff, appreciate the pictures for reference. Hopefully I can jam enough of this stuff in there to make it work!

[nucjd19]

Travis.... Just stunning! You have done an amazing job and should be proud.

[mburger]

Travis, your Cobra is a work of art!

I used this stuffed in from the front until I could feel it behind the dash inside. Sealed it up tight! I just keep it away from any direct heat source.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Johns-Manvi...t-L/1000167493

[Fman]

Travis, your Cobra is a work of art!

I used this stuffed in from the front until I could feel it behind the dash inside. Sealed it up tight! I just keep it away from any direct heat source.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Johns-Manvi...t-L/1000167493

Thank you sir, I am really enjoying the car... infact taking out my wife today for her first ride since the body has been put back on! Looks like will be a great day for a cruise today!

Appreciate the link, I have some AC foam stuff I bought and will try and stuff as much in as I can.

[Fman]

My wife and I took a nice drive today around town, got a lot of thumbs up on the car and put a few smiles on some kids faces which was cool. I am up to 140 miles now and knock on wood & fingers crossed everything is running great. It was awesome to have my wife with me, definitely makes the build feel complete! She was the first "official" passenger I have taken out... She really enjoyed it and the Gas 'n touring pipes are spot on for us... we could have a conversation with each other while cruising in the car and no ear plugs required. About the only issue I have had thus far is I almost lost the passenger wind wing/mirror, top clip was off... luckily I caught it and just needed to be tightened down.

Recently, I was able to get my lower door trim pieces finished up, I found a company that sells 3/4" aluminum L corner moulding that is already powder coated and ready to go for a very reasonable price. Was considering taking the carpet off and binding the edges but this was much easier and gives a nice finished off look. I ended up applying them with double sided gorilla tape on the top channel only against the powder coat, that stuff is legit and is doing a great job of keeping it in place.

Surprisingly HD was the supplier, took about 5 days and they sent it directly to my house:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Alexandr...ord=WG28616488

Gorilla 30 lb double sided tape:
https://www.amazon.com/Gorilla-Doubl...e%2C249&sr=8-6




I also installed my carpet mat clips, got this idea from Shark's build, I ended up going with 4 on each mat. Two on the upper section and two on the lower section, it definitely has taken care of the issue of the floor mats sliding around and binding up.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1




Tudalu!

[mburger]

Looks great! I also used those floor mat anchors. They work very well.

[Fman]

#9818 made it out to it's first Cars and Coffee, a nice Cobra turn out along with one Coupe. Really enjoyed meeting some new faces and talking shop with everyone checking out all the different builds.

[TMartinLVNV]

Wow, that is a lot of Cobras. Here in LV, we can only get a max of 5-6 to show up to the same place. Your car is looking great, and keep putting on the miles.

[Fman]

Wow, that is a lot of Cobras. Here in LV, we can only get a max of 5-6 to show up to the same place. Your car is looking great, and keep putting on the miles.

Most of the cars in the line up are from the "Built not bought" local Cobra club, some really nice folks that enjoy talking shop.

Up to 300 miles now, holding my breath and crossing my fingers but everything seems to be working. PF4 EFI continues to run better and better the more miles I put on the car... I also had a professional alignment done at BMR Racing in Roseville, not cheap but these guys definitely know there stuff. Glad I had it done because the car was way off on alignment, drives even better now and they centered my steering wheel.

[jiriza84641]

Looks Fabulous, Where did you source the wheel well liners?

[460.465USMC]

Most of the cars in the line up are from the "Built not bought" local Cobra club, some really nice folks that enjoy talking shop.

Very cool, Travis! I'm more than a little jealous of the size of your local Cars and Coffee and the number of Cobras. Sounds like a great time! I've only met one other Cobra F5 builder in my area...hoping there are more.

I also had a professional alignment done at BMR Racing in Roseville, not cheap but these guys definitely know there stuff. Glad I had it done because the car was way off on alignment, drives even better now and they centered my steering wheel.

Did you cut/remove any of the adjustment sleeve on your front upper control arms?

[Fman]

Looks Fabulous, Where did you source the wheel well liners?

Thank you, I picked up wheel liners from Shane at Vraptor Speedworks.
http://vraptorspeedworks.com/mk-4-wheel-well-liner-kit/

[Fman]

Very cool, Travis! I'm more than a little jealous of the size of your local Cars and Coffee and the number of Cobras. Sounds like a great time! I've only met one other Cobra F5 builder in my area...hoping there are more.



Did you cut/remove any of the adjustment sleeve on your front upper control arms?

Chris,

I'm sure you will find some Cobra builders in your area. There is nothing better than hearing four cobras sitting at a signal light shaking the earth . Yes, I did end up cutting my sleeve on my UCA. With power steering I wanted to make sure I could have proper alignment done. I am not sure if this actually helped but I do know they were able to align the car properly.

[Fman]

Had a couple items I was able to get to today, installed my fog lights and wired them up to my AUX LIGHT on the vintage gauge bezel. I was also not thrilled with the Gas 'n exhaust hanger rubber grommet that came with my touring pipes. I ended up replacing the grommets with some heavier duty exhaust straps, much more stable and still allows the exhaust to flex a little to avoid cracking any welds.

The fog lights are similar to the Tangent but without the center grille, overall I am pleased with how they look and were not too difficult to install. Used some 1/4-20 stainless button head screws for the bottom with spacers to elevate the light into the correct position.

I picked up the lights off Ebay, part number UW3682:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ultra-White...-/283803656052




This is the exhaust strap I ended up using as a replacement, much thicker and is doing a much better job of stabilizing the pipes.

Link for them on Ebay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/18361648694...MaAlNPEALw_wcB