My cure for boredom, Mk5 build : small update, harness install
So, here I am, at the age of 56 about to start a very challenging project. I've always had many hobbies, most involving something motorized. I started snowmobiling in the 80's, had muscle cars, got into the street racing scene, then go fast boats, dirt bikes, ATV's and some other things to take up my time and burn through my money. Around 7 years ago, I found I was losing interest in many of the things I loved to do...for no reason, it kind of bummed me out. Then we moved during covid, and for the next couple of years we spent time dialing in the house. After that...I found myself bored a lot of the time. I was missing something fulfilling and challenging to do...and I'm done with house stuff, no more remodeling things, I just never found any kind of enjoyment in that stuff.
So, a couple of years ago I ran across some Youtube videos of some RCR GT40's and some Factory Five build videos. During the summer , I enjoy attending cars and coffee events in my '91 GMC Syclone, and saw a few Cobra replicas in person. Then I found out about the Great Lakes Cobra club and met up with them a couple of times and asked a lot of questions and met some individuals that have their build threads on this site, and then countless hours researching here, and then I made the decision to build one myself. It took some time, I had to sell my snowmobiles, finish up some house projects, etc....which ended up working in my favor. In that time period, the Mk5 was released.
I pulled the trigger in December and the kit was delivered Tuesday. Nothing good comes without a challenge and we gave Mark from Cunningham quiet the challenge for this delivery. The day of he calls me and says that he is at the entrance to my subdivision and he doesn't really want to enter it. When I say subdivision, its not the typical type....we are all on 2 to 5 acre lots, the road is hilly and winds through, with ditches on each side, and it was snow covered. Luckily I'm close to the entrance, which is still an 1/8th of a mile or so. So, after some discussion we get him to do a three point turn on a two lane main road and back into the sub as far as he would comfortably. We had a couple of pickups to load all the boxes in, and I used my quad to pull the car/chassis through the snow and up my 220' long driveway. At least it was a sunny day, and it was a balmy 10 degrees out.
So now for the fun part. I went with a complete kit, IRS, Wilwoods, manual brakes, power steering, carbon fiber dash, vintage gauges, over riders, visors, wind wings, and dual roll bars. The plan is to go with a complete engine package from Prestige, 500hp 347, Holley Terminator, multi port injection, TKX, midshift kit, with GasN headers with 1 3/4" tubes, thinking about sending them to Header Shield to get wrapped. -20 AN fittings and coolant hoses. No heat or A/C , heated seats, black Alcantara interior with dark brown leather seats , shift boot, parking brake boot, black Alcantara door cards with dark brown leather pockets, maybe carbon fiber inserts , if they match the dash. I might have the roll bar bezels, shifter, parking brake, front aluminum splitter and side louvers hydrodipped to look like carbon fiber, again, if they somewhat match the dash. I'm going with the Tilton MC's right off, hydraulic twin disk clutch, and I'm really leaning towards AN fittings for the brake lines. Breeze fan shroud, with larger fan. Howe ball joints, Moog tie rod ends. Aeromotive fuel pump, hanger and regulator, with PTFE lines.
The exterior, I went through a few different phases, a couple I've shared the renderings here. First one was Aston Martin sage green, with brown interior, single full with roll bar, carbon fiber hood scoop, and offset stripe in grigio silverstone. Then changed it to Cadillac CTS-V blaze orange, black interior, and the rest the same as the green one.
Now, I've decided to go with Ferrari grigio silverstone, no stripe, no hood scoop, dual roll bars (undecided on color) , dark brown and black interior. All aluminum panels (many additions from forum member Snakebite) will be powder coated Prismatic powders "hilltop silver", misc brackets "black chrome II", Lizard Skin sound and heat on the entire underside of body, and misc panels that make sense. Wheels will be non traditional custom billet 18" from VFC Performance, polished lips, machined centers with Falken Azenis RT660 tires.
Sorry, that was long and I'm sure I missed some stuff. I don't plan on rushing through this build, and am planning on around two years. Feel free to provide some feedback, it is always welcomed.
Welcome to the fun! Sounds like you're going to have a very nice build, looking forward to following along.
Down here in Texas they're predicting the next couple of days of some freezing rain and a possibility of light snow. This was the grocery store this morning.
MK4 #11354 picked up 10/06/25
MK4 #11173 picked up 01/20/25
MK4 #11012 picked up 04/16/24 SOLD
MK4 #10616 picked up 4/10/23 SOLD
MK4 #9759 picked up 4/3/19 SOLD
MK4 Roadster, Delivered 12/19/24. SBF 363, TKX 0.81, IRS 3.31, PS, Hydroboost brakes, wilwood brakes, British Racing Green with Tan saddle leather interior
Just got started myself. Loving every bit of the build and camaraderie on the forum. Kids are in college. No more sports or Scouts to be busy with on the weekends. Much better than lying on the couch reading a book. Enjoy!
289 FIA Roadster, received 11/2025, Trying to Keep it as Period Correct as Possible
Ford 302 with Holley Sniper 2 with TKX Transmission, Narrowed Solid Rear Axle with 3-link Suspension
Power Steering and Hydraulic Clutch, Pin Drive Wheels
Build Thread: https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...-289-FIA-Build
Thanks for the replies everyone. Not really a lot to update today. Wrapped up the inventory mid day Saturday. Got the garage organized, and the parts not need right away, stored in my shed. Mocked up the chin spoiler, got the steering rack in and the upper and lower control arms. Can't torque down the rack, since I'm missing one spacer, though.
Phil the painter (MI members know him) and his business partner (forgot his name) came by last week and looked over the body. It was the first Mk5 they've seen. We discussed the work to be started , hopefully sometime at the end of the year.
Got the body off this weekend. Started fitting and marking the sheet metal. Fellow forum member 8secDuster (coupe forum) came by yesterday to help me install the IRS center section. Just before we started that, I noticed the rear mount bushings are offset, and a different part number (01P01417) from what is shown in the manual (2123). So, we decided to get the center section in place, without the rear bushings in, just to see if the offset is actually needed. It didn't seem so, at least on my set up. The diff is in the right position and angle, the front mounting bolts can slide in nice and easy. And looking at how the rear mounts line up with the chassis mounts...they are pretty much centered. Trying use the offset bushings seems like it would be an exercise in frustration. So, I'm on a mission to find the bushings that Factory Five originally used, the 2123. Energy Suspension has them, but, 4 to 6 weeks out. So, I've got a call to Mike Forte to see what he can find. I'm in a holding pattern for now. I had also knocked out the wheel studs and replaced those. Have to cut the rear spindle sometime this week. I can at least install the rear control arms....can't wrap that up completely though, missing some shims for the toe arms.
Mike (8secDuster) noticed I forgot to put the dust caps on the upper ball joints (Howe). Had to knock those apart and install them. While doing that, I flipped the shocks from body up to body down. My Breeze billet steering rack bushings came in, so I could finish installing that....my kit shipped with one missing. As I was getting that all together, and went to put the tie rod ends on...I noticed I have the pitman arms in the wrong orientation. I called it a night after that....I'll have to switch them around today.
So far it's taking me a little bit of time to get into my groove on this build. I make forward progress, then overlook something then have setbacks. The challenge is fun though, I'm off the couch and find I'm in all around better spirits. One thing is a bit disappointing though. It seems like Factory Fives customer service is a bit overwhelmed. I know they've made a lot of changes at the end of the year, so maybe it's just getting accustomed to that. I sent an email listing the items missing from my inventory two weeks ago, it took a week for a reply, was told they will get right on it...and nothing. It is what it is, I guess. Still plenty of things do to.
You have your steering arms installed incorrectly; they should angle outward, not inward as your photo shows.
Although the red Koni 30 Series shocks can be installed either body up or down the fronts are usually oriented with the body up; just curious why you want to change them.
You have your steering arms installed incorrectly; they should angle outward, not inward as your photo shows.
Although the red Koni 30 Series shocks can be installed either body up or down the fronts are usually oriented with the body up; just curious why you want to change them.
Cheers,
Jeff
It looks like with the shock body down, there will be easier access to the spring collar to adjust ride height. With the body up, and with weight on the suspension, the collar seems like it will be almost in line with the upper control arm, making it difficult to get the spanner in there. And yep, noted on the steering arm...I saw that at the end of the day yesterday.
It looks like with the shock body down, there will be easier access to the spring collar to adjust ride height. With the body up, and with weight on the suspension, the collar seems like it will be almost in line with the upper control arm, making it difficult to get the spanner in there. And yep, noted on the steering arm...I saw that at the end of the day yesterday.
I understand your thinking...but I don't adjust springs with the weight on them so a spanner is never necessary.
I understand your thinking...but I don't adjust springs with the weight on them so a spanner is never necessary.
Jeff
I've never had car that had coil springs to adjust, just going off of my experience adjusting coil springs on dirt bikes, ATV's, snowmobiles and SxS's, and a spanner always made things easier, even with no weight on them. Plus it was a great excuse to add a new shiny red anodized tool to my collection, and I tend to overthink things.
My Breeze billet steering rack bushings came in, so I could finish installing that....my kit shipped with one missing.
Funny, I was also only sent 1 of the 2.45" steering rack spacers, among a few other little things for the dash. I called and spoke with Nick at FFR to make note of these discrepancies with hopes of them shipping them out right away. After a week went by I emailed Nick with a list of the missing parts to confirm and see if they were going to get shipped out. It took a week to get a response and he just said "I will check those items against what we spoke about and make sure all the lists check out correctly!" That was about 3 weeks ago. I was really hoping to get that spacer sent out as its the only thing keeping me from getting the steering rack all installed. Guessing they're just going to add those missing parts to a future shipment coming my way of items that were out of stock (wiring harness, wheels, dash, driveshaft......). Do you have the part number you ordered from Breeze? I'm not seeing it on their website.
Also, did you adjust your UCAs to any specific length? I went to the build school and they showed us a picture (I think it was from a Mk4 manual) that showed lengths for initial adjustments. I also found posts on there of initial measurements and when I adjusted to those lengths, it had a large negative camber (I believe that's that term when they're tilted inward at the top). Your picture looks close to where I took them out to just going off the amount of threads showing on each end of the UCAs to get the hubs looking close to vertical.
Funny, I was also only sent 1 of the 2.45" steering rack spacers, among a few other little things for the dash. I called and spoke with Nick at FFR to make note of these discrepancies with hopes of them shipping them out right away. After a week went by I emailed Nick with a list of the missing parts to confirm and see if they were going to get shipped out. It took a week to get a response and he just said "I will check those items against what we spoke about and make sure all the lists check out correctly!" That was about 3 weeks ago. I was really hoping to get that spacer sent out as its the only thing keeping me from getting the steering rack all installed. Guessing they're just going to add those missing parts to a future shipment coming my way of items that were out of stock (wiring harness, wheels, dash, driveshaft......). Do you have the part number you ordered from Breeze? I'm not seeing it on their website.
Also, did you adjust your UCAs to any specific length? I went to the build school and they showed us a picture (I think it was from a Mk4 manual) that showed lengths for initial adjustments. I also found posts on there of initial measurements and when I adjusted to those lengths, it had a large negative camber (I believe that's that term when they're tilted inward at the top). Your picture looks close to where I took them out to just going off the amount of threads showing on each end of the UCAs to get the hubs looking close to vertical.
My story is the same as yours as far as communication. Again, I'm going to try and be patient. I know between the change in process, that Dave talked about, an end of year sales surge, and the brutal winter storms they've been having, it's been tough. I've got my fingers crossed.
Here is the part number for the steering rack bushings. As far as the UCA adjustment, I just made them so there was 3/4" of threads showing, since 1" is the max. Tie rod ends, are roughly 53 and a 1/16" center to center.
I love the sound of your plans for your build! My Cobra project is still some way off, but a FFR Roadster exactly like yours would satisfy my obsession. I wish you the very best for your project from the sunny United Kingdom!
A little update. Finally got all, with the exception of a small number, the panels fitted drilled, and dropped off at the powder coaters. Got the rear suspension in place, but can't complete it because the rear sway bar brackets aren't back from powder coat yet, and i'm waiting on a friend to finish machining up the toe arm spacers I never got. Got the tank in place, and the charcoal canister placed, just waiting on the paint to dry on the little bracket I made to dry, and the Breeze big bore vent to come in, then I can finish that off.
I started laying out the fuel lines, and placed where I want the Holley ECU and MSD, and the pass through for the harness. Assembled the emergency brake lever. Started assembling the pedal assembly.
I'm under the weather today, so not much happening out there tonight.
This week, I'd like to get the steering column together, get the master cylinders in, mount the throttle pedal and start getting the rear brakes together.
Still haven't received any back ordered parts or POR parts. Would like the front brakes, dash, and harness....there is still plenty to do though.
Still trying to nail down exterior colors. When I started out on this journey, I went with Sage Green....then, after some thinking, decided on CTS-V Blaze Orange. Then onto Ferrari Grigio Silverstone.....and now, full circle, back to green.
I'm really liking either Verde Chiaro, and Verde Masoni. I just got a sample of Verde Chiaro, so need to do a spray out of that. Still on the hunt for the other one, which I'm having a hard time finding the paint code for it.
It was Porsche Oak Green Metalic, a little darker. I really like that sage
Your car turned out really nice. I think I talked with you about wheel offsets, you went with a different front offset, what did you end up with the rear ? And is it an IRS car ? I'm going to be ordering wheels soon, and they will make any offset I want, and I'd like the rears to be outboard a bit more than I've seen on some cars.
Your car turned out really nice. I think I talked with you about wheel offsets, you went with a different front offset, what did you end up with the rear ? And is it an IRS car ? I'm going to be ordering wheels soon, and they will make any offset I want, and I'd like the rears to be outboard a bit more than I've seen on some cars.
So on that car the rears were 17x 10.5 with a +27mm offset (solid rear axle). That is the same as the FFR Hailbrand. I agree I think they sit too deep into the wheel well.
On my current build I have 18x11 with a +8mm offset (IRS). At one time I had added a 1" spacer that I removed but when that was in it would be the equivalent of a +33mm offset. This puts it past the wheel well and tire contact becomes a thing. I addressed it but the ride height was too high for my taste. Now I sit about like this
Sorry, I don't have any really good rear shots since I tucked them back in. I could probably go another 12mm out without contacting the wheel well. If I fine tune it, it will be after paint.
This is the best tool I have used for comparing offsets. It is really useful. Especially when you have a known setup already.
Got the pedal box together, the Tilton master cylinders mounted, remote reservoir mounted, and started running some brake lines. Also mounted the throttle pedal, and cable and added some rubber stops. I might have to shave them down, there doesn't seem to be a lot of throw. I will do that once the motor is in.
And I ordered wheels today. I strayed from what I was going to go with, but have liked these since I first saw them, hopefully they go with my theme.
Hit some good milestones the last few weeks. Front and rear suspensions final assembled, steering shaft in, brake lines done and ready to bleed, fuel system done. And my wheels came in...had to check them out on the car....I'm digging them. Now I've got to get some tires ordered.
Had a lot of fun running the brake lines, and my skill bending them got better as I was doing them. Almost to the point where I'd like to go back to some of the first ones and redo them. I probably won't, they should be fine, and no one will see them. I'll see how my flares went. I did a 37 deg flare with -3AN fittings, and used bulkhead fittings where I passed through panels.
The fuel system was fun, I've done them in the past, using braided line, so this was a first with PTFE, although not much different. They've all been pressure tested, so should be good to go.
Was happy how everything went together at the rear of the car. The charcoal canister, differential vent, emergency brake , fuel filter and lines turned out good, I think.
The carbon fiber dash was delivered the other day...wow, that is a beautiful piece, it's going to look really good with the changes I have planned for my Speedhut gauges. I plan on having the shifter / E brake bezels, seat belt bezels, roll bar bezels, front air damn, and side louvers hydro dipped to match the dash.
I'm still waiting on a harness and engine/trans mounts to come in. As soon as they do, I will through the mock up block and cylinder heads in, and start wiring the car.
Very happy with my wheel choice. I'm still hoping they will no clash with the polished side pipes....I think it will be fine though. The exterior color will be one of three greens, and the seats, shift/E brake boots, and door pockets will be brown leather, and the rest of the interior black alcantara, it should flow well.
Seat mounts should be here this week, so I can start on those. I will also have to take all the brake stuff , steering shaft and a few other things apart to get the remainder of the panels powder coated. I'm going to hold off on the wiper motor install until I put the body back on and get more of an idea of the packaging space.
I'm pretty happy with how things are moving along.
Love the wheels, I grabbed a set as well. Can always powder coat or paint them sometime down the line if the bronze clashes with your final color scheme.
I was hoping they were going to make another unique set of wheels for the 30th anniversary edition, bummed when they didn’t but then thrilled when they brought the 25th ones back.
I really wanted those wheels but they weren't available anymore when I ordered.
That's ok though I do like my painted Halibrands now, it's going to fit my build nicely.
Nice work on the AN fittings! Glad to see you did bulkhead fittings.
Thanks Mike. Your threads and our conversations were the inspiration to go that route. While I'm happy with how they turned out, and actually had fun doing them, they aren't even in the same ball park as yours. I do appreciate the kind words though.
It's funny. Now that they are done, I stand back and look, and ask myself , why did I run that one that way, or it would have been easier to go this way with it, etc. As much as I'd like to start over and really perfect them....they will work, as is.
I told my wife I'll do them different on the next build....I got some pretty wicked side eye on that comment.
Installed the Breeze seat brackets, along with the Mk5 risers. I didn't get any pics of the install, but it's pretty straight forward. I set the seats in the car and tested them out. There is definitely plenty of room in the Mk5, and with the Snakebite Performance foot box panels, even more foot room. The few Mk4's I've been in, I felt pretty cramped. My feet aren't that big, size 11, but I'm a fat dude. 5'10" and 258lbs. Although, buy the time the car hits the road, hopefully closer to 200.
I am going to have to do something with the clutch pedal, I might cut the bottom lh corner down. I didn't like how my foot could go behind it and then the sole of my shoe would catch on it. My wife has plenty of room, she's about half my size. And King Liam also approves...we were just having a little fun sitting in the car.
Jumping around to different things, since I still haven't received a wire harness yet. Started laying out the dash. From left to right: Oil, tach , fuel , temp, and voltage. Clock is down on the bottom panel, and that is where my heated seat switches and a USB port will be.
Sent my gauges off to Speedhut for some changes. They received them yesterday and that afternoon they sent me some proofs to approve. These will have dark red pointers, and will be in a carbon fiber dash. The interior will be black Alcantara with dark brown leather seats and some other dark brown leather appointments.
Received my harness a couple of weeks ago. First thing I had to do was get that horrible plastic split loom off. It just looks cheap to me. Cleaned up some things and added some circuits, back up lights, 3rd brake light, fog lights, wind shield washer, and heated seats. Then re wrapped the harness in more of an automotive OEM style covering and installed. I've got it pretty much ran, passing through the Snakebite motorsports transmission tunnel close out panel, alongside the brake line, and then running down the drivers side tunnel. I ran out of time so didn't get to the front and rear harness. I did wake up yesterday morning and realized I forgot a circuit for the trunk light I wanted to add, and I ran the new 3rd brake light "branch" to the wrong side of the car towards the auxiliary fuse panel I'm adding, instead of to the brake light switch. Not a big deal.
That was the easy part. Now to actually start making connections, which will be soldered or will have Deutsch connectors. And my gauges came back from Speedhut today, very happy with how they turned out. So now I can start the dash side of the wiring, and the highly anticipated cutting of holes in a beautiful piece of carbon fiber.
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Originally Posted by Papa
My Cobra project is still some way off, but a FFR Roadster exactly like yours would satisfy my obsession. I wish you the very best for your project from the sunny United Kingdom!
Keep at it. And get well soon.