Hi, I am new to San Diego (Miitary relocation just last week) and am looking to build a FF Roadster starting in a month or two. I have spent ~20 hours over the past month on FF's website and though the majority of my technical questions are answered I have yet to see a completed FF roadster - would love to see one in the flesh.
And when it comes to configuration/options (they seem endless with the wealth of Mustang parts/upgrades available) I am not sure where to begin on this Forum. Based on other threads, it seems that a call to the FF guys is a good place to start?
But I see the following big questions:
1. Donor car or not?
2. Which engine?
3. What do I need to know before I start looking around for a shop to put down a beautiful paint job?
4. I have a wife - she would appreciate a more 'refined' interior than the stock felt (is it felt or carpet?) look - what are some options/where do I go for this?
At any rate, thanks to whomever takes a moment to reply...
Welcome to the forum.
There are several guys around the SD area that can help you out. You will have a great time building you car.
The answer to your questions really depends on what you want out of you car and how you want to use it.
__________________ gordon@levyracing.com Pro Builder and Go Fast Specialist
99/2000 NASA PSO Champion in a FFR
2005 FFR Challenge West coast Champions 2nd 2005 Nationals Sponsor for Tony B. ST-2 National Champion 2007
2009 TTC runner up-2010 TTB Runner up
Over 155 Turnkey FFR's in 16 years and still counting
We have some members of our club (SoCal SAAC) here in San Diego who have built FFR Cars. I would recommend you contact Ray McEdward <WeBuiltIt@usa.com>. He recently completed his car and really likes to help others with their projects. Although I have a Backdraft Roadster, the FFR site is kind enough to allow me to post on occasion. I'm president of the local Shelby Club this year and will try to steer you in the right direction. Mr. Levy gave you the correct short answer to your question.
1. Ask an FFR builder about donor car vs. "or not"
2. Personally I favor small blocks. You can get anywhere from 200 to 650+ horses out of them. My 351 is 400 hp at the crank and moves my 2400 lb car very nicely...but there are much faster cars. The higher the horsepower the higher the cost, the lower reliability and longevity...and at the upper limits, they can become dangerous. The price of gas is no joke anymore. I can go on a long cruise without stopping for fuel when the big blocks and high power cars must stop. No matter what you choose, get to know your car slowly so you can operate it comfortably and safely within YOUR limits. See if you can get a ride in a smaller hp car and a larger hp car to help you choose. Send me an e-mail <camelot@san.rr.com> and I'll send you my cell number. I will probably be at El Cajon Cruise night this Wednesday (9/26) and I'll take you for a ride in mine.
3. I can recommend several painters in the San Diego area. You have lots of time to do research on that. Start thinking about a front end mask, or the 3M clear plastic coating to protect from rock chips. A pair of spats on the rear fenders would be a cool too (imho).
4. There are lots of carpet options. Go to some car shows (like Cruisin' Grand in Escondido on Fridays) and look at what the hot rod builders have used in theirs and any FFR builder should you run across one. You'll have to think about color. Do you want the traditional black or a color which compliments the exterior. My car, is BRG with silver stripes and a dove gray interior...carpets and dash are gray as well. Not very traditional, but it gets it's share of compliments. This will be your car. Choose whatever makes you happy.
5. I know, you didn't have a #"5", but when your building your car think about keeping warm when it's cold. I have a small heater in my car, but it's not very effective. It falls into the much better than nothing class. I'm going to have to re-do my seats one of these days, and I will install seat heaters. The parts aren't expensive but the heat pads must be installed behind the upholstery. People that have them seem to like them a lot...plus there is nothing to see to hurt the "originality" of the look. Also, install a 12v power source or two under the dash for cell phone chargers, radar detectors, or a GPS or whatever. Handy item.
These cars are a tremendous amount of fun and a joy to own. Have fun building yours and bring it on a cruise with us.
Too bad you missed it...we had about 10 FFR Roadsters meet up on Saturday morning to caravan to the Coronado historic races this last weekend.
what part of town are you in? if i'm out and about, i'll try to connect. send me a PM with your contact info, i definitely have advice (my opinions) on building an FFR Roadster.
My car...
__________________
Pete
302, GT40P's, E cam, Holley 600 DP, Stealth intake, WC-T5, 4-into-4's, Power Steering & Power Brakes, 5 lug and disc's, Gas-N Pipes, 315 rears on Halibrand Cobra III's, 3.55's, Earl's vents, gotta be BLUE: 26,800 miles so far!
Welcome to the Forum, your going to have lots of fun. A couple of us are going to be down at the Crower Cams car show this Saturday with our cars. If you are not doing anything on Saturday come on down.
Welcome to FFCars, and thanks for serving! Along with what the others said, the search function on this forum is a huge help. On the right side you'll see an events section with a SoCal area. If you poke around in there you'll find a bunch of SoCal regulars. Where do you live? I'm in Escondido if you're in the North County. To help answer your other questions, what is your budget?
P.S. The picture of Marty in the front is probably because he's about to be lapped
welcome, you have just stepped into the biggest and most vibrant FFR community in the world (sorry, Wareham, MASS, - haha!)
I wish that I got to know these local guys BEFORE I started building, so you are on the right track.
positively visit local events, and at the very least, sit in a few cars. very under-rated in the overall experience with your car is the seats, steering wheel, and shifter placement. this is especially important for guys that are above/below average height and or weight.
Thanks for the fantastic welcome... and such gorgeous cars!!! I want something fun/fast to drive, wifey wants to look good riding shotgun... so Cobra replica is the way to go.
(Marty - I think Saturday may work for me. If this is a kid-friendly show, I could bring my boys along...)
+++++++++++++++++++++
Though I have a LOT of UNKNOWNS still and I'm anxious to actually see/hear/ride in some of these builds, here are the KNOWNS...
1. $40k budget/ceiling
2. I will be putting in my order in 1-2 months
3. Think I'm a fan of a small block. Can't see myself needing more performance than I could get out of a 351 windsor and I like the idea of better reliability and loads of aftermarket options. Maybe even a 302 would be sufficient for my wants?
4. Kit provider... I like what I see from FFR. I've read over ERA and Backdraft as well (Backdraft look very nice, but a bit pricey for this first foray into the world of replicas)
Any strong opinions on the Question of ERA vs. FFR? (ERA seem to have a little FFR envy, maybe it's the proximity of their shops? Factory5 "Facts"
Welcome to FFCars, and thanks for serving! Along with what the others said, the search function on this forum is a huge help. On the right side you'll see an events section with a SoCal area. If you poke around in there you'll find a bunch of SoCal regulars. Where do you live? I'm in Escondido if you're in the North County. To help answer your other questions, what is your budget?
P.S. The picture of Marty in the front is probably because he's about to be lapped
Lol, No but I was going to get passed very soon.
Car show is very kid friendly.
__________________
MKIII, 4.6 Sohc, 3 Link, Konis, FFR Lower Crtl Arms, 3.73 R & P, Champ Pan, GM Blue Granite Metallic W/Silver Strips by Bat Man
Welcome! Yes these are fast and fun, but are far from a refined luxury car. It is a replica of a sixty year-old design race car, right down to the sound, smell and feel, so be prepared. Definitely keep fit in mind for the cockpit. I would be happy to show you my car and modifications and give you a ride.
I love driving mine, but the the sound is fatiguing. A 5.0 EFI will give you good power and excellent street-ability but many don't like the look. Personally, I am looking for a little more power but, realistically it is enough for a nice street car. With a 40k budget you should be able to get IRS and smooths the ride out very nicely.
__________________ Tom
FFR 4040 MKII, IRS, 5.0 w/Cam, Super S pipes, March pulleys, Levy Super Alloy T5, Aluminum Flywheel, Ram clutch, 3.27 LSD, Cobra front brakes, Cobra R wheels, double hoops, driver FB mod, Kirkey Vintage 41 w/heaters, Tunnel mounted BMW E-brake handle, custom shifter/brake and cubby bezels, Mercedes premium carpet.
If you didn't build it, you can't brag about it. Just sayin'.
I am in San Diego (Bird Rock / La Jolla area). I am new to the FFR group having bought a built one a few months back. While I cannot comment on building the car I can definitely comment on things I like and don't like about what the builder of my car did (almost all good).
Shoot me a PM and we can chat or meet up for coffee and go for a ride!
Welcome to the Forum, your going to have lots of fun. A couple of us are going to be down at the Crower Cams car show this Saturday with our cars. If you are not doing anything on Saturday come on down.
Lots of great FFR cars in the San Diego area. Many different setups on the engine choices and interiors. Go see Marty on Saturday at the Crower Cams show.
For paint there are quite a few shops around town but the go to guy is Jeff "Batman" Miller at Miller Customs. He really knows the FFR cars.
FUBECA,
Welcome, I can not offer you a lot of experience on my build... Its due at my house just after XMAS!
I'm not a huge car guy, So I decided to order the non-donor kit. Planning on using a coyote engine (hopefully, a Boss 302) with a TK600 transmission and the FFR 8.8 rear end. looking to build a bullet proof, almost daily driver.
This forum is a great place to research, although, I've had to stop looking at all of the mod$$ that some of the members are doing to their roadsters. I have already meet a couple of guys from this forum that live near me... I'm out in East San Diego county. I plan on keeping very close contact with them during the build.
Right now, the plan is about two years to build. Yes, I can't wait to drive it, but, I'm really looking forward to the build and would like to extend a little bit.
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2011 Factory Five Roadster
2011 FFCar 
errr, I meant a ride in his Coupe, lol.
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