Factory Five Cobra: Top 5 Build Recommendations
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- Опубліковано 6 лип 2024
- I've put about 5000 miles on my Factory Five MK4 Cobra over the last 3 years and I've learned a lot about what makes this car fun on the road while also being easy to live with. In this video, I'll walk you through (5) important decisions you need to make when building a Shelby Cobra replica that don't always show up in a build manual or spec sheet. Check it out and let me know what you think!
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I dig this video bro. I have an Everett Morrison kit that my dad purchased back in 1991. I'm lost trying to find parts but your comment about there's really no instructions was perfect, I figured out a couple weeks ago that there's gonna be a ton of Fab work. I will go to Factory 5 for certain stuff like Windshield frame. I agree with you about keeping it simple, wind wings are gay! Thanks for this video because I now know it can be done...I was actually intimidating till now
Thanks Sean / glad you agree / Regarding the FFR windshield, I think FFR uses a MG/Austin Healey PN/config - BUT - I am uncertain (do some research) - only sharing because there are likely a number of different sources if you want to value shop for it - regarding windshield install too - many FFR/kit builders end up with a broken windshield shortly into the cars life and I believe its likely due to stressing it when bolting it in place when the brackets angles don't line up perfectly with the chassis (ie- the windshield is under stress until eventually you hit a bump and it lets to) - reason I'm sharing: Make sure you bend the brackets exactly into place so the glass/frame isn't stressed and you won't have any problems long term. It took me a long time to get the brackets bent right, but in the end the glass slid right in and I haven't had any problems / thanks for the comment!
Wind wings are gay? If it's a racecar, yes, if however you are going the drive on the road, the do keep a lot of unwanted stuff out of your face, ( insects, tar, small and large pebbles, sigarette buds ) and you will take your car out more often because it's such fun....
I also have an Everett-Morrison that was built in 1992 or 92. E- M is inTexas now,and they have a lot of parts.
I put 47,000 miles on my FFR Mk 4 over about 6 years, including a 3 month 16,000 mile lap of America. I installed both wind wings and sun visors, and would recommend both if you want to enhance your driving experience. They are very useful in the rain (which I experienced dozens of times). Sure, if you're building a garage/trailer queen that's only going to be used to go to cars and coffee on sunny days, they're unnecessary. But if you're really going to use the car, and want to be prepared for the unexpected, I would encourage builders to have wind wings, sun visors, a heater (the BEST additive option!), and heated seats. YMMV
I built an Everett Morrison kit back in the early '80s. Great kit for the money. Also it had a frame similar to the original. I narrowed mine and installed both a Jag rear-end and 427 side oiler. I wanted the original performance and that's what I got. Took me several years to optimize the suspension tuning and cooling.
Thank you so much for being brave enough to say a 427 is not needed for this car! I 100% agree with you
@gsarssadams - Just ask a handful of random Pro racers with experience in both small and big block Cobras, and you will find that just about all of them prefer a built small block over the anvil heavy 427. The small block can be built to put out more than enough HP and it will handle significantly better. Bottom line, if you're a true road driver, the small block is definitely the way to go. 🤠🏆🏁
"An average guy who built a kit car."
It appears you did a damn fine job of it.
Even your video looks pro.
my recomendations: If you build a car, multiply your estimated money and time need by 2 at least. Think what do you want to use your car most. racing or just driving around the town? Highway trips? This answer a lots of question: do you really need semi slick tyres, stiff suspension, wind wings, EFI or carburetor (nitrous?), manual or automatic transmission... And the most important thing: respect the car, it is light, relatively super-strong, and very dangerous. Snap oversteer, no impact protection etc. Be careful but enjoy the ride of your life :)
Well said Janos / thanks for the comment!
Your filmmaking skills are rivaled only by your mechanic skills which are rivaled only by your taste in cars! Awesome all around!
Great tips!!
I had finally been able to buy my dream car after saving for years.
I bought a 2001 Lonestar 66 MKIII that has a longer chassis for us larger guys.
That let's me sit lower and have more leg room for my height.
The last owner had installed a vintage 302 bored with T5 5 speed with an Edelbrock 4 barrel from an old 1974 Ford Grand Torino from a junk yard to save money I guess,
which i upgraded alittle. 👍
The other things I added later was an upgraded fake carbon fiber dash with new guages,
glove box,
moved the battery cutoff next to the shifter for safety,
new fire extinguisher,
new trunk mounted chromed battery box,
new wiring system,
short front throw quick shift,
GoodYear billboard style 15 in tires,
with cheaper Crager Hallibrand look rims,
an MSD box,
race jack bumpers,
larger radiator and
larger fan cuz it was always overheating in the SoCal heat,
and meatball and vintage race stickers becuz i love that nostalgic look!
🥰👍
I've owned her for almost 5 yrs now,
and love to use her as an everyday driver.🥰
I attend local shows,
take my daughters to lunch at our local outdoor malls,
and to the gas station here where I live in SoCal.
I love how she turns heads everywhere I go! People even ask if they can take a pic with her.
I love showing off.
I always loved the sound,
and the exhaust POP when I'm downshifting...
😜😜🤟🤟
She's the only car i ever truly loved since I was an 8 yr old kid,
and is beautiful in the Guardian Blue with 2 white stripes.🥰🥰
Love your videos!
Keep 'em comin!👍👍🥰
Cheers to many years of enjoyment!
🥰🥰🙏🏼🙏🏼🤙🤙
You’ve got the look of that absolutely spot on! The wheels and tyres and ride height are perfect!
Love how you edit your vids.
Great stuff!
Your last statement about the corvette is how I feel and that’s why I to am looking and the Cobra thanks great video
Your videos are such a great source for all of us on youtube. I have an edelbrock proflow 2 on an amc 401. Your recommendations are spot on. Never buying a carb again. Your videos on how you set up wiring are great.
Thanks much Dillon / I'm glad you liked them / AMC 401?!?!?! - hold onto that car! Anything AMC is becoming more collectable every day / thanks for the comment!
This is a bucket list build for me! Great info!
Awesome advice. Thanks. Always looking for recommendations!
Recommendations were all great. Thanks, good job.
Thanks TJ, great video as usual and discussing crucial points. Personally, I think your point about ride height setup / suspension setup was the most important one to consider for me. It makes a huge difference in how you setup ride height and suspension and it matters whether you daily drive or only once in a while, and the most frequent road conditions in your area, and whether you constantly need to park in some public parking lot, etc. We certainly wouldn't push the car in full-send on public roads like we'd do at a racetrack, so extreme race modifications are unnecessary most of the time, and if anything, they can add more discomfort when just cruising. Thank you for these videos and keep up the great content.
Very much appreciate the comment Fred and I fully agree - side note: if I had 3 wishes, one would be for 0 traffic some morning on my 7 mile journey to Starbucks so I could unleash full send mode / I've had my Cobra uncorked (at best) - maybe 30 seconds! - imagine 7 minutes! Thanks for the comment Fred-
Its been my dream to build one of these, thanks for the advice!
Without first seeing your video I “followed” all your recommendations. Ford 302 with Edelbrock Pro-flo 4 EFI, Tremec TKX. I love it and drives in the country or along the coast are magical. Besides building one you can buy one built and upgrade and rebuild without the fabrication tasks. Simple, fun, fast, unique, beautiful - what more
Thanks for the ideas . Definitely going your route.
My top 5: #1 - Windsor stroker motor 500HP +. It's the lightest weight motor out there, easy to work on, easy to get parts. Stock Cleveland's ,302's, straight windsor's, 360 truck motors just don't have enough power and torque. (I'd rather have too much than too little.) The Coyote has plenty of power, but it just doesn't sound like a Cobra #2 - 750 or 850 ddbl carburetor depending on where you live. (I'm old school.) #3 - Independent rear suspension. Mine is solid and I regret it. Especially driving hard in the curves like on Tail of the Dragon. #4 - Disc brakes all 4 corners! I had drum on mine - ugggh!. #5 As fat as a tire as you can fit on the rear! Not a race tire, but one down. The more rubber that meets the road the better. They last surprisingly long, due surprisingly well in the turns including wet roads, and they just plain look awesome. just one man's opinion!
All excellent points and hard to disagree with any of them! Thanks for the comment!
I have watched all your videos....they are outstanding! I have a Shell Valley Replica being delivered in late January. I have taken everything you have said to heart. Interesting enough I had planned on a carburetor for my 351 windsor, but now you have me re-thinking the electronic fuel injection........ I really liked your video on wiring as I have never built a car before, but to be headed down the same road as you come January. I'm super excited and thankful for your videos.
Shell Valley makes a GREAT Cobra replica and I like that (for instance), body cutouts are predrilled at no extra cost / the dash comes pre-mounted / body mounting tabs are on the frame vs. a fiberglass edge the wraps around the frame to be screwed in place / etc. - that really gives you a head start with your build and their design has advantages too. 351w is an excellent choice of a motor. To help with your decision on fuel injection, make sure you research it so you really understand the differences/etc. While I absolutely LOVE my Pro-Flo 4 setup, that doesn't mean I'm about to invest $2k to retrofit my cobra because: Carb works just fine. Where EFI would REALLY help my car is on hot days- I do have some vapor lock issues (fuel boiling in the carb) on the 90F summer afternoons in traffic with no hood scoop for added airflow. With EFI - I'd have 0 issues. Also make sure you take time to select the right camshaft too / 351 make loads of torque and with the right cam and are basically INDESTRUCTIBLE :) Good luck with your build Jeff and thanks for the comment!
@@TacoJoe I didn't know FFR offered a scoopless hood - why'd you go that route, and considering the vapor lock issues would you add a scoop now?
That was a very crisp and insightful video. Thanks and best wishes.
Great video. These recommendations are solid!
Thanks for the great insight as always joe! Love your videos
Thanks Rajeev / glad you liked it!
Thanks for your video, i agree with everyone of your recommendations,. Ordered my kit last week and looking forward to the experience
Thanks Sergio & good luck with your build!
Great to see another great video. Great information as always. I’m ordering my kit soon and have your videos pinned. Thank you 👍
Thanks Ciaran / glad you liked it and good luck with your build / thanks for the comment!
Great Video Awesome info your Cobra is so clean looking. 👌 cheers
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and ideas on an FFR build.
Great video - some sound advice in here. I completely agree with the styling/body comments. the shape is beautiful as it is, no need to bling it out.
Your car is stunning, and serves as my inspiration car when I start mine! I really appreciate your honest recommendations, too.
Thanks Mike / I'm glad you liked it / I appreciate the comment and good luck with your future build!
Agreed - I loved the 'simplicity' advice and the FI advice! Really drives it all home... ordering in mine within 18-20 monts- CANNOT wait
This is the first video of yours. I thought your recommendations were spot on. Using the KISS method is perfect for the Cobra replica, or for any car, is the way to go. Put your time and effort into the quality of the build. Thank you for sharing.
Glad you liked it Greg / the KISS method is highly under-rated (IMHO) - thanks for the comment!
Best comments ever. Makes complete sense. I hope to build one and it make sense to make it as user friendly as possible. THANKS.
U kept your car classy I really enjoyed the video. U can take it to the country club and fit in, Even the opera. My friend always tells me simplicity is the best design, because it never goes out of style he tells me. Fantastic job! 👏
Thanks for sharing man.
Total Awesomeness brother
Top thanks for this. It's always good to consider everything on paper or in your minds eye before committing to metal.
I was hooked on these things 30 years ago when a man called Tony Calvey took me for a "quick spin"... he had a 6.0 V12 in his. It was election day, when I arrived to vote, I ticked the wrong box, drank 4 beers and smoked a pack of cigarettes. It was silly fast.. I need one of these ! The thing is as sexy as they get.
Thank you for your great advice!
Great advice. If I were to build one I would follow your advise to the letter.
Thanks for the tips.
Great vid. Beautiful car! I’m jealous.
I have over 100,000 miles on mine. Great video, agree with everything you said. Wish I had used screws in a few places. Currently dealing with a faulty clutch switch.
Do you have trouble starting (ie - clutch safety switch cutting power to solenoid?) - good news is it shouldn't be too hard to replace - toughest part is getting to it (not a lot of room under the dash) - good luck!
Very cool video and very cool recomendations too. I also enjoyed the "don't re-invent the wheel" approach too which can add a lot more costs to building these kit cars.
Good advice! Thanks.
100% on point, built one several years ago, went with a ford motorsports 345 hp 302, x-aluminum headsand e-303 cam, naturally aspirated via edelbrock, on a tremec 5-speed.. More power than you will ever use on the street..besides, the car was designed around a small block .
Very good points I think as when your building a car like this you want to get right first time and not regret it. Saying to one's self I wish I'd done it this or like that. Love the car.
Good video. Some great talking points to consider.
Great video!
I have the Pro-Flo 4 on my 408W MK4 Factory Five cobra. First start on the new setup a few weeks ago. It runs like a top!
Very nice!
Building one of these is on my lifetime bucket list. I really appreciate you taking the time to share what you've learned. Terrific content. Thanks!
You are so right keep it simple I love the way you did yours. I think it’s the best build I’ve seen it’s the closest to the original.
Thank you for the kind words Ben / I very much appreciate the feedback and I'm glad you like it!
You hit the nail on the head. I agree. 100%!
Nice car, good tips.
This was very informative. Thank you very much. Have not decided if I’ll do a cheater or a cobra yet
I definitely had analysis paralysis when I was building mine last year. I would sit there and think " Once I make this decision I am going down this pathway which will be much harder to reverse later on.... Am I sure I want to do this????" LOL! The FFR Forum was my life jacket during my build. Agree with you regarding street use and color. I am painting mine a solid color with no stripes. 347 carb engine is way more than enough power. I am thinking maybe down the road doing stacked injection.....Way far down the road. One thing I would have changed would have been going from the 3 link to an IRS rear end. Great video!
Hi Jon / what is most important is that you build a car that YOU want and not what a forum tells you to build. Plan your build goals up front then go after them / thanks for the comment!
Love your car and appreciate your opinion on simplicity but would really love to see stripes, if even subdued ones on your car. Would be perfect then, in my opinion. Thanks for the video and suggestions.
I have a ff5 mrk 2 and carb ed it and enjoy the tuning and sound, smell and look of the 302 much better. I put power steering in my car and enjoy driving it in the mountains of Virginia. At 75 , I don’t horse it much but it is a beast and fun to wrench on. You really don’t need 500 hp in something this light to have a joyride in. Buckle up! Paul
Taco Joe, I really like the look of your rims & tires. I have a Factory Five Mk4. Do you mind sharing the type of rims, size and those billboard tires?
...an average man building a kit car! Yeah right! Sir! This thing is absolutely beautiful! Your less is more interpretation is awesome!
Keep it simple is the key (IMO) to these AC’s! I love delete stripe cobras!
👍🇦🇺
A friend of mine built one with an old school (1980's) 5.0 with a vortec supercharger. After almost sliding off the road one too many times, he took the thing off and ran a GT40 intake.
Im agree with all these thing said here. Very clever tips, sr. 🤟🏻
Great stuff.
Great video. I have been wanting to do one of these for a long time but family needed to come first. They are all grown now so maybe, if I can make some garage space, this might be the time. I saw a Cobra (not an FFR kit) last summer that had a crazy motor in it. Not sure the transmission but the guy had $30k into the motor build alone and he said he had it dyno'd around 550 HP at the wheels. I just don't see how that can be practical, like you said. But different strokes...
Great points. Thanks!!!
Ty Joe
This is exactly how I wanted to do mine I wanted to keep it as simple as possible so it’s easy to work on because I’m a technician by trade so I don’t want to spend all day working on it if something breaks.
Great video. Your point about engine selection was right on. I've seen some Cobras with ridiculous motors making well over 500hp, and my thinking was always that's just too much power for such a light car. At 2200-2300lb or so with so little weight on the axle big power will break traction at will, and on a 90" wheelbase car that'll get exciting quickly if it happens on a corner. In the early aughts I helped a friend build his Mk3, and he went the donor route and bought a Mustang GT with a built 5 liter. Far as we know it was making 325hp or so, but that seemed like a good fit for the car. Enough power to make the car fast (and fun) but not so much that it'll break traction at an inopportune time and send you into the weeds backwards. At the limit they're squirrely cars so learning to drive one fast takes time.
completely agree / thanks for the comment dieselyeti :)
Exactly
@@TacoJoe Also dig that you didn't put rally stripes on the car. Seems everybody who builds these does, and to me it just screams "boy racer" even if it is correct for the car. One question though, what's your take on side exhaust? I prefer a full undercar exhaust for less noise; after helping my friend build his 20 years ago I drove it and didn't like the constant drone in my left ear. Do you find the side pipes fatiguing on longer drives?
I’m about halfway through your video but like the look of your Factory Five Cobra by the way and agree with you” keep it simple stupid right? “ I’ve always been a white letter in on the tires but other than that and perhaps a little more comfortable seats. I think he got a really good looking Cobra. Thanks for sharing.
thanks for the comment / glad you like it!!!
Great points, thank you
I have a factory five Mark 4. It has a Vortech T trim race blower with a 750 Holley blow through carburetor. It has a 14 to 1 air fuel ratio at idle and performs flawlessly. I like the nostalgic look of the Holley carb. And it's easy to tune and work on. I built one of these cars with a Vortech T trim with fuel injection and I'll never go back to fuel injection
Never go back to fuel injection? Sound like you didn't have the right kit or not enough knowledge to make it work .
Tks for the info..i just picted up a factory 5 kit. 2005 mk3 half done .getting it to gocart stage..body work and paint next.
Good luck with your build / MK3 is a nice model!
Thank you for the video! it's very encouraging I'm still in the process on my kids I wish I could go to The forum and make use of it but I can't stand the thing it's like the Borg and Star Trek is just amazing I get lost and I don't do anything but sit in front of my computer but this video helped a lot 😁
Keep the faith John - resistance is futile / HAHA / actually the Borg is my favorite villain (especially on Voyager) / be like the Borg & get er done!
Gonna build one. See ya at laguna seca
Good video, nice prospectives for those just starting out
Hey thanks John / glad you liked it!
@@TacoJoe I reposted it to my Cobra group, always new people starting out, even I enjoyed some of your comments on keeping perspectives as you can easily get caught up in your build.
That great John / thanks for sharing with your group too! I hope I don't overwhelm prospective builders with my recommendations- At the end of the day, I love my Cobra and all the build struggles-problem solving was worth it / its such a joy to drive and I'm sure you love your Cobra too!
Hey TJ! Love the video..Thanks you! Question? For me, the "loopy idle" is something that just makes the car ! Can I still get that effect with EFI? And what's your recommend on a smaller v-8 that would work. Thinking the 302 might not. Newbee questions...sorry.
The lopey idle comes from the cam shaft, and EFI is just the fuel delivery to the engine. The 302 is a very good engine for the Cobra, having seen many with this setup. It is very similar to the 289 which is an engine choice that came in the original Shelby Cobra.
very good
Love my FFR MK3, but unlike you I bought mine and it meets all my needs. I drive it everyday it isn’t raining. Has a donor 4.6 EFI 5 speed. I just love the lines of the Cobra, always wanted one so I finally bought one. Thanks for taking the time to do the vid.
I think the 4.6 is an underrated motor / you can make big power with these and of course, you have improved reliability / everyday drivability too / thanks for the comment!
Thanks Joe, I have been doing my own research for the last couple years. I know that what I'm looking for is with a more modern motor and trans. In my past I have had Performance Boats and Street Rods. Im looking for a turn key Cobra 5.0 Coyote, 3 link rear and for transmission I'm still in the air. Thanks
solid configuration there / Coyote's rule / check out my latest video (I review some of the pros with the motor) and let me know what you think!
This video is great and incredibly insightful. Thanks for putting these together. I was wondering your opinion on Pin drive hubs, or adapters to go with the original look/feel, vs sticking with the five lug factory five halibrands? I must say your FF 15"s really look pretty damn close to the originals! Thanks again!
Pin drive is another great example of what not to do if you want your build to be serviceable - and - also that its not a racecar! Pin drive definitely has a coolness factor when you go to the car show, but outside that I don't see a lot of reasons for it UNLESS pin drive is required to meet legacy rule ABC when autocrossing / etc. There is also something unsettling (to me) about whacking the spinner with a hammer until you feel its tight enough - vs - torquing lugs to 80ft/lbs in 5 locations. One (to me) is clearly safer while the other is faster in the pits when changing a tire. The FFR Halibrands are very nice and 9 time out of 10 (so far) people have said "wow you have pin drive too / cool" even though there are 5 lugs hiding behind the shield. Another nice thing about 5 lug is you have more wheel options if you want to swap them out /etc - thanks for the comment Garrett!
@@TacoJoe thanks so much for the feedback Joe. Yeah that seems to line up with many other opinions I’ve come across on the forums. Makes a ton of sense. I thanks again for the vids. They’re incredibly helpful and enjoyable to watch.
Such a great video - THANKS TacoJoe... actually a comment and a question. I resolved myself just from watching this to acquire a more entry-level fuel injected V8 rather than a beast!!! AND I am wondering how you feel with your standard trans.? My first 3 cars were standard - including an 88 Mustang GT but I'm thinking that driveability and foot box space would be best served by an AOD... but I fear NOT having the iconic "leaned-forward shifter"... any regrets with your standard?
Hi Jamie / I have no regrets with my 5-speed - but - you are 100% correct about foot space being a premium in these cars! I honestly don't think you can go wrong with an AOD either / it would give you more options with your console too and you definitely will have more space for your legs/feet. Bottom line: while I haven't driven an AOD Cobra, I wouldn't be afraid to build it this way and I think long term, you'll be happy with the result (the ultra-cruiser / haha) / hit up the forums too- I'm sure its been done and you can get some reads on how well it works/drawbacks/etc. - thanks for the comment!
Hi Joe did you purchase the sound insulation kit?
Have watched several of your videos… fantastic job and certainly appreciate your perspective!
Question: Any thoughts or hindsight in regard to buying the basic vs full kit? It’s obviously quite the price difference initially but I have to wonder if there’s really that much difference given how many parts still need to be purchased with the basic. No judgement - just curious if what ever amount of premium may exist on the full kit is worth it.
I haven't looked at pricing recently, but I know when I built mine, the full (complete) kit was a good deal / high value. I really only ordered the basic kit because I wanted to customize / purchase a number of the key items myself you normally get in the full kit. If you are leaning towards the full kit, don't overthink it - its a great deal and its hard to go wrong / good luck and thanks for the comment!
Nice video and build, I am also running Edelbrock PF4 and have been very pleased with it. Also would recommend to anyone building a FFR to go with IRS rear, very good ride with IRS.
Great point Travis and IRS has some handling benefits too / thanks for the comment!
@@TacoJoe Glad your out enjoying your Cobra you sure put together a great build. These cars are fun to drive! Cant get enough of that pushrod engine with side pipes, good for the soul :-)
If anyone goes with an IRS build please remember that some guys have spent almost $1000 to align their car. That's a lot of beans compared to a $78 front-end alignment, so budget appropriately!
@@BradThePitts Most shops in our area charge $150-$225 for IRS alignment. All it is a Mustang IRS alignment. Nobody should be paying 1k for alignment.
OK, random question, was the acceleration run at 1:12 in Hugo area (or somewhere around there)? I think I recognize that road as one my buddies and I frequently drove back in our high school days.
Great video! I have a question regarding rear suspension, did you opt for hard axle or IRS? I’m leaning IRS. Thanks in advance for your response.
Hey Zephyr- I went solid axle but if you plan to do more spirted driving / hit the twisties, go with IRS - it will take some time & patience to dial it in, but the end product will handle better than a solid axle / thanks for the comment!
Thanks for the video. What’s your opinion on manual vs power steering?
Power steering is nice, but not needed. I really only added because I needed a pully for the reverse flow water pump and an idler pulley was the same price as a reman pump. No regrets / mine works great! Thanks for the comment
I would have had the hood scoop on there it just doesn’t look right with it not being there great video thank you for posting it
Great video, Ive had my factory five now for 7 years now. Can you tell me what I can do to eliminate wheel hop in first gear. Thnku
do you have a solid axle? I'd start with tires/reduce pressure and see if that helps
I looked through some (all?) of your other build videos but don't recall seeing anything on the turn indicators. How did you implement them? Stem on the wheel? Not having seen this, I'd opted for a four-speed automatic with the 4th gear an overdrive. FFR should have my kit ready in another 6 weeks or so. Thanks for making the Cobra videos!
I'm just using a basic DPST toggle switch on the dash with a flasher can, but a stem on the wheel is definitely more convenient / thanks for the comment!
Great advice, make the car what it is going to be, a daily driver. I also agree with having minimal bling. Unless it is going to be a ghetto car. I also think the AC bodies look best in a dark color. It really shows off the corves.
I am not sure what you were trying to say regarding the best engine/exhaust sound. Can you please clarify which you think is best? Carbureted? Throttle Body Fuel Injection? Sequential Port Fuel Injection?
A beautiful car. I think each individual's preferences should be based upon what they want, recognizing the repercussions. When I built mine, I wanted to utilize the original components with upgrades to improve performance while retaining the original appearance. The top loader close ratio trans was perfect for me. I loved the 427 side-oiler torque. With this engine, the compression ratio determines its character. I've seen ones with 9:1 cr that are like cooking engines. For me, if you want power steering - buy an early Corvette.
great feedback Tim and thanks for the comment!
What do you do for insurance on these? I plan on driving mine about 10k a year. Im not seeing insurance options for something like that.
Also did you get the vynal or leather seats
I put a 460 in my MK II build and while it sounded amazing, it was definitely overkill, wish I had used a 351 for handling alone. I also used a Tremec TKO II with a midshift kit, that was something I would do again.
460 is a beast motor! thanks for the comment Mike!
Was it crazy expensive to get the body work done to clean up the panel lines?
Beautiful Ride , 🥂 ANY issues on getting a Title or Registering the car ?
For me it took some DMV research and persistence, but no issues, just some waiting for snail mail/etc. In the USA, every state is different though so make sure you get online/call your DMV to see what you need to do. In all likelihood, you will end up with a reconstructed title (similar to how totaled cars are resold) - thanks for the comment!
This is a nice job! How much time did it take you to assemble? Did you have any help? I’m thinking of doing it myself (another average guy)
with some time & patience, an average guy can build one - good luck if you decide to!
Great video....thanks! I know it will vary quite a bit from person to person, but how much time are we looking at to build one of these? 20 hours a week for a year? lol
Thanks man!
it was a lot of work / but building the car is actually a lot of fun too / a life experience and glad I decided to take the plunge / thanks for the comment!
Thank you for all your videos!!! Off topic question, I’m 6’1” with size 13 shoes, do you think I’ll fit comfortably? I’m researching my build now, like your 300hp setup, I’m looking for a fun weekend cruiser.
I'm 6'1/2" and about 220 and no issues for me. Not the easiest car to get into, but once seated I'm nice and comfortable. Maybe attend a Cobra club meet in your area and sit in one (I'm sure most owners wouldn't mind at all) - then you can get a feel for the room/layout. Thanks for the comment!
Thanks Joe!!! I live in Ham Lake MN, I’ll be looking for a Cobra event to stop in, maybe see you there!!! Thanks again for the content, has me very excited to start the build.
that sounds great - you can sit in mine and let me know what you think / hopefully we'll get an early spring this year!
I’ve been searching to build one, the problem i live in Lebanon, is it possible to build the whole replica by factory five and have it shipped all the way to beirut? I mean install the engine transmission and all is needed to have a driving car?
Thanks in advance
I put 3.50s behind a C6 in a wagon this year (up from 2.70s)... kind of waring with myself over putting gears in that I would normally be upgrading from versus MPH/RPM calculations. And yeah, winging a 400 Ford to 3200RPM to go 75MPH is pretty much forcing the issue on moving to an overdrive. Easy to take those overdrive transmissions for granted these days.
Totally agree / I think the new TKX is a nice setup too (smaller / better shifting / etc) - I have a TKO-600 and a T5 and both shift pretty good and they are excellent on the highway too / thanks for the comment!
I like you wheels. What size are those??