More Factory Five Homebuilt Heroes

Hot Rod contest brings in flurry of entries

 

With only a few days remaining in Hot Rod’s Homebuilt Heroes contest, we are getting a flurry of FFROG entries – all of which are worthy of their own Customer Profile.

 

It’s not too late to get your entry in, and be eligible for a slew of prizes from Factory Five, as well as the chance to be a Hot Rod magazine cover model.  The deadline is Wednesday, August 1st, so you’ll have to hurry at this point – but it’s still worth the effort.
 

Here are excerpts from a few of the customer entries that we’ve received:

      

Steve Botellio – F5R1005022 RD

Somers, CT 
E-mail: life09931@cox.net
 

 

Engine Type and Size:  Ford 427FE side-oiler (big block)
Cylinder Heads: Edelbrock- aluminum
 Induction: Holley 750 carb with aluminum medium rise intake
Camshaft Brand and Type: Southern Auto custom grind
Lift: .510 in.  .514 exh.
Duration at 0.050: 236 int.  245 exh.
 Ignition: MSD electronic with Blaster coil
Headers and Exhaust Hooker headers and FFR sidepipes- ceramic coated
 
Horsepower @rpm approx. 505 HP @ 6000 RPM
Torque @rpm approx. 490 ft. lbs. at 4000 RPM
Other Engine Details: windage tray, roller rockers, polished turkey pan, Snellings chrome air cleaner, polished under-drive pulleys, expansion tank, balanced and blueprinted, original oil filter bracket, lots of chrome
 Transmission: Tremek TKO 600
Rearend and Gear Ratio: Ford 8.8 with Ford racing 3:55 ring and pinion
 Suspension: FFR coil over front; FFR 3-link
Brakes: Ford and Lincoln discs
Wheel and Tire Brand/Sizes: BF Goodrich radial T/A  fronts- 235-15   rears- 295-15

 

Lou Simone – FFR

Milford, CT 
E-mail: lucian.simone@new-haven.k12.ct.us
 

Well rather than tell you the entire story bolt by bolt, you get the idea. I did the entire car myself, with the exception of the cam bearings and multi angle valve job.

 

I bought a Factory Five kit in 1998 and a 1989 Mustang GT that had been squarely hit in the nose. I spent the entire winter that year stripping and labeling every part.

 

I also rebuilt the entire rear differential and disc brake assembly. Next, I started the front suspension, using the tubular upper control arms supplied, and sandblasted the lower Mustang units before spraying them with two part black urethane along with the frame, and I replaced the bushings and ball joints. Pro coilovers were supplied with the kit and installed. The rack from the Mustang was cleaned, new boots installed, new heavy duty tie rod ends and power steering disconnected.
 
 

Stan Watson – F5R1005643 RD

Zanesville, OH
 E-mail: stanleyw@ohiohills.com
 

M-6007-C347 Ford Crate Motor     

Ford Racing “Z” Heads - Roller Rockers

Victor Jr. Heads & Mighty Demon 650

Crane Roller Lift  .563 I & .584 E 

Ignition MSD 6AL, MSD Pro Billet Dizzy,  8.5 MM Wires & Blaster Coil

Hooker Headers 4 into 4 & FFR Exhaust

HP 450@ 6000 RPM   

Torque 400 Ft # @ 5000 RPM

Chrome Ford Racing Valve Covers, All Forged Internals, Canton 7qt. Pan, March Billet Pulleys,

Powermaster Starter & Alternator, Lokar cables, Aeromotive Fuel Pump & Filter,

Trans. Tremec TKO 600 .64 O.D. five speed

Ford 8.8 Rear narrowed 5”, 3.55 Detroit Tru-Trac, Ford 9” bearings, 31 Spline Moser Axles

 

I’m 61 yrs. young and this has been a dream for a very long time, to build my own car, know where every nut, bolt, and part goes, know how it works and why.

The car was completely built in my garage with very limited hand tools and very limited help. Power tools were nothing more than an electric drill and angle grinder. I did all of the mechanical, carpet and electrical work myself, (well 98%) and found the carpet and electrical to be the most challenging.
 
 

Henry Renaud – F5R MS, F5R1004458 RD

Marlboro, MA
 E-mail: h2r3@comcast.net
 

The manual did not exist when I built my car and I helped FFR with the manual.  I got to provide feedback to FFR while building the kit so that everything would fit right before selling it to the masses.  Not an easy task.  I was the first customer of FFR's to get the car running, registered, painted and at the shows.  I got the partial kit in November 2005 and had a running roller for FFR's Mooch Fest event on Valentines Weekend 2006.  I then had it completed for FFR's Open House in June 06.  I took it to the London Cobra Show in late June 06 and then to the Summer Run in Lake George in July.
 
In September, I took it to Rehoboth Beach, DE for another event.  I took the car apart over the Winter and added new heads, camshaft, oil pump, timing chain, intake covers, air conditioning, cable shift linkage, electric windows and rear hatch opener, new brakes, complete fire suppression system, stereo complete with subwoofer that has CD, IPod and Sirius satellite radio.  I also completely sound and heat insulated the interior and engine compartment, added wiper, side and roof scoops and had her repainted (I wish I could paint).  I have a complete photo history of the build up as well as a couple of digital videos.  This is the 4th car I've built.  I have built 2 FFR Cobra's (both sold - one just recently) - 1 won best in show at every show I put her in.

 
 

Bob McLaughlin – FFR 3981K

Tequesta, FL 
E-mail: bob.mac2@comcast.net
 
I believe my Factory Five Racer (FFR) Cobra project car is deserving of the “Best HomeBuilt Heros ™” award. A hero to me is someone who does unselfish acts of kindness with no expectations of receiving anything in return.  Building my one of a kind Cobra enabled me to be a hero in the FFR community by sharing my knowledge and experience with others.

 
While building the car, there were many times the build manual didn’t provide the detailed information I believed was necessary for the average individual to assemble the vehicle.  I used my inventive mind to augment the process for a simplified version of assembling the car and shared this knowledge with others.  I also designed and fabricated numerous additional aftermarket features enhancing the original Cobra project car. As I created a special new part, I documented the process with pictures and then shared these features with others.  I became known as the fleet leader or point man developing and working the assembly.