Tim's Factory Five Mk4 Build Thread

[Jethrow]

Hi everyone.

So some news, pretty big news really. I know my posts have been a bit light this year, been busy with work and other activities like the house I am building etc etc but I have been toiling away on the beast when I could and we have now reached a milestone.

Tim's Factory Five Mk4 is now registered in the great state of WA. YAY

Based on the pics in my posts from January I thought I might have arrived here a bit sooner but getting the last bits done and then ticking the required government mandated boxes seemed to take much much longer than I would have guessed. There was also a lot of waiting time in the government liaison bits. The car is still not finished as it needs a paint job, but otherwise its good to go (make that great to go) and way fun to drive.

The LS3 plus the low kerb weight of 1040 kg means it accelerates very quickly indeed, something I must admit I am still getting used to.

Here is a couple of quick pics from the phone, I will endeavor to take some better ones on the weekend.

[guye]

Great news Tim. And she looks fab. (Trying to stick to period-correct vernacular!)

What were some of the challenges you had with rego? Anything you had to modify?

[deano59]

well done always great to see another cobra passed and on the road regardless of what kit it is .
cheers deano

[Component Cars]

Way to go Tim. Congrats on the achievement. Now go and drive it like you stole it..

[albanycobra]

Awesome Mate , well done. The car looks great aswell.

[Cobrakiller]

Congratulations! awesome build, it must be a wild ride with that engine trans combo. Always good to see these type of builds licensed. Enjoy

[d488y2]

Nice work Tim, looks sweet

[leroy17]

Congratulations and nice work.

Seems like only a few months ago that there was pallets of boxes when it was delivered.

Enjoy the drive.

[Tenrocca]

Looks awesome Tim, Well done. Those Mk4's have a terrific shape.

[Jethrow]

Thanks for the comments everyone, much appreciated.

Also I am happy to answer any questions if you have them regarding the Factory Five and the build thereof.

Regarding the licencing challenges on the whole there was very little, tho those little things took ages to correct. The main thing was emissions. And to be fair, it was more my fault than anyone elses.

You see, when I was building the kit, it came with catalytic converters designed for a year 2000 vintage 4.6L Ford V8 mod motor. I did not really think about this, and had them installed behind the much more massive 6.2L LS3 mans motor. And they sadly did not cut it.

My first emissions test was a bust, and I could not haggle out of it (and wasted some time trying). So in the end I installed some near new cats from a late model V8 Commodore and that did the trick. In fact the boys at Roadbend said my car gave the cleanest emission results they had ever seen! Not sure if I am proud of that or not

But in real terms I prolly burnt three months with that part of the process in testing, re-test, re-submit paperwork to the Department, etc etc. The paperwork did seem to spend a fair bit of time there.

But once I got it back as approved, the car really went straight thru the inspection. In fact the boys doing the inspection came out to congratulate me on the quality of the build! And I am proud of that.

But really I cannot take all the credit because everyone who sees a Factory Five up close is super impressed with it, especially if they see it on the hoist and can see the underside. It does present as a very high quality product, which of course it is. And I do like that the twin tube main chassis is very much aligned with the original cars.

From the engineering point of view there was no real dramas here either, tho I guess some things are a bit easier in the wild west. We are lucky in that mostly we just have to comply with the ICV checklist document, and we do not get extra add-ons for seat belt timers, or any other silly little things. I was also able to argue against the glare in field of view requirement (ADR 12 I think) because that ADR has actually been repealed.

And we can get permission to run the live sidepipes and seat belt harnesses.

So thanks again for the comments, and also for the assistance provided by all on this forum during my build.

[DaveW]

Hi Tim, thoroughly enjoyed your build and i've seen the FF when i toured the US 2 years back, a very nice product.

In VIC, i'm pretty sure we have to fit doors and bonnets for rego too
Would love to see some finished pics.

regards
Dave

[cycleguy55]

Congratulations Tim, well done. Don't forget to post photos once you get it painted.

[albanycobra]

My first emissions test was a bust, and I could not haggle out of it (and wasted some time trying). So in the end I installed some near new cats from a late model V8 Commodore and that did the trick. In fact the boys at Roadbend said my car gave the cleanest emission results they had ever seen! Not sure if I am proud of that or not

I've said it before, most of the 5 gas test is in the cats. I too had a stock engine that wouldn't pass, I had early 2000's cats fitted, changed to late model Holden cats and instant pass, nothing else changed. I think those new Holden cats would get a carby engine passed.

The moral of the story is if you have to do a 5 gas test then get the newest cats you can buy, don't use aftermarket or old cats.

[Paintwerks]

Originally Posted by albanycobra

The moral of the story is if you have to do a 5 gas test then get the newest cats you can buy, don't use aftermarket or old cats.

Good point. That's why I'm using 2000km old, 2013 HSV cats for my test with the LSA. They do need to be modified to fit the Pace and then turn down into the undercar system.

The fabricator building my exhaust is ex-HSV. He called a former HSV colleague when I was there last week to discuss the cats. He was told that HSV tested quite a few cats with the LSA and the only one they could get through the IM240 emissions test was the OEM Holden/HSV V8 cat. So the LSA's from factory run the same cats as the SS Commodore. Given how sluggish my E3 HSV felt with the stock exhaust system (including the restrictive OEM cats), these motors really open up when you fit less restrictive cats and a freer-flowing exhaust system. It's scary (good) to think that HSV got 430kw out of the LSA with that restrictive system!

PS> Congratulations Tim! She looks great!

[Jethrow]

So back in Nov '15 (wow, that's a whole different year) I promised some more pics of my F5R and today I got a chance to take some whilst out on my maiden club run outing.

But first I thought I would include a little recap:

Back in 2011 I took delivery of my Factory Five Racing Mk4, and I completed it to registered state in 2015. The car is mostly finished save for final painting and maybe some more cockpit tweaks. Wife is keen on some tunes too.

The basics are as follows:
Complete F5R Mk4 kit, #7393
Chevrolet LS3 crate motor, with GMPP ECU
TR6060 6 speed with midshift kit and Hurst shifter
Moser 3 link 8.8" live axle, with limited slip
FFR supplied brakes, Hawk brake pads
Front and Rear Bumpers

Mods so far:
Converted to RHD
Which also allowed for an enlarged custom built driver footbox
Mods to engine/gearbox mounts to allow LS3 install
Reworked radiator plumbing with custom fill point
CNC hydraulic reservoirs with low level float sensors added
Finishline louvers
Custom Dash Layout with all new Switchgear
Custom removable trans cover
Finishline Door Pockets
Kirkey Vintage seats, mounted on custom brackets, with custom head rests
Lucas indicators, with all turn signals with clear lens
Custom rear bumper mounts with custom reflector mounts
Twin Rollbars
American Racing Wheels, Kumho KU36 Tyres

And on to the pix:







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[Jethrow]

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[Jethrow]

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[Jethrow]

[deano59]

very nice mate must be very rewarding driving it on the first outing . looks like you have done a good job putting it together well done .

any under bonnet pics?
cheers dean ah we must have been posting at the same time lol

[Jethrow]

Got a new photo I wanted to share. Pretty happy with it