"The Black Mamba" build

[Jeff Kleiner]

Fun stuff E I saw the FIA at LCS last weekend...they've done a good job. Aside from the body, a bit of tin in the trunk area and the fuel filler piping (I predict that the 5 90 degree elbows will lead to slooooow fill ups) it is pure MK4. You are correct; the complete kit is just that. If you stick to their recipe it truly does have everything except for the drivetrain, battery, rolling stock and paint. As always I'm loving the updates so keep 'em coming!

Jeff

[Erik W. Treves]

Still only picking at it this week...pass side foot box installed.... about another hour on it.....





Here you can see the black foot box and the vertical aluminum panels...



maybe not exact....but pretty close....

[Erik W. Treves]

Still haven't committed a full day to it....had a Hockey tourney this weekend and had to paint a truck...so I got about 40 minutes to work on it this weekend....

Really making time until some of my back orders show up. Will finish up the driver's tomorrow and start on the brakes.

[Erik W. Treves]

Another hour and half at it today...lol....it's killing me! emptied out a few more boxes, got the pedal box together, brake masters, steering shaft (have to find those stupid washers), hung the last corner of the suspension. Have to pick up a power rack in the morning and then on to routing brake lines and fuel lines. Will get the rest of the aluminum in the engine bay done this week to include mounting heater and windshield wiper motor...starting to look like something though!

[Erik W. Treves]

Finally got a full half day off from work.... got a lot of progress now...

Front brake lines are run, power steering rack installed, all three master cylinders installed, gas tank assy completely installed, gas pedal installed and then cleaned the garage up.... not bad for about 4 hours worth of work.

[rec1971]

First off thank you 4 ur service 2 our country,,,would u know if the 289 fia body will fit on a competition chassis??love them valve covers,,,what size brakes r u gona use(f&r)

[Jeff Kleiner]

E,
When using FFR spindles the UCSs mount in the vertical holes. I see that you have yours installed in the horizontal mounting position as would be done with donor spindles. You trying something different on purpose?

Jeff

[Erik W. Treves]

Just following the guidance I was given. Pin drive lowers with two piece spindle. This is how the car at the open house was setup. Good eye btw!

I am using the stock size GT brakes up front and T-bird rears. THe 15 inch wheels just clear the calipers.

Not sure about the chassis ... the body sits on a MK 4 frame...my GUESS is that it could fit with a little tweak here and there.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Thanks for the clarification Erik. After I posted the question above Ron E told me that when Jim S. built the FFR car he determined that the FIA's narrower track and wheels would allow using the 2 piece spindles if it was assembled in this configuration.

Really enjoying watching you bring this together!

Jeff

[Erik W. Treves]

Thanks Jeff.

Anyway...Got a FULL day to work on it..happy days!

All 4 corners are done and if I had tires I would be a rolling chassis. Brakes are all run...waiting on some B.O.'s so I can bleed them. Firewall is mounted and installed heater box. I have started to install the cockpit aluminum. Expect to have the rest of cockpit done tomorrow. Need to start on the dash as well and run the fuel lines. Will probably get that done first tomorrow.

Anyway..here you are your pics at about 2.5 days worth of work....

[Erik W. Treves]

happy 4th

[Erik W. Treves]

Moving a little slow after last night ... spent a few hours out on the car...need a nap.

E-Brake, Rad, Wiper motor all installed. Have to pre-drill some more panels for the coater tomorrow and finish up my mid-shift conversion..

[Erik W. Treves]

Working through some of the smaller details now...and since I am waiting on some back orders, I am just trying to ensure I have nothing from keeping me from reaching the finish line quickly....

Worked on validating the mid-shift conversion. Put the tranny only in the car and was presently surprised that it all fit under the tunnel! AND I didn't have to cut any on the back bone to get it up there. I am still waiting on the correct shifter handle...

Also mocked up the reservoirs where I think they will finally end up. I think it looks pretty good.

Worked some more on the dash as well...no pics of that though...

My wife did manage to catch me finally making "VROOM VROOM" noises as I was shifting away trying the mid-shift conversion... too funny...I asked her grab a few more pics with me in the seated position so you can see how your hand lays on the shifter....it is moved forward and biased to the driver side.

[Wayne Presley]

The car is looking great Erik. Now quit slacking and get to work on it!

[MPTech]

Great job so far Erik, I'm enjoying your build thread and the progress.
May I ask a couple questions? Just trying to figure out how much changes with the 289.

The 289 only comes as a complete kit, correct?

Is that the stock 289 dash, or did you modify it? (the extra panel with the clock?) It looks like the FFR donor-style dash, with the pre-drilled holes and didn't the 289 have a more horizontal configuration or was that just the FIA? (not critiquing, just trying to understand the difference) btw, I like the clock / extra panel. Also like your mid-shift configuration. I installed the S10 mid-shift and think the shifting is REALLY comfortable there. Did you install an aftermarket/short-shifter? It improves the smoothness and positive gear changes.

I never saw the wiper motor mounted there, but I really like it. Was that also a custom mod by you? Nice install.

Can you let us know any other custom touches? Since yours is the first build, trying to differentiate the FFR changes with you mods.


Thanks for sharing and please continue to post, COOL build!

[ehansen007]

The car is looking great Erik. Now quit slacking and get to work on it!

Yeah, no kidding. He's a maniaaaac, maniaaaac, on the flooooooorr, and he's building..... you get the picture. I really love how good the cars get after you've built a few of them. This is no exception.

[65 Cobra Dude]

Looks great Chief. Now be honest, were you making vroom-vroom noises???

Henry

[Erik W. Treves]

Henry....emmm...I mean Sir....

you caught me it wasn't Vroom Vroom..... it was "mmmmmm" (shift noise) "mmmmmm" and repeat

[Erik W. Treves]

Great job so far Erik, I'm enjoying your build thread and the progress.
May I ask a couple questions? Just trying to figure out how much changes with the 289.

The 289 only comes as a complete kit, correct?

Is that the stock 289 dash, or did you modify it? (the extra panel with the clock?) It looks like the FFR donor-style dash, with the pre-drilled holes and didn't the 289 have a more horizontal configuration or was that just the FIA? (not critiquing, just trying to understand the difference) btw, I like the clock / extra panel. Also like your mid-shift configuration. I installed the S10 mid-shift and think the shifting is REALLY comfortable there. Did you install an aftermarket/short-shifter? It improves the smoothness and positive gear changes.

I never saw the wiper motor mounted there, but I really like it. Was that also a custom mod by you? Nice install.

Can you let us know any other custom touches? Since yours is the first build, trying to differentiate the FFR changes with you mods.


Thanks for sharing and please continue to post, COOL build!

RIght now you can buy the car as a complete kit only...which is OK IMO, it really is complete...has everything. The dash is the stock dash that I added the little piece to the bottom. I am after CSX 2001 (1st production 289 cobra), so the layout is what it is..just trying to copy that car best I can. The actual shifter is stock, but I corrected for the long throw by changing the pivot point on my mid shift kit, so it does all the "extra" work. Result is that I now have a short throw

The wiper is my own piece and copied off the forum for a while back.

I have done a few custom things to it, but will wait till the end when everything is done before I start listing it so I don't have to keep track of the ones that didn't make the cut.

thanks!

[jolsen42]

Erik, I don't know how accurate you want to be but the dash "chin" is not centered, but offset to the left. Here is an original.



This is my dash. It's hard to tell from this angle but it's also offset to the left.



John O

[Erik W. Treves]

Haven't touch the car since last weekend....so I took today off and got busy...the day was made perfect by the arrive of some "VeryCoolParts".....made my day....the car is looking pretty close to CSX 2001 I think.....I took some styling cues from some other CSX cars as well... anyway... here are the pics to prove it happened>

[Erik W. Treves]

[Erik W. Treves]

Erik, I don't know how accurate you want to be but the dash "chin" is not centered, but offset to the left. Here is an original.



This is my dash. It's hard to tell from this angle but it's also offset to the left.



John O

hmm...that might explain why I was thinking something was up...there are not a lot of pictures of CSX 2001 and none straight from the back...It looked to me that it was centered but the tunnel was narrower ...that is an easy fix!!

[Erik W. Treves]

Did a lot of detail work and re-checking of items since I am going pretty quick...hit a road block/speed bump today when I went to put the drive shaft in and my pinion flange is bigger than the bolt circle than the FFR supplied drive shaft....took the wind right out of my sails...so I decided to clean the entire garage and put all my tools away and just do a "reset" day....

I did manage to work on the dash some....

[wallace18]

Looks like you got stuff to keep you on track while waiting on the drive shaft fix. Everything is looking first rate. Very nice job!

[Erik W. Treves]

Kinda of a slow rainy day here...

Got all the grounds attached to the car for behind the dash, the lights, horns, fan ....

installed horns, finished off wiring the dash with the exception of the russ Thompson turn signal kit. Mocked up the pass side pipe so I could check something... bolted up the water pump...received my pulleys... they came in as underdrive (rrrrrrr)... I guess we'll see...they will have to powder coated....ordered a ton of crap from VeryCoolParts as well...I am focused now of getting it started! pretty close really...if I had the parts I needed, I could start it tomorrow I think...but I guess I will clean up some tomorrow and redo my hit list to see if there any other things I can do...might just throw the body on it and mount everything up just so I can get ahead....

anyway...just 2 pics tonight..

[Erik W. Treves]

Another slow day...did a lot of small things you can't see...put plugs in the car so I am getting close to starting...cleaned up my throttle cable bracket and put in a return spring. Have to fill up the diff tomorrow. Only a couple pictures worth posting today...

[Erik W. Treves]

Not too much to report today...felt like I just walked around in circles today in the garage...finished up on the dash...just waiting on the glove box to start covering...not pics of that yet...I did start placing things on the body so I get it off to paint...wipers and gas cap. I couldn't find a gas cap deflector that was correct so I made one.

[Erik W. Treves]

Got some infusion of VeryCoolParts the other day and was home early so Figured I would see if I could get a little closer to FIRST start.

Fuel log installed along with distributor ... old school meets new...I went all -AN fittings, but kept all black so it looks like regular hose...






Fuel pump installed and oil sender as well



will have to eat my spinach in order to hold this Generator/alternator in place to build a custom bracket....good grief!

[MPTech]

VeryCoolParts INDEED! I have stack envy Erik! That setup looks so good and I like the black -AN fittings. looks more period correct.

That engine is the jewel of the engine bay!

not familiar with the generator, but it is a honker.

still trying to figure out, is the leaf spring functional? (I see coil shocks, so I'm thinking no.) but like the look

great build! keep posting!

[Jeff Kleiner]

I didn't know you played tennis Erik.

Thanks for taking us along on this ride. You know over the years it's become acceptable to kind of "free form" build the 427 style cars with more modern components but to me the with the FIA the builder almost has an obligation to lean to a more period correct theme. You're doing a great job of incorporating the new while paying homage to the original cars' history.

Cheers,
Jeff

[Erik W. Treves]

leaf spring is not functional...Thanks for comments...I played around with the generator and it is going to be a trick to get it to fit and look right....weekend project.

[Erik W. Treves]

You ever have one of those days where you spent all day working on the car and I turn around and it looks like you didn't do anything.......

I had one of those days....

It's all those little detail things to copy CSX 2001 that are KILLING me...It is almost like building a LOCOST 7.....everything has to be made....

I am SO CLOSE to getting this thing started...missing a few -AN fittings and some line....and have to hook up the battery...and we're off....

today ... completed mock up of the entire cooling system and alternator/generator bracket. Also mounted the degas/surge tank...not sure the leaf spring will get done...not too much room now....

to me it is pretty darn close....tomorrow I am going to mount the fuel pressure regulator and order the few fitting I need....would really like to get this thing started next weekend!!!

anyway here ya go...looking pretty close.....

[Erik W. Treves]

I got quite a bit done today....the front dress is all on the motor, put coolant in the motor. Worked some on the dash and finalized the shifter....took a bit longer to do than I though...hope to have it started next weekend!... making it look "old" sure does take a while....I am normally running at this point...but I think it will be worth it....the shifter conversion seems to be working well...a bit longer throw than I would like..but easily adjustable.

Anyway..I would put more pics of the motor, but other than everything being painted and hose clamps...not much different....the dash is looking better!

[Movieman]

Good read! Best of luck!

[Erik W. Treves]

[David Hodgkins]

Are you kidding me? That sounds awesome! You're so fast Erik!

[WIS89]

Are you kidding me? That sounds awesome! You're so fast Erik!

David-

Not just fast, but quality work as well! It is a pleasure following along, and I can't believe Erik is able to move so quickly while doing a first rate job too.

It has been fun to see Erik's work, and that engine sounds great.

Keep the great updates coming Erik!

Regards,

Steve

[frankeeski]

Are you kidding me? That sounds awesome! You're so fast Erik!

I'm going to tell you what we're really all thinking Erik.

We All Hate You!!!!!!!!



You are doing a great job though.

[Erik W. Treves]

lol... thanks guys... I get uniquely focused during these builds...As long as you stick to the plan it goes pretty quick.