Nor Cal / North Bay MK4 Roadster Build - Donor Secured!

**TheBabyBadger** · 01-15-2018, 09:38 PM

Hey guys... first post but I've been creeping in the background watching and learning for some time now. Reading ins and outs of registration in CA, which donor car, options to get, etc. TONS of great info and I love how helpful everyone seems to be, I really do, impressive. I steer clear of most forums but feel this may be the first I actually enjoy. So lemme cut to the chase:

Found my donor car. 91 FoxBody with all the right stuff done. 347 stroker, cobra rear brakes, 3.27 gearing with a posi unit (unsure what type, no biggie).

Additionally the car is CLEAN. Outside has some unpainted items but the chassis is a 5 lug converted car with a PRISTINE interior so it should make for a good part out. Unpainted mustang parts and clean resto parts. PERFECT.

Kit car is a base kit. Not sure on options yet. 3 link seems to be pretty sought after. The donor is pretty loaded with additions (see the pics) so I'm open to hear what you guys think I should option out. No offense, but please don't list cosmetic preferences, we all have different tastes. I'm talking "If I had to do it again..." or "I'm so glad I got...". Cosmetically my build is done in my head. In fact, my painter already shot me a spray out and variances. Can you tell I'm excited...?

Okay! Enjoy the pics, looking forward to hearing feedback and such. Car needs a trans (got one) and I'm giving him $5k and picking it up Friday. Ordering my kit Saturday morning!

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**Yama-Bro** · 01-16-2018, 11:53 AM

Welcome to the club. That's a nice looking donor. My son wants a Stang for his first car. He would be upset with me if I bought that one and tore it apart. You should get some good parts off it.

**TheBabyBadger** · 01-20-2018, 04:31 AM

Donor car went boat anchor. What a pile... So disappointed. 9 hours of driving from my Nova delivery to new owner, to bank, then to donor, then home empty handed. Back to the drawing board! Any suggestions...? Anyone enjoy doing an SN/Cobra? Issues? Success stories? Differences? All help appreciated!

**Higgybulin** · 01-20-2018, 07:43 AM

Don't be afraid to order your kit first!! There are things you can do before you have your donor car
Higgy

**TheBabyBadger** · 01-20-2018, 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by HiggyMK4#????

Don't be afraid to order your kit first!! There are things you can do before you have your donor car
Higgy

Don't I need a donor figured out first....?

**Jeff Kleiner** · 01-20-2018, 02:30 PM

I have to say that for a $5,000 donor car to make sense it would have to include a new, pristine, ready to drop in engine, trans and rear plus a grand or more worth of saleable parts. Just my humble opinion after having been around FFRs for the better part of 2 decades and having built several...

Jeff

**Higgybulin** · 01-20-2018, 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by TheBabyBadger

Don't I need a donor figured out first....?

Donors are everywhere! I don't have a kit, I am Canadian (which makes the MK4 purchase a pain in the butt!) But I have already amassed a bunch of donor parts. Main things you need to know are what motor/trans you are using( like Jeff said it would have to be drop in ready) what rear end set up and what style brakes you are going with and that's about it. You can cherry pick parts from FF parts catalog and find a ton of stuff on ebay (brakes, spindles).
Higgy

**MPTech** · 01-20-2018, 07:48 PM

That's disappointing, SOUNDED like a great deal for a donor.
I think you know what you want and have a vision in mind.
I built mine as a base-kit and bought all of the components separately (for what it's worth, unless many of the donor parts are recently replaced, you're better buying new / reman'd). The only donor parts I ended up buying were engine (it was rebuilt & upgraded before I bought it with less than 5k on the rebuild), T5 tranny (had it inspected by a tranny guy before I installed it, IRS rear-end, but I installed all new gears and bearings), pedal box, and front spindles. I bought a new FFR radiator gas tank, new Painless wiring harness and Speed-hut gauges, new calipers, pads, & rotors. Options: I bought the front lower control-arms, 4-into-4 headers, and chrome roll-bars, but I sold them and bought the Breeze Stainless rolbars.
You can ask Factory Five to send you a blank dash and drill your own holes where you choose.

Good Luck, everything will work out, you have plenty of time before the running gear is needed. Then you'll have the car you dreamed of.

**TheBabyBadger** · 01-22-2018, 04:15 PM

The biggest hurdle in CA seems to be DOCUMENTATION, which is why I went with a roller. LESS QUESTIONS from DMV and BAR and CHP and on and on. SO... I scored a donor. Below are the details. It's got a TON of desired parts and despite what the pics looks like, it also is REALLY clean where it counts. Now I'm stoked! Getting ready to order my kit as soon as my EOY Bonus hits my checking account! For those wondering, my car will fall between driving hard, and show. It's going to be extremely clean, but I'll be driving it, as I feel a car like this should be. You wont be eating off the suspension, but you'll be able to eat an egg off the valve covers. I doubt I have to mention this... but obviously I don't care how beat up the outside is... it runs and drives GREAT. Smooth. ZERO ISSUES. Again, all input and advice appreciated!!! Without Further ado - donor car details:

Car Details
Lucky Dog Log Book
1989 Ford Mustang Body
1994 Ford Mustang 5.0 Motor, T5 Five Speed Transmission and 8.8 Rear End (3.55 posi)
Full SCCA / NASA Race Cage (Lemons, Chump, Lucky Dog Spec)
Emergency cut off switch
Race Spec Fire Suppression System (1 nozzle engine / 2 driver)
Corbeau Driver Race Seat (on sliders)
SFI 2017 5 Point Race Harness
1995 Ford Mustang Cobra SVE big brakes front and rear
Welded Sub frame connectors
Sub-frame brace
Strut tower brace
2.5 straight duel exhaust with cross over pipe
Flowmaster mufflers (passes 90 db)
Manual Adjustable Brake Bias Valve
Ford Explorer Intake
Accel Performance Coil
HD race plug wires
Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator
K&N Air Filer
4 inch brake cooling ducting to front brakes
Mishimoto HD Aluminum radiator w/Electric Fan
High flow water pump
HD alternator (new)
New cap and rotor
External power steering cooler (Expedition)
1995 Ford Mustang Front spindles (5 lug)
Front camber plates
Front and rear coil over suspension (1 race)
New Starter (1 race)
New Clutch (1 race)
New Harmonic Balancer (1 race)
Upgraded poly suspension bushings front and rear
Tubular rear control arms
Aluminum finned Ford racing differential cover
New gas tank, fuel pump, and fuel filter (SCORE!)
HD valve springs
180 Degree Thermostat
New Timing chain and gears (1 race)
New front and rear rotors (1 race)
Poly transmission and motor mounts
Tri-axe shifter
Quick release steering wheel (2 actually)
Maximum Motorsports solid PS rack bushings
Maximum Motorsports solid flex steering column joint
Maximum Motorsports HD steering kit
New Power Steering rack (quick ratio)
245/40 R 17 Rims with Toyo tires (1 day)
ETC (Lots of other little stuff...)

Spare Parts He gave me:
Front rotors
Rear rotors
Rear brake pads (1 race)
Front brake pads (New)
4 rear shocks
2 front struts
Stock Mustang 5.0 Intake
95 Mass Airflow Sensor
Harmonic Balancer
Accessory drive belt
Plug Wires
Spark Plugs
Cap and Rotor
Transmission bell housing (for 6 speed upgrade)
2x Oil Filter

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**TheBabyBadger** · 01-22-2018, 04:21 PM

I just realized I probably should have called this my build thread, lol. Does anyone know how I could email an admin and have it changed... or should I begin a new thread and lock this one...? Thanks!