Road & Track eval of the 818R

[Dave Smith]

I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Send me mine NOW Dave!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The funny part about the article is that it was just 40°F (which hurt the skidpad G numbers) and was before the second round of track testing. The car was noticeably faster and more balanced after the R&T article was written.

Wayne! I KNOW! The car was faster, sharper, and way better after you guys and the KONI shock boys had their two days of track time. HUGE thanks especially to you and the other development guys. The car is fast for sure and will deliver big grins on anyone who climbs behind the wheel. We are sorta crazy around here with production matters and the guys are in the middle of the street car build for open house. Everyone loved the idea of a weight guessing game. Raise some money for charity and have some fun in the process.

I am most anxious to listen to what people say at open house. I personally am committed to a removable hardtop, engineered and designed to work with the existing body shape, but at this point its discipline that is needed to focus on the vital production issues to ensure a smooth launch. I don't want to jinx myself, but it just seems that the vectors are all lining up in the right direction,. The new laser machine is cutting FLAWLESSLY and making in-process changes easy. The new molds look great and the training is ahead of schedule. I'm not saying everything is perfect, but I am more proud of the team than I've ever been. There is a spring in everyone's step and alot of positive fellowship. I LOVE the way everyone is working together.

[David Hodgkins]

Hey Dave, how about a build thread for the 818 being prepped for open house?

[Wayne Presley]

Hey Dave, how about a build thread for the 818 being prepped for open house?

They need no distractions from the Wookie Gallery!

[RM1SepEx]

Looking forward to the guess my weight activities!

Can we get some more information to give us some ideas on that weight?

for instance:
what seats
wipers and or heater
wheels and tires used
al or steel lower control arms

Great article reinforcing the great project strategy and execution! Well done by the entire F5 team! I can't wait for my kit to be ready, I'm hoping that it continues to go so well that you can beat the estimated kit date of early August...

[JAubin]

I am most anxious to listen to what people say at open house. I personally am committed to a removable hardtop, engineered and designed to work with the existing body shape

That's awesome to hear. Can't wait for the open house...at least I have my donor teardown to focus on right now, otherwise I'd probably be going nuts! Going for a roadster and adding a hardtop later on might be a nice way to break up the cost of the project too...hrmmmm, you guys are making it too easy!

[Xusia]

A compatible hard top is the BEST news I've heard! Well, next to the performance numbers, so I guess that makes it the SECOND best news I've heard! LOL

[07FIREBLADE]

Now if we could get some rollup windows we would be golden.... but hardtop with crazy numbers will do for now. Man i cant wait til my delivery next summer. It can come soon enough

[Xusia]

Now if we could get some rollup windows we would be golden.... but hardtop with crazy numbers will do for now. Man i cant wait til my delivery next summer. It can come soon enough

+2!

[Wayne Presley]

Now if we could get some rollup windows we would be golden.... but hardtop with crazy numbers will do for now. Man i cant wait til my delivery next summer. It can come soon enough

Well the 33 and GTM have power windows....Why would you want roll up?

[Nuul]

Now if we could get some roll up windows we would be golden.

Agreed. I'm patiently waiting for the 818C to come out so I can have goodies like that.

[David Hodgkins]

Well the 33 and GTM have power windows....Why would you want roll up?

Wayne I think he means working windows instead of curtains...

[Someday I Suppose]

Dave, great feedback for sure, really cool news, can't wait to read the article.

Dave H, are you planning on going out to the Open House again this year? I am on the fence, thinking of maybe sneaking up Friday night and leaving the family behind this time.

[David Hodgkins]

Scott, I'll be there. Erik Hansen and I are arriving into Boston @ 5:30 and we are planning on meeting up with you guys at breakfast.

You gotta go!

[Erik W. Treves]

Hey, I'll be up there Friday night..driving up from Alabama. I can't wait!

[LuckyWinner]

And all that comming from a Grand Am driver!!!! To be able to thrill a guy that races those cars is awesome

[07FIREBLADE]

I mean power windows. Curtains are cool put lers be honest who wouldnt want actusl winfows that go up and down. Go look at a old school viper. They had curtains. It just looks a bit cheap and there is no security at all.

[Xusia]

Dave said they planned to offer roll up windows (he didn't specify power windows) at some point in the future, though he didn't say at what point in the future, nor did he say if it would be limited to a specific body style (i.e. coupe only?).

Trust me - I'm eagerly awaiting these as well!

[metalmaker12]

I am going to breakfast to, at daves sat morning

[longislandwrx]

I'll be driving up from NY, EARLY Saturday morning... come hell or high water I'll be there in time for the weigh in.

Are you guys leaving from RI at a certain time? Perhaps i'll catch you on the road.

[metalmaker12]

I am leaving my house in Exeter at like 7:00- 7:30 to get to daves diner at like 8:00 or 8:15 than off to openhouse at 9

[Xusia]

I want to go SOOOO bad, but the flights... OMG!

[squarebear]

The Road & Track article is the reason I'm here. This is exciting... not unlike when my friends built their first dune-buggy back in the early '70s. I've wanted to do something like this ever since, even developing project plans using (of all things) Chevette parts. I can't wait to get started, but first, I'd better run this by my wife.

[Silvertop]

The Road & Track article is the reason I'm here. This is exciting... not unlike when my friends built their first dune-buggy back in the early '70s. I've wanted to do something like this ever since, even developing project plans using (of all things) Chevette parts. I can't wait to get started, but first, I'd better run this by my wife.

Welcome to the forum, Squarebear!

[flying phoenix]

Good to see that the car performs. It's got true, proven factory five lineage like the GTM and the rest of the lot.

[metalmaker12]

3.8 0-60/12.5 quarter in colder weather (30-50 degrees) is damn quick. I bet 3.2/12 or high 11 when its 80 or above. very impressive numbers and with only 273whp. I am going to have at least 300-330whp and torque with a much higher redline of 8600 from a pretty much stock ej207. I am going to get to 60 in 3 secs and a mid-high 11 quarter, wow FFR, I love you.

Anyone notice something missing in the article photos?

[Canadian818]

3.8 0-60/12.5 quarter in colder weather (30-50 degrees) is damn quick. I bet 3.2/12 or high 11 when its 80 or above. very impressive numbers and with only 273whp. I am going to have at least 300-330whp and torque with a much higher redline of 8600 from a pretty much stock ej207. I am going to get to 60 in 3 secs and a mid-high 11 quarter, wow FFR, I love you

Imagine it a few hundred pounds lighter...and imagine another 100hp!!! I'm willing to bet that sub 3secs will be possible, although some form of traction control or launch controll might be needed. And while this car is going to shine at auto x and road racing, it's nice to know it'll still impress the masses at the strip.

[MurrayT]

Dave
Congratulations on the 818! I am looking forward to my November delivery.
You seem very fixed on the weight. Have you thought about a Braille Battery? Their lightweight battery may save 20 to 40 pounds according to their web site. I saw them at SEMA and held their 2.5 pound battery in one hand. Incredible! I am planning to install one in my 818R.

[JeromeS13]

It looks like they're already using a lightweight battery. The one pictured below looks to be in the 11-12 lb range.

Dave
Congratulations on the 818! I am looking forward to my November delivery.
You seem very fixed on the weight. Have you thought about a Braille Battery? Their lightweight battery may save 20 to 40 pounds according to their web site. I saw them at SEMA and held their 2.5 pound battery in one hand. Incredible! I am planning to install one in my 818R.

Every pound matters. On the 818S we are building it with a smaller, lighter battery:

[rjh2pd]

When is this issue going to be available to buy at the stores. I what to read it sooo bad. They still had the june edition

[wleehendrick]

When is this issue going to be available to buy at the stores. I what to read it sooo bad. They still had the june edition

I bought it last night, the graphic design is priceless (I won't spoil it for you)

[EricScottZehnder]

Somebody PLEASE take/release photos from this open house event of taller drivers sitting in the 818! Pictures of the seating position and pedal orientation are critical!

[flytosail]

I bought it last night, the graphic design is priceless (I won't spoil it for you)

Brought back memories? Same here.

[Hayai]

I'm really excited about this. The review from R&T is amazing, they dont just throw around reviews like that, they were obviously really impressed!!

[bnr32jason]

Great article!

[guitaraholic]

I just wish they would have their cars tested with regular street tires, not DOT street legal race tires. My 240 can pull over 1g with the same tires. They did the same thing with the GTM, they put on Toyo RA1 tires, and of course it pulled 1.05g on the skidpad, and had a 0-60 of 3 flat.

I would be more interested in knowing what the car would do with standard high/ultra high performance tires (Mitchelen Pilots, Bridgestone S04, ect ,ect). Yes, I agree, that Factory Five wanted the car to shine, but set it up like it would be on the road. When car magazines test vehicles, if it's a road going vehicle, they test it with road going tires (not race tires), so you can't compare some of the stats with those of other cars.

[shinn497]

Checked the article and loved it, especially the analysis at the end. There is one thing I find peculiar. The article mentions that the car, as tested, was 25k. I wonder what the extra 9,000$ was for. It mentioned stock brakes and 818, which is ony 1000$ more than base. In addition, the 270 hp quouted could easily be achieved with about 3k in mods. Any ideas?

[Silvertop]

I just wish they would have their cars tested with regular street tires, not DOT street legal race tires. My 240 can pull over 1g with the same tires. They did the same thing with the GTM, they put on Toyo RA1 tires, and of course it pulled 1.05g on the skidpad, and had a 0-60 of 3 flat.

I would be more interested in knowing what the car would do with standard high/ultra high performance tires (Mitchelen Pilots, Bridgestone S04, ect ,ect). Yes, I agree, that Factory Five wanted the car to shine, but set it up like it would be on the road. When car magazines test vehicles, if it's a road going vehicle, they test it with road going tires (not race tires), so you can't compare some of the stats with those of other cars.

The particular car tested was the 818R -- which, while it may be set up to be street legal, essentially IS a race car. Considering that, it seems to me that DOT street legal race tires are precisely the right choice for the test. Just my .02

[ddavisart]

Can a full windshield be added to the 818R?

[metalmaker12]

Paint, vinyl, wheels/tires ,wildwood pedals and master, bigger fuel cell, wing, carbon aero kit, kirkey seat, etc. And it is a base tune, remember much less drivetrain loss. I prob missed something, but this stuff adds up quick.

[MurrayT]

Got my copy of Road and Track. Great article! Loved the creative photos and graphics. So glad I am already on the list. I think the wait list is going to get a lot longer after this magazine gets around. Interesting how the 818R was just a few pages away from the $303,000 Aston Martin with slower performance times! Factory Five delivers super car performance on a beer budget.

Dave, I think you going to need a bigger Factory!

MurrayT