The start of a new project

[LDave]

Hello all! I have finally Joined the club. I'm the owner of a new Type 65 Coupe as of Saturday October 26th. 2011. So far I'm impressed with the whole experience, Bob from Stewart is the man! As well as Jason Lavigne from FFR. I'll be documenting my entire build with pics and all. Any Q's, ask 'em, because I'm sure i'll be asking plenty of my own.

So far I've got the car in the garage on stands, inventory done, and will be taking the body off this weekend. Then its GO TIME!

[LDave]

Oh, and this one is for Bob!

[cobradl]

have fun with your build,just bought my 65 about 3 months haveing fun with it yes lots of questions ,but someone comes through with the answer

[Hankl]

Dave,

Raise your right hand and say after me,

"I (State your name), do swear/affirm, that upon acceptance of this "Revered Coupe Jacket", will willingly subject myself to all manner of frustration and abrasion that my FFR Type 65 will provide. I further pledge that any and all fellow Coupe builders will have free reign in using the cash available in my wallet as they see fit to improve my build plan. I will not look down upon our fellow Roadster builders, but rather take pity on those not talented enough to build a race car with a roof, So Help Me God!"



It is my pleasure to present you with the "Revered Coupe Jacket", Here's your sign!!



Hank

[bil1024]

Congrats Dave! Did you get the complete or basic kit ? Hoping to order next year

[Georgia Coupe]

Congrats on the new Coupe project! What are your build plans?

[CJBergquist]

Dave, here is a link to some photos of my Wilwood installation that my help. I did not have any fit/install issues.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/5110304...7622799552919/

[rj35pj]

Welcome and have fun!!

[xylonmedia]

Might as well hand me your wallet for safe keeping!

[trichardson]

Your pictures have me all excited. My completion date is tomorrow and my ship date is set for next week.

[TNcoupe]

Damn, this make me want to build another one.

[riptide motorsport]

Welcome!

[Jacob McCrea]

Dave (and Trichardson),
Welcome aboard. I hope you find the build to be as creative and engaging as I have.

[Russ Thompson]

Welcome aboard! These are always great shots, can't beat the grins on everyones faces.

Have fun, we are here for you!

[LDave]

Hank, I knew the day would come when I would receive the jacket. Thanks for making it happen. ;-)

Bil, Thanks! I did get the complete kit, with a seat upgrade, carpet kit, and floor mats. I also deleted a few things that I will not be using from the kit. Such as engine mounts, headers and drive shaft.

GA coupe, I've already got my mind set on where I would like to go with this car. And I'm not so sure everyone else is going to be as happy about it as I am. So I might just hold off on stating the choice of engine until it comes time to throw that bad boy in there. Unless you guys promise not to burst into tears? I went with a 4 link rear, cuz I'm not a huge auto X kind of guy. Although, with the car it might be time to get out and give it a try. I plan to use a 6 spd. manual transmission and a V8. Rear end has 28 spline axles and 2.73's now, but somewhere down the line I'll be beefing it up to a 31 spline unit. And probably something closer to 3.73's or 4.11's

Everyone else, Thanks for the welcomes! I've built myself several project cars in the past, but I don't think I was anywhere near as excited as I was when I got this thing in my garage. I do 100% of all my own work , minus paint / body. And I also love pictures! So you'll have plenty to look at along the way here.

Russ, everyone in the pic is grinning, But I'm the one with the biggest smile! Haha

[firechicken]

So awesome. I cant wait to be the one posting some pics like that.

[xlr8or]

Where abouts in San Diego are you? I'm the only F5 coupe in town that I know of that is on the road but there are lots of roadsters running around town.

[LDave]

Scott - I'm located in El Cajon, But spend a lot of my time up in Mira mesa / poway area. My girl friend lives up in Rancho Bernardo near you. I've been meaning to give you a call one of these weekends to come check out your car but things have been pretty busy lately. This weekend I'm going to try and get a bunch of work knocked out on the car. I only know of one other car besides yours that is up an running here in SD. Blue with white stripes, and running on an electric motor.

[vnmsss]

Welcome Dave!!! Sounds like you've got all the skills, and as far as the driveline, individual choices are one of the greatest things about these cars...Build it you own way! You may get some of the "Wanna B's" out there tossing a few volleys here and there, but I've never seen a lot of criticism come from any of the real builders....As for the rest, I hope someday they have the courage to do what you're doing.....Go for it!! Can't wait to follow your build

Karen

[Colonist]

Ditto -- build it your way; sounds like you have the drive train nailed down already. I'm envious of your back glass, though. Mine did not show up with the coupe and still hasn't appeared yet. And do your inventory carefully. What the paperwork says is there and what got packed (or not) are not always the same.

Most of all, have fun!

[John Dol]

Welcome aboard, just tell us already we don't bite (hard).

John

[LDave]

Spent a little bit more time on the car this weekend, Got the glass off the body, and the body off of the frame. The sound of twisting / popping / crackling fiber glass is never something I would want to get use to. It was extremely nerve racking! Also got a bunch of the suspension and steering components installed in the front.















I've actually found a couple items that were said to be in the box's, but are not turning up anywhere. I'm sure FFR will take care of the problem. Not too worried about it.
So I have never really been too much of a ford guy. My last project car was a Datsun 240Z with an LS1. After that I've grown pretty fond of the LSX motors and also put one in a Volvo 740. AND swapped a 5.3 from an avalanche into my 1971 Chevy C20. So I ended up selling the Datsun project, and the Volvo 740 in order to fund the Factory Five project. Left over from my Datsun is a 2004 Chevy Avalanche 5.3 long block that is going to make its way into my coupe. I had originally purchased it as a spare for the 240Z, but ended up never needing it.

[xlr8or]

I know what it is....

[LDave]

Hey Scott, it was nice meeting you the other day! Thanks for stopping by and letting me check out the car. I'm sure I'll have to take a peak at it again for future reference.

[xlr8or]

Anytime. Just let me know. I'll use any excuse to go for a drive.

[CJBergquist]

Welcome aboard. I sure wish I had the glass back hatch like yours...I may have to give FFR a call...

[rj35pj]

Welcome aboard. I sure wish I had the glass back hatch like yours...I may have to give FFR a call...

I have seen the back glass (don't have mine yet). If you can swing it, it is really nice and adds to the overal quality of the car in my opinion.

[John Dol]

There is one other Coupe with I believe an LS1. You'll have to search for it on the other forum. Might be a time saver as far as figuring things out.
If you keep up this pace you'll have her done by the end of the month.

John

[xlr8or]

Didn't Badger use an LS1 in his SPF coupe?

[jkrueger]

LDave

keep us posted on the LS specifics of your build. I plan on doing the same thing when I get mine (as soon as I sell my roadster, which is posted in the for sale section).

JC

[LDave]

I've heard of another guy putting an LS1 / T56 in a Roadster and it looked pretty straight forward. So far I've got a 2005 LM7, Iron block 5.3 Litre with stock 706 casted heads.Pulled from a Chevy Avalanche. I have a Comp cam installed, will be swapping out the valve springs with some Comp Beehive springs, and with be using an LS1 intake manifold. Also going to be using the stock 5.3L exhaust manifolds. Going to be using the stock PCM for now, but later down the road I plan to use a MegaSquirt standalone fuel computer, and an MSD unit for the ignition. Don't worry, I'm taking pics of everything I do so you'll see how it goes.

The other night I was able to get all the front brake parts installed, as well as get all the aluminum panels marked and ready for removal. I'm REALLY dissappointed that I have to work this weekend. :-( Other wise I would be in the garage taking care of business. I'm still waiting on some back ordered master cylinders so I won't be able to finish up the brake stuff in its entirety just yet. Pics to come!

[RonSchofield]

Dave,

Since you are putting in a LS1, I suspect you will have to be making clearance in the hood for the engine. It would be a shame to cut into that nice red body. But look who's talking.. I think the top of the hood and roof are the only areas that I didn't cut on my build. I only have about 75 percent original fiberglass in my build.

Welcome to the insanity..

Ron

[xlr8or]

Do not look at Ron's website. It will put your brain in overdrive with new ideas for your car and destroy your budget.

[RonSchofield]

Do not look at Ron's website. It will put your brain in overdrive with new ideas for your car and destroy your budget.

Except to look at the hood lock brackets.

BTW: Sharon and I will be down in your area in Feb. I will keep you updated. Maybe a group meet.

Ron

[cobradl]

just started my 65 coupe working on the door hinges anyone have any pictures thanks

[LDave]

just started my 65 coupe working on the door hinges anyone have any pictures thanks

Sorry, I don't think I took any pics of that part of the build. But its fairly straight forward. Let me know if you have any questions.

Ever think about methanol injection to keep the air intake temps down?

Love this build.. been thinking about a Daytona coupe.. really would like to do a supercharged coyote but wondering about fitment.. Seeing your turbo ride makes me think that might be the way to go.. really looking for atleast 500wHP..
current daily driver is 630wHP Camaro.. would like the idea of this daytona being faster..

I actually am planning to put an AEM methanol kit on the car. But I'm waiting on getting a few pieces of it back from AEM (warrantee) If you are only looking to get 500 at the wheel that shouldn't be too difficult to do. So what kind of times does a 630hp camaro get you at the track?

[LDave]

I'm not too sure if I'm going to have clearance issues or not, I guess I will cross that bridge once I get there. Luckily the intakes on the LS1's are pretty low profile and out the inlet pointing straight forward. The LS1's that I've seen in Roadsters have at least a few inch's of hood clearance on top.

[LDave]

Last weekend I was able to get a little bit more progress done to the car. Managed to get the rear end, and rear suspension installed. And when the book says that you need two people and to be careful to avoid hurting yourself, I know what they mean. ;-) I was solo and still managed to get everything installed. (I only smashed one finger)

So here is what i'm starting out with. Its just a plain 'ol 8.8 with 2.73 gears. Poly bushings and a nice coat of black paint. I've installed a set of upgraded stock 28 spline axles with 5 lugs on them. I also installed a set of 95 mustang rear disc brakes.

[LDave]

I was also able to get the steering shaft on and start on a little bit of the aluminum paneling. Its so much fun putting this thing together, I just wish I had more time to work on it. I'm in for a 3 day weekend this week but unfortunately I'll have to spend it in Las Vegas on a little vacation. :-( Oh well... There's always next weekend!











So I guess technically the car would be considered a roller, wahoo!

[bil1024]

Looking good!