Ted G's 427 Cobra Build #10333 - 5000 Miles In

[Ted G]

Click Here for my latest post "5,000 Mile Upate"


Well, with about 2 weeks out from delivery of my roadster, I decided to finally start my build thread.

I have been watching, dreaming, persuading and planning this build in my mind for over 15 years. Why didn't I pull the trigger 15, 10 or 5 years ago? Divorce, kid's college funds (3), career changes, etc, etc .... But on September 11, 2021, I pulled the trigger and sent in my down payment. As an Army Veteran, it just seemed timely to place my dream order on this day, 20 years after 9/11. Although waiting 7 months has been tough, I am actually grateful for the wait; it has given me time to really think about the decisions about for this car and what I really want. I have made some significant changes to the order, received tons of tips, and have had time to prep my "garage" and sort out a build plan.

My first order had almost every upgrade from FFR you could think of. But with the supply channels affected by several factors in the world, I found myself constantly changing my order, upgrading some parts, and purchasing early to avoid a plethora of backordered parts. I already started working on some items I outsourced for the past few months with things like Wilwood brakes, my IRS rear end, and of course the "Crib" she'll be built in for the next year or so... some of you call that a garage.

I have never built a car, but have always worked on, tinkered with and been a car lover. My current everyday driver is a well upgraded Jeep JK Rubicon; yes, I do the Jeep wave all the time. I did all the modifications to my Jeep, but never built something like this. I have been lurking in this forum for the past 8 months waiting on my car with much anticipation. Thank you to all the great guys (and girls) who provide so much knowledge and help all the time. I also am part of a great bunch of Cobra guys (CSX, FFR, Superformance, Backdraft) here in the Sacramento area and we attend Cars & Coffee almost every Saturday morning. The Factory Five community, as well as the Cobra community, is why I decided on a Factory Five Roadster.

Enough about me, here is my build specs so far: (updates in red)

Factory Five Final Order:

• MKIV Complete Kit
• Body Cut outs
• IRS w/Complete Kit
• Battery Cut Off
• Heater/Defroster (no defroster)
• Black Leather Seats
• Trunk Gas Strut Kit
• Carbon Fiber Dash w/Glovebox
• Uncoated Chassis (went with Ford Blue)
• Deletion of Headers
• Deletion of Side Pipes
• Deletion of Gauges
• Deletion of Manual Steering Rack
• Military Discount - $500

Aftermarket Orders:

• FF Metal - Trans cover (in leather) & Forward Firewall
• Breeze - Cubby
• Breeze - Radiator Shroud & Lower Radiator Mount
• Breeze - Upper Hinged Radiator Mount
• Breeze - Seat Adjuster
• Breeze - Offset rack & spacers
• Breeze - 1.75 Roll Bar
• Russ Thompson - Turn Signal Kit
• Russ Thompson - adjustable gas pedal
• Russ Thompson - Drop Trunk and Roll Bar Grommets
• Finish Line - Side louvers, emblems, center cap, grommets, vent screens,
• Gas-N - Side pipe in brushed nickel
• Gas-n - Headers for 351w bare
• Forte - Mechanical Throttle linkage
• Forte - Wilwood Brakes 12.88" - Red
• Forte - IRS Center section and spindles
• Forte - Front Sway Bar
• Metco - Driveshaft Safety Loop
• NRG - Carbon fiber steering wheel quick release
• Speedhut - Custom colored gauges (to match body color & stripe)
• ESR - 18" wheels CS-11
• Summit - Helix Power Steering Rack
• Various other parts from Summit, Amazon, Herb's, e-bay

Engine, Transmission & Paint:

• Motor - 351w stroked to 427 Elliot Franklin, Grass Valley, CA
• Motor - CVF front end, polished
• Motor - CVF custom valve covers
• Trans - TKX - Elliot Franklin
• Body work - Ken's Custom Auto Body
• Paint - Ken's Custom Auto Body
• Powder coat - some panels and chassis
• Color??? Who Knows (going with Porsche Night Blue Metallic and GT Silver Metallic stripes)

I'll be doing all the normal things and upgrades that most do, including sound/heat insulation, powder coating some things; polishing others, brake cable upgrade, Kliener mod, heater mod, etc. I do plan on doing a unique gauge layout, unique chassis color and a few "me" mods.

I'm also thanking everyone in advance for all the help I know you'll provide. I promise to pay it forward down the line.

Here is my obligatory cradle pic:


Ted Greenman
Build #103?? I'm guessing #10327 (I was close, #10333)