FFR-3144 Rebuild Blog

On this page I'll be tracking the progress of my overhaul of FFR3144, a Cobra replica by Factory Five Racing. This is my second FFR, picked up in 2007 from a nice guy over in Weiser, Idaho who didn't get it quite finished. After building my first FFR (FFR-4760 - you can read about that project here), I learned quite a bit, with invaluable assistance from other builders over on FFCobra.com (now FFCars.com), an online community of other builders and roadster enthusiasts. I sold that first one after a couple of summers of driving to pay off other bills, get into a different house, and maybe someday build another one.

FFR3144 after we first brought it home. (Click to enlarge photos on this site)

I had been collecting many of the parts to build another from the ground up. After adding up the cost of all the parts, the kit, with all the options I decided I needed to have this time around (independent rear suspension, electronic fuel injection), the total was a little scary and it made the cutest little wisps of steam shoot out of my wifey's ears. She's actually the one who pointed out the add for FFR3144 over on the west side of the state. After finding that it had my above two requirements, and several emails and phone calls with the owner/builder, we had good vibes about it. It was a good price so we decided to drive over and take a look, with a cashier's check in hand (just in case).

The original builder had it built, running, and titled, but hadn't completed the body work. Other than the independent rear suspension (IRS) option, it was a well done donor build (Factory Five originally designed their kit so that you could complete it with just their kit and the parts sourced from a single 5.0 Mustang, but you can also go the non-donor route and just buy factory or upgraded parts, install bigger motors, stronger transmissions, go carbureted instead of EFI, etc.)

I went through two carburetors on my last FFR before finding one that worked well, so the no tuning fuss of the EFI system was a big plus. Start first try every time, great torque, and better mpg to boot. I also love the better cornering and ride quality of the IRS. Those two were must-haves.

Anyway, you can follow along as I tear down FFR3144 (not sure yet if I'm going all the way down to the frame for re-coating...we'll see), install new wiring harnesses for the chassis and fuel injection system, drop in the bigger 351 motor, re-do the dash and interior, and hopefully get it all painted and re-assembled by the time Idaho's gorgeous summer starts up. Target date is mid-June so I can join in with the Utah Cobra Club's summer cruise event. We'll see how it goes. I'll try to update once a week as time allows.