Since many of KIT CAR's readers have built or are constructing Factory Five roadsters, we knew our clients would love to learn how well the cars do in controlled testing. We asked Factory Five Racing to bring two of its cars for testing at KIT CAR's inaugural Performance Day. Once we received the RSVP from Factory Five's marketing guru, Mark Weber, we emailed him KIT CAR Performance Day Tech Sheets. In typical meticulous FFR fashion, Mark filled out and e-mailed back the two Tech Sheets to KC with rapid dispatch. The Sheets revealed that FFR would be bringing an LS7-powered, candy apple red-hued GTM and a Ford GT Silver painted Mk3 roadster.
The FFR Mk3 we tested at Performance Day is built and owned by one of Factory Five's engineers, Jesper Ingerslev. It's also Jesper's daily driver! We couldn't have asked for a better FFR car to put through its paces, as Jesper's roadster was constructed utilizing a donor 2003 Mustang Mach 1 with 2,000 miles showing on the odometer. This is the sort of FFR roadster that many of KC's readers are creating in their garages. The car was built on a budget, but you wouldn't know it from looking at it or seeing it perform at the AMCI testing grounds located at the now defunct El Toro Marine Airbase, in El Toro, California. What makes it even better is that we first saw the Ford GT Silver Mk3 in action when we participated in Factory Five's testing at the Bondurant School of High Performance Driving, in Chandler, Arizona ("Track Time," May '07).
On its best acceleration run,...
On its best acceleration run, the FFR Mk3 roadster reached 60 mph in an impressive 3.87 seconds. By way of comparison, sister publication Motor Trend achieved 60 mph in 5.30 seconds in a stock '03 Mustang Mach 1
As we would have guessed, Jesper's FFR performed admirably in all four areas: 0-60 mph acceleration, 60-0 braking, skid pad, and slalom. Going to and from work, grabbing up the groceries, taking weekend cruises with the wife, and sometimes getting caught in a Boston nor'easter (as the top and the roadster side curtains in the trunk prove), Jesper's FFR has been on the road for some time now and is well sorted out.
With the notion of creating the best possible Cobra replica by spending the least amount of money, Jesper's Mk3 passed its first test, once it was freshly finished. By finding a totaled '03 Mustang Mach 1 with just 2,000 miles on the odometer as a solid donor car for $4,999, the economical build was assured. Jesper sold off the unused Mustang parts on eBay for $2,054, making the project that much more affordable. With such shrewd financial maneuvering, you'd almost think Jesper was an accountant as opposed to an engineer. Assuredly, he's a mathematician and knows his way around a calculator.
Jesper's also an adept engineer. Piloted by colleague and chief engineer on the FFR GTM project, Jim Schenk, Jesper's Mk3 roadster displayed consummate skill in the four test categories administered on KIT CAR Performance Day. Review all the technical and testing data on Jesper's FFR roadster and get an idea of what sort of performance you can expect, once your FFR Mk3 is finished.
Factory Five RacingPhone: (508) 291 3443Website: www.factoryfive.com
OwnerName: Jesper IngerslevCity, State: Wareham, Massachusetts
VehicleYear and type/model: 2004 FFR Mk3 Roadster
Pricing
Price of Kit:$12,990
Total Price as Tested: $26,817
Manufacturer Estimate of Hours to Build/Complete Vehicle: 300
DonorYear and type/model: (Ford Mustang, 2003Mach 1 used)
Components Included In Kit
ChassisFrame: FFR tubular space frame with integral backbone / aluminum paneled
Wheelbase: 90"
Rearend: Ford 8.8" solid axle from donor
Rear Suspension: FFR 3-link
Front Suspension: FFR IFS
Shocks: Koni aluminum shocks, steel coilover springs
Rear Brakes: Ford Mustang donor 11.65" discs
Front Brakes: Ford Mustang donor 13" discs with twin piston calipers
Brake Lines: FFR
Master Cylinder: Ford Mustang donor
Brake Booster: Ford Mustang donor
Steering: Ford Mustang rack & pinion donor, FFR steering shaft
Front Wheel Make & Size: Ford Racing, FR500, 18x9
Rear Wheel Make & Size: Ford Racing, FR500, 18x9
Body
Paint Brand/Type: PPG Polyurethane Ford GT Silver
Windshield/Glass: FFR
Rollbar: Structurally mounted to chassis, 2" x 0.120" wall
Bumpers: FFR optional
Lights: HiD
Mirrors: GT400 BULLET
Fuel System: Ford Mustang donor
Fuel Tank: Ford Mustang donor
InteriorGauges: Auto Meter Ultra-Lite
Wiring: Ford Mustang donor
Steering Wheel: Leather wrapped
Seating: FFR custom
Upholstery: FFR custom
Material: Vinyl seats, nylon carpet
DrivetrainEngine Type: Ford Mustang donor, 4.6L, 281 cubic inches
Water Pump: Ford Mustang donor
Radiator: FFR aluminum optional
Air Cleaner: A&B
Ignition: Ford Mustang donor
Headers: Ford Racing shorty headers
Exhaust System: Custom
Transmission: Tremec 3650, five-speed manual
Driveshaft: Ford Mustang donor
Shifter: Steeda Tri-ax
Battery: Ford Mustang donor
Engines Brackets: Ford Mustang donor
Accessories: March underdrive pulleys
Customer Upgrades: ABS brakes, Alpine stereo
FFR Optional Upgrades: Tubular front lower arms, three-link rear suspension, chrome rollbar, ceramic coated exhaust, catalytic converters, stainless steel bumper assembly, wind wings, hood hinge
PerformanceAcceleration0-60 mph: 3.87 seconds
BrakingMinimum stopping distance From 60 mph: 112.80 feet
HandlingLateral acceleration: 1.036g on race tires
Balance Neutral
Slalom Speed (420-foot slalom): 44.8 mphon race tires
Lateral seat support: Good
Test ConditionsTemperature: 75 Fahrenheit
Humidity: 30%
Elevation: 52 feet above sea level
Location: El Toro Marine Base, El Toro, California
The engine came from a '03...
The engine came from a '03 Mustang Mach 1 donor that had just 2,000 miles on the odometer. It's a 4.6L, 281 cubic-inch, Ford V-8, that's rated at 305 hp in a Mach 1.
Auto Meter Ultra-Lite instruments...
Auto Meter Ultra-Lite instruments fill the all-business interior. There's also an Alpine stereo, which is nice to have in a daily driver.
The 4.6L '03 Mustang Mach...
The 4.6L '03 Mustang Mach 1 engine has DOHC aluminum cylinder heads with four valves per cylinder, which gets the feather-light FFR Mk3 moving very easily.
FFR Engineer Jim Schenk piloted...
FFR Engineer Jim Schenk piloted co-worker Ingerslev's roadster for all four tests: slalom, skid pad, 0-60 acceleration, and 60-0 braking.