Factory Five 818

[Evan]

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So on a whim, last night I thought Id check in on the progress of the new Factory Five mid engine WRX based kit.
I wasnt expecting much since the kit isnt due for release for at least a year (probably more).

I was pretty surprised (and impressed) at their progress. They have already completed the frame and have a prototype. Looks like the body work is almost done too.
I like the fact that this car is their most appealing design (1800lb, MR, 2.0L subaru turbo) is also targeted to be their cheapest and easiest to build. The techie in me really likes that its designed in CAD and solidworks.
Thats an extremely tempting combination and come 2013, there is an excellent chance that I will be clearing out my garage and shopping for wrecked WRXs.




a list of concerns:
-It uses WRX seats. WRX seats are pretty thick and designed for the relatively high riding (even for a compact sedan) wrx, not a low slung mid engine roadster. Hopefully this wont push the seating position and thus greenhouse height up and throw off the proportions.
-weight distribution. the engine is placed very far back in the wheelbase and the entire trans is behind the axle. its going to be pretty rear heavy, which while better than front heavy, might result in a super twitchy spinhappy car.
-Design. I wasnt really impressed with the design contest winners (Scottys was pretty awesome but they didnt pick his). Some of the pics they have posted on the website look like classic Mid engine sports car design so it may end up looking good.
-paint free plastic bodywork. jury is out on this one. I guess it will be nice to not *have* to paint it but it will might look like ass if you dont. perhaps they will have a matte black option
-top? soft top? hard top? it rains sometimes, and occasionally you have to park outside.
-this isnt a concern, more of an annoyance, but FF should know by now that box steel is not tubular steel. Dont call it a tubular frame when its box steel frame. I get it, box steel is much easier to design and weld.

thoughts, love, hate? who wants to help me build this thing?

[V1GiLaNtE]

Love it.. I'll help ya build it.. From an aesthetic standpoint the car looks great.. Should be a lot of fun to drive considering the weight and engine platform..

[.RJ]

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[CaptainHenreh]

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/pts/2947967287.html

Auto trans.

[ScottyB]

Evan, i hear you on the seats. one consideration might be to instead use one of the JDM STi v5 through v8 non-airbag seats. They're fairly form-fitting and are more of a padded shell than an upholstered piece of furniture. they should bolt right in to the USDM seat bolts.

i'm not sure where they're priced these days seeing as how most of these seats are old now and not as common.

obviously i'm hugely biased but i was totally underwhelmed by the 1st and 2nd place design which looked bland to me. i felt of the 3 that were picked, Xabier (3rd place) had the most attractive and cohesive design and thankfully it looks like they're basing the final car primarily off of that.

if you build it, i'll be jealous as hell. its about time a kit like this was offered.

[BLINGMW]

paint free plastic bodywork.

I didn't know about this. Damn. Did I design this car?

Heck, 1800lbs? I'll take a non-turbo version. Less than 15 grand? Build me one too Evan while you're at it.

[JPolen01]

Looks really cool. I'd love to follow along on a build thread for one and see it when it's complete. Do it!

[Evan]

paint free plastic bodywork.

I didn't know about this. Damn. Did I design this car?

thermoforming. same process as used to make stuff like solo cups. albeit i assume using thicker material

maybe "solo cup red" will be a color option.

[BLINGMW]

maybe "solo cup red" will be a color option.

beautiful *tear*

[Kaan]

just toss some vinyl on it

[D_Eclipse9916]

Ive been following this extremely closely since they announced it way back. Ive probably read every damn thread on both ffcars.com and thefactoryfiveforum.com. So hopefully I can help.

Seats? Replace it with anyone you want. Ooff the shelf hardware brackets because its designed around a WRX seat. I understand the concern on the greenhouse, as they stated it would be designed for "wookies" (really tall people) as well.

They finalized on 3 designs for the contest, but in the contest rules stated that is not necessarily what it is going to be. In fact, they had their in house designer come in, and that failed as well. For now they say they are using a hybrid of all the designs, and in the past 2 months have gone "cold" on the design as they are in the final processes. The pics above do not reflect the current car according to Dave Smith, in fact the "grey" bodywork you see there was basically almost "thrown" out.

Weight distribution, yep. But remember that most "awesome" supercars and sports cars come rear heavy. (Viper, 911, ferraris etc.) It should be more like a viper and ferrari in that the engine is ahead of the rear axle, unlike 911s and MR2s that are either on top of, or behind. This makes a significant difference. The short wheel-base is a concern however coupled with the rear heavy design...

They have stated it will definitely have a top available. They have debated a million times wether to come out with the Eco/Daily/Race version first, it seems more and more likely to do the "daily/compromise" one first based on what I have read.

If you want to build one, I will help you every step of the way!

[DierwulfBL]

Like Scotty said, you can get the airbagless JDM STi seats quite readily. ~$600 picked up from the JDM importer north of Richmond, last I saw they had a whole room full of various JDM STi seats. One thing I would highly recommend is ditching the 2.0L shortblock for a 2.5L if it's possible (lower rpm spool + off boost torque). Throw some drop in forged pistons (~500) into a stock shortblock and shed be pretty bulletproof upwards of 450whp. Also you might as well drop an STi Turbo (VF39/43/48) into it as they can be picked up fairly cheap(250-350) and wont fall off up top nearly as bad. If you need help sourcing parts I troll the nasioc classifieds daily and could help you put together a bulletproof drivetrain as I've done ALOT of research around these powerplants recently. Not too long ago there was a bugeye wagon for sale in fayettevile NC CL for ~2500 that needed some work, and after you ganked its drivetrain/other parts could prolly sell stripped chassis for ~500-1000. LMK if you're dead serious about this and I can help you source some stuff

[Evan]

I am still dissapoint

[D_Eclipse9916]

And I was bashed months ago that I was the one that callied it ugly. That front end is hellacious IMO.

[Goodspeed]

Ack. I'm sure its still a hoot to drive, but only a mother could love those looks.

[Evan]

And I was bashed months ago that I was the one that callied it ugly. That front end is hellacious IMO.

Ive said since the first render came out it was ugly. such a shame since it had so much potential with all the great designs submitted.

I asked on their forums if the bland design was a budgetary restriction based on the costs to thermoform more complex panels. never got a response. if there was an engineering and or budget reason that it cant look better than i would at least feel better about it.

if a whole build really does come in at under $15k maybe Ill build one in a few years as a track car to beat on, but with that face it will never be a sexy street cruiser

[ScottyB]

we need to create a company that makes alternate body shells since the whole thing is just a space frame with panels bolted to it. pre-painted, color-impregnated plastic or something like that, so people like Chan never have to wax it.

[.RJ]

so people like Chan could wash it in Popov and it doesnt matter

Fixed that for you.

[BLINGMW]

Man, you guys are harsh. It's a seemingly awesome, capable roadster. And if it really is $15k, that's a game changer. And you don't like the nose.
If you saw one of those driving down the street, you would:
A) like it?
B) not like it because it's just SOOOOooo ugly
Every picture of the 1 series I saw looked liked shit. In person? They look fine.
It's a kit car. I'm just happy it doesn't look like:

:vomit:

[PDenbigh]

we need to create a company that makes alternate body shells since the whole thing is just a space frame with panels bolted to it. pre-painted, color-impregnated plastic or something like that, so people like Chan never have to wax it.

I'm in!