Wheels/Tires (2) Mounted & Rear Suspension

Today I finished up the rear with the brackets needed. Turned out they were on the donor car, not in the kit. I put the new rear shocks on and finished mounted the last bolts/nuts. Now I just need to torque everything done to proper specs when on the ground with weight on the suspension.




The tires just came and they are enormous. The rears are 315/35/17's on a 17x11 wheel!



We had the front wheels mounted and balanced today but Good Year couldn't quite finish the rears because of the width so Ill have to bring them somewhere else.. The bead isn't seated all the way on the outside (it takes a lot of pressure and they didn't want to mess anything up).



With the wheels on the car..


The rears just barely touch the quad shocks but when the car is on the ground and everything shifts I think there will be room. If not, a shim/spacer will be needed.. The front just barely cleared the brakes with only millimeter's to spare.

Rear Axle & Brakes

Today I put the rear axle in. It's a 2 man job so I used the jack..



After drilling some holes in brackets it was mounted.


Unfortunately FFR forgot a bracket for the rear quad shocks so I wasn't able to finish it completely. I also need to pick up some new rear shocks. At least its starting to take shape.

Front Brakes & Preparation for Rear Suspension

Today we started by having a machine shop resurface the rotors all around as they're very thick. We also picked up some new brake pads front and rear. With these parts we were able to mount the new brakes on the car up front.




Then we painted the rear calipers..




..as well as some misc. brackets supplied by FFR.




Chuck at the Boost Factory came through again, cutting a coil out of the rear springs as required by FFR in the build.



With that and the newly painted pieces we were able to get the springs ready for the rear end..



After thoroughly cleaning/sanding and painting the rear axle it's ready for installation.

Front Suspension Continued 2..

Today I started by painting the calipers:



Then after I got the lower control arms back from Chuck at the Boost Factory who did some machine work I installed them, the coilovers and finished up the front suspension (except for the steering rack).



Now I'm just waiting on the new steering rack in the mail to finish the front suspension. Ill get new brake pads next weekend and put the front brakes on as well.

Front Suspension Continued..

First I thoroughly cleaned and painted the spindles and brake shields. I then cleaned the calipers so they're ready to be painted tomorrow.




Then installed the front spindles..





Then assembled the front coilovers. After the machine shop makes some modifications on the lower control arms tomorrow for the shock mounts I can finish the front suspension (except for the steering rack which is in the mail).

Front Suspension

Today I assembled the upper control arms, put them on and painted the spindle adapter brackets.







Then I had new ball joints pressed into the lower control arms. I cleaned them up, sanded and repainted them.

Build Begins

Today we started by getting the body off the chassis and setting it aside. My dad made some wood pieces for it to sit on as factory five recommended.






With that out of the way we started by riveting the firewall and some panels in the engine bay on and sealing them with silicone.




Then I dissembled the front suspension pieces that we removed from the Mach 1. Tomorrow Ill bring in the lower control arms to a machine shop so they can put new bushings and ball joints on.

Good-Bye Mach 1

Thanks to my old high school shop teacher Mr. Caine, I got the Mach 1 shell hauled away.




Now Ive got room to begin the build!

Mach 1 Donor Complete

Finally finished getting the last parts from the donor car today. Started with the rear axle assembly, e-brake assembly and fuel evaporator..




The steering arm is bent so we'll have to buy a new rack:



Then we finished by removing the front suspension components and brakes:


Now that we're done with the Mach 1 we can get it out of the garage and hauled off, get the body off the Cobra and start the build!

Lugnut Locks Removed

Thanks to Brandon and his friend Brian I got the locks off today! This little socket is gently pounded onto the locks and rips into it as you turn. I need a set of these, brilliant!