Factory Five GTM Supercar!
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 16,667
Likes: 1,209
From: Raleigh, NC
St. Jude Donor '15
Yup, been following the GTM from FFive for a while, was planning to build the Cobra FF using a Mustang donnor back in 2000. But after test driving a C5 fell in love with it and the fact it was a finished product. Seen a couple of GTMs and love the body but the interior is not a fine as the outside. More geared for racing so be advised if your looking for a nice interior you will have to spend a few bucks to get it to even come close to a stock C5 or even C6 interior. I haven't seen one in leather yet, very rough and race ready.
Former Vendor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,331
Likes: 61
From: Port Huron MI
Love this car and would love to build one for a project. I wonder if you could get a transmission in the car thats a full paddle, such as one from a BMW M5 or the like. Also, that rear area does just beg for turbo(s), but how would you route for an intercooler? Or just spray a ton of meth?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 946
Likes: 2
As I recall, the cars take a $7500 porsche transaxle that is limited to 450 hp. For $12000, I believe the trans can be built for 575hp (don't quote me on that hp limit).
A h/c exhaust LS6 puts you at the limit of the trans easily, so turbos would really be over kill (although slicker than hell). You could run an air to water IC and just route the heat exhanger up into some clean air -- or better yet, run a Trick performance chiller (if these cars have A/C) and ignore the heat exchange all together
I know a guy who looked at stretching the frame to use the vette transaxle, but it would have been a 2+ inch stretch.
IMO the biggest issue with ludicrous hp levels is that crazy expensive trans.
A h/c exhaust LS6 puts you at the limit of the trans easily, so turbos would really be over kill (although slicker than hell). You could run an air to water IC and just route the heat exhanger up into some clean air -- or better yet, run a Trick performance chiller (if these cars have A/C) and ignore the heat exchange all together
I know a guy who looked at stretching the frame to use the vette transaxle, but it would have been a 2+ inch stretch.
IMO the biggest issue with ludicrous hp levels is that crazy expensive trans.
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 16,667
Likes: 1,209
From: Raleigh, NC
St. Jude Donor '15
As I recall, the cars take a $7500 porsche transaxle that is limited to 450 hp. For $12000, I believe the trans can be built for 575hp (don't quote me on that hp limit).
A h/c exhaust LS6 puts you at the limit of the trans easily, so turbos would really be over kill (although slicker than hell)
I know a guy who looked at stretching the frame to use the vette transaxle, but it would have been a 2+ inch stretch.
IMO the biggest issue with ludicrous hp levels is that crazy expensive trans.
A h/c exhaust LS6 puts you at the limit of the trans easily, so turbos would really be over kill (although slicker than hell)
I know a guy who looked at stretching the frame to use the vette transaxle, but it would have been a 2+ inch stretch.
IMO the biggest issue with ludicrous hp levels is that crazy expensive trans.
FFR is working on an adapter plate/system that will allow you to use a different transmission that (brand new) is stronger and cheaper than the current one you have to use. There's a post about it on the GTM forums from the president of the company. They are very aware of this issue and working on it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 946
Likes: 2
Correct, kind of. Originally those transmissions were closer to $2500-3500. The prices have gone crazy over the last year or so.
FFR is working on an adapter plate/system that will allow you to use a different transmission that (brand new) is stronger and cheaper than the current one you have to use. There's a post about it on the GTM forums from the president of the company. They are very aware of this issue and working on it.
FFR is working on an adapter plate/system that will allow you to use a different transmission that (brand new) is stronger and cheaper than the current one you have to use. There's a post about it on the GTM forums from the president of the company. They are very aware of this issue and working on it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,970
Likes: 19
From: San Marcos Texas
I recently got a ride in this GTM as I have been wanting to build one...
From all my research, to build a very nice example you need to budget $55-60K in parts and around 1800hours of labor plus paint and body another $10k..The car looks great in person. But it definitely has the "kit car" feel to it. A 500rwhp LS3 is more than enough power for the 2400lb chassis. Much more than that and you will overpower the car.
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From all my research, to build a very nice example you need to budget $55-60K in parts and around 1800hours of labor plus paint and body another $10k..The car looks great in person. But it definitely has the "kit car" feel to it. A 500rwhp LS3 is more than enough power for the 2400lb chassis. Much more than that and you will overpower the car.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Factory Five is now having their own transmission made for them so you don't have to source a Porsche trans. Anyone can get on their e-mail list to keep updated on their cars. I have actually have an ache for their new '33 street rod kit. Considering selling my street rod to build their new car. Looks like a hot rod with the chassis of an Indy car. Anyone want a '37 Chevy coupe?
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Goodyear AZ
I had a run in with a retread a couple months ago, need a new hood, nose and fender. Thinking of buying a wreck for the body panels, and using the rest as a donor. Would love to keep my vette as my daily driver and have this for the weekends.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,027
Likes: 169
From: oregon
lots of cool vids of these on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...rch_type=&aq=f
something about these reminds me of the ford gt
http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...rch_type=&aq=f
something about these reminds me of the ford gt
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 932
Likes: 0
From: Las Cruces New Mexico
For those of you who have built one and driven it how loud is the sound in the cockpit? I have been watching the progression of this but never talked to anyone who has driven it. I know this is a race car but I am still curious as to the sound level and whether I could actually drive this to work every day.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,480
Likes: 9
From: East Meadow NY
St. Jude Donor '12
I am curious why the don't use a the C5 transaxle in place of the Porsche one. I love the look, but it doesn't use a whole lot from the Corvete other than engine, computer, suspension and some miscellaneous parts.
It seems like you could make your life a lot easier by not using a corvette engine and dropping a regular old small block in there and getting the suspension parts new or used.
It seems like you could make your life a lot easier by not using a corvette engine and dropping a regular old small block in there and getting the suspension parts new or used.
Last edited by chaase; Oct 16, 2009 at 01:12 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,970
Likes: 19
From: San Marcos Texas
I am curious why the don't use a the C5 transaxle in place of the Porsche one. I love the look, but it doesn't use a whole lot from the Corvete other than engine, computer, suspension and some miscellaneous parts.
It seems like you could make your life a lot easier by not using a corvette engine and dropping a regular old small block in there and getting the suspension parts new or used.
It seems like you could make your life a lot easier by not using a corvette engine and dropping a regular old small block in there and getting the suspension parts new or used.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,970
Likes: 19
From: San Marcos Texas
For those of you who have built one and driven it how loud is the sound in the cockpit? I have been watching the progression of this but never talked to anyone who has driven it. I know this is a race car but I am still curious as to the sound level and whether I could actually drive this to work every day.
A nice loud though..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,361
Likes: 50
From: Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
Had my eye on the FF GTM for a while and they just now came out with the new designed front nose I noticed. Would love it now that it has been a long time since this thread has been active to hear from some of you with the car. If you had to build it again, is there anything you would do different? Just wanting some pointers...
Thanks!
Thanks!