Factory Five Kit Cars vs a Lamborghini Gallardo! - HOT ROD Unlimited Episode 27

On this episode of HOT ROD Unlimited, the team heads to Vegas to see what's faster: a Factory Five kit car or a 542hp rear-wheel drive Lamborghini Gallardo. Associate Editor Jesse Kiser, Staff Editor Brandan Gillogly and professional driver Mike Essa pilot four of Factory Five's kit cars to see which one's the best on the 1/4-mile, road course, and street. The Mark IV Roadsters feature a 5.0L Coyote V8 and a 427ci from Summit Racing's new line of Factory Five drivetrain packages.
HOT ROD Unlimited appears every other Friday on the Motor Trend channel. / motortrend
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[@leonardr6704]

I think that being able to build cars on par with Lamborghinis in a garage for less than 50k is flippin' amazing.

[@RandomTXDude210]

It is. And those kit cars you build you end up actually driving because if you break something (crack a header, blow a starter motor, et cetera) getting spare parts is insanely cheap, you can buy them anywhere there's a parts store (like AutoZone/NAPA), and fix it yourself in a parking lot. Whereas a Lambo has to go to a dealer, that starter motor probably costs $1000 and costs half as much to install.

[@xxRamD3yruxx]

twice as much

[@kernoleary1394]

only 1000 and 500 to install at a lambo dealer you say? nice

[@valeriobertucci6159]

all the reason....but...without anything on it...no electronics, non safety, nor quality of the chassis, nor the frame, nor the brakes, not the same road holding...yes, u can go fast...but even my yellow elastic thrown after stretchhing it is faster than a f16 in the start (about 300km'hh instantly)

[@jacobl6714]

I mean these things are awesome but they're not on par with modern Lamborghini's. I like the company, and I love how much performance you get for so much less money. But people seem to do this thing where they hate expensive things like Lambo's because they go "well my toyota corolla was 10k used and that lamborghini is 100k. How on earth is it ten times better?! That's outrageous!" Lol that's not how things work though, and no one is suggesting that they're ten times as expensive. But they're proportional. Also I think it's a bit disingenuous to do the thing that tesla owners and electric car zealots do which is they say wowwww look how fast this car is in one very specific test, against the slowest version of that lambo which is kinda slimy of them, therefore it's bEtTeR ThAn a LaMbo : p it's definitely better. Different, and absolutely awesome, and much more affordable, run by a great group of people. But not at all the same kind of car is all

[@factoryfive]

Lambo ran the most laps with a pro driver who knew the track. We did pretty well and had a BLAST! All this episode shows is that you CAN build a fast car if you have more skills than money. Dave

[@robsalle5096]

Your cars look fantastic compared to the Lamborghini! Please keep making some of the finest rolling art.🙌

[@SpyderRios]

They should build a GT40 replica. My dream car

[@austinsparrow8760]

Check superperformance they make them

[@KremitDeFrog]

Factory Five makes a GTM, it's not quite a GT40 replica, and it's built with components from a C5 corvette.. looks like a GT40 in the front, Saleen S7 in the rear..

[@vaugr1917]

factory produced a gt40 some time ago.

[@arjuhama]

race-car-replicas makes them

[@KremitDeFrog]

Arnaldo Juris Maclang aren't those the guys based in panama that rent the real deal for a day, shoot their video and claim the rental is their finished replica product? Then they get you to send them $4~6k a month for several months, then you find out you got scammed because you didn't do enough homework first?

[@jameshamm4345]

proof once again you don't half to spend "as much money as a house" to have an exotic ride. bravo factory five, wonder if I can cash in my retirement yet? would be very nice to have one.

[@Rockit181]

wow, I'm impressed by that 33.... would make a very fun track car to embarrass some modern metal with

[@nickbrock6894]

That is what build for

[@guido0582]

I must admit those Ford engines sound awesome in those high rpm's

[@shananagans5]

I love that Cobra with the 5.0 Coyote engine. It's not authentic but that would make a great regular driver. Three or four hundred horsepower in a 2,500 pound car may not beat everything out there but it's still darn fast. It's also affordable and, so long as you don't build it to radically it would be reliable. I have gone the radical route & it sure is fun when everything is working right but it gets old real fast when you are working on something as much as you are driving it.

[@deanlacombe5006]

I watched the Factory Five DVD and one guy had over 200,000 miles on his cobra car. Pretty amazing that his has been that reliable. I would build one if/when I have the money. Much rather have a 33 hotrod than a Lamborghini.

[@thechasecomplex]

2243 pounds 😍😍😍

[@shananagans5]

@@thechasecomplex lol 2243 plus me and a friend. Okay, I am a thin woman but, yea, I admit, I might need to lose a few pounds for those numbers to work. lol, Even without a diet and a full tank of gas, we are still well below 8lbs/HP. That's a lively street car in anybody's book.

[@isaiahr3471]

@@deanlacombe5006 OVER 200,000 MILES!!!!??? Woah... What engine did he have in it!?

[@prorace_type_r]

I am more on something that is usable and reliable than super fast but breaking. That's why I would like to own a fully OG skyline or a fully OG FF Cobra, I just wouldn't modify them, I like them original and they wouldn't give me that much problems

[@1nf1nn1te]

a 12 second car for 30 grand? why wouldn't you?

[@jmendoza328]

Because my buddy's Honda Civic is a 12 sec car and is a ten grand build. But honestly 12 seconds is fast but slow for 30k, you can find one of these used for like 25k and up.. I just wouldn't be the one to take the first hit on such a build, and fyi it's more like 40k for 12 seconds..

[@1nf1nn1te]

Jmendez Reformas I bet your buddy's Civic isn't half as good looking as a cobra though

[@IhateYoutube]

jmendoza328 there's a lot more to life than just fast numbers. If one wanted to be a drag strip hero for cheap, one could walk into the nearest Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Ducati or Suzuki dealer and walk out with a crotch rocket that would be faster and cheaper. But at the end of the day I'd rather have any of the Factory Five cars shown in this video over any Honda Civic.

[@jmendoza328]

Ok since people didn't like the word civic, I'll rephrase and tell you that you can do 12sec with a fourth gen. Camaro and 15-20k. Then again this is Ford territory soo...

[@IhateYoutube]

jmendoza328 yeah I don't want a 4th gen F-Body either :) I'll still take the Factory Five :)

[@MotorTrendWatch]

That's a great suggestion and something we've been working on. We'll do all we can to make that happen for you!

[@damishypedamischill7404]

i really prefer daytona and cobra over the lambo

[@bladelee193]

That's because you have taste.

[@dlloyd6300]

Would have liked to see their GTM supercar with the corvette powertrain

[@davidstansell3463]

Rich Miller the cheetah

[@tomster7574]

David Stansell the cheetah is a very unfriendly user car. Is why its one of the least popular kits.

[@tomster7574]

Rich Miller ya, i thot that myself. Where is the gtm?

[@BKMDano17]

Big engine lite car is just that. Doesn't mean anything else.

[@DreamHawkers]

I wonder what time the GTM and 818 would have put up?!?!

[@iamCairn]

Ford V8s sound so nice

[@dacoffeecup7416]

I think that the Daytona looks better astheticly

[@bailey9r]

Not only that but you don't get that "Oh another Cobra replica" reaction.

[@theFORZA66]

@@bailey9r the cobra replica reaction is fine. Honestly modernized cobra replicas are significantly better than actual cobras, apart from the novelty factor

[@jeremypage7498]

WOW! Runs in the paint on the stripes at 4:05

[@DarrenJones042]

The American Mod and Rod scene makes the proposition of a kit car quite different to the UK and Europe (a scene that I love and been interested in since I could say "car") I do like what i see across the pond!

[@MotorTrendWatch]

Glad to hear it!

[@Buzz65]

EXCELLENT video!!! Thanks for posting!

[@KelvinSmoke]

Ive been in love with Factory 5 since I was first handed their DVD 7 years ago!

[@swanblake]

Fantastic video! Love this comparison and Factory Five. Really impressed with the numbers they put down.

[@karljacobson1841]

Factory 5 is awesome, these are nice track and street cars for the average guy to build, enjoy, and drive the crap out of them! Not like the ORIGINAL cars, whom never breaks free of their velvet ropes!! Fantastic news that the Lamborghini and all the engineering into it can be matched with a kit based car, now that is bang for the buck!!!!! I want one too!!!

[@thehubster118]

Great video and an awesome commercial for anyone thinking about getting one of these!! I would love to be able to do one of these some day with my dad. Thanks for the video.

[@Kahdir]

Really cool episode! I am so building one of these when I retire!

[@michaellorenson2997]

Excellent, thanks!

[@gdowdy]

not bad for something you can build in your garage. ... where the hell else are you going to build a car?! lol!

[@jrcautomotive4319]

GTaero the baseball field

[@Narblo]

In the yard, in a barn, etc

[@freeautoinsurance365]

At McDonalds

[@TLSFC5050]

At a car factory where most cars are made

[@kickinvideo333]

The most feared sleeper car is… Pontiac Fiero with an LS4 or 3800SC 9sec. 1/4mi.

[@Racerx917]

A lot of people are missing the point here. Yes, you could spend 5 times as much and buy a GTR, or twice as much for a Challenger Hellcat. And at the end of the day you have a great car. Or you can spend 30K (yes, you can build any of these cars for that little) and build your own car and have the unique satisfaction that brings. Until you have done that it can be hard to understand why it makes it so special.

[@cybertree]

Amen brother, after you build your entire vehicle once, driving a "turnkey racer" like a GTR or something just sounds impersonal and lame. I mean, if you win, you really have no reason to be proud, other than the fact that you saved your pennies lol!

[@08turboSS]

No you can't build one of these for 30k. Try 50+ with all other running parts and engine, labor, etc.

[@RandomTXDude210]

08turboSS What labor? You pay yourself for labor? The truth is, you can easily pick up a FFR in various stages of being finished for half the cost of the kit. Or you can just buy the kit, head on down to the junk yard and pick up a wrecked Fox body for a song and take it home, strip out the running gear, drop it into your kit car, and by the end of the year you have a damn nice example that might not run circles around everything at the track, but you'll enjoy it more than any of them are enjoying theirs. Besides, cars like these you can actually drive anywhere. I'd take a FFR kit car anywhere in this country because I know if the starter craps out, or the clutch, or the flywheel, or the axle, or any other mechanical part, a new one is as far away as AutoZone or the dealer and it'll cost me 10% (or less) of that same part on a Lambo or Ferrari or the like. But I get your point, to build one of the ones shown would be closer to $50k. That's still a damn sight cheaper than the Lambo shown, and any of these kit cars will be easier to drive (think width), to park, and a fraction of the cost to operate.

[@danboldt]

08turboSS You can buy the complete MK IV kit for $20K. Now you need engine, trans, wheels, tires and paint. You can do that for a total of $30K.

[@amorecredibleusername692]

Racerx917 or I can buy a salvage 70 charger or 68 GTO, rebuild and mod it to my hearts content and still be in the same price range.

[@MotorsportMonkey]

What amazing kit cars, great video!

[@vix121]

It would be cool to see a kit car review now and then

[@mportklr]

I honestly cannot decide which I like best. I love the cobras but the daytona and 33 ford are beautiful. I would probably get the 33 ford my self. It looks mean.

[@BuceGar]

Very informative!

[@MichaelBlueMusic]

LOVE Factory Five and am SO happy you did this episode! Thanks! ~M

[@MotorTrendWatch]

Ha! Of course. We drove these things around as much as possible. Always started the first crank and never acted up. The drivetrains are all new and somewhat modern. -- Jesse

[@IvesBraghittoni]

Amazing (and unusual) review. Good job, fellows.

[@garrettgish8216]

I love the fact that you have the "coyote" 5.0 in your cobra Dave!

[@s.willson858]

Awesome Cars. Just friggin Gorgeous..

[@TwoHawksHunting]

Cool! I always wondered how these kit cars would compare against a modern day super car. Good video Motor Trend.

[@damiansgaragebuilds7663]

Good stuff!!

[@MotorTrendWatch]

Essa drove every car around for a while, before laying down good numbers. Yes, he made sure to warm them up. I'll look into the numbers for the SL, Exotics Racing should have one of those in their fleet. -- Jesse

[@justcallmejoeable]

The audio in this video is excellent!

[@AnisakidaeBM]

Very good machines.

[@steventanner1428]

I would like to see how the 818 with a Subaru WRX engine handles that track.

[@dailydoseofcandy]

The 33 Ford was my favorite from the start and I was overwhelmed when it beat the Lamborghini. Factory Five and Hot Rod - this episode has gone straight into my favorites.

[@huesudohate]

Thanks a lot!!

[@gracilism]

That Daytona!! Awesome.

[@metallicabreath1]

LOVE THE 33 FORD REPLICA. TOO COOL FOR WORDS. GOOD JOB FACTORY 5.

[@rickhill5833]

Those lift-shifts are costing you a bunch of time on the strip. Some were REAL slow.

[@chrisdaigle5410]

Yeah, I think he was being very light on the shifts.

[@bailey9r]

I was wondering if it was that goofy shifter or if he had to promise to not bang the gears. @@chrisdaigle5410

[@nickbrock6894]

He wasn't lifting

[@bernardwarr4187]

Best you guys on that side of the pond stick to autos?

[@AdamOpheim]

Forgot to let us know the weight on the 33 Ford replica.

[@scottdelong1]

What Factory Five is doing is amazing. By all accounts the kits are well engineered and of good quality. I was surprised that it was the hot rod that beat the Lambo but the other cars were close. Good stuff.

[@HiddenBoss]

Motortrend.. more stuff like this please.

[@winsevenholic]

always nice video

[@gentrynunu1]

Nice video beautiful cars great job!

[@marufawal]

has anyone said how awesome this vid is?

[@tab1990]

Love these, they should do a 32 roadster.

[@relicgamer2137]

Wow that was impressive

[@vincentbarkley9121]

That was great.

[@factoryfive]

That has been a common question, but we were also working with the great guys at Ford Racing, so we wanted all the test cars to be powered by blue-oval engines, the GTM is LS powered. We DEFINITELY have to do a comparo between a well-built GTM and another modern supercar. Thanks! Dave Smith

[@gimmickkicker8324]

THOSE ARE SOME AWSOME BADASS CARS YEA !!!

[@nbrigdan]

all great cars, can I ask why you didn't bring a GTM? Also, could you link to where summit racing sells the running gear package? Thanks!

[@MrSlowestD16]

That cobra looks epic. They're all beautiful kits, for the price it's hard to argue with them.

[@CPD0123a]

Wonder if they have the AMXIII kit... That would be just plain Frigging Awesome.

[@notaniel2010]

this is cool to see since i just built a mark 5 with my dad

[@rev2xs]

You see, that all depends on the builder. I Just finished my GTM and registered it here in Poland and packed in a normal amount of sound deadening. My "Kit car" is more refined than my uncle's 2008 VW Passat. There are almost no vibrations over rough roads. And I mean "Polish" rough roads, so more or less dirt/cobble stones with a bit of asphalt here and there..

[@garrettgish8216]

Hey man you said it! I'd love to see Ford intergrate the Ecoboost twin turbo set up onto a 5.0

[@ghibli608]

The noise is just GLOOOOOOOORIOUS! I want one! Here in Europe...

[@Stanislaw365]

daaaaaaaamn that Daytona is one seeeeexy beast... i actually drooled :D

[@jershinator13]

what is a recommended engine, transmission and rear end combo for the type 65. looks like a really interesting project

[@Legendairy2]

I have been looking at doing the Mk14 kit, I would not want to be the one to put something like this together, what would a typical assembly on the mk4 roughly cost?

[@ILiveInMomsBasement]

You find yourself a used one and have two setups (slicks, gear change etc) for the strip other for the road and you could have a 10 second car that can handle close to a crazy exotic for 20k. Always said I was going to do one then I discovered boats on top of my car hobby I'm plum tapped. Great vid nice to see something other than a classic chevy or modern stang.

[@fido139]

Jaw dropping stuff.

[@ericschneider7294]

The "oops" spin outs at the end would be me. Building a factory 5 is my dream. Unquestionably the highest $/fun ratio available!

[@sorry4trouble143]

And sounds brutal!

[@BlacksheepLSX]

Hey MotorTrend Channel.... So did the Lambo run R Compound Toyo R888's as well?

[@huesudohate]

Thank you

[@billbraski2175]

speed channel was featuring these factory five kit cars. their welder was trying to say, the 6061 aluminum they used for the gussets had more of a carbon content then any other aluminum.?

[@Michael-Gill]

Wish they would have dropped a supercharger and a tune on the 5.0 powered cars.

[@l3arrett82]

4:05 look at the runs in the red stripes as they fall over into the engine bay

[@royrodgers0]

I want that 33 so BAD!

[@MotorTrendWatch]

Yeah we thought the same, but that is rear wheel hp and the torque is super high. --Jesse

[@rickbachman993]

When I hit the power Ball, Daytona coup baby!! LOL.

[@Inklebonker1]

Will you guys be doing a new test of the factory five gtm?

[@tomektomek9836]

MIKE ESSA THE FD CHAMP!!!

[@HesteBremse]

Well that explains it ;) Thanks

[@budhughes6279]

Been waiting to build one of these since I say the article in Motor Trend in 1991 when I was in desert storm. One day I'll get the chance.

[@corygilbert5666]

God those engines sound soooooooo good!

[@factoryfive]

Hi man we had rented the strip for the shoot,thats y there was no one else there..thanks!

[@xYIWUx]

the one thing that would be really cool to see is let Essa drift any of those cars

[@317riflepro1996]

Bring out the GTM,GTM vs Lamborghini Gallardo!

[@davidstansell3463]

Stanley Ng Yan Qi 64 chevy cheetah

[@wickedleeloopy2115]

Modern day performance with style of yesteryear. The perfect blend.

[@MrChacha2011]

wow this was pretty sick.

[@teakbridge101]

More Jesse!

[@juandenz2008]

Interesting video ! I've always wanted to build a kit car, but I lack the money and the mechanical expertise !! Ha ha. Exotics racing also looks interesting. I wonder what the rules are around driving the cars? Although you can drive around the track, are there a lot of rules to prevent you doing anything too extreme?

[@Russell_and_Rosko]

Good call

[@vincesleips4325]

good videos I would like to know how does the 66 shelby and shelby daytona

[@DragRaceVideos]

My dad is working on a Factory Five GTM Supercar currently. It looks amazing! You just have to be willing to put in the time. Factory Five told him that it would take about 500 man hours to complete it!

[@sgamessjlego]

dang look at that take off for that 427 cobra. Epic cars i can make in my garagre. hmmm seems like a dream come true.

[@blueducst4]

Dave thanks for the info. After looking at some original cars and other replicas the Factory 5 cars appear to have a slightly different distance between the bottom of the door and the bottom of the body. This may be a optical illusion cause by the side pipes or their placement. When I first saw a MkIV kit I thought the car was stretched in this area compared to an original. Like I said- might be an optical illusion.

[@teesalmon]

Probably been said before in the 800 comments, but it was mentioned that the Mk4 Summit powered car did not have much weight in the back. Most FFR Mk4 have about 52% of the weight on the rear axle. The engines sit way back in the chassis.

[@Shervy2k]

wish they track tested the 427, I have been interested ever since they posted the build blog.

[@andrewt248]

Power-to-weight masterclass, here.