Is the Factory Five 818 a CHEAP SUPERCAR?

Is this Factory Five 818 a cheap JDM supercar with serious performance? It comes with a Subaru-sourced drivetrain and boxer-4 motor, plus a lightweight steel spaceframe and low-cost fiberglass exterior. The final build weighs only 1800 pounds, which is FAR LESS than most exotic cars! With three different models offered (818S, 818C, 818R), could this Factory Five supercar kit be an affordable alternative to McLaren and Ferrari?
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[@TheJamesLykins]

Amazing what you can do when you skip crash testing, etc.

[@jessiebickel2214]

Welcome to literally every car before the 70s

[@colinmetzger6755]

@@jessiebickel2214 except now with half the weight and twice the power after tuning.

[@danc2014]

This is Off road use only. There are no air bags, tire monitor etc that make possible for street legal.

[@TheJamesLykins]

@@danc2014 .... which was my exact point.

[@SuperMacGuy]

@Dan C you don’t need airbags or tpms to be street legal.

[@ditzydoo4378]

Anything Factory-5 makes may be "Inexpensive", but never "Cheap"...

[@ditzydoo4378]

@@Lofi.z34 well considering the cost of any new car is north of 30-Gs it seem a bargain in comparison.

[@utubestalker.dotcom]

It's only inexpensive in DIY kit form

[@luu1429]

@@Lofi.z34 your misunderstanding what he means he is saying its not cheap meaning garbage some people dont like to use cheap as it labels bad quality

[@canehdiansteve3455]

@@luu1429 This is what I took from it too. F5 has a reputation for high quality. They're not "cheap", but they are very affordable for what you get.

[@ditzydoo4378]

Is that the ever loving true of it.. 0~o

[@aaronbritt2025]

The "kits start at" price really isn't an accurate representation of what the average kit price is. Almost nobody orders a kit with zero options. For example, the chassis comes bare. FFR states that it must be powder coated to prevent corrosion. To have them do it adds $500. I'd wager the average cost of a 818C kit is closer to $17k. That's not very expensive, but it's not $13k.

[@jakefromstatefarm9721]

Yup, You’re right on. Ive priced them and by the time you add in the must haves you’re closer to $20k then $10. Also finding a respective doner car seems to be getting more tricky.

[@JyroOne]

@Jordan Winders still not close, these are into the $40k after buying everything needed. Finishing you can add another $7500. Licensing, epa inspections, all of that isn't cheap for a kit car.

[@gt40f]

It depends on your DIY skills. You could paint the chassis with POR-15 Hardnose which is relatively the same as powder coating and would cost about $100. If you can't paint your own chassis you're just an entry-level DIYer.

[@aaronbritt2025]

@@gt40f the chassis coating was just an example. There are MANY things that aren't included.

[@gt40f]

@@aaronbritt2025 "kits start at" is the minimum to spend with Factory Five, not the total cost. You could go on to get everything else from other sources. Anytime you build a car piece-by-piece it's going to cost more. The best way is to buy complete donor cars. And sweat equity, everything you do yourself is cash out-of-pocket saved.

[@danmorency4383]

I bought serial # 17 Factory Five 818S kit in August of 2013, I've driven it over 10,000 miles since. My car weighs 1900 lbs with a full interior, stereo and heated leather Recaro seats and many custom options. It now has an upgraded VF48 turbo and larger injectors and a custom Speed density tune making approximately 300 RWHP through the stock WRX 5 speed with a Quaife LSD. It's an absolute beast and pulls harder and accelerates faster than my 2021 Corvette C8 as long as you can get traction! It easily breaks the tires free in 3rd gear when the turbo really spools up. It handles very well and has very good ride quality for a race car used on the street. I'm working on an emergency top as the roadster configuration is a huge limitation, it's almost as if dark clouds seek out the car to get the leather interior wet. Factory Five's kit results in a pretty basic, somewhat "incomplete" car. You won't be happy without a different shifter mechanism and cables, improved brake hardware, an improved fuel tank, revised intercooler setup, etc... A very nice roadster can easily be built for between $25 and $30,000. The sense of satisfaction driving it, priceless!

[@petemitchell6788]

Nobody reads KZbin novels bruh. K.I.S.S.

[@SnifferSock]

@@petemitchell6788 I did

[@TheUniversalid]

@@petemitchell6788 Only those that ate Tide pods. Adults tend to read educational stuff.

[@elemento1991]

Good info, and as for pete above these are hard to find testimonials on so its good to read them. A guy above mentioned spooky behavior over 100mph and bump steer. Do you have any of those issues? It could just be that his setup needs adjusted. I am primarily interested in the 818r eventually, ive also considered just starting with a miata and gutting and caging it but I really like the Suby platform and at the weight of these 818s you could pretty easily build an absolute rocket with the boosted 2.5 liter.

[@tannji5971]

@@petemitchell6788 I read every word, and he wasted no words.

[@daviddyess3938]

Have an 818s. Bought it mostly finished and driveable for cheap. It is stubid fast and hardcore. It is also super uncomfortable (no a/c no roof). spooky handling over 100 mph mostly due to lack of downforce and bump steer I think. the shifter (cable linkage) SUCKS, even with the upgraded shifter assembly. A sequential trans would be the shiznit. Would kill almost anything on a medium speed road coarse once sorted with practice. Also, it has max performance 255/40r17 rear and 225/40r17 front on aftermarket wheels which are needed. It will step sideways quite readily at 300hp. Also, one of the BIG advantages of the boxer engine is its low center of gravity.

[@whocares5188]

How much did you pay?

[@daviddyess3938]

@@whocares5188 21k if I remember right. Thats with lots of upgrades and options, ready to drive. Don't get me wrong, I've done quite a bit to improve it since but haven't spent any serious money on it. Just serious time. I would be willing to bet that it takes as many hrs to sort and tune it (especially the suspension/alignment as it takes to assemble it.

[@mbas0507]

but are u happy or not, your message is full of flowers and thorns

[@SpaceRanger187]

Post videos we want to see

[@daviddyess3938]

@@mbas0507 yes. It is well worth the money so long as you realize that you will have to tune and adjust it before you go pound your track buddies to oblivion with it lol

[@aaronsmyth7943]

Insurance rep: "Oh, ok sir, it's got 800bhp, and you built it yourself. Hold the line one moment."

[@riothero313]

car has been around for ever

[@ballstothewall38]

Nobody tells the insurance company how much horsepower the car has 🤣

[@aaronsmyth7943]

​@@ballstothewall38 insurance companies don't enquire about engine size? Who knew.

[@tyrellartis7758]

😭

[@ihateeverything3972]

It's going to make 250hp

[@smplyizzy]

No crash protection is also why it is so light. Not a real issue for track use but a possible death trap on the road:

[@syntexx384]

It would be awesome if kit cars gain popularity again since they lost so much over the years.

[@comdrive3865]

I feel like it will Definetly regain popularity once the time is right. The concept and prices allow it. Maybe 10-20 years when a lot of stuff goes all electric and kit cars hold more value

[@sepg5084]

They would be popular if they are actually crash-tested.

[@khronicganjaofoz5070]

Nah let it stay like it is til I get a few then they can sky rocket the prices up😂

[@110341]

Yeah I'd definitely build one if I had the money, time, space, tools and skills required 🕺

[@Mariuscb17]

I dive an 02 MR2 with a lotus motor (2ZZ) making 190 hp. Some weight reduction was done and it now weighs 2050 lbs and is also a mid engine rear wheel drive car. It's a very fast car with 190hp, can't imagine what 500 hp would be with the little weight.

[@zhain0]

been in a 400hp mr2, mental little thing. not the fastest, gearing and all that, but for back roads, it would be hard to find better for your money

[@roddydykes7053]

Calling a 2ZZ a Lotus motor is like calling the 2GR-FSE an Evora motor

[@Timothy-Wess]

Did you mean to say that the JDM Toyota 2ZZ engine that you are using was previously ran in a lotus Elise?

[@NALTOHQ]

Love seeing support for the brands of my home state. Go Massachusetts!!!

[@WARESPOWER]

Great point. No safe inspection of the build . No air bags no anti skid brakes system. These are fun cars . Lots of work to put together but for most of us that’s the fun in building.

[@GrantOakes]

I'd love to see this kit with a 600HP turbo K-swap! Oops, I just piddled myself thinking about it!

[@alexdrum94]

Would likely be completely undrivable.

[@jaynexus1639]

I wish I had the skills to build one of these. They are pretty sick.

[@ryanfowler3285]

You do!! You can build a this one with just hand tools and a Subaru

[@OzarkTroutBum]

Really nice folks. I delivered part of a laser cutter there when their showroom was closed and they let me wander around inside.

[@SynchroFPS]

As a Subie guy, I always thought the 818 was extremely cool. Ill probably build one someday. Hopefully.

[@SVSky]

250hr completion time (Laughs in homebuilt airplane)

[@phillipzx3754]

2 years of building and you can own a finished RV6A that'll cruise shy of 200 mph on 180 hp. :-)

[@phillipzx3754]

@@richardlamm4826 I own an RV6A , which is why I used it as an example. An RV9A will do close to 200 on 160 hp. Is that better? :-) The I fly out of the Aurora Airport. I know what current models they're selling. :-)

[@rickybailey7123]

I'm working on a kit plain and it takes alot of time for sure 👌💯 !! Way less traffic up there I'm so ready to fly mine !!

[@phillipzx3754]

@@rickybailey7123 I built my RV6A (20 years ago) in 1.5 years. There may be less traffic "up there" but what you don't see can kill you just as quickly. One of the things I tell ALL my passengers is, "If you see something in the air, SAY SOMETHING!" Also, "Do you have to pee and can you clear your ears before they start hurting?

[@sonzu-officialmusicchannel640]

Ngl i would seriously like to see a plug and play kit car. I could see the 986 boxter S working out. Just pull off the frame and mod the engine for more power and drop a new body on that looks like a 100k car.

[@AthenaAutocross]

Would be better off making it similar to a Caterham or Lotus and using either the Duratec or ZZ simply because they are very easy to find and performance can be gotten out of them quite easily. Having you wreck a car that costs more than the kit car itself isn't exactly the way to go.

[@alanhillyard1639]

You can get 986 boxsters in the U.K. at least for less than 10k, nice mid engined layout for conversion. Lotus-esque arrangements have been done to death (I say this as someone building a lotus lol)

[@princequestly2218]

My brother has a factory 5 Cobra coupe with a coyote 5.0 crate motor And it is an absolute animal to drive.

[@one-of-us9939]

That was fun... Thanks 👍

[@TheBolzic]

I'm more curious if I could drop a diesel boxer engine from australia, or the high revver in the 08 (i think) outback 2.5gt. The question is to keep it high rev mechanical or move to the turbo (how long you want it to last). I'm a torque monger so I'm considering the diesel boxer.... If this is CAD then engine mounts should be a minimal problem - solid preferred.

[@Billyshatner88]

This kit made for a Evo donar car would be interesting also considering there about the same price as a wrx but the engine is easier to work on and can handle more hp

[@Nate_Wentwhere]

Their factory is about 20 min from my house. its so cool seeing all their cars in the area.

[@goransvraka3171]

That was awesome!

[@lucassohm388]

I'm so glad I went with a DF goblin. Way more reliable drive train, 5-10K cheaper to build. Mine weighs 1560 lbs. Can handle as much power as you throw at it...

[@wilsonrawlin8547]

Looks like a poor man's Ariel Atom. Raw performance and Thrill!

[@57precision]

So you just buy a salvage Cobalt? Did you do anything to the engine before you installed it into the Goblin?

[@curvs4me]

Gotta stop you right there. I'm gonna blow your mind. Because Subaru and Salt 🧂 mix EXTREMELY poorly, you can find more than 200 06-07 and under Imprezas/wrx for under 2 grand. The rust belt destroys Subies. The great part is that it has almost no effect on the running gear. I submit that you are far better off buying an Impreza for a 1000 bux. Spending 1k on aftermarket performance suspension, full delron bushing kit, all new wheel bearings, etc. Hunt for someone's ej257 build kit, forged crank, boostline rods, pistons etc. Have your 257 sleeved, full deck, align honed, oversize ARP studs, heads ported with oversize valves, and stuff. 7 grand or so wisely purchased. Big turbo, nice wastegate, turbo headers and downpipe 3 grand. Built 6 speed 2.5 grand. Now you have a fully tricked out drivetrain and suspension for 15-16 grand. 500-800hp with the mods I listed. You'll be using aftermarket ECU, fuel system (pumps, injectors, regulator, fuel filters) Going out and buying a nice low mile example of an 06-07 WRX for 15 grand is sacrilege. You're paying for a beautiful body that you will not use a single piece of and DESTROYING a WRX . I submit that for every low mile unmolested 06-07 WRX, there are no less than 20 smashed, blown up, rusted out, or had the sport driven right out of sports car. A non turbo Impreza will not be beat up nearly as much. A 195k rusted impreza 4 door has 100% parts commonality with the WRX for the required components and all will be usable. A harbor freight blasting cabinet and paint will make all the parts brand new.

[@putnamehereholdmadoodle]

I'll buy a Toyota corona put a 3sgte in it and go drifting

[@icouldntthinkofagoodname7216]

Oh so that's one serious thought. I thought he's about to drop the never gonna give you up never gonna let you down.

[@curvs4me]

@@icouldntthinkofagoodname7216 "I can't stop stop stop!" Lol 😂

[@ProfessorPuffyPants]

15-16k? ... Wish I wouldve built a subaru instead of a honda, thought they were a lot more expensive lol

[@TheCraigy83]

you should see Subaru's in England..you'll know what rust is then

[@FockingGinge]

SICK CAR BRO!!!

[@alexdrum94]

The answer to its curb weight and price is actually even more simple. If you completely throw safety and comfort completely away, you can get a lot of performance for your money.

[@YusufGinnah]

Now this is one sweet ride, especially if it was built with the Evo X drivetrain... Either way, it's mega..! 😎👍🏼

[@foxxrider250r]

Minus the 5th gear lol

[@andrehenry2362]

How abt the factory five type 65 coupe next or the gtm or the shelby replica...... really love ur channel keep it up tho 😭😂

[@HTOP1982]

Thank you for using the SI of weights and measurements.

[@dmurphy1578]

I live in the town next door. The tour was is awesome.

[@crazymw]

I would be totally up for one of the 818 if they made a version that could keep the awd

[@chrismilton5300]

I’m sure you totally would get an 818- if only there was AWD….. if only… Thanks for sharing that valuable tidbit Matt- such a pity for you, we all feel so bad that there is no way around the AWD issue

[@grahamsproductionz]

Based on the way the motor is mounted in the chassis there's no way to do that without it becoming a rear engine car and then completely changing the chassis. You'd have to basically build a reverse WRX, kind of like what VW guys do when they swap in subi stuff.

[@chrismilton5300]

Thanks Graham for your valuable input…. Just blew my mind with your vast knowledge of chassis design and what can and can’t get done. I also liked that you used the terms “subi” and VW guys in the same sentence! Brilliant

[@samirhashami4020]

@@chrismilton5300 you are so insufferable

[@emilhelppi7350]

An 818 has been something I want to build for a long time now, just need to get a job

[@emilhelppi7350]

@@richardlamm4826 where I live they're jobs I can't do because I don't have a highschool diploma yet, don't have a college degree and don't have a driver's license

[@chrismilton5300]

What about the jobs you can do? If you can’t even find a job, you will never build anything. Always an excuse

[@emilhelppi7350]

@@chrismilton5300 right now I'm taking mechanics classes in highschool and I'm planning on becoming a mechanic but that's more so in a couple years for it to become a full time job

[@chrismilton5300]

You will never build an 818 You would rather sit and look for excuses instead of looking for a job

[@jasono2139]

Yes, go get a job... then find out how the government will take a 1/3 of your paycheck, devalue the dollar until you essentially lose 1/8 savings, and tax your purchases so you can fork over another 1/12! You'll have your 818 in no time!! ...enjoy paying for much higher gas prices too!

[@derrickk1311]

Why have I never heard of this car. Super Cool!

[@derekschommer1465]

3:00 can't help but notice he left reliability out

[@xAKALISx]

Ooof. A "legendary" headgasket problem too.

[@ambushchris3304]

Not head gasket since it uses turbo Impreza motor so just ring land issues

[@daftnord4957]

lemme guess.. you think harleys still leak oil too?

[@TheUniversalid]

@@daftnord4957 once Harley went china, the engines stopped leaking oil early in life, but still suffer the same imbalance issues due to the crank assembly being pressed together, but not keyed to prevent the halves from clocking apart under load. (If you don't understand said statement, you're not smart enough to debate it). They're still crap engines all around and are far too loud for their own good.

[@TheUniversalid]

@Krossbonzz I second that!

[@storyracing387]

That's funny....I was just showing my son a few thing about this car last night and this shows up in my feed. I currently own an 01 Forester and he said there was no way to make a sports car out of it.

[@daviddyess3938]

He would be shocked!

[@s.willis8426]

I know it sounds crazy, but there's actually some pretty cool Foresters out there. With the right mods it's a pretty awesome ride.

[@storyracing387]

@@s.willis8426 yeah I really would like to do some "tasteful" mods. I have a buddy that dose vinyl wraps. I told him I wanted my Forester to look like Dave Mirra's rallycross car 😁

[@s.willis8426]

@@storyracing387 I was thinking function more than fashion. Theres a guy in my neck of the woods with an XT (i believe, it has the turbo hood) that has a very slight drop in the suspension but he's got relatively tall sidewall tires on it and nice but not flashy rims. It's very understated and clean looking but it also looks quick and like it would handle better than a Forester has any business handling. Also looks 100% driveable on the streets of New England every day of the year.

[@canehdiansteve3455]

You can put STI drivetrains in those older Foresters as well.

[@spikem6039]

Hey your videos are dope! keep up the good work bro, you deserve way more subscribers

[@aluminumfalcon552]

I wish there were a version that was set up for VW MQB drivetrains. Engine and transmission options would significantly open up as you could go anywhere from a 1.8TSI to a 3.6 VR6 or even a 2.5 5-cylinder and 6 speed manual, 6 speed DSG, or 8 speed auto.

[@jwilliams703]

Ive been thinking about a 818c for so long. I will have one, one day. But ima find a way to cram in a LS or at least a k24. I love Subaru but Ive blown a ej before and I dont like them all that much. I even LS swapped my Impreza because I hate the EJ and the LS is great. I guess I could get the GTM but I really like the 818c

[@alvinbenjamin7928]

If you fit an LS engine in it, please post it KZbin.

[@jwilliams703]

@@alvinbenjamin7928 For sure. Check out bad ideas garage. Our channel. Look out for a vid on my LSbaru coming soon. The 818 won't join our fleet for a few years at least. But will be featured on the channel when it does.

[@kos5120]

Go Vtec👌reliable power

[@Realtime1501]

Ls6 should fit

[@curvs4me]

3.6 VR6 from Passat, Tourareg, Cayenne to 2018, Audi A3 to 2013. It will fit in the 818 and is one of the toughest motors around with huge displacement and 7 main bearings. 800hp easy. Although I don't see how you could use it in a car that light. 600hp would be perfect with good downforce and really long gears.

[@americanAlienBoy]

I wouldn't say don't buy one. I mean, for the price it can be a good deal. Just be prepared for more work than you originally anticipated. But that's true for any race car project. Two of my racing buddies had these. Note the word "had". One built his himself, the other bought an already built one. The guy who built his own described the chassis this way, "It looked like two different guys welded up the frame. But only one guy knew how to weld." As for the other one, I spend a couple of hours at the track helping him figure out how to keep the left half-shaft from grinding away at one of the suspension components (sway bar link, IIRC). Both guys had to have the frames straightened before they could get a good alignment.

[@rogerwilco1777]

Bummer. I guess by the time you've sunk 40-50k into something this dangerous, I would feel better off to just buy a used sports car or a already 'properly' built used track car.. You could get a ariel, caterham etc many used deathtrap options for under 50k.

[@americanAlienBoy]

@@rogerwilco1777 Funny coincidence. A friend of mine just sold his Atom. He got a bit more than $50k (but less than 60), but it was a really nice one. He said it was ridiculously fun, but just too much. He replaced it with a lightly modified ND Miata, 'cause in addition to being able to use it as a car, as he put it: "I can get 100% out of the Miata on the track, and on my best day maybe 70% of the Atom." BTW, the dude is a very capable driver/track instructor.

[@rogerwilco1777]

@@americanAlienBoy My dream is the Ariel Nomad. I don't care about the speed part anymore, I just live at the base of the Cascades and have endless forest roads to explore.. ..but I don't have six figures to blow on a glorified dune buggy so I settled for a Yamaha TW200 instead lol. I just wish those RZR's/SidebySide things were street legal, I guess I could look into trying to find street legal versions of those kinda things.. (I'm tryin to keep this midlife crisis under 30k though).. worst case scenario I guess l can just buy a K-sight from LHT performance and be done with it.

[@americanAlienBoy]

@@rogerwilco1777 There are also people who make lift kits for Miatas. Jus' sayin...

[@HeavyMetalorRockfan9]

@@americanAlienBoy lift kit NA miata, slap a turbo on it, install a roll cage, try not to die

[@neilreid9005]

Factory 5 is simply the coolest car company on the planet. They totally get performance drivers and their entire lineup is desirable and affordable. These guys are the opposite of Detroit mind-think. I love it!

[@schwazeneggro4274]

Love that you said kg

[@caseymurray7722]

It actually can use the sti drivetrain. They offer an AWD to rwd conversion kit. There are some other specific things though that can't be used from an sti.

[@daviddyess3938]

Well, not really. The 818 is mid engine. The front differential and axles are what drive the rear wheels in the 818. The center differential is then deleted and capped

[@caseymurray7722]

@@daviddyess3938 Okay I get that it flips the front diff and axles around to make it rwd. My point was though that an STI can be used as a donor for the drivetrain, which he mistakenly said that it couldn't.

[@patx35]

@@caseymurray7722 officially, you can't use the STI donor, because their 2WD gearbox conversation kit doesn't work on the STI gearbox.

[@curvs4me]

It's tough now. I would integrate AC during the build with a WOT cut with a 2 second on delay timer to avoid it going on during shifts. Water to air intercooler brick and ice bucket up front. ABS as well for traction control. It looks like the front end is too high on the stock design. A lower front air dam would probably help that spooky handling at 100+. If not, pressure ducts at the rear of the front fenders and vent the radiator, oil cooler, condenser air up through a hood ducted vent.

[@fredericksatumba2890]

Custom made you can find good results. Making it less weight is a good thing to save gas consumption.

[@AaronAlso]

Really like this.... excellent concept, might be my "gettin old, mid-life crisis" car. Thinking of a hybrid design like the McLaren P4. Tuned up boxer in the rear with maybe a 15kw BLDC drive up front. The Super Sleeper!

[@notroll1279]

I just Imagine the joy of trying to get this registered for road use in my native Germany. They would probably ask for documents even the manufacturer never heard of. But probably that's a good thing. I'm not good at building things and the idea of driving a high performance made by me is just scary...

[@roddydykes7053]

Aren’t Germans known for building incredibly complex shit? (and one other particularly unfortunate series of events…)

[@notroll1279]

@@roddydykes7053 Complex engineering is a strong point, yes. But you'll need to go through extensive type certification including crashing several specimen at your own cost to make sure your design collapses with as little fuss to third parties as possible. Thanks for reminding of the "series of events" - as if we ever needed... whichever country with a totally unblemished history you may be from.

[@kanenstuff]

I love Factory Five wish they made one around the nissan S chassis.

[@shadowsaiyan]

Good luck even finding any S chassis worth building these days. Better to bet on the 350 & 370Z. So many of those on the road.

[@kanenstuff]

@@shadowsaiyan I have a S13 180SX and have been daily driving it for 21yrs where I live there still easy to find.

[@shadowsaiyan]

@@kanenstuff Man, that's cool. I've had 3 s13s & 1 s14. Loved them, but I had to move on. OEM parts availability has been drying up for a while now. Probably not enough of these on the road any more to base a kit car on. But the 350z & 370z?! Nissan sold like 300k between those two models. Easy to find clean ones for not too much money.

[@kanenstuff]

@@shadowsaiyan nice the Z's are good cars. You must live in the States as in the part of Australia I'm from there is everything for every model of nissan enjoy your Z

[@shadowsaiyan]

@@kanenstuff Yeah, I'm in Texas in the US. Got my first s13 20yrs ago and saw drifting just completely decimate these cars. There's barely any cheap, stock ones left. It's all either fully built cars selling for minimum $12k & up or a completely gutted, rusty shitbox of a rolling shell for $3k... Lol... Most of us were kinda forced to other platforms due to supply & demand, sadly.

[@aidenyoung3115]

i love how 560 is enough to wow him yet the Shelby cobra base engine alone makes that and a little more nat aspirated.

[@TheUniversalid]

The difference is the weight of the car. P-W ratio

[@Vote_Blue]

i would use more fleet parts. make a kit that uses like the windshield from a supra and a dash from a miata and gull wing doors with windows from a 350z... just design a really cool looking car that uses parts people can source easily, themselves... basically, all you'd need to do is manufacture the frame and body panels and leave everything else up to the customer... he can get his own boxster headlights and wrx engine and transmission. he can paint it whatever color he wants, and use whatever rims he chooses, as long as they're an easy to find size, etc. ship the customer the frame and body panels along with a parts list of all the other stuff he's gonna need and a guide to put it all together efficiently.

[@matthewdurkee5673]

Love the 818 . Hopefully going to build one in the next couple years .

[@jamesaron1967]

I liked the video but can't really say the same for this kit. It's very interesting concept-wise and certainly unique but the looks are sorely lacking. I just don't think it's aesthetically appealing either inside or out, and wouldn't take a second look at the kit regardless how affordable it might be To further reduce its appeal, the fact that an sti engine is difficult to install and not recommended makes it more limiting than I'd prefer, but that's just my opinion.

[@hahahano2796]

When they were doing the kit they had a cattle call for designers. They had a lot of entries but the best stayed out because of the terms: F5 keeps the design and rights to it in perpetuity. They then had it be vote based. Some guy from nowhere won. A pretty neat design using classic lines. The F5 lead designer threw a fit and threatened to quit so they used his design and not the one that won. F5 is plagued by QC issues, poor fitment, poor support, and WAY overpriced accessories that are all but required for any of their vehicles to be anything more than poor mans show cars.

[@joecausey8508]

Looks too much like a Nissan Z.

[@jamesaron1967]

@Hates Spam That's perfectly fine but not everyone feels that way.

[@jamesaron1967]

@Hates Spam What's your point for commenting?

[@jamesaron1967]

@Hates Spam No problem. I don't necessarily disagree with you, BTW. I totally see the allure of an affordable and high performance car that can be built at home.

[@cadethatdude85]

this is amazing..plenty of beautiful machines out here but so many costs just too much. always said why??? yes materials..the little details that are unique to the manufacturer but really the name is what drives price tags. I hope these guys make it big. Id buy one or two.... drop an LS in it if I can address the drivetrain and suspension

[@EagleScoutmano]

The LS based FFR kit is the GTM, and frankly that is the better performance car. However, they aren't cheap.

[@abdellbenttahar4806]

I love the idea. Similar to what exocet does with miatas.

[@ratkicker007]

Factory five needs to make a plug in kit for wrecked Tesla’s

[@canehdiansteve3455]

An electric GTM would be a sight to see

[@giantnobodylikeeveryone3637]

I'm pretty sure a mclaren P1 is not 300.000 $ its more like 2-3 million just like the mclaren Senna I am sitting in my profile pic , but this this 818 looks like a sick deal

[@_Lowlly]

Yeah, he didn't say P1 tho

[@alecbaldwinsnotpropgun]

720s

[@patrickr8025]

beautiful, all of them

[@pablom9014]

Imagine this kit with a k series ohh what a monster 😱

[@WillWorkForRic3]

Blow those gaskets son!

[@musshwins412]

Nothing against Subaru, but has anyone swapped a K series engine into one of these? I would rather run 230+ whp n/a than 230+ turbo'd.

[@Raven05R6]

lol

[@Tangster1205]

I definitely would build one ....

[@josephflanagan1070]

Some Subaru are around the 1000 hp east coast swappers did nice work

[@terryfleming7084]

Yes, I would build one!

[@elgringiototote]

I’m not too down with the scooby engine. I’d rather plop a turbo’d K24…. Not sure how that’d work in the engine bay though

[@daviddyess3938]

Probably wouldn't have room. The length of the bay is really limited. You would have to go for a front drive engine/transmission i think

[@EveryTongue]

Tempted, very cool

[@johng81818]

Before he said what the 818 actually stood for I was totally under the impression that they were from the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, Ca where the area code is 818.😂

[@diamondrmp]

Love the 818 hate I mean HATE the sound of the Subaru boxer!

[@joshuaszeto]

i have heard of swaps with the ford 2.3 turbo and honda k24 so there are other options if those suit your tastes more

[@TwamZ]

Dang... one of my favorite sounding 4 cylinders ever. We all have our opinions though. That's the beauty of cars.

[@NBSV1]

If you use an exhaust with equal length headers then it’ll sound like a normal 4 cylinder. The boxer sound comes from unequal length headers.

[@Shaun-hp2yz]

I personally love that sound but yeah everyone can have there own opinion I'm surprizedI'm used to people in the replies of comments yelling at each other

[@strode66]

Great looking car , I’d definitely go for an electric drive chain . And I look forward to electric motor companies making faster and faster electric motors. . If things go ok for me with in the next 3 years I’ll be looking for one of the old school cars that I foolishly gave away like a 240z 260z 280Z EH HOLDEN and deck it out with multiple electric motors ( a beautiful classic SLEEPER)

[@Cerberus984]

Electric motors currently available from wrecked EVs aren't the bottleneck in performance as batteries are moreso the limiting factor.

[@cuprunnethover2509]

that is sharp!!!!

[@strode66]

I had a multi million dollar work shop that was swindled by family while I was Ill so I can’t easily make a kit car now but maybe I can grab a complete one from someone who wants to update in the future.

[@Dannerrrr]

i built my factory five roadster in a single car rented garage (aka no lift bolted to the floor) but you're right, buying one already built and used is a good way to go.

[@jaxxbrat2634]

Not good ... Being ripped off that way.. Hope you get justice

[@mista414]

An 818c with electric power train would be pretty sweet, even if it's taken from something slower like a 2nd gen Leaf, it'd still make for a fun little car I'm sure. The Tesla swap they show uses dual motors and two Chevy Volt battery packs, it is apparently insanely fast. Certainly more complicated than the design intent of just using donor Subie parts, but still.

[@tonyestvik7969]

Do they ship to Sweden for the same price?

[@loneslav]

Du får lägg till svensk moms

[@sketchyssk8shop]

This car is one of 2 I am considering

[@UpperRobin29]

A Factory Five AC Cobra is my dream car

[@jameswalley7234]

They should of went K Series

[@Dannerrrr]

you can put one in, it's been done. you'll need new motor mounts, but no biggie.

[@joecausey8508]

Also... They should have gone K Series.

[@KIPlayboy7607]

I’d get someone to build it for me ( someone known / trustworthy). I wonder how much the end price would be then?

[@PapaWheelie1]

250 hrs x $100 an hr + parts and tax Guess it depends on your negotiating skills and how “trustworthy” you can afford

[@Garbagejuicewaterfall]

Trillions

[@nunyabusiness896]

@mcchickenz I bet it's because there's a lot of parts not included in the kit or things from the donor car that need to be replaced, etc.

[@msylcatac]

Im laughing at the subie with 500hp and a parachute 😂

[@andrehenry2362]

Finally I've been waiting for u to do this☺😭

[@QuickshiftCars]

Glad to hear it!!

[@supadave41]

Yes. Would love more videos like this. 😄👍

[@ehiracheta]

Man...I'd love this with a F20C.

[@epi2045]

Electric 818 sounds like the right combo.

[@jasono2139]

How's 40 miles of range sound?? ...because it's not going to weigh in under 1,000kg with the batteries needed to get even half the range of a Model 3.

[@epi2045]

@@jasono2139 40 miles is about right for what it is. I have done many track events and most are 0.75-1.25 mile courses. Usually they are 5-10 lap events. Longer events are literally murder on cars at an amateur level. I’m more concerned about the actual build time… they say 250 hours. I’m thinking more like 500-700 hours and over a year to put it together.

[@jasono2139]

@@epi2045... So you'd haul the car to and from the track? I think that'd be a deal breaker for most budget conscious buyers. ...Unless you literally live at the track.

[@epi2045]

@@jasono2139 Many guys including myself who track cars have multiple vehicles and a hauler. It depends on the situation. I used to race Porsches which were good daily drivers and decent track cars.

[@jasono2139]

@@epi2045 exactly... So you have plenty of disposable income. Fair enough. I personally wouldn't be interested unless it drove like the VW IDR

[@curtbaronio2825]

I’m going to order one 👍

[@Wolfdancer4859]

I REALLY want to built this kit car!

[@glenngammon7473]

I wonder if FF5 will do a TESLA doner car to the best.......

[@jasono2139]

Why?.... So they'll have to rename it the 1-818? Kinda defeats the purpose of this car.

[@lukejenkins9341]

I'd use a Evo or type R instead

[@daviddyess3938]

Are donor cars readily available at a reasonable price? I think not.

[@redslate]

That'd be a waste of an Evo.

[@demunbell]

the 818 EV version is very intriguing 🤔!! What are those vehicle specs?

[@Spirit01_official]

I can’t wait till they make a kit for challengers . They already got the high performance

[@pdiz]

And after all that time and money spent, the aging Subaru boxer engine and the problematic head gaskets are still an issue...

[@TheUniversalid]

Only if you beat them up and overboost them. When you put a car together and your diner engine is out. That's your opportunity to mitigate said issues or ignore them to complain. FYI, everything has a weak point. Be glad the head gasket is literally the least destructive failure of any rotating assembly failure that can happen.

[@TheUniversalid]

One might say they engineered it to fail in the least destructive way.

[@judeancarguru1787]

I strongly suggest people who own high performance retain their ownership because you just have to retain your floor pan and power train and mount a newly designed supercar on top of it. You will still enjoy the ride from a good suspension and power on demand if it is a high output car. Car bodies can be replicated easily with composite materials such as Carbon fibre and Kevlar topped with a ready mixed resin and you get to experience Italdesign cars on a limited budget. In the Philippines, what makes the car expensive is its duties and taxes paid upon entry.

[@carlover2093]

This is an amazing video, and I like the car, but in my country I couldn't homologate it

[@nicholastomljanovich6918]

I have been trying in vain to register a Cobra replica in Massachusetts for the last 4 years. The emission laws are brutal. Forget it unless your kit has an electric motor.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

I think it's inspired by cars in GTA V.

[@brandonwillis4811]

Burnout

[@cyruslever586]

They've been around since before gta

[@IronGuardLegionnaire]

This is a chicken before the egg arguement.

[@mtjeeves1234]

I think they bought out the plans from prodrive.

[@AndrewKidd14145]

You play too much. There’s so many car designs to take ideas from irl. Get out from under the rocks and google.

[@edwardfletcher7790]

The very last thing I would want to put into a high performance kit car is something as unreliable as a Subaru gearbox !! Why, why not a super reliable K series Honda ?

[@dotlaj]

I thought it was supposed to come a ford focus version but because it uses so much other than just the engine it didn't work. A kseries or Camry v6 (for sound) version would be cool

[@edwardfletcher7790]

@@dotlaj The Focus engines are rubbish because of the open deck design. Toyota or Honda for me thanks

[@brynnrogers5081]

These all sound great, but for track days at least one of the groups (BMW) at my track (BIR) do not allow kit cars or convertibles.

[@seph95]

5:28 this looked like GTA V first-person. And this car looks like a GTA Online car. Trippy.

[@jaxxbrat2634]

Too bad they dont offer race worthy engines

[@Dannerrrr]

you can put whatever fits in there. you'll need to change motor mounts, but you're building it, do what you want. They picked the default because there's a lot of them cheap, but you're the one that lacks imagination.

[@ginicholas4322]

@@Dannerrrr Who wants to throw $20k+ to "imagination". That sounds like the headache will easily double to $40k+

[@jaxxbrat2634]

@@Dannerrrr .. Do i really.. You would know..In the 90s we built a 308 GTB4 with a champcar drive train and a fresh DFS Cosworth.. Shift linkage and fuel cell were the main issues.. I dont know that i would want to do the work these days.. Rather buy turn 🔑

[@juddsmith2333]

I’m actually in the beginning stages of tearing down a donor to build my own 818s!

[@QuickshiftCars]

Congrats! Hope it turns out perfectly

[@juddsmith2333]

@@QuickshiftCars thanks. I’m not hoping for perfect. I’m just hoping to not muck it up somehow

[@CLNracing]

BTW that blue STI made over 1,000 whp around that time. 400hp is achievable on the stock long block all day.

[@davidtucker3729]

almost makes me want to chop up my imprezza and build one