Thinking about ordering a Factory Five Project 818 Kit

[xoSubieLegacyxo]

Some of you know I purchased a 04 WRB WRX limited this past year, and it's been one of my favorite cars I've driven and owned (the Datsun will always be first). Although it performs better then most imports, I dislike the popularity of the brand, and so I have this crazy idea. Factory Five designed a new kit car called the Project 818 that incorporates the performance parts from a 02-07 WRX and transform them into a car that is mid-engined, rear wheel drive, and weighs 1800lbs. This is something that really excites me because it gives me an opportunity to "build" a car without the major hurdles of customizing a production car. Plus it is a completely new "space frame" chassis and a fiberglass body that reminds me of a Honda s2000. Here's the best part: For $10K you get the compete kit, and all you need to purchase is a wrecked or slightly used WRX (roughly $2500-4000) and you have a brand new car! This may take about a year to financially come together, but I'm almost certain that I would like to have this in my garage by this time next year.

For those who do not know what these look like here is a picture of the car.

https://www.factoryfive.com/wp-content/themes/factoryfive/images/slideshows/project-818/project-818-10.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2013/10/0c2f74ce-1.jpg

[xoSubieLegacyxo]

This morning I ordered a free brochure and DVD from Factory Five.

[98legwag]

Last I heard it takes 18 months from the day you order it to get the chassis, which could be wrong by now. My friend is looking into getting one. If you do get it, I want to see it in person. They are sweet.

[rkrenicki]

holy crap. I want one. I guess theoretically you could put any subaru drivetrain in that...

[1996Battlewagon]

That's 1800 lbs with drivetrain!!! Even if you were to use a stock EJ20, that's at least 227 hp to move around 1800 lbs. This sounds like a recipe for smiles, laughter and then some sort of hospitalization.

You could plop in a bolt on NA EJ25 and have more of a learning tool than a death trap.

[Garrison]

Deathtrap all the way!!

Do it :D

[xoSubieLegacyxo]

holy crap. I want one. I guess theoretically you could put any subaru drivetrain in that...

As of right now the kit only works with 02-07 WRX drivetrains. I think they make custom parts to incorporate the specific model. But you could use any engine you'd like, but the transmission has to be a WRX 5 spd.


That's 1800 lbs with drivetrain!!! Even if you were to use a stock EJ20, that's at least 227 hp to move around 1800 lbs. This sounds like a recipe for smiles, laughter and then some sort of hospitalization.

You could plop in a bolt on NA EJ25 and have more of a learning tool than a death trap.

EXACTLY! My plan would be to find a wrecked WRX, but if budget is an issue I'll locate an impreza and later on swap in an ej205 block.

[Huffer]

I'd love to do that kind of thing. You're building a one of a kind car.

[Wiscon_Mark]

Can you imagine that with an EJ257?

It'd be about as fast as an Ariel Atom!

[xoSubieLegacyxo]

I'd love to do that kind of thing. You're building a one of a kind car.

It would be a one-off car. If I were to build one I would paint it using a custom color formula, and there would be some custom features that didn't come standard ;)


Can you imagine that with an EJ257?

It'd be about as fast as an Ariel Atom!

Idk about that. Maybe the same category as a Lotus Elise, but A LOT cheaper!! lol

[Wiscon_Mark]

Well, the Atom was a similar weight, with about 300 HP so it would be similar in terms of speed.

No idea if the chassis/suspension is as well designed.

[Asphalt Art]

I have yet to find a Factory Five chassis that didn't perform as advertised. The 818 is going to be a blast around the 300-325WHP range, and If I recall there was going to be some competing in the SCCA classes (which one I have no idea).

[rkrenicki]

I received my packet of brochures last night. It had every model they make *EXCEPT* the 818. Oh, and there was no DVD either.

There is a letter inside saying that they are re-working the DVD and it will be sent separately.

On another note, I did not know that they were in Massachusetts, actually only about an hour from my home. I may have to go out there and see some of these cars for myself.

[prodriver1]

I have been a Grassrootsmotorsports subscriber for about 10 years now and have been watching the factory five team with this project since the first idea. the mag is building theirs now, the first chassis to come out of the factory. it sounds like an amazing project.

[prodriver1]

the december 2013 issue of GrassRoots Motorsports has the 818 at a cover article! its a great article that goes very in depth with the making of the 818 from the start. also they are building one and will be covering every nut and bolt so you can see how an experienced race car builder puts one together, GET A SUBSCRIPTION! use code BLACK and get one year for $9.99, also they bought a bug eye wagon wrx and have been fixing it up (they got it for $2k, it was bad) the aforementioned issue has an engine rebuild! an EJ20 WRX motor with the good parts and some serious subaru talent putting it together, i'll just say it starts with a PRS stage 1 bottom end and gets better from there :smt023

[Asphalt Art]

the december 2013 issue of GrassRoots Motorsports has the 818 at a cover article! its a great article that goes very in depth with the making of the 818 from the start. also they are building one and will be covering every nut and bolt so you can see how an experienced race car builder puts one together, GET A SUBSCRIPTION! use code BLACK and get one year for $9.99, also they bought a bug eye wagon wrx and have been fixing it up (they got it for $2k, it was bad) the aforementioned issue has an engine rebuild! an EJ20 WRX motor with the good parts and some serious subaru talent putting it together, i'll just say it starts with a PRS stage 1 bottom end and gets better from there :smt023


Yeah they beat the snot out of that Bugeye lol.

My subscription is always late for some reason. I end up buying newsstand and get mine a week later because I am tired of waiting. :smt011

On the other hand, it is the only rag worth having a subscription to nowadays.

[chrish8r]

Grassroots has an ongoing set of youtube videos of them completing steps in the build process. They also have a dyno video of it :D

[xoSubieLegacyxo]

Grassroots has an ongoing set of youtube videos of them completing steps in the build process. They also have a dyno video of it :D

I've watched them dozens of times. Haha

[98legwag]

I went to Imports and Kit Cars at Carlisle yesterday. Factory Five brought their 818S and an 818 chassis. I spoke with the rep that was there. He said the R&D department is currently working on a trunk pan to go over the transmission, a hard top, and windshield wipers. Here are some pictures I took of them:
http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g378/98legwag/Mobile%20Uploads/20140517_122002_zpshrn7xgua.jpg
http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g378/98legwag/Mobile%20Uploads/20140517_121541_zpsnqsmesdv.jpg
http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g378/98legwag/Mobile%20Uploads/20140517_121519_zpsxn4ixzct.jpg
http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g378/98legwag/Mobile%20Uploads/20140517_121502_zps7xszferb.jpg
http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g378/98legwag/Mobile%20Uploads/20140517_121458_zps7y2hplqj.jpg
http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g378/98legwag/Mobile%20Uploads/20140517_121443_zpselqvccyq.jpg
http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g378/98legwag/Mobile%20Uploads/20140517_121412_zpsjn3n6fop.jpg
http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g378/98legwag/Mobile%20Uploads/20140517_121403_zpsomwatjxv.jpg
http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g378/98legwag/Mobile%20Uploads/20140517_121318_zpsiekh7uqx.jpg
http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g378/98legwag/Mobile%20Uploads/20140517_121308_zps8vgme7av.jpg