Any reviews on Factory Five 818c?

by "just-a-scratch" (just-a-scratch)
Published 03/31/2017 at 14:02

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These things are of great interest to me. I want to build a kit car that’s LIGHT and quick. Most of the good options there are open top. Living in Seattle, I might not drive open top cars too much. An 818c looks like it might fit my needs well. However, there isn’t a ton of info out there on it.

I’m concerned about handling at the limit for a mid or read engine car. Lift oversteer is understandable, and may be manageable, but snap oversteer (meaning any oversteer condition that happens quickly, especially by minor driver errors) is worrisome. That sort of thing keeps me away from some cars.

There is a lot of content out there on this car from Factory Five, but little from anyone who has finished a build. I read what Grassroots Motorsports had to say about them, but I haven ’ t found much else that ’ s substantive. There are some forums, but I think forums tend to be very biased in favor of the membership ’ s common interest.

What I’m most curious about is the handling at the limit, and how difficult it is to get a good suspension and tire setup. Please let me know if you have any good references.

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Replies (19)

"G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3" (gbodyman)
03/31/2017 at 14:14, STARS: 1

In addition to the GRM review already listed in the comments, here’s the R&T racetrack review: http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/features/a4664/features-some-assembly-required-factory-five-818-first-drive/

"just-a-scratch" (just-a-scratch)
03/31/2017 at 14:17, STARS: 0

Thanks!

"WRXforScience" (WRXforScience)
03/31/2017 at 14:19, STARS: 2

I instructed a couple of guys in 818 roadsters at autocross last year. They spun on nearly all their runs. The mid engine, rwd, and high power to weight make them a bit much for a novice; however, in honed hands, they are manageable and fast as all get out.

I personally could never be secure driving one that I built. I’d remember every time I thought something was ‘good enough’ and moved on, or I’d worry about all the things I might have forgotten.

In a streetcar, if you stuff it you have a good chance at walking away. In a kit car you are going to the hospital every time.

I still love the idea of the car, but it’s the reality of the thing that always makes me steer clear. You should totally do it, and tell us all about the experience (I will accept a well done youtube series or a series of well documented articles with lots of pretty images and humor). 

"just-a-scratch" (just-a-scratch)
03/31/2017 at 14:32, STARS: 0

It’s very interesting to hear about the students who couldn’t help but spin. I’ve done a few track days, but I have no special talent for driving. I’m just an average driver who has managed powerslides a few times, but isn’t confident with regularly getting the car loose.

Right now I ’ m all about research. I ’ m expanding the garage, and I have to figure out what ’ s going in it later. This is the leading option at the moment. Previous ideas included a Vette - kart, Exocet, and engine swap of my E36 from 328i, to 357. (Yes, that would be an LS.)

I really enjoy driving light and responsive cars. Most passenger cars, including my own, cannot get to the level I seek.

I ’ m kinda looking for a motorcycle replacement that I would use more often. If you understand the risks with a motorcycle, this still looks like it would be an order of magnitude safer than the sportbike I had.

"OPPOsaurus WRX" (opposaurus)
03/31/2017 at 14:48, STARS: 0

massOPPO took a field trip there last spring

"uofime-2" (uofime-2)
03/31/2017 at 16:20, STARS: 0

ever looked at the midlana project?

midlana.com

interesting project, guy wrote a book with plans, is still honing his (blown engine and overhauling the turbo/intercooler set up) and there’s a semi active forum of builders.

"t0ast" (t0ast217)
03/31/2017 at 17:08, STARS: 0

Coincidentally, there’s one registered to attend an autocross event in my region this weekend. I’m intending to see if I can chat up the owner a bit about the car, since I too am exceedingly curious about them and considering possible ownership (if not an Exocet, Elise, or something else of similar caliber) sometime in the not too distant future.

"just-a-scratch" (just-a-scratch)
04/01/2017 at 00:36, STARS: 0

Cool. I would appreciate news if you find out anything interesting.

"t0ast" (t0ast217)
04/03/2017 at 10:09, STARS: 0

No luck, sadly. They only showed up to the Test & Tune day, which turned out to have a format with basically no down-time, so no opportunities to talk AND get what I wanted out of the d. Time-wise, they were middle of the pack, but I’d guess that’s partially attributable to it being 1) a day where the times don’t count for anything and 2) a brand-spanking-new build that the owner (who previously ran an E36 M3) was still getting used to. I did at least get some decent pictures though. It looks even better in person IMO.

"just-a-scratch" (just-a-scratch)
04/03/2017 at 11:09, STARS: 0

Thanks for checking back in. That is a good looking car.

"just-a-scratch" (just-a-scratch)
04/03/2017 at 16:02, STARS: 0

I found this brief vid recently. It’s very encouraging to me, with my worries about sodden interiors.

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"just-a-scratch" (just-a-scratch)
04/03/2017 at 16:29, STARS: 0

Nevermind. Wrong car in the video.

"t0ast" (t0ast217)
04/03/2017 at 16:30, STARS: 0

Very nice. I was wondering about the side windows since they were totally absent on the one I saw in spite of the center console having a pair of up/down buttons. Having some modicum of weather protection would be a big plus.

"just-a-scratch" (just-a-scratch)
04/25/2017 at 22:55, STARS: 0

Did you see that the Smoking Tire has a vid on an 818C?

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"t0ast" (t0ast217)
04/26/2017 at 12:08, STARS: 0

Yep, just watched it last night. That one really looked and sounded nice, though the build price mentioned was a bit shocking. The one local to me looks like it’s registered to show up for the next two autocross events, so I should hopefully have another chance to get a few more data points.

"just-a-scratch" (just-a-scratch)
04/26/2017 at 13:22, STARS: 0

I wonder how expensive the donor was for the video car, and how much of the work was done by others, rather than the owner. It doesn’t take much professional work to push the price up very quickly.

"Anoos" (anoos)
09/25/2017 at 03:40, STARS: 0

Did you ever find the information you were looking for? I have been following the 818C since FF first announced it with its ‘removable’ hardtop. What I can’t find is any information about how that top is actually removed.

Does the windshield come with it? Does it stay? Can it be removed in a few minutes and be lifted off by a single person?

Almost all the info available on this car seems to be either from FF themselves or pictures taken at SEMA (which are no help at all).

"just-a-scratch" (just-a-scratch)
09/25/2017 at 13:20, STARS: 0

Nope. I haven’t figured out much on the 818C. If it were sealed against rain I would be all about it. As it is, I suspect it is not.

For the hardtop and windshield, I suspect they are not easily removable. I don’t know for sure.

"Anoos" (anoos)
09/25/2017 at 13:28, STARS: 0

Thanks. I’m in MA. I should probably just drive there and see if it answers any questions. If the top also takes the windshield (as I suspect) there’s no benefit to making it removable.