Platform
Needs proofMk4 vs Mk5
Current lean is Mk4 Complete Kit. Mk5 has to beat it on first-build risk, documentation, included parts, lead time, and total cost.
Next
Build the Mk4/Mk5 comparison sheet and ask Uncle Tony what changes matter.
Factory Five Cobra Command Center
Live Build Cockpit
One operating board for the Cobra: what stands, what blocks the deposit, who to ask, and what can be read aloud in the garage.
Next Move
Build Mk4/Mk5 comparison + ask Uncle Tony
Blocked By
Platform / drivetrain package / PA title + insurance
Current Lean
Mk4 Complete Kit + IRS + Gen 4X Coyote + TKX/manual + pro paint/body
Budget Range
$85K-$105K planning range
Current Config Subtotal
$44,316 Factory Five build-page subtotal
Order Status
No deposit - gate locked
Advisor Status
Tony/Frank review needed
Where do we stand?
Current Build Snapshot
The five-second read: current lean, blockers, budget reality, and the next move.
Engine
Needs proofFord Performance Gen 4X Coyote
Target engine is M-6007-M50H. Avoid 5.2L paths for this first-build thesis because the complexity is not worth it yet.
Next
Convert the Coyote research into a quote-ready install package.
Transmission
Needs proofTKX/manual path
Manual is the right character for the car. The final package has to land cleanly on ratios, clutch, shifter, tunnel, and driveshaft.
Next
Compare TKX/Tremec packages and verify the full stack with a builder.
Rear Suspension
LikelyIRS
Street manners and confidence matter. IRS stays the lean unless Tony or Frank gives a hard reason not to.
Next
Confirm package requirements, brake compatibility, wheel fitment, and ride-height implications.
Paint / Body
BlockerProfessional shop
Pro paint/body is the lean. Bodywork can swing cost, timeline, and finished-car quality more than almost anything else.
Next
Create a shop shortlist and ask what decisions have to be made before the kit arrives.
Garage
Needs proofLayout audit needed
Feasterville proved workspace matters. The wrong layout can hurt two side-by-side builds and content workflow.
Next
Map body storage, boxes, parts shelves, camera lanes, power, lighting, and safe assembly zones.
Budget
Needs proof$85K-$105K
Planning range is all-in before sponsor offsets. It needs kit, drivetrain, paint, tools, paperwork, transport, and contingency.
Next
Build low, expected, and high cases against the $44,316 Factory Five subtotal.
Order Status
BlockerGate locked
Cobra can become a flagship ZK's Garage arc, but the order gate is readiness, not emotion.
Next
Clear platform, drivetrain, paperwork, budget, advisor, and garage checks first.
Inbox
Capture new research without losing the source.
Output: Source note with date, link, summary, confidence, affected decision, and next step.
Decisions
Turn research into a current lean or a locked call.
Output: Decision record with owner, evidence needed, next action, and status.
Advisor
Make builder calls specific enough to produce answers.
Output: Call agenda for Uncle Tony or Uncle Frank.
Execution
Keep the next work visible and small enough to do.
Output: Next action with owner, due order, and the decision it unlocks.