MJS Coupe Build

[David Williamson]

The early gen 3 cars like mine did not have the angled piece for the rad aluminum, it was one piece. I wonder if the change was made to get some air flow in the engine compartment for cooling?
David W

[MSumners]

I’ve bought houses with less thought than I’ve now put into my gauge setup decisions.

[MSumners]

Tool of the week.
Absolutely couldn’t hammer the pre-installed bushings out of the steering rack and was able to press them out in about 10 seconds with this. Also worked great to pull the steering hub (RT setup) off the roadster.

[MSumners]

Otherwise getting the RT assembly and quick release put together, briefly disassembled the system for powder coat.

Getting re-acquainted with the wiring system and trying to plan out as much as possible before install.

[rhk118]

Ahhh! Wiring Harness, thats my next project! Your powder coated RT turn signal came out really clean, nice job!

[MSumners]

Totally missed this in inventory. Looks like I just chopped up 2 right hand spindles. Ahhh. Totally my bad. Have to order a left. Unless I’m missing something but these are both right hand?

[Namrups]

Yep.

[MSumners]

Contacted factory five to order a left spindle and they are sending one out. I expected to pay but they said they would just send one out. As always excellent service that’ll keep customers coming back.
In other news. Anyone have use for a pre-cut right handed irs spindle?

[MSumners]

First early cruise of the year!

[460.465USMC]

Hi Mike. Not sure how I missed the start of your Coupe build. Just got caught up. Congrats! I will be following along. I enjoyed your Roadster build. Looking forward to your next update.

P.S. I'll join the chorus of admiration on an incredible looking shop you have. Well done! No doubt you'll enjoy the Bendpak lift as well. I've had my Bendpak four-post lift for about eight years. It's a game changer.

[MSumners]

Not yet. I have Wilwood brakes with electric parking brake. A T-56 with Shift relocation kit. Centerforce dual disc clutch. BC Forged rims 18x12 and 18x10. I plan on an Aluminator Coyote with a Roush 750HP Stage 2 Supercharger. Already have a new Moroso oil pan and pickup.

Just noticed this about the shift relocation kit. Does that put the shifter further to the rear? From some images of other builds it seems the shifter is rather close to the dash with the coyote /t56.

[MSumners]

[Stangarang]

Just noticed this about the shift relocation kit. Does that put the shifter further to the rear? From some images of other builds it seems the shifter is rather close to the dash with the coyote /t56.

It locates about 4.5inches on center from the dash. I went with a 6" straight shift handle.
Michael (sorry for not seeing this sooner)

[rhk118]

First early cruise of the year!

Fabulous! Midnight blue metallic?

[MSumners]

Fabulous! Midnight blue metallic?

Lexus indigo ink!

[MSumners]

Ready for test fitting. Planning to put the coyote -t56 in tomorrow to check the trans tunnel crossbars for interference. That way I can modify whatever is needed before powder coat.

The amount of wiring to plan out is becoming a rather big pile and the coyote control pack wiring certainly made it a bit taller. On the flip side I think I have everything I need to dig into wiring planning.

[MSumners]

Successfully got the engine/trans installed today! Good practice before the frame has powder.
Once I realized there the hoist wouldn’t reach going straight in from the front everything was quite painless doing the side-loader maneuver. Definitely going to be cutting the trans-tunnel cross brace out. There is interference with the shifter and has to be gone to lift the trans tail high enough.

[Cincy123]

Can’t you unbolt the shifter and rotate it 180 degrees on the T56 to avoid the interference?

[MSumners]

Can’t you unbolt the shifter and rotate it 180 degrees on the T56 to avoid the interference?

On my initial fitting with the seat I feel like the shifter position may be too far forward there for my liking but am certainly going to check again.

[edwardb]

Can’t you unbolt the shifter and rotate it 180 degrees on the T56 to avoid the interference?

On my initial fitting with the seat I feel like the shifter position may be too far forward there for my liking but am certainly going to check again.

Mine is the exact combination as yours (Coyote, T56, IRS) and personally I think the shifter is in the perfect position after shifting 180 degrees. Falls right under my hand while sitting in the seat. I don't think it would be as comfortable at the rear location. The shifter plate ends up close to the underside of the cross piece. But my pinion angle is fine. I'd be a little hesitant to cut the cross piece on the Coupe chassis. Unlike the Roadster, those are larger and thicker pieces and appear to be more structural. Sure would need to be replaced with something just as substantial if cut/removed.

[Kbl7td]

Agree with the sentiment here, put your seat back in and check position. That is going to be way too far back unless you have t-Rex arms.

[MSumners]

Mine is the exact combination as yours (Coyote, T56, IRS) and personally I think the shifter is in the perfect position after shifting 180 degrees. Falls right under my hand while sitting in the seat. I don't think it would be as comfortable at the rear location. The shifter plate ends up close to the underside of the cross piece. But my pinion angle is fine. I'd be a little hesitant to cut the cross piece on the Coupe chassis. Unlike the Roadster, those are larger and thicker pieces and appear to be more structural. Sure would need to be replaced with something just as substantial if cut/removed.

Thanks Paul I appreciate the check -in here and the advice! I’ll check seat position again I must have it too far back! Great if I can just rotate the shifter and avoid re-welding the cross braces.

[MSumners]

Agree with the sentiment here, put your seat back in and check position. That is going to be way too far back unless you have t-Rex arms.

Ha! Thanks as well for the recs, I’ll recheck position I’m sure I must have my estimated seating position too far back.

[MSumners]

Thanks for the reality check. My hopes of joining the NBA are over and moved my seat forward. Now my legs reach the foot box. Easiest switcheroo ever rotating the shifter plate. Didn’t realize it was going to be that easy.

Got the engine -trans pulled back out and the frame is heading to powder coat on Thursday with the panels which have all (most) been fit, drilled, (repeat).., scuffed, cleaned. It’ll be a game -time decision on exact color based on the in/stock options. Basic black will be a backup.

[MSumners]

Note to self: when you rent a car hauler trailer make sure it has loading ramps so you don’t have to muscle a frame up and in the doors. ( a friend told me that )

.. oh hello ibuprofen

[Randy312]

Hey. I took delivery of my coupe in early December. Really enjoying the process. I’ve been trying to find a RT turn signal. Where did you get yours?

[MSumners]

I actually had ordered it about 1.5 years ago from Russ when I was planning the build and accumulating parts. I know someone else (I believe) is making them now, maybe someone else has the link?

Hey. I took delivery of my coupe in early December. Really enjoying the process. I’ve been trying to find a RT turn signal. Where did you get yours?

[Stangarang]

Mike, I apologize for the confusion on my part. When I mentioned the T-56 with Shift relocation kit. I bought my T-56 from American Powertrain, and while I was at it I bought one of their White Lightning shifters that rotated it from the original position. Not technicaly a relocation kit.
Michael

[460.465USMC]

Hey. I took delivery of my coupe in early December. Really enjoying the process. I’ve been trying to find a RT turn signal. Where did you get yours?

Hi Randy312. There is a vendor who announced on the forum he is continuing Russ' turn signal: www.mountain-metalworks.com, [email protected]. His handle on the forum is "mountain-metalworks".

[MSumners]

Frame and panels/parts back from powder coat, turned out great and not a bad price at all. Very happy with it all. Excited to get rolling soon on actual assembly

[MSumners]

Making some progress since getting the frame back, nothing groundbreaking. Able to get the IFS, IRS and wilwoods installed and starting on the fuel lines.
One thing I noticed compared to the roadster build was that the center section was a REALLY tight fit. like really tight, when I finally got it in place it was completely supported on its own just wedged between the mounts. Not sure how it would ever come out if it had to. Other than that only a couple minor delays looking for hardware. Seems the inventory list is a bit more difficult to negotiate now as there isn't detail to the pack listing for some of the hardware. I did have some nuts labeled 'mechanical locknuts' that are supposed to be used for the front upper A arm mounting but were not locknuts at all and the specified grade 8 1/2 20 bolts were too short. Somewhat to my surprise Ace had the exact grade 8 flanged bolt a 1/2 inch longer and the flanged grade 8 mech locknuts. Otherwise all quite a smooth install. Seems much less manipulation of the upper and lower A arm mounting brackets than I recall doing with the roadster, everything slid in to place quite well.

[MSumners]

Nothing too groundbreaking starting laying out the fuel system and making the flex and hard lines.

Picking up a new truck at the Ford dealer and got a look at the new gen 4 coyote. Might have to see if that cover would fit the gen 3

[MSumners]

Is this regulator too low for othe gen 3 coyote, wondering if there may be interference?

[MSumners]

[edwardb]

Is this regulator too low for othe gen 3 coyote, wondering if there may be interference?

Looking at mine just now, yes I should clear. By an inch or so. It may/may not clear when you tip the engine in though. Something to watch for. Curious why you have it that low. FWIW, I have mine in the same spot, but the adjuster on the regulator is roughly the same height as the footbox top. Makes things easy to get to and the fuel line over to the engine is a relatively straight.

[MSumners]

Thanks for looking , I’ll be raising it up. Just about to terminate the flex lines on that end and higher position will actually make that easier too!
Thanks again

Looking at mine just now, yes I should clear. By an inch or so. It may/may not clear when you tip the engine in though. Something to watch for. Curious why you have it that low. FWIW, I have mine in the same spot, but the adjuster on the regulator is roughly the same height as the footbox top. Makes things easy to get to and the fuel line over to the engine is a relatively straight.

[MSumners]

[MSumners]