ATX MKIV #9644 Coyote Build Thread (Index Post #137)

[dbo_texas]

* Build Index Added - Post #137-#138 (will keep this updated as the build progresses)

Hi everyone!

I've been a member of the forum for many years, doing tons of research and planning my build. I've met quite a few members of this forum and the local Cobra Club here in Austin, some of who gave me rides in their cars and spent many hours answering questions for me. I was planning to do a salvage Coyote build in about a year, but recently a partially started MK4 kit came up for sale that I couldn't pass up. This kit has almost all the options I was planning and was within my "budget". So after many years of dreaming of this build, I've finally taken the plunge. It all happened fairly quickly so I wasn't really prepared - I spent the entire weekend rearranging my garage, building shelving, and shuffling tools around. But in the end I was able to make the space I need. I'll be building this in a 2.5 car garage and my wife's car will take up one spot. With the help of a good friend, and a very generous offer to borrow an enclosed trailer already set up for Cobras, I picked up the partially started kit on 8/11/21 from north Houston and hauled it back to Austin.

About Me
I have very little practical experience when it comes to working on cars other than basic maintenance, so I plan to ask a lot of questions and seek advice from more experienced builders. It's one of the things I love about this group - everyone is willing to help and offer advice. I'm a mechanical engineer by trade and I'm not afraid to fab custom parts. So this build will be a first for me in many respects, but something I've been wanting to do for at least a decade.

Goals of this build:
I will primarily be doing street driving but have hopes of doing some beginner autocross occasionally. We do have a lot of great twisty roads and hill country surrounding Austin. I'll probably go to car shows every now and then as well. I want to add in a lot of creature comforts (AC, heated seats) to extend the driving season as the weather in TX can be brutal especially in the summer.

Kit Details & Build Plan:
At this time, I'm thinking that I want to go with a more modern look. I'm highly considering blacking out all the chrome (and wheels) and going with a less than traditional paint scheme. But I'm not 100% decided yet. I hope to make up my mind once I'm at go-kart stage. Here's a list of the major options/accessories included in the kit I purchased, which was shipped from FFR in late 2019. All parts were new/crate when purchased originally. Some of the items I don't plan to use and will probably sell them on the forum later once I'm sure I won't be using them.

From FFR:

• MK IV COMPLETE KIT
• POWDERCOATING ROADSTER CHASSIS
• MODULAR 4.6/COYOTE ENG/TRANS MOUNT KIT
• 2015 IRS PARTS w/COMPLETE KIT
• COYOTE FULL LENGTH HEADERS WITH KIT
• BODY CUT-OUTS
• BLACK LEATHER SEATS UPGRADE
• COYOTE POWER STEERING w/COMPLETE KIT
• FRONT LOWER ARMS - STANDARD WIDTH
• FFR GPS GAUGE SET W/KIT
• Mk4 STAINLESS STEEL BUMPER KIT (will probably sell)
• STAINLESS SIDE EXHAUST UPGRADE w/HDW
• WIND WINGS
• 1.50" MK IV LH CHROME ROLL BAR UPGRADE
• 14" LEATHER STEERING WHEEL UPGRADE (will probably sell & replace w/ wooden trim wheel from FFR)
• 2018 IRS 3.55 CENTER SECTION & SPINDLES
• 12.88" FRONT WILWOOD BRAKES - RED W/KIT
• 12.88" 2015 IRS WILWOOD BRAKE KIT - RED
• SUN VISORS
• ROADSTER WIPER KIT (may sell this)
• 1.50" PASS SIDE CHROME ROLLBAR
• 1.50" ROLLBAR GROMMET SET
• ASSEMBLED SIDE LOUVER SET
• 18" HALIBRAND STYLE WHEEL/TIRE PACKAGE
• COYOTE INSTALLATION KIT

Other Items (included in sale)

• Coyote Gen 2 Crate Engine - Complete and assembled (Forte)
• Tremec-T56 Transmission - mounted to the engine (Forte)
• Hydroboost (Forte)
• Hydraulic Clutch (Forte)
• Modified Wilwood Pedal Box Assembly (Forte)
• LED Headlamps (will probably replace with different style)
• OTB-6444 S.S. Triple Reservoir
• Ford Mustang 2005-2018 Mass Air Flow Housing , 3.50" OD (HS-SS-350D6)
• 3.5" Diameter Aluminum Honeycomb Air Straightener Screen, 1/4" (6mm) Cell (S-350D14)
• ThermoTech COOL-IT mats (for cockpit insulation)
• Radiator Fan Shroud
• lots of tools (engine hoist, torque wrenches, sockets, cleco tools, drill bits, grease gun, wheel dollies, brake flaring tool....lots of others I can't remember)

Additional Mods/Accessories
Here are some of the mods I'm considering, but not 100% decided on yet (more research needed):

• Air conditioning/Heating
• Heated seats (possibly cooled as well if possible)
• All LED interior and headlamp lighting
• Under-dash closeout panel
• USB under-dash ports
• Cup holders in trans tunnel
• Push-button start
• Roll bar LEDs
• Front battery mount
• Drop trunk storage mod
• Rear cockpit wall cubby
• High-back seats - although I prefer the look of the low-backs, I may go with high backs for added safety
• Driveshaft safety loop
• Custom saddle leather interior - seats, trans tunnel, rear cockpit wall, door cards
• FFR carbon fiber dash (may covered in same saddle leather TBD - I saw another builder do this and it looked great)
• Russ Thompson turn signal + quick release steering wheel
• Maybe a bit ambitious, but I'm considering attempting the tilt-front mod (Jazzman & 2bking sent me detailed plans/instructions on how to pull this off, but man it looks like a real challenge!)
• Body work & paint - I'll outsource these more than likely, although I do love how a lot of the first time builders pulled this off....something to be said for DIY if you have the patience for it

In the next post I'll provide some pics and additional details of the current state of this kit, as the previous owner got a good start on some of the main components. Still plenty to do, and lots of ways to make it my own!