New member from South East Michigan.

[CW_MI]

So, I've decided I need a long term project. And much to my wife's dismay, I'm not interested in renovating a kitchen or bathroom in the house. I'm much better with automotive things. I've made the decision to retire from the sport of snowmobiling, so, I need something to get me through the Michigan winters.

I've been researching doing a kit car for about a month so far. I've been wanting another fun , weekend vehicle for a while now. Sure, I would be happy with a Hellcat Challenger, Camaro SS, or CTS-V, but I've got to be unique. I started just surfing Youtube videos and ran across a RCR GT40. Started researching those, and quickly found they are beyond my skillset and budget. Then I remembered a friend of mine built a FFR Roaster back in the late 90's, and a former co worker had a Type 65 Coupe (sadly he sold it four years ago) and my focus turned to a Coupe. After a little research, talking with my former co worker, then meeting and talking with FFR Forums member Paul and seeing his beautiful burgundy Couple, I think one might not fit what I want, or I should say I might not fit in one (I'm horizontally challenged) and it might be a tad out of the budget, and skillset for how I would want it. I also need to sit and go for a ride in one, as an adult. I have fond memories of the few rides I had in my cousins original '65 289 AC Cobra, back when I was 16. I just remember it was loud, windy, and violent. I loved it, then. Now, at the age of 55, I'm not a fan of wind noise, love my air conditioning, and the wife and I wear headsets when we are out cruising in the SxS. Yet, their is still a desire for one of these loud, windy, violent, things.

Then the wife saw a video of a Roadster, and said "now that is sexy", I'm in. Well, happy wife, happy life...until she burns a calf on the sidepipe, Lol

So, the research on a Roadster build is on...and a researcher I am. I'm honestly about a year away from either doing a build, or after hours of overwhelming reading, just buying one. I need to decide if I can do this in my 2.5 car garage which is occupied with a '91 GMC Syclone and a utility quad, or build another garage so I don't have to store the body and other parts outside, and having to move out the Syclone when I want to work.

I'm also a little apprehensive if this is beyond my skillset. I can turn a wrench. I've had several old muscle cars, turned an '85 GT into a 10 second street car, and rerigged and repowered a 50 mph sport boat into a 80 plus mph handful. All done 20 plus years ago. I still maintain my snowmobiles, quad, SxS, and the Syclone but that is about it. I've also got ZERO fabrication skills. For some reason, anytime I try, it turns into a fail and doesn't turn out the way I had envisioned. Now, I can draw up something on the computer, being that I'm a designer in the auto industry, that's about it though.

So far, what my plans are is just something to drive on the weekends, hitting up a cars and coffee, and just going out in fair weather. I have no desire to race, or be the fastest of anything. Just something that can get a little adrenaline flowing.
I originally thought of a basic kit using a donor car, knowing that will definitely be within my budget (around $60k ish) I just don't think it will be at the level I want. Then I figured a complete kit, LS3, with IRS. After reading here, it seems like there will be a lot of things of small things that would need to be worked out for the LS, and it isn't much cheaper than going SBF.

So, and I'm sure it will change many times, I'm leaning towards a complete kit, IRS, updated SN95 front brakes, power steering, staggered 17" Halibrand replicas, high back seats, driver and passenger roll bars, Boig-Quiet-Pipes, and for power, most likely one of Blueprint Engines 347 fuel injected complete packages, with a Holley Sniper 2, and no gauges on the dash, just one of Holley's digital dashes. Seems like that will be plenty of power for my needs.

I know it will be green. Exactly what green, not sure of yet. I would love a tan or saddle colored interior, but that might be easier said than done, along with not having anything shiny...not a fan of polished stainless or chrome things but these wants might drive the costs up.

And....after more and more research, deciding that my current set up will be too hard to do the build in, and garage costs too high, I could just buy one. Been seeing a lot of Roadsters for sale online, many seemingly priced less than what it would take to build. Ah...decisions, decisions.

[Higgybulin]

Welcome to the madness!!
Higgy

[Jim1855]

CW_MI,
Welcome from Grand Rapids.
Sounds like you've got a good plan.
"Long term" project I can relate to.
Sidepipe burns aka "snakebite" is an educational thing. Once she learns the safer methods of ingress/egress she'll be just fine.
You'll have a great time.
Jim

[edwardb]

So, and I'm sure it will change many times, I'm leaning towards a complete kit, IRS, updated SN95 front brakes, power steering, staggered 17" Halibrand replicas, high back seats, driver and passenger roll bars, Boig-Quiet-Pipes, and for power, most likely one of Blueprint Engines 347 fuel injected complete packages, with a Holley Sniper 2, and no gauges on the dash, just one of Holley's digital dashes. Seems like that will be plenty of power for my needs.

I know it will be green. Exactly what green, not sure of yet. I would love a tan or saddle colored interior, but that might be easier said than done, along with not having anything shiny...not a fan of polished stainless or chrome things but these wants might drive the costs up.

Hello from SE Michigan. Sounds like we've met. But (sorry...) I don't remember. Meet lots of folks. Nice configuration. I like my Coyote builds. But the 347 build I did a while back was excellent too. Mine was carbed and reasonably well sorted. But with EFI should be even better. IMO, you're making the right choice going with a complete kit versus a donor build. Going with IRS and a crate motor, a donor doesn't have much left to offer. With the projects and skillsets you've referenced, I think you could manage a build. The build school is just up the road in Flint if you want to learn more or bolster your confidence. I suspect you also know about the Great Lake Cobra Club. Lots of good folks and Factory Five builds. Also the London Cobra Show is next week if you want to see a whole bunch of cars and talk to owners. I did that a couple times before starting down this path. Good luck and future welcome aboard.

BTW, my Coupe is candy red. Not burgundy.

[CW_MI]

Welcome to the madness!!
Higgy

Thank you...it will be interesting, for sure !

[CW_MI]

CW_MI,
Welcome from Grand Rapids.
Sounds like you've got a good plan.
"Long term" project I can relate to.
Sidepipe burns aka "snakebite" is an educational thing. Once she learns the safer methods of ingress/egress she'll be just fine.
You'll have a great time.
Jim

Thanks, and yeah, she will figure it out. I noticed "TKO-600 w/Liberty mods" in your signature. I'm assuming face plating or pro shifting ? That is definitely hard core for a street car. I had the T5 in my old Fox body pro shifted. Drove that car on the street for 4 years, it takes some getting used to but it is so worth it.

[CW_MI]

Hello from SE Michigan. Sounds like we've met. But (sorry...) I don't remember. Meet lots of folks. Nice configuration. I like my Coyote builds. But the 347 build I did a while back was excellent too. Mine was carbed and reasonably well sorted. But with EFI should be even better. IMO, you're making the right choice going with a complete kit versus a donor build. Going with IRS and a crate motor, a donor doesn't have much left to offer. With the projects and skillsets you've referenced, I think you could manage a build. The build school is just up the road in Flint if you want to learn more or bolster your confidence. I suspect you also know about the Great Lake Cobra Club. Lots of good folks and Factory Five builds. Also the London Cobra Show is next week if you want to see a whole bunch of cars and talk to owners. I did that a couple times before starting down this path. Good luck and future welcome aboard.

BTW, my Coupe is candy red. Not burgundy.

It's all good. It was at the last M1 Concourse cars and coffee. I can understand the bias for a Coyote build. And before I started down the research rabbit hole, it was all about budget, but I'm finding out (and I'm talking about complete engine/trans packages) an injected 347 vs a Coyote doesn't seem like a huge difference in price.

Oh and I apologize for mis-coloring your Coupe. I do it on my own daily driver, which is "Delmonico Red", I just say burgundy.

[edwardb]

It's all good. It was at the last M1 Concourse cars and coffee. I can understand the bias for a Coyote build. And before I started down the research rabbit hole, it was all about budget, but I'm finding out (and I'm talking about complete engine/trans packages) an injected 347 vs a Coyote doesn't seem like a huge difference in price.

Oh and I apologize for mis-coloring your Coupe. I do it on my own daily driver, which is "Delmonico Red", I just say burgundy.

Was a busy day with lots of conversations. But i think I remember. Without sounding like too much of a shill for the Coyote, I've always maintained if you compare apples-to-apples for a new engine (HP, torque, warranty, etc.) the Coyote is a good value. Some say they're complicated to install. Maybe used to be the case when carbs were the norm. But no more difficult than aftermarket EFI setups that are now nearly the norm. I totally get that some want the authenticity of a pushrod engine. Plus let's face it the Coyote isn't always pretty. But I love how they run and drive. Good luck whatever you decide. No need to apologize about the color. Very much depends on the lighting, sun, etc. Officially is Ford Red Candy 2, code RZ.

[CW_MI]

Was a busy day with lots of conversations. But i think I remember. Without sounding like too much of a shill for the Coyote, I've always maintained if you compare apples-to-apples for a new engine (HP, torque, warranty, etc.) the Coyote is a good value. Some say they're complicated to install. Maybe used to be the case when carbs were the norm. But no more difficult than aftermarket EFI setups that are now nearly the norm. I totally get that some want the authenticity of a pushrod engine. Plus let's face it the Coyote isn't always pretty. But I love how they run and drive. Good luck whatever you decide. No need to apologize about the color. Very much depends on the lighting, sun, etc. Officially is Ford Red Candy 2, code RZ.

I don't think you're sounding like a shill at all. I've been researching post after post of builds and engine options, and for the things important to me, it is definitely pushing me towards a Coyote. Now, a complete crate (engine/trans) package might be a bit beyond my budget, I think I would have found a complete EFI 347 package might be right at that level as well, by the time I buy the after market EFI (would probably bump up to a Holley HP or Terminator) , CNP conversion, digital dash, etc.
I want reliability, drivability, don't care about nostalgic looks, or HP. It's looking like a donor Gen 3 Coyote is the way. And not that I want to think about resale this early on, it is definitely something to consider, and I think a turnkey Coyote build would be more desirable.

[kirby]

Welcome to the forum. I am midstream in my build but lust over those syclones. Good luck with your search. I believe you can buy one for much less than you can build one for unless you pick up someone else's half finished project. Ultimately for me it was the challenge that led me to build it.

[CW_MI]

Welcome to the forum. I am midstream in my build but lust over those syclones. Good luck with your search. I believe you can buy one for much less than you can build one for unless you pick up someone else's half finished project. Ultimately for me it was the challenge that led me to build it.

Thanks. I had the Syclone out for a little cruise yesterday, it's getting close to 14k miles on it now. Yeah, the research is part of the fun. And yes, it does look like I could by one for less than, my particular build would cost. Although, the majority of the ones I see for sale in what my build budget would be, are not how I would build it. It is definitely an option though.