MKR - How soon do you need the engine/tranny?

[Mslone]

I guess the title askes the question....

Once I get car and start, how long will it be before I need to spend the money for the engine and tranny? I plan to work on it 3-5 hrs per week on my " Friday night Car time" ....

Just trying to build a budget timeline...

[Jeff Kleiner]

I build them all the way to a roller with all of the suspension, steering, brakes, fuel lines, wiring and about 90% of the aluminum completed before dropping in the engine and trans. If you are only working on it 3-5 hours a week I'd say you've got about 9 months or more...

Jeff

[68GT500MAN]

I agree with Jeff's reply, about 9 months.
Doug

[Retirement Toy]

Your going to have a great time building your car. Bet you spend more time in the garage than you think. It's addictive, once your started its hard to stop.

[DaleG]

Your going to have a great time building your car. Bet you spend more time in the garage than you think. It's addictive, once your started its hard to stop.

Oh c'mon, that doesn't happen:rolleyes:.

Cheers, Dale

[Mslone]

Thanks for the Feedback, 3-5 hrs is what I totld the wife anyway... But our kids are small and I honestly just want a project to go out to, I'm in no Rush, I want to go slow and enjoy the process!

Cheers!

Michael

[edwardb]

I agree with the input received. Probably at least 9 months. But just one word of caution. You should have a pretty good idea of the engine you're going to use including carb or EFI, mechanical or electrical fuel pump, power steering or not. Makes a difference for some of the aluminum panels and wiring, fuel pump, return fuel line or no, power rack or no. Probably there are others. Those come to mind right off. If you're doing a Windsor motor (302 or 351 block) take a look at the passenger side footbox expansion. It's free space and your passengers will thank you.

In other words, even if you don't physically have the engine and trans, have a build plan because there are choices that make a difference.

This post from my build thread shows the expanded passenger side foot box: http://www.ffcars.com/forums/17-factory-five-roadsters/299597-mk4-7750-build-progress-update.html#post2741449

[MVRight]

X2 on edwardb's post, what you are putting in is important.

Another way to look at it, how will you acquire the engine? Donor? Custom build by you? By an expert? Custom build could be a couple of months or more. Other thing, I'm a first time builder, had a rough plan on when I'd need the engine. Timed it out and order it a couple of months before I was going to need it. Work, weather, and life got in the way. Got the engine, but a I'm a couple of months behind where I thought I'd be. Still, having the engine there it a good motivator to make time for the build and for me, it's helping me layout the wiring.

Good luck and have fun with the build, I am!

[RdstrRod]

I ordered my powertrain package (turnkey engine, trans & rear axle) just before I ordered the kit. I wanted the engine available when the car was ready for it. As it turned out the timing was almost perfect. My powertrain arrived 10 days ago and my complete kit is being Stewart delivered this afternoon. I'm hoping, with lots of help from this forum & some mechanically inclined friends, to have this car in gel-coat by late Summer.
"C'mon baby, let the good times roll!"
Rod

[rmcmicki]

I started on my build in September, spend probably 10-12 hours a week in the garage, maybe 5 a week on research. I got the engine delivered in mid December and it was in over the Christmas break. First start was March. I probably could have gotten it a month later, since i was not done with wiring but I was glad to have it so i could measure, plan etc for where to put things like coil, fuel pump, solenoid etc. Still lots to do on the car, interior etc but i wanted the engine in before i closed up all the aluminum.

Good luck!

[Bren]

I ordered my powertrain package (turnkey engine, trans & rear axle) just before I ordered the kit. I wanted the engine available when the car was ready for it. As it turned out the timing was almost perfect. My powertrain arrived 10 days ago and my complete kit is being Stewart delivered this afternoon. I'm hoping, with lots of help from this forum & some mechanically inclined friends, to have this car in gel-coat by late Summer.
"C'mon baby, let the good times roll!"
Rod

That's an ambitious timetable, but I have the same plans! (Although my kit and engine are still a few weeks away from delivery.) I'll be right there along with you, God willing.

[Pylons]

That's an ambitious timetable, but I have the same plans! (Although my kit and engine are still a few weeks away from delivery.) I'll be right there along with you, God willing.

put me in that club...engine and tranny are sitting in my shop taunting me while I wait for the kit to arrive in a few weeks

[Mslone]

Good stuff! Thanks for the advice! I'm not in any hurry and will maybe get 5 hrs in per week.... I'm going to SEMA in November and plan to look at several engine companies and order drivetrain by yearend.

[4.6 litre]

This is an excellent question. I have just finished reviewing Dale's Mk IV Coyote build thread on FFR. This was one of the first Mk IV Coyote builds and I noticed Dale installed the engine very early, nearly 5 days into the build cycle, so he could determine the clearance between the engine and the DS and PS Foot Boxes. My Mk 4 Coyote Complete kit is coming May 29th and I'm trying to determine where it the build cycle I should install the engine in order to begin making the foot box modifications. Are there any recommendations on when I should do this?

The answer to this question will help me determine when I should order the Coyote engine. I have limited storage space so this timing is important to me.

Thanks,

4.6 Litre

[rtz]

I think Jegs has a deal on the engine with harness right now with free shipping?

http://www.jegs.com/p/Ford-Racing/Ford-Racing-Coyote-Engine-Kit/2895868/10002/-1

[2bking]

Does it make a difference if it's a Coyote engine

Very much so. The space is very tight and you may end up moving items when you try to install the engine like brake reservoirs, PCM, or anything else tempting to mount to the upper rails. The Stainless Headers are the way to go unless you have to have Cats and you will need to know where the tight spots are. I got my engine before the kit arrived and had it in the frame after the suspension was together for the first fit check. Since then, its been in and out several times.

[chopthebass]

Good stuff! Thanks for the advice! I'm not in any hurry and will maybe get 5 hrs in per week.... I'm going to SEMA in November and plan to look at several engine companies and order drivetrain by yearend.

Is SEMA open to the public or do you have to be in the trade?

[skullandbones]

Mslone,

I don't know if it was mentioned but whatever time schedule you decide on, if there is a warranty included in your purchase, communicate with the vendor to be sure you get the engine at the right time for you and maximize your warranty time while testing and gokarting. I did not do that by getting the engine too early in the process (unforeseen delay). Some vendors will give you some slack and others will warrant the engine from "first start". But I think it is better to make those communications clear from the beginning rather than after the fact. Just a FYI in case you haven't taken that into consideration.

Good luck,

WEK.

[4.6 litre]

Thanks King,

Based on Dale's build thread, I came to the conclusion that the engine should be dropped in for clearance verification right after the front and rear suspensions are installed as you say. If I start the build in June and I'm working 4 hours a day I can be ready for clearance checks by the beginning of August at the latest. Mike Forte has that Coyote engine special running until the beginning of May. I passed on it last week because I didn't have the garage space. Knowing that I'll be doing early engine clearance checks, I'll probably buy it now. I'm negotiating garage space with the Little Lady.

4.6 Litre

[christenfreedman]

I would say you need it immediately...Always nice just to look at and dream:o