Hello and thank you in advance from Scottsdale, Arizona

[kmseddon]

Hello Everyone -

My son is a mechanical engineering student in college and we are looking to start a MK4 Cobra project. We are not gear heads, but the wealth of information and number of experts in this forum gives us the confidence that we are working with a great safety net and we want to thank you all in advance for your help. Don't worry, we will also thank you for the help with the 1,000 questions we are going to ask along the way. :-)

So here's question #1. We want to get the engine and transmission in hand first and build around that before we order the kit so we order the right stuff with the kit. We are thinking fuel injected 302 with about 325 hp tied to a T5 transmission because we want a fairly standard build and are not looking to kill ourselves with 500hp. Anybody know of a used hand me down engine? If we go new for the engine and transmission, we are thinking performance 302 with E cam, Holley terminator, new T5 and when you add in stuff like water pump, bell housing, throttle body, starter, fuel pump, fly wheel, pulleys, fast 302 intake, etc. it seems like you are around $15k. Sound about right? Any advice on more cost effective options?

Again, thank you all for your advice and we hope you all stay safe and healthy!
Best Regards,

[Grkmf3]

have you considered going with a coyote ?

[Bob Brandle]

Hi kmseddon,
While I can't really help you out on your direct questions, I'm also located in Scottsdale and am in the process of building a FFR Gen 3 Daytona Coupe with a Coyote 5.0 and T56 6-speed.
There will be crossover parts, processes, tools, build techniques, general Q&A and FF camaraderie between your MK4 project and my Coupe build. If you want to get together some time. Let me know.
Bob

[Grkmf3]

I was going to say id be more than happy to show and let you drive my Gen 3 coupe with the Coyote and T56 Magnum trans just to get an idea of it if you would like. I work right across the street from Costco on Hayden.

[Gordon Levy]

Welcome to the forum. We are located in Maricopa and have examples of roadsters and coupes of different flavors you are welcome to come out and see. I would be more than happy to talk over different possibilities with you.

[kmseddon]

Hi I have considered it, but it seems like the coyote gets you like 450+ HP which is probably way more hp than we need for a 2400 pound car, and I hear the Coyote can be a pain to wire up since it is more complicated. Sound right? I also hear it is a lot more expensive. thoughts?

[kmseddon]

Thank you Bob - that is very kind of you. We are in Scottsdale as well. What made you pick the Coyote engine? I hear they can be a pain to wire up and they have about 450 hp and are very expensive. What did you pay for yours with the T56 and where did you get it? We would love to meet up once this virus gets under control. I'm a cancer survivor so I have to play it safe for now. Maybe we can Zoom call? I would love to pick your brain about how to order from FFR and share tools, parts, and war stories. I'm a corvette guy and lucky to have 65's and 67's in my stable. This would be my first ground up build. My email is Ken.seddon@lotnet.com. Be safe!

[KDubU]

A 302 or 306 is plenty to have fun with in these cars. Sure you can stuff in any number of engines and run HP of 500-700 but you have already indicated your needs so I would not bother. There is a good video Dave Smith of Factory Five did on the engine review recently and it was good info: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fpjwKZEgzj8.

If I recall correctly, a 302/306 was highly recommended and is less expensive than a Coyote. Sure the Coyote is a great option but it has some complexities that you would not with the engine you are thinking of. There is great information on here and a lot of guys who will help you whether you go with the engine you are thinking of or opt for a Coyote.

[edwardb]

Hi I have considered it, but it seems like the coyote gets you like 450+ HP which is probably way more hp than we need for a 2400 pound car, and I hear the Coyote can be a pain to wire up since it is more complicated. Sound right? I also hear it is a lot more expensive. thoughts?

Yes, a Coyote has more than your target 325 HP. Which BTW is still more than enough to get you into serious trouble. Don't think because you're limiting the power it's necessarily safer. Safety will come mainly from your own safe practices, what's between your ears, and your right foot. Enough of that... The thing that's especially nice is how easy to drive the Coyote is. Can be as mild or wild as you want. It's more than happy to putt around town shifting at low RPM. Or let it wind up and hang on. Really hard to get that OE driveability in a custom build engine. Just depends on what you want. With a 15K budget, a Coyote is easily in the mix. For what they offer, a good value actually. But it's possible of course to spend way less. Hard to wire? That's a matter of opinion I guess. No harder to wire than the rest of the car. If you're doing any kind of an EFI setup, they're about the same. And yes, I'm a big fan of the Coyote (have built two with one, build threads in sig line) so admit I'm more than a little biased. Good luck with your adventure.

[Grkmf3]

Well I drove it to work today like I do every other day so feel free to swing by if you wanted to get an idea.
Cant say what I don't know about a 302/306 but with my Coyote and in our amazing Arizona heat being 102 outside engine runs at 192. Even when 110 outside it runs 194-196
The reliability of the coyote makes it my choice and when talking about the budget you have in mind.

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