Things to Consider when configuring your new build

[Ernie Orwig]

Well, I finally got the OK from my financial planner (My Wife) to order my kit at the end of the month. This gives me 3-4 weeks to get organized on what to get.
I am asking for help for things to consider before ordering the kit. I am open to any suggestions!
I will give you an idea of what I want performance wise, what I need help with is comforts, drivability, tires (sticky not worried about life of tire) air movement for foot boxes etc.
Side Pipe options for sound....I know this may sound silly, but are there Headsets to can get for traveling where you don't have to yell or the sound is tiring on your ears?

427 Windsor with some HP! I will manage wheel spin with Haltech system for safety.
Tremec TKO 600
3 Link with 355 gears...Suggestions of transmission gear ratios or will the stock trans gears be fine
March Performance accessories.
I will be driving it on the street with several track days a year!

2 chrome Roll bars
I can't make up my mind on the pros and cons between the 17" or 18" wheels
By the way, I see a narrowed option for the rear end....Is this for something special or can you get a deep dish offset for the rear wheels.

I wish these things had AC.....

Thanks for the help!

[frd2]

FYI - there are options for AC (recommend a top with it). Richard Oben with North Race Cars offers a kit that I have. Not daily driver cold but works fine.

Greg

[Ernie Orwig]

Greg, I had no idea...thanks for the tip!

[rich grsc]

I would rethink the 3:55 gears with a 427, 3:27 would likely be a better option.

[Ernie Orwig]

Because of the torque?

[Hacksaw84]

As mentioned some do add AC. Like anything it complicates it but its doable.
The tire selection on the 18s are more limited than 17s.
Most everyone gets the TKO with the .64 OD for cruising. Which leads to the next part...

I think you should add what you want to do with the car, that helps on the options. Car shows, weekend cruiser, semi daily driver, autocross, etc.

[CFranks]

I have a 427W with 3:31 gears and would recommend being down around that. Engine can easily handle it at lower speeds and the RPM's are kept down at higher speeds.

[rich grsc]

Because of the torque?
Yes, more torque and HP.

[Papa]

You asked about headsets. Here is what I have for my wife and I. They are a push-to-talk intercom setup and they work great. Check local laws for your area.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LLNJ2HC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

On the choice between 17" or 18" wheels, the 18" are a bit wider and have a different offset on the rear that moves the outer edge of the wheel out almost an inch (0.84"). If the deep dish is what you want, the 18" is a bit deeper than the 17".

Here is a picture of the 17":

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=133950&d=1597956258

And now the 18":

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=133949&d=1597956250

[Ernie Orwig]

Are you putting more tire underneath it with the 18"
By the way....I guess I am one of the ten, because I understand Binary and Hex...
Ernie

[Al_C]

I guess I am one of the ten, because I understand Binary and Hex...

If you tell me you know IBM Basic Assembly Language or anything mainframe I will fall out of my chair!

btw - you are building a custom car. Whatever you put in it will be perfect.

[Ernie Orwig]

That's funny...Because I worked for IBM in Large Systems Mainframes for 25 years. I left in 2015....I hope you didn't hurt yourself:)

[Papa]

Are you putting more tire underneath it with the 18"
By the way....I guess I am one of the ten, because I understand Binary and Hex...
Ernie

I had a 315 on both the 17" & 18", but slightly taller sidewall on the 17"

[Old Timer]

If you tell me you know IBM Basic Assembly Language or anything mainframe I will fall out of my chair!
.

It is getting to the point fewer and fewer people understand Binary, much less Hex.
Now FORTRAN, F* or COBOL, that's another lost art.

[Al_C]

It is getting to the point fewer and fewer people understand Binary, much less Hex.
Now FORTRAN, F* or COBOL, that's another lost art.

I spent the first 15 or so years of my career as a mainframe programmer/analyst: COBOL, IMS, CICS (macro level), and BAL. I was REALLY good at reading dumps. Then I managed those people and sold software to them. Yes, COBOL is a lost art and sometimes I wonder if I shouldn't throw my hat back into the ring for that stuff! Finally, I saw the light and built a roadster... a little off the topic of the original post, but it was fun to reminisce!

[CraigS]

Look to motorcycle accessary suppliers for intercom headsets. I agree w/ Rich on the 327,331 rear gear.
Wheels; this is FFRs 18 wheel which has plenty of dish for me.
http://www.factoryfiveparts.com/15812-18-halibrand-style-replica-wheels/
Their 17 set seems to show a pic of the fronts so not a good comparison. This a a typical 17 Bullit wheel also plenty of dish.
https://www.americanmuscle.com/dedibuwh.html
and 18
https://www.americanmuscle.com/deepdish.html
I think narrowing the rear axle is not worth the effort.
Tires; Be careful going too sticky (extreme summer rated) as they usually have a real lack of traction below about 50 deg. I see you are in Tn so you can probably drive nearly year around so it would be a shame to give up winter drives. There are LOTS of threads on tires so search for them and make notes. Also Tire Rack does a lot of testing and they have a lot of owner reviews. As you search for tires start by looking for 315s. There are lots of tires in 255-275 but many of those do not offer 315s.

[RBachman]

It is getting to the point fewer and fewer people understand Binary, much less Hex.
Now FORTRAN, F* or COBOL, that's another lost art.

Fortran...that takes me back a bit. LOL