Bought a kit yesterday - Now I have questions

[Blitzboy54]

Hi Guys,

I pulled the trigger yesterday! I'm super excited for my MK4 build (completion date is 02/13). I have rebuilt a Fox body 8.8 with 3:55 gears, rebuilt T5 and a 93 302 at the machine shop getting torn down. I am considering stroking it to a 347, however may keep it a 306. I like the carb look but will use a Holley Sniper because EFI is really nice.

I'm in the Albany NY area and will ultimately need help identifying a body and paint person (or people).
Also if anyone around here has a local powder coater I would love some suggestions.



As an aside, FFR gave me a $500 Military discount, then after I ordered the kit and confirmed they sent me the invoice and added $2500 in "Fall Discounts". This was unexpected and an amazing start!

I've been a lurker for some time. You guys are great and I look forward to jumping in.

Jesse

My kit is

302 (306 or 347)
T5
8.8 rear end 3:55 (Moser axles)
Full Kit
Powder Coated Chassis
Body Cutouts
3-Link
Ultra Lite Gauges
Winds wings/Sun visors
Wipers
Heater/Defroster
Duel Roll bar
High back race seats
Leather SW
Assembled Louvers
Trunk strut kit
Power steering
Hydraulic Clutch
Wilwood Front and Rear

[TMartinLVNV]

Congrats on your order. You will be like a kid before Christmas when the delivery date approaches.

[boat737]

Welcome Jesse.

You're going to have lots of fun (and of course a few problems and frustrations, none insurmountable) in the months ahead.

I'll jump in with my "IMHO" on the carburetor. Don't be afraid of it. I figured, old school car, old school motor. I do live near sea level, and don't drive it in the mountains (or at least haven't yet), so it is very predictable and reliable. Starts immediately every time (even after extended sits), idle's fine, and looks like it should. I did have a bowl gasket leak, but hey, it's a machine, and machines have problems. Bottom line, I'm happy with the carb.

Have fun.

[CFranks]

Welcome! You picked some good options, you're going to have a very nice car.

[cfriedman67]

Hi Jesse,

I'm in Ulster county and use a shop in Kingston for Powder coating. I'm not sure if you would consider that close enough. Kingston is exit 19 off of Rt 87.

[Blitzboy54]

Hi Jesse,

I'm in Ulster county and use a shop in Kingston for Powder coating. I'm not sure if you would consider that close enough. Kingston is exit 19 off of Rt 87.

I would consider anything within 100 miles close enough for the right shop. For the right body/paint specialist I would probably go as far as 150.

Yes please let me know. There are 2 guys in my office that commute to Kingston daily.

Thank you

[cfriedman67]

Its TCC technical Coating Corp 845-331-7777. The owner is Gerry. Great guy. I have had many things done there over the years.

Craig

[Straversi]

Congrats and thank you for your service. Glad FFR recognized that as well.
-Steve

[David Hodgkins]

Jesse,

Welcome to the forum! And Thank You for your service!

You've been upgraded to full privileges like using the gallery, updating your profile, etc

Here are a few links:

Embedding pics using the gallery:
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?18962-How-to-use-the-Image-Gallery-to-embed-pictures-in-posts

Editing post Titles:
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?19402-Changing-The-Thread-Title-Guidelines

:)

[Blitzboy54]

Jesse,

Welcome to the forum! And Thank You for your service!

You've been upgraded to full privileges like using the gallery, updating your profile, etc

Here are a few links:

Embedding pics using the gallery:
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?18962-How-to-use-the-Image-Gallery-to-embed-pictures-in-posts

Editing post Titles:
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?19402-Changing-The-Thread-Title-Guidelines

:)


Very cool, I will definitely take advantage. Thank you for the tutorial. I'll probably start a build thread when I get the engine back. I plan to paint/dress it so should have some stuff to share

[Blitzboy54]

Its TCC technical Coating Corp 845-331-7777. The owner is Gerry. Great guy. I have had many things done there over the years.

Craig

Appreciate it, I will give him a call. I'm very interested in the high temp PC that Terry used on his build.

[MSumners]

Congrats! In for a fun ride

[tmlint]

Congrats!! Thanks for your service!!! I ordered my kit as well. Should be delivered by Thanksgiving.

[Blitzboy54]

Congrats!! Thanks for your service!!! I ordered my kit as well. Should be delivered by Thanksgiving.

Fantastic. Congratulations to you as well

[JB in NOVA]

Welcome to the madness! You're in for a great adventure.

[GoDadGo]

Congratulations & Welcome Aboard!

[KDubU]

You haven’t bought a kit, you have bought a car in pieces. ;)

[jrcuz]

Welcome Jesse and thank you for your service. Good times ahead.
JR

[NiceGuyEddie]

First, thank you for your service.

Second, absolutely, positively, stroke that 302 to a 347.

Third, I have the same setup, gearing, etc. Consider spending $180 on a Steeda Triax Short Throw shifter for that T5.

[Blitzboy54]

First, thank you for your service.

Second, absolutely, positively, stroke that 302 to a 347.

Third, I have the same setup, gearing, etc. Consider spending $180 on a Steeda Triax Short Throw shifter for that T5.

Yeah man, I have a couple follow ups. What HP/Torque is your stroker putting out? Is your tranny beefed up at all? I've heard 400hp is the cap for this setup I would think I will be short of that but not much. I just checked out the shifter, are you using the lever it came with or the FFR one? I want to car to have a modern look so I like the look.

[Avalanche325]

Definitely do the stroker if you are bothering to open the engine up. Remember that SBF factory heads are terrible no matter what you do to them. Aftermarket heads are where your HP will come from. (We like to spend your money around here) 400HP is easy, very streetable, and easy on components. A T5 should be good for that if you are not someone that is hard on equipment. I have a 500HP 347 with a carb that is loud and snotty and running a TKO600.

Welcome to the fun.

[Blitzboy54]

Definitely do the stroker if you are bothering to open the engine up. Remember that SBF factory heads are terrible no matter what you do to them. Aftermarket heads are where your HP will come from. (We like to spend your money around here) 400HP is easy, very streetable, and easy on components. A T5 should be good for that if you are not someone that is hard on equipment. I have a 500HP 347 with a carb that is loud and snotty and running a TKO600.

Welcome to the fun.

That's fine with me. lol

I've already identified some high flow Edelbrock heads. My plan is to have the shop do all the block work, install the heads and rocker upgrade. I think I will take it from there. Working up a paint scheme. Dressing it is both the easy and fun part

[David Hodgkins]

If you're going for >400HP I'd consider a trade up to the TKO600. If you already have the T5... run it until it breaks?

:)

[Blitzboy54]

If you're going for >400HP I'd consider a trade up to the TKO600. If you already have the T5... run it until it breaks?

:)

I do already have the T5. So it looks like if I go the 347 route it will be option B :cool:

[Fman]

Welcome and thank you for your service! Looking forward to seeing your delivery and following your build:cool:

[KDubU]

I do already have the T5. So it looks like if I go the 347 route it will be option B :cool:

Keep in mind a 347 can easily go over 400hp.

[rich grsc]

It's BS that a t5 can't handle 400hp, especially in a 2300# car.

[Rdone585]

With >400hp the T5 life will depend on your driving style. Civil street driving with street tires and it'll live for a long time. If you track it, put sticky tires on it, and start pushing it hard... be prepared to hear grinding at some point in the future.

[Joel Hauser]

Welcome, and enjoy the build. I live in Delmar, just outside of Albany. If you're interested in checking out another local roadster, feel free to send me a personal message. Mine was a donor build, using a 1996 mustang GT.
Joel

[Avalanche325]

This was probably 7 years ago. But I was talking to Dave Smith and said he didn't get why people run TKOs. He said that they had never broken a T5.

I broke my TKO600.

I wiped the third gear synchro. I blame the Tremec factory installed leak............not my bad shifting. :p
Liberty's Gears upgraded synchros, and I sealed the thing like the factory should have done, and never a problem since.

[Rdone585]

So I should clarify my previous post... My comments were based on a stock T5.
I've always run a T5, but after that tranny gave up with a "warmed over 302" I had all the internals converted to G-Force components and have not looked back since. They have been able to handle almost 600 ft lbs of torque with sticky track tires.

[Avalanche325]

Here is some good T5 info:

https://www.moderndriveline.com/the-many-different-faces-of-the-t5/

According to this a 1993 T5 from a non-Cobra Mustang is rated at 300ft-lbs.

[Blitzboy54]

This was probably 7 years ago. But I was talking to Dave Smith and said he didn't get why people run TKOs. He said that they had never broken a T5.

I broke my TKO600.

I wiped the third gear synchro. I blame the Tremec factory installed leak............not my bad shifting. :p
Liberty's Gears upgraded synchros, and I sealed the thing like the factory should have done, and never a problem since.


Sold... 347 it is. I mean if Dave says so right?

You guys are the best kind of enablers.

[GoDadGo]

Or you can come over to the Dark Dart Side to make things interesting.
..All kidding aside, the 347 will be a nice setup that requires no modifications.

[ggunter]

I wanted a shifter that looked a little more modern so I put a hurst stick and ball on a TKO600 I made an adapter to move it forward and down slightly136668

[frankb]

GoDad:

How can you see? Its so dark over on that side!

[Dan Van]

Hey Congrats...I'm getting delivery of my MK4 kit Saturday Oct 31. Looking forward to getting started. I'm in Toronto, Ontario and need to makea decision on an engine/tranny combo. Not looking for huge power...350-400HP should do the trick....any ideas from past builders would be great...thanks.

[Avalanche325]

Dan Van,
Good luck sleeping tonight with delivery tomorrow!!

Assuming you got your kit set up for a SBF:

As per my previous posts. I am a fan of a 347. 400hp is probably right between mild and aggressive. Mild = good drivability and longevity. They are light-weight, put out great HP and torque, are relatively inexpensive, and give you room in the engine bay. You can go carb or EFI.

A 351 stroked to 427 gives you "the magic number", more weight, less room in the engine bay. 400hp + would pretty much be a given.

[Blitzboy54]

Hey Congrats...I'm getting delivery of my MK4 kit Saturday Oct 31. Looking forward to getting started. I'm in Toronto, Ontario and need to makea decision on an engine/tranny combo. Not looking for huge power...350-400HP should do the trick....any ideas from past builders would be great...thanks.

Congratulations to you as well. I look forward to following your build.

[Dan Van]

137132
Arrived..inventoried...and ready to go !!