A couple of questions before I order a coupe this next week.

[acroson]

Hello everyone,

I hopefully will be ordering a coupe very soon, I just have a few questions that I still need answers too.

The plan is coyote/t56/IRS street setup. I want to be able to reliably drive this everywhere I can. I mean, why not?

I'm looking for the width of the drivers pedal box area for t-56/coyote vs a t-5/302 combo. I have big clumsy feet.
I fit perfectly in a 240z/300zx, obviously they have more foot room. Even a Miata had enough, so I should be good here, just want to be sure.

Catalytic convertors for a coyote in CA, I swear there was an option for this a few months back on the order page. Am I crazy? Or what options are there. I know they are needed but searching revealed nothing useful, other than they're needed.

Radio, I was the only idiot at the track with a speaker box in my cars. Any chance of actually hearing music at all, besides the exhaust notes. I am very aware they are loud, most of my cars were. In fact the best ones, but I still like a radio.


Thats it. I found everything else in the countless build threads here.
I hope to order next week so I can get the damn thing by December.

Thanks

[edwardb]

Responses:

1. There are no chassis, sheet metal, footbox, whatever differences based on your chosen engine/transmission. They're all the same and use the same parts. Some variation is possible with the Wilwood pedal box. There is some flexibility with where you place the pedal pads and also height. Also some flexibility with how you mount the Coyote DBW (accelerator) assembly.

2. You're right. Factory Five used to list a Coyote/catalytic converter option on their order sheet for the Coupe. Don't see it now. Best to ask them and see what's going on. Possibly available from other suppliers (GP Headers, GAS-N Products, etc.) but I don't know. I assume you're adding them for compliance reasons? The Coyote doesn't "need" cats. It runs fine without them and most of us don't have cats. I know basically nothing about California requirements including SB100.

3. Sure you can hear the radio if it's loud enough. :rolleyes: I did one build with a radio and won't again. But you'll get lots of opinions on this one. We only drive our Coupe with hearing protection and adding a radio to the mix wouldn't be pleasant IMO.

Good luck!

[MacDiesel]

Radio, I was the only idiot at the track with a speaker box in my cars. Any chance of actually hearing music at all, besides the exhaust notes. I am very aware they are loud, most of my cars were. In fact the best ones, but I still like a radio.


I’m seriously jealous. I’m still in the information (and money) gathering stage to hopefully do a very similar build in the next 2-3 years. I’m also considering radio options. I want my car too loud to talk in or hear music, but also want to be able to talk to my son and hear music too. Why can’t we have it all? Has anyone used a vehicle communication intercom with voice activation and Bluetooth audio? My thought is this offers hearing protection, the ability to communicate, and a music option. I’ve been reading up on some systems by rugged radios, but haven’t seen any info on anyone using one in any of these cars. When I was a track driver in Iraq we had radios that allowed us to communicate with those within the vehicle, as well as those around us on the battle field. All while muffling the engine noise. That’s what got me thinking down this road, but I have zero experience with any of the civilian versions.

[David Williamson]

We use a system by EarTech so my wife and I can talk while we drive. I am going to make a new post about it.
David W

[Bob-STL]

Radio, I was the only idiot at the track with a speaker box in my cars. Any chance of actually hearing music at all, besides the exhaust notes. I am very aware they are loud, most of my cars were. In fact the best ones, but I still like a radio.




A radio was the one option I wish I had not done.

[JohnK]

My understanding is that emissions requirements in CA are based on the year of the vehicle. I'm not sure how folks are registering coupes in CA but in the case of the roadster, for example, they are typically registered as 1965 vehicles and are not subject to any emissions requirements. I'm sure someone else here can expand on the CA SB100 process for the coupe specifically. I'm planning to run catalytic converters on my roadster build with gen 2 coyote (GP headers), but that's purely personal preference and not a state requirement.

[acroson]

thanks for input. i guess i can always add a radio later if i want.

in CA, the emissions follow the motor. so a new coyote will need cats to at least get licensed.
ive got an email into f5, see what they suggest.

[JohnK]

in CA, the emissions follow the motor. so a new coyote will need cats to at least get licensed.
ive got an email into f5, see what they suggest.

No, that's not correct. The "age" of the vehicle determines the emissions requirements, regardless of what engine is installed. In the case of the roadster, it is licensed as a 1965 vehicle. I believe the Coupe is similar. The only thing they will check regarding the engine is a closed PCV system. Lots of threads about it on the forum. Many, many FFR cars have been licensed in CA through SB100 and I've never heard of a single person being required to have catalytic converters regardless of what engine they installed.


https://asktheref.org/Services/Unusual-Vehicles

Obtaining an SB100 Certificate

An SB100 certificate allows you to register your specially constructed vehicle as brand new (called a SPCN), but exempted as if it were a 1965 or older model. The DMV gives out 500 SB100 certificates a year on a first-come, first-serve basis.


Edit: Here's the full text of SB100 relating to specially constructed vehicles:

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=200120020SB100

In it, you will see this:

The owner shall have the option to choose whether the inspection is based on the engine model-year used in the vehicle or the vehicle model-year.

[lewma]

I have a Gen2 Coyote in my MK4, registered SB100 in CA with no cats.

[Suzie coupe]

I have a Gen2 Coyote in my MK4, registered SB100 in CA with no cats.

Why do so many people opt for coyote power? I genuinely don’t know

[edwardb]

Why do so many people opt for coyote power? I genuinely don’t know

Serious question? Or just trolling? Can't tell.

FWIW, according to Dave Smith, about 50% of builds use the Coyote. I've done two. Modern and powerful computer controlled engine that runs great and if you start with a new crate motor has a two year warranty. Lots of options in the used market as well. Good value for the power and torque it provides. Outstanding drivability. Mild or wild. Not for everyone because some prefer a more traditional look and sound. Also a little more work to install. But to be honest, not that much more than a traditional engine with added EFI. I could go on if you're really interested. So can others.

[Skuzzy]

Why do so many people opt for coyote power? I genuinely don’t know

Not too hard to figure out why. The Coyote is really a great bang-for-the-buck option. Reliable, easy to drive and can make more horsepower, for less money than any other Ford option out there.

[CaptB]

Why do so many people opt for coyote power? I genuinely don’t know

With all due respect and I mean all due respect to anyone or the Coyote engine, but they are butt ugly motors, IMHO.

[edwardb]

With all due respect and I mean all due respect to anyone or the Coyote engine, but they are butt ugly motors, IMHO.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. One cliché deserves another. :rolleyes:

https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%2020th%20Anniversary%20Mark%204%20R oadster/Misc%20Pics/.highres/imgonline-com-ua-twotoone_zps3aj3drn4.jpg?width=590&height=370&fit=bounds (https://app.photobucket.com/u/edwardb123/a/bb9829e6-c7f8-430e-ac38-96acbdd162f0/p/1810b021-a68e-4163-bdc5-a539975df3ec)

On a more serious note, agree they don't look the same as many traditional old school setups. But they can be dressed up to not look bad. Just need to pay attention to the details. Both my Roadster and Coupe get a lot of compliments. Mostly for having the Coyote in the first place. Lots of eyerolling and pointing. But no one over said it was ugly.

[Skuzzy]

With all due respect and I mean all due respect to anyone or the Coyote engine, but they are butt ugly motors, IMHO.

I have seen plenty of ugly FE and Windsor blocked engines. Any of them can be ugly. The Coyote just takes a bit more time to make it look good. I have seen some good looking Coyote installs.

For the record, I am stuffing a 427 Windsor in mine, but I wish it was a Coyote instead.

[Rsnake]

At 8k rpm's who cares what they look like:)

[Suzie coupe]

At 8k rpm's who cares what they look like:)

They can run 8k? All day?

[Rsnake]

My aluminator can and will once it's broken in. A great high rpm engine for a sports care.
The only negative being the lack of a lumpy old school idle and maybe the looks but if you never open the hood who cares about the looks. It will cruise at 1500 rpms and scream to 8k.

[jamminj]

lumpy idle tune cant imagine what it would sound like with side pipes
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FOO5qvsbVbI