Some newbie questions while thinking about a Coyote kit

[Rock2000]

After toying with the idea of building a coupe for almost 20 years, I'm thinking now is the time. I've done quite a bit of wrenching, but all related to fixing cars. Replacing broken parts with the same parts. I've done almost no customization or upgrade work. So much of the initial legwork to figure out how to commit to a starting point is a bit overwhelming. Hopefully it'll be a fun learning experience with not too many costly mistakes.

I'm really a fan of the idea of using a Coyote setup, and starting with the coupe's Complete kit package. My initial instinct is to be on the lookout for a crashed 2015+ Mustang. Take a bunch of parts and sell the other parts. So my first question is, what parts will be used from that Mustang. I want the IRS, and I guess a few parts from the rear suspension can be taken as well (spindles, brakes). Obviously the motor. I had thought the transmission would also be one, but I guess that is not compatible? Presumably ECU? Wiring harness? Anything else? Fuel system parts?

For transmissions, are there any guidelines for how to pick one? Is there a list of parts cars that use them? Or is everyone buying them new?

You can assume I'm clueless. My wrenching experience will hopefully help when I actually start building, but it's not helping me come up with any plans or strategies.

Thanks
Rock

[Alan_C]

There will be some parts beyond the engine and IRS that can be used, but not as much as you would hope. The kit was designed for a donor through 2004, so a 2015 donor limits what you can use. I believe the manual transmission has been used by some, but making it work is not straight forward. You can probably cut down the driveshaft and have it made to fit at a driveshaft shop. The harness and PCM might be able to be used, but using the Ford Performance controls pack kit is what is called out in the instructions. Remember, the more you deviate from the manual, the more you are going to have to figure out on your own. IMO, the $1700 for the controls pack is well worth it.
I purchased a 2017 GT at auction back in 2017. The car was only 6 months old with only 2300 miles. I got really lucky finding that car as it was from CA and it had a junk title. The junk title in CA prevented it from being returned to road use and not repairable. I got the car for far less than 1/2 the cost of a new engine alone. In my case I used the engine and transmission in a Mustang restomod. I used little else and sold off the body for $1000. Repairable cars at auction often went for well North of $12K, making them not cost effective donors. I used Copart for two donor purchases. The second was better by using a 2nd party to represent me at the auction permitting me to buy the junk title car. Stay away from AutoBidMaster, its a long story and not a good one. You can monitor Copart and see prospective cars going to auction in your area or across the country.

Good luck,

Alan

[edwardb]

Welcome. Alan covered most of it. A 2015+ donor will only have a handful of parts. The other sticking point is whether they're the right ones. Ford has a lot of variations in the Mustang. So finding the right donor for the right price is challenging. For the IRS, differential, knuckles/hubs, and brakes (if you want OE vs. aftermarket) are all that's useable. The diff needs to be the right ratio. That's part of your homework. :) The Coyote can be used. But using the stock harness, PCM, etc. is very challenging. Many have tried. Some successfully. Others have given up. Without experience may not be something you really want to do. The Ford Performance control pack Alan mentioned is basically plug and play. The Getrag MT-82 used in manual transmission Mustangs has been used by some. But again with some work. The shifter is in the wrong location (too far back) so needs to be addressed. Some have fabricated their own relocation parts. This company sells a kit: https://www.formacars.com/store/mt82shifter. The ratios may/may not be ideal. Another subject. The MT-82 will also need to modified driveshaft as Alan mentioned. The typical transmissions that are used and supported by Factory Five are the TKX (replaced the TKO) and T-56. By far the most common choices for these builds. They are aftermarket transmissions so not available on donors.

There's a lot for you to digest. But hopefully this is a start. My Gen 3 Daytona build is linked in my sig line below. In its second driving season and we love it. Good luck.

[Rock2000]

Thanks for the info. I was watching copart trying to find one that fits the bill. I keep missing the bids and and you can't see the sale price, so I haven't gotten a good handle on what they go for. Rebuildable ones I've seen for high, but I'm hoping ones slammed in the side are more reasonable. We'll see.

OK, I certainly don't feel comfortable deviating too much. I feel like even if I got a deviation to work at the time, I'd find out in later steps that it actually clashes with something somehow. So it sounds like a number of extra new parts are needed than I expected. Anyone have ballpark amounts that people spend beyond the kit and motor, for all the additional bits needed? Feels like it's going to be higher than I estimated.

[Alan_C]

Welcome to our world of escalating build budgets. One budget friendly aspect of buying a donor car or take out engine is that the accessory drive system is present. When you buy a crate motor, you have to buy the accessory drive and alternator on top of the coyote engine and controls pack.
When searching for a donor car, see if you can find one with a junk title. Since the car is not repairable, few will bid on them. I found when I went to buy my donor in 2017, laws had changed in some states, like CA, where you cannot bid without a dismantler's license or a broker representing you. Have a plan in place so you can bid should a prospective donor become available.
Another route is some Mustang dismantlers will sell a pallet with the engine, trans, and IRS components. This may be a better way to go as you will not have to deal with tearing down the donor and selling off what you don't use. My donor shell was in my driveway for 2 years before I sold it off.
Good luck on your search, bargains are out there but you will have search to find them. I got so lucky when I found and bought my donor, hopefully you can find one for yourself.
On the Vintage Mustang Forum, another member said he bought a Gen 2 Coyote crate motor in December 2020 from Power by the Hour. He said they still had several. I know you are trying to save money, but if the donor route does not pan out, PBTH could be another option.