Earliest recommendable time to install the Coyote/trans

[facultyofmusic]

Summary: What are the "recommend doing this before installing the engine" steps before installing the coyote?

Hello folks, I'm facing a dilemma where my garage is too small to have the engine/trans package sit next to the pile of unfinished car. It's possible to make space for it, but doing so makes navigating the garage a nightmare and I'll have to do a lot of shuffling every time I want to work on the car. For this reason I'm looking to put the engine in as soon as possible. My goal is to have the engine in and not take it back out again, so I'd like to understand all the required prerequisites and prioritize them. In other words I'm looking to y'all for "I seriously recommend you do this before putting the engine in" tasks.

There is a similar post about this here (https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?23735-When-to-install-engine). This thread is different from that one in that my question is "What are the ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED steps before putting the engine in?" not "When did y'all put the engine in?"

Currently I have the following completed (I'd link my build thread but it's not up to date):

Chassis aluminum
Chassis harness
Steering rack + column
Pedal box
All brakes + fuel line routing towards the front of the car

as far as I know there isn't anything else that really needs the engine out of the frame to complete. Am I missing anything?

[Ducky2009]

Sounds like you've covered most everything. Firewall and footbox aluminum complete (but I'd leave the DS outer footbox panel off for now). Fuel and brake lines (at lease to the MC) completed before the engine. After that, you're good to go.

[edwardb]

I'd add two things: (1) Front electrical harness, or as a minimum the power wiring. Have you decided where you're going to place the battery? Many move the battery from the rear stock location to the front, e.g. Breeze front mount kit. Regardless, I'd sort out where you're going to route the main power wires including the starter power wire. (2) Plan and possibly place the main Coyote harness components. Many (me included) put the Coyote PDB on the firewall. Best to have it located and installed before dropping the engine in. Along with that, the main Coyote control pack harness.

Both of the above would be difficult to plan and install with the engine in place.

[RBachman]

I'd ask a friend/relative to borrow a bit of space in their garage/shed/storage-unit? Or, stick it in the family room, put a piece of glass over it and call it a table. This way the wife will be very happy that you're taking an interest in furnishings and decorating (win-win). LOL

[egchewy79]

I'd ask a friend/relative to borrow a bit of space in their garage/shed/storage-unit? Or, stick it in the family room, put a piece of glass over it and call it a table. This way the wife will be very happy that you're taking an interest in furnishings and decorating (win-win). LOL

A recent forum member who just completed his car (can't recall his username) stored his body in his living room. Hope your negotiation skills are up to snuff with the Mrs.

[Jeff Kleiner]

A recent forum member who just completed his car (can't recall his username) stored his body in his living room. Hope your negotiation skills are up to snuff with the Mrs.

My buddy Aaron screwed his Coupe body to the deck off of the living room. His wife is very tolerant (and realizes that resistance would be futile ;) )

To the original question I put the engine in last last, after all of the plumbing is done (which includes bleeding brakes), wiring including gauges is installed and tested, and most of the aluminum (pretty much everything except the tunnel top and the pieces that go on after the body) has been done. Drop the engine in...start it up and go cart all the same day. Not saying it's the only way, but it has always worked well for me.

Jeff

[Al_C]

My 2 cents: I, too, have limited space (2-car garage). My suggestion is to try to maintain some flexibility. I put the uninstalled engine on a mover's dolly and was able to roll it around and keep it out of the way while I got everything ready. I, too, was eager to get the engine in, and did at the first opportunity. In hindsight, I should have waited a bit longer. Just keep in mind that it is easier to do things without an engine in the way, so if there is any way to maintain your flexibility, it could make your life easier.

[JohnK]

I agree with everything posted above: power wiring in engine bay, coyote PDB and coyote harness, battery (if in front) and starter power and signal wiring, fuel lines and fuel pressure regulator (if mounting it in the engine bay), rear harness (much easier to route through trans tunnel without trans in the way), e-brake (if using the FFR brake) will be easier without the trans in place, any engine bay heat shielding (if planning to do that).

[RBachman]

A recent forum member who just completed his car (can't recall his username) stored his body in his living room. Hope your negotiation skills are up to snuff with the Mrs.

Yeah, I could never get away with that. LOL
154567

[Railroad]

Trial fit your headers before installing the engine. Not much room to work with engine in the frame. If there are any issues, much easier to address.