New member from Colorado

[Junbug]

Hi all,
I’m a new member joining from Colorado. My son (16) and I are signed up with the Mott CC for a F5 Roadster build class in August. I plan to order my Roadster shortly as I understand there are supply chain issues across the board and don’t want to delay ordering until after we go through the build class. (Is it a good idea to order now?) I’ve already reviewed the roadster build handbook with my son and we’re both really excited about getting started. Additionally I’ve followed many of your build threads and plan to do so again as we start our build.
I’m open to any advice, recommendations and thoughts as we enter this process with both eyes open.

A few broad statements with associated questions for the group below. Feel free to DM me or answer in reply.
Engines: We are favoring a 5.0 Coyote due to what I perceive as durability, reliability and common parts. I’ve looked at BluePrint Engines and Forte. I’d love to hear thoughts and opinions as well as any feedback on current delays. We will likely chose whichever manual transmission our selected engine provider includes in their engine/trans package.
Tools/Equipment: What are the must have and nice to have tools/equipment based on your experience. I’ve got a handful of tools already on my list but am open to suggestions and recommendations. I’ve got all the basic automotive tools/wrenches and a basic air compressor but hear things like a pneumatic riveter is helpful.

Lastly, if there is anyone in the local Denver/Boulder area, I’d love to link up sometime to pick your brain. Likewise if you have a recommended paint/body shop for finishing the body I’m all ears!
Thanks in advance for your replies.
-Bryan

[Fman]

Welcome Bryan, I would definitely get your order in the system to avoid even more extended delays. You can always change it up later if you decide on different options. You are in for one awesome journey, congratulations to you and your son!

[hineas]

Welcome to the forum! There are a lot of friendly folks here who are good at spending your money!

I know there are members on the forum in the Denver area. Hopefully one of them will give you their info. I'm in Western Colorado, just south of Grand Junction. If you are ever on my side of the state feel free to send me a DM and I can show you my car and take you for a ride.

I would definitely order the kit now, especially because you can change options after you order. My brother ordered his kit a few months ago and his completion date is in September. If I remember correctly, it was about a 10 month lead time. You will definitely be able to do the build class well before your kit arrives, so that won't be an issue. To my understanding, the biggest thing you need to dial in is your drivetrain choices. Your engine and rear end choice will dictate what mounts you will have on the frame. If you aren't entirely sure on your drivetrain, I would ask how long you have to make the final decision before they actually build the frame. I would suspect that you would have several months time to make a change to that. There are other options that you can change after ordering. I know I made changes to my kit a few months before it was completed and it wasn't an issue at all.

Now onto your questions.

Engine choice: this is a huge can of worms and everybody has a different opinion. The biggest thing you have to decide is how do you want to drive the car and what are your goals.

For example, if your goal is to have fun car that you can drive hard and enjoy but are on a budget, I would get a standard 302 with a T5 transmission. This car is light, and even at 230 HP the car will feel fast and you will still likely be traction limited on 0-60 times. Looking at the BluePrint website, the 302 with T5 is almost $8,000 cheaper than the 347 fuel injection with the TKX transmission. It is $14,000 cheaper than the 427 stage 1 from BluePrint.

If your goal is to have a fun car, but you want more power than the 302, I'd recommend the 347 or the Coyote. Many people on the forum, myself included, say the sweet spot for horse power in these cars is in the 400's. I personally went with the 347 because I like the look and sound of a push rod V8 in these cars. It just feels right to me. I also went with fuel injection because I didn't want a carburetor, especially since I live in CO and I drive at 5,000-11,000 ft in elevation. Having said that, don't expect the EFI to be an easy "plug and play," they often still need tuned. My brother ordered his kit and also wanted to be in the mid 400's on the HP, but he wanted the Coyote for the reasons you mentioned. It is a more modern engine, it has a little more horsepower than the 347, it gets great mileage, and it does have a good reputation for reliability. The Coyote also must be tuned.

If your goal is to have more than 500 HP, if you are going to race, and/or if you need a 427 because this is a 427 Cobra replica, then get the 427. My friend let me drive his 427 Factory Five Mk3 that had over 600 hp (I think it was 650 HP if my memory is correct). Man, that was a blast to drive. I loved every minute of it. But honestly, though, for my driving style, I prefer my 347 with 435 HP. Mine has nicer street manners but will still break loose if I want it to.

Honestly, I truly believe that ANY engine is great in these cars and you will be happy with your choice. There just isn't a wrong answer here. If you want the most power available, go with a 427. If you want great street manners but still gobs of power, go with the Coyote or the 347. If you want to not break the bank but still have enough power to feel fast (and still be faster than most cars on the road) go with the 302.

I can't recommend the Coyote enough. Even though I went with the 347 on my Mk4, I think the next build I do will be the Coyote. It is a great choice.

As for the transmission, spend some time looking at gearing. If you get the Coyote, many go with the TKX transmission. You have different options for the 5th gear. Often the TKX comes with a 0.81 5th gear. However, out here in Colorado, I recommend that you go with the 0.68 5th gear. I live in Western Colorado, and I-70 by my place is 75 mph and in Utah it is 80 mph. If you stay with the 3.55 rear end and have the 0.81 5th gear, at 80 mph your RPM will be just above 3,000. The 0.68 will drop you to 2,500 rpm, which feels much nicer. I have the TKO-600 with the 0.64 gearing, and I am so glad I made that choice in gearing. Driving at 65 mph is also nice cruising at 2,000 rpm. Even at 55 mph I can still go up most hills in 5th gear and rarely have to downshift. At 80mph I have yet to meet a hill I had to shift out of 5th gear.

You mentioned BluePrint and Mike Forte. Both are great options. I have hear rumbling that Mike Forte has a shorter lead time, but I cannot confirm that. If you go with the Coyote, you can't go wrong with Mike Forte. I haven't worked with him, but my brother ordered his Coyote from Mike. My brother has talked to him on the phone several times and has nothing but good things to say about working with Mike. He knows these cars and can give you a lot of good information. If believe that Factory Five also sells the Coyote, but it isn't listed on their site (you have to call to order).

You also asked about tools. You said you have the build manual, and it has a list of needed tools in the beginning. That list was good for us and we really didn't use much else that wasn't on the list. I DO recommend that you get a mechanics chair and a creeper. These were amazing. I also recommend head lamps. We didn't use a pneumatic riveter, but I hear they are nice. I never felt like the manual riveter was an issue. The place where people get into specialty tools is when they start doing modifications, especially ones they build themselves. If you are going to stay close to the build manual, then you won't need much else that isn't already listed in the manual.

Sorry for the long reply, but I'm on night shift and I tend to ramble at 2:30 am...

[AC Bill]

Welcome. I'm sure it will be great building the roadster with your son alongside. Good learning experience for both of you.

Any engine will still make the roaster a thrill to drive. The Mustang 5.0 engines used so frequently in the past by builders, can get your heart racing. Your engine choice could depend on how much you like to fiddle with them. To me, it seems the more tweaking done to them, the less reliable they become.
Final choice on the engine will help determine what tranny would be best.

Tool wise. Besides the obvious ones like socket sets, wrenches, and a screwdriver assortment, Allen keys, etc. these are just some I used..

A good quality electric drill, a Dremel, 25+ Cleco's both 1/8" and 3\16", Cleco pliers, spring loaded center punch, large pair of tin snips, torque wrench, bench grinder c/w wire wheel, compressor, work light with clamp, engine stand, engine hoist with leveler, tube bender for brake and fuel lines, decent sized bench vice, wire stripper, wire connector crimper, step drill bits, set of good quality drill bits, rubber hammer, hacksaw, four jack stands, and a low profile floor jack.

[Jrmotorsports55]

Welcome!

[BadAsp427]

Welcome... and what they all said... no need to rehash it all.... It is going to be a great time with your son... enjoy...