Kit ordered!

[eaglecook]

Hey all, like so many other people on here, I have stalked these pages for the last few years, wondering if I should buy. Finally decided the other day and got my kit ordered!! Looking to take delivery early Nov. Obviously can't wait, but want to use the time between now and then to learn more details and make some of those critical decisions while I still have time to change my mind on some things. So, here is my build plan with a few items as definite choices, and some items as still unsure. Thoughts and comments welcomed.

Gen 3 '33 Hot Rod (definite)
Powder coated chassis (definite)
IRS (definite)
Chevy 383 (corrected :p) power with EFI (definite.. crate engine from West Coast Engines... anyone ever use them?)
Tremec T-56 (definite)
Hays Street 650 Clutch (almost definite.. looking for feedback from anyone that has used this clutch kit)
Tilton Hydraulic Throw out bearing ( definite)
Removable Hard Top (definite)
Full Fenders (undecided)
Hood and Sides (undecided.. will depend on full fenders.. I'll either go all the way with full fenders, or go naked with just bike fenders to help with the rocks)
Moser 8.8 rear end (Undecided... still need to decide best gear ratios and is it worth the extra money to go the Moser route vs getting a rebuilt 2015 Mustang rear end)
Limited Slip (undecided... definitely don't want solid axle, but should I go for the torsen diff? Worth it?)
Interior will be all leather including dash.
Auto Meter Spec Pro Gauges (definite)
Infinity Box electrical system (definite)
Seats (undecided... thinking of FFR low back vinyl then custom covering them with high quality foam and leather)
Rear Exhaust (definite)
Standard 33 grill (definite)
Torque Thrust wheels (99% definite)

That's enough I think.

I want to use the car as a driver/cruiser. Hit the coffee and cars events, maybe a car show here and there. I live in the TX hill country so just short weekend trips will be awesome, but I'd also like to trailer it to awesome places for cruising sessions.. Florida Keys, Colorado Rockies, California Cost, etc... Will be taking the wife some of the time so it needs to be reasonably comfortable. I like creature comforts, so I'll be adding a stereo, heated seats, considering a leather wrapped steering wheel, nice carpet, power windows and so on.

I'm totally lost on paint color (obviously have some time to decide that!), but my first choice would be white. Anyone ever seen one of these with full fenders in all white? I'm a little worried the awesome curves will get lost. It just looks so good in dark colors...

Anyway. Thanks for any input, feedback or suggestions you may have. Also considering doing a video build log. I've been in the video content creation business for the last 10 years so I'm sure I could create informative / entertaining stuff, but not sure if it's worth the extra time and effort. Seems like it's already enough to do just building the darn thing. :-)

[Ltngdrvr]

Hey all, like so many other people on here, I have stalked these pages for the last few years, wondering if I should buy. Finally decided the other day and got my kit ordered!! Looking to take delivery early Nov. Obviously can't wait, but want to use the time between now and then to learn more details and make some of those critical decisions while I still have time to change my mind on some things. So, here is my build plan with a few items as definite choices, and some items as still unsure. Thoughts and comments welcomed.

Gen 3 '33 Hot Rod (definite)
Powder coated chassis (definite)
IRS (definite)
Chevy 883 power with EFI (definite.. crate engine from West Coast Engines... anyone ever use them?)
Tremec T-56 (definite)
Hays Street 650 Clutch (almost definite.. looking for feedback from anyone that has used this clutch kit)
Tilton Hydraulic Throw out bearing ( definite)
Removable Hard Top (definite)
Full Fenders (undecided)
Hood and Sides (undecided.. will depend on full fenders.. I'll either go all the way with full fenders, or go naked with just bike fenders to help with the rocks)
Moser 8.8 rear end (Undecided... still need to decide best gear ratios and is it worth the extra money to go the Moser route vs getting a rebuilt 2015 Mustang rear end)
Limited Slip (undecided... definitely don't want solid axle, but should I go for the torsen diff? Worth it?)
Interior will be all leather including dash.
Auto Meter Spec Pro Gauges (definite)
Infinity Box electrical system (definite)
Seats (undecided... thinking of FFR low back vinyl then custom covering them with high quality foam and leather)
Rear Exhaust (definite)
Standard 33 grill (definite)
Torque Thrust wheels (99% definite)

That's enough I think.

I want to use the car as a driver/cruiser. Hit the coffee and cars events, maybe a car show here and there. I live in the TX hill country so just short weekend trips will be awesome, but I'd also like to trailer it to awesome places for cruising sessions.. Florida Keys, Colorado Rockies, California Cost, etc... Will be taking the wife some of the time so it needs to be reasonably comfortable. I like creature comforts, so I'll be adding a stereo, heated seats, considering a leather wrapped steering wheel, nice carpet, power windows and so on.

I'm totally lost on paint color (obviously have some time to decide that!), but my first choice would be white. Anyone ever seen one of these with full fenders in all white? I'm a little worried the awesome curves will get lost. It just looks so good in dark colors...

Anyway. Thanks for any input, feedback or suggestions you may have. Also considering doing a video build log. I've been in the video content creation business for the last 10 years so I'm sure I could create informative / entertaining stuff, but not sure if it's worth the extra time and effort. Seems like it's already enough to do just building the darn thing. :-)

Well, an 883 engine will be a wooly bear!:p
Didn't see it on your list, but would definitely add a/c from Old Air or Vintage Air, think they are better than the FFR supplied units.
Traction Lok for the rear works fine, Torsen is good for handling and no clutches to crap out, but costs more initially.
Either way you go you'll be fine. 3.55 or 3.73 gears, again, either one will be fine.

One thing I'm confused about on your list, you say IRS is definite, but then you also have a 8.8 Moser rear, that would be a solid axle, not IRS.

[33fromSD]

Congrats, very exciting, looking forward to your build.

On the hydraulic throw out bearing others can comment too but some on this forum have had failures or adjustments needed thus resulting in a lot of work to get the engine / tranny or just tranny pulled to replace in these 33's. These are not normal vehicles and major work after the fact is much more difficult on these kits..

One option is you may want to think about an external hydraulic slave cylinder which is easily replaceable if it ever fails or needs adjustment. I went this route my self after seeing a couple stories about replacing a hydraulic throw out bearing.

Good luck.

Jim

[eaglecook]

Well, an 883 engine will be a wooly bear!:p
Didn't see it on your list, but would definitely add a/c from Old Air or Vintage Air, think they are better than the FFR supplied units.
Traction Lok for the rear works fine, Torsen is good for handling and no clutches to crap out, but costs more initially.
Either way you go you'll be fine. 3.55 or 3.73 gears, again, either one will be fine.

One thing I'm confused about on your list, you say IRS is definite, but then you also have a 8.8 Moser rear, that would be a solid axle, not IRS.

Man, I don't know what it is (Dyslexia kicking in I guess), but I've called the 383 an 883 several times the last week... maybe wishful thinking?.. haha

And the rear end is still a research project for me. I have never really dealt that that aspect of vehicles. Looks like I need to learn more eh? Thanks for the clarification. The IRS is the target for sure.

[eaglecook]

Congrats, very exciting, looking forward to your build.

On the hydraulic throw out bearing others can comment too but some on this forum have had failures or adjustments needed thus resulting in a lot of work to get the engine / tranny or just tranny pulled to replace in these 33's. These are not normal vehicles and major work after the fact is much more difficult on these kits..

One option is you may want to think about an external hydraulic slave cylinder which is easily replaceable if it ever fails or needs adjustment. I went this route my self after seeing a couple stories about replacing a hydraulic throw out bearing.

Good luck.

Jim

Thanks Jim, I'll look into the external slave cylinder. If it make maintenance easier, I'm all for it.

Is your car fitted with the removable hard top? How much of a pain is it to get on and off? Also wanted to ask about the side vents you have. Home made, or taken from something else? Got a close up pic of them?

[RoadRacer]

Throwout bearing is an almost religious subject ;)

The 33 has a lot of packaging considerations around your choice too. I went for internal style because I wanted to maximize foot room for my size 12s, and it being a 3-pedal daily driver. Internal TOB is great packaging. You do run the risk of failure and pulling it out at some point. I'm only at 11,000 miles so can't speak longer than that in this car. Used them past 60k in other cars.

External is going to take up room somewhere right where your feet are (Jim's build thread may show pics of how he got around this) - I started with cable and clutch quadrant but it never felt right to me, and again you have a pivot arm coming out of the transmission.

Everyone here is super helpful though, so do some searching, read opinions, and choose what makes most sense. This is just one of many things you may change once it's on the road anyway ;) They're never done. LOL

[edwardb]

X2 on confusing the Moser solid axle with IRS. If you do IRS (which you list as definite) you won't be using anything from Moser. The 2015+ Mustang center sections for IRS are all from Ford. Either brand new from Ford Performance, which I believe are only available in 3.55. Or salvage where there are many choices and money to be saved. Are a low risk if low mileage and in good condition. They are very robust. All are limited slip. Just depends on whether the lower cost multiple disk type or the Torsen gear type. I've had both. I do like the Torsen. But it does make a little noise. Not objectionable. Just what they do.

The space for the heater-A/C unit in the Hot Rod is pretty limited. Agree a larger Vintage Air or whatever unit would be an upgrade over the smaller Siroco unit that comes with the Factory Five option. But check the space. Not room for a lot more.

I have the Tilton hydraulic TOB in my Coupe. Love it. I've had cable and external hydraulic in previous builds and the internal setup has a noticeably lighter pedal. It's cheaper and easier to install than the external setup. Also really like that it's self-adjusting. Like disk brakes. I get it. Guys are concerned about service issues and what it takes to access it. So far (three seasons) no issues whatsoever and happy with the decision. Clutches are service items and it takes a major teardown to fix/replace those too. But somehow that's never mentioned in the same conversation.

[Ltngdrvr]

Hydraulic TOB's have been used by OEM's for a long time now, and the Tilton unit is just a more universal version of what the OEM's are using.
Properly installed, you should have no issues and plenty of longevity.

As to the IRS, you can pick up complete low mile axle assemblies from a salvage yard for $1000-$1750 depending on ratio and diff type.
With that you get all the pieces you need to complete your IRS install because you get the center section, hub carriers and complete brakes, everything else comes with the FFR kit.
Then all you need to do is some clean up, paint and fresh brake pads, some caliper paint and you are ready to go.

[eaglecook]

I have the Tilton hydraulic TOB in my Coupe. Love it. I've had cable and external hydraulic in previous builds and the internal setup has a noticeably lighter pedal. It's cheaper and easier to install than the external setup. Also really like that it's self-adjusting. Like disk brakes. I get it. Guys are concerned about service issues and what it takes to access it. So far (three seasons) no issues whatsoever and happy with the decision. Clutches are service items and it takes a major teardown to fix/replace those too. But somehow that's never mentioned in the same conversation.

Yea, from what I've read so far the Tilton TOB is the way to go. I am not hard on equipment so as noted by ltngdrvr, I'll just be careful to properly install it and I think it should be fine. Light peddle would be a major plus.

[Kamp]

Gen III, thought we are still on II?

[Ltngdrvr]

Gen III, thought we are still on II?

Yes, Gen II, he was going to order a Type 65 Gen III but changed his mind, think that is where that got stuck in his head.

[33fromSD]

Thanks Jim, I'll look into the external slave cylinder. If it make maintenance easier, I'm all for it.

Is your car fitted with the removable hard top? How much of a pain is it to get on and off? Also wanted to ask about the side vents you have. Home made, or taken from something else? Got a close up pic of them?

I only have the soft top which I primarily only use for winter storage. I didn't want to mess with the hard top.

Jim