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View Full Version : gtrag94 Daytona Coupe build thread in Southwest Michigan



gtrag94
08-31-2022, 12:39 PM
Hi all!

I've had an FFR Daytona Coupe poster on my wall for many years now and watched the promo DVD several times throughout those years with my boys. They're finally getting old enough to help and appreciate and I'm in a place to be able to build one of these amazing looking/sounding/performing things! I've had some fun Fords (Mustang GT, SHO, Turbo Coupe) and an M5 and some 911s but I always gravitate back to the more raw and loud Mustang than the rest. The Daytona Coupe ought to be properly awe-inspiring/obnoxious! :) I suppose I needed a kick in the pants to start this build because after talking about it with my neighbor (neilkuy) over the last couple of months, he surprised me by pulling the trigger himself! He's a great resource for info and fabrication know how, which I admittedly am not. I've worked on cars for 20+ years and ran a very busy shop for several years so I'm fully comfortable working on production cars so this will be a neat/scary change. I've only seen one in person (didn't get to sit in it or hear it) so it totally makes sense to plop some cash down to build one, right? I'm pretty average build and decently flexible so not worried about fitting in it at least.

I put in my order on 8/30/22 which is about 2 weeks behind neilkuy's.
Complete Kit
Powedercoating
GPS gauges
302/351W mounts
302 headers
Manual Clutch
31 spline for Tremec TKX w/IRS
Body cut-outs
High back seats
Power steering kit
IRS
A/C - Heater-Defroster
Wipers
Carpet
Leather steering wheel
Side windows
Aero Vents
EFI In-Tank Fuel System
Double Adjustable KONIs for IRS
IRS center section, spindles, and hubs
Wilwoods front and rear (red calipers)
shipping by Stewart

I have a list of questions that I'd love help with. Much like neilkuy's car, I'm not a garage queen or track guy. It would be awesome to get in, drive anywhere (I understand a cross country road trip is not really smart/feasible), and park it. Reliable, looks amazing, reasonably comfortable (roof required in case of popup shower). Also looking in the 300-350 hp range because the power-to-weight would be more than enough.

ENGINE
The Blueprint 347 looks very interesting. I've priced donor engines but by the time you rebuild to get the same power, you're getting pretty close but without the trusted name and warranty. Resale is always on my mind but wouldn't be the plan for this build. In either case, I'd love to use Jim Inglese's stack fuel injection for the best of all worlds (looks and reliability). No real experience with carburetors but I'm a little afraid of no starts/messing around with it to get it to get home after work, etc.

TRANSMISSION
I always thought I wanted a 6 speed because that was the hot thing growing up but I think I'm realizing that 5 speeds is enough for a light car. TKX just seems to make sense over a T5 because the T5 would be at it's limit and the TKO is similar to the TKX but without the improvements. With manual brakes, doesn't it make sense to use a manual clutch? Otherwise you have one very low effort pedal and one very high? Why not make them both higher effort? My Mustang had a manual clutch and was fine but the 911 has a hydraulic and is nice, just not the same experience (and it seems this car's experience can handle the unrefined nature).

BRAKES AND SUSPENSION
From what I've read, the KONIs that come with it are valved for street. Probably worth leaving alone and not doing double adjustable but may be a requirement for track-focused resale? Also, are there any benefits to them otherwise (such as setting ride height on the car vs having to take them off, etc)? As you can tell, I've never adjusted coilovers. :)

I hear the Wilwoods are worth it, even though they're crazy expensive. It seems that the Complete Kit assumes you'll use them because of the pedal assembly/master cylinders? Being my first build, I'm trying to keep things as simple as possible and not have to re-create the wheel/do a ton of modifications to cobble something together to work. As a general rule in life, I'm not a fan of adapters and enjoy cleanly-designed, purpose-built things. :)

OTHERS
Gauges - the FFR GPS gauge option look like Speedhut but not quite? They're not reverse read like Speedhut has on their website for this application but they do have plenty of range (180 mph and 8k tach). Do others still just decline the gauges and buy their own instead of the FFR version?

Battery cutoff - I've heard don't do for fuel injection because then it has to relearn adaptations and driveability will suffer. I'm quite used to having a maintainer plugged in for infrequently used cars and not an issue. Any other reason to have a battery cutoff? Safety (even if just for street/no track use)?

The Type 65 forum has been bookmarked and has been logging more screen time lately and I know there's much more to come. Thanks in advance for this whole community and providing the help we all need to build our dreams!

Jim1855
08-31-2022, 01:33 PM
Welcome.
Jim

Salty Chief 35
08-31-2022, 04:48 PM
Where in SW Michigan are you? I grew up In Kalamazoo but moved south decades ago. Best of luck on your build, sounds awesome!
Respectfully
Jeremie

gtrag94
08-31-2022, 08:48 PM
I'm in Grand Rapids... nice place! :)

gtrag94
08-31-2022, 09:21 PM
171858

Here's my screenshot of a spreadsheet comparing BP Engine offerings. I kinda wish they had a ~320 hp aluminum head offering... that jump from 235 hp to 370 hp is huge! The jump from a 370 hp 306 to a 410 hp 347 also gets you forged pistons and rods and is only $900. Quite a deal compared to a lot of the other options/upgrades they offer. FWIW, I called today and they're a 6-8 month lead time. $2,000 down gets you on the build list, balance due on completion. $399 shipping via FedEx with liftgate to get it to the ground for you.

edwardb
08-31-2022, 09:46 PM
Congrats on your order! We love our Coupe over here in SE Michigan. In it's second full driving season and just turned 5,000 miles. Build thread in my sig line below FWIW. Some statements of feedback from your post:

- Agree T5 is not the right choice. TKO is discontinued and replaced by the TKX. So no decision there. I have a T-56 in mine and like it a lot. Having two overdrives, without a big gap between 4th and 5th like the TKX, is very nice. Unlike the Roadster where it's a tight fit, the T-56 fits easily into the Coupe.

- Double adjustable shocks are just that. Adjust both rebound and compression. The adjustments can be made without removing the shock. The standard red Koni's are single adjustable. Only rebound, and must be removed to adjust. I've had both, and for street driving once set, haven't changed them. For track use, the external double adjustable certainly has merit. But they're nice on the street as well. According to FFR, the lowest settings (where I have mine) give a slightly more compliant ride than the standard red Koni's. Neither shock needs to be removed to adjust ride height. There's a similar collar adjustment against the coilover spring on both.

- The Wilwood pedal box will work with any brand brakes. Not just Wilwood. No extra adapters or whatever.

- I'd encourage you to consider a hydraulic clutch. The most common external slave style isn't a huge difference in effort compared to a standard cable. I've had both. My Coupe has an internal hydraulic throw-out bearing (Tilton) which I'm very happy with. Has slightly less effort, is cheaper, and is self-adjusting. A feature I really like. IMO the effort required for brakes vs. clutch isn't a decision factor for cable vs. hydraulic.

- The GPS gauge set (https://www.factoryfiveparts.com/60311-type-65-coupe-gps-gauge-set-mph/) is in fact from Speedhut. What I have in mine and very happy with them. Only reason to buy direct IMO would be if you want custom colors or faces. Otherwise, just get the ones from Factory Five.

- There are a couple ways to wire a master cut-off and still leave a hot wire to the engine computer. No bigee. I have a master cut-off on mine for safety but mainly just to power it off for our nice Michigan winter hibernation. Plus when I'm doing maintenance. Some also consider them a security device. But that's not a big reason for me.

- Don't see wheels on your list. If you're not planning the Factory Five wheels, you have some homework to do for diameter, width and backspacing. I'm far from an expert on this topic as I've always used the Factory Five wheels. Lots of discussion and information on the forum about this topic.

Good luck and welcome.

gtrag94
09-01-2022, 09:23 PM
Thanks so much for the thoughtful and very helpful reply. You’ve helped so many on this forum and we all appreciate it! I hope to get over to the east side sometime soon and will definitely see if you’re available to meet up.

As for wheels, I’ve always liked the FR500 wheels and saw one car on here with Forgestar F14s which look really good on them. I’m still kicking around the thought of the Halibrands and the paint color. As many of these as I’ve looked at you’d think I’d have a picture in my head but I just don’t. It’s never felt real to me because it always felt “out there.” Gonna have to start letting it really sink in!