Marshall's Coupe Build

[marshallmosty]

Well, I guess it's my turn to start a thread too.

I've always wanted to build a kit car of some flavor and after seeing the FF Type65 I knew that was the direction I wanted to go. I originally wanted it for a 40th b-day present but I bought a '57 Chevy Belair when I was 39... and that took the Daytona time/money away. Fast forward five years and the Belair is done and my wife (finance committee) said that I needed to "sell one to buy one". Three days later the Belair was sold and on it's way to Sweden and I had pulled the trigger on my dream car, which should arrive shortly after my 45th B-day. Better late than never...

Anyway, I opted for:

Complete Kit
302/351 Engine Mounts
Driveshaft for a TKX
Body Cutouts
Standard Black Vinyl Seats
Power Steering
3-Link
A/C and Heat Option
Wipers
14" leather wheel
Side windows
Front Swaybar
EFI Fuel system
Hydraulic Clutch

I'm going to have it shipped bare and have it powdercoated "Silver Hammertone" from Cardinal Paints (PN: T065-GR05)

I've selected a Blueprint 408 with their front drive kit and a Sniper EFI system.
The TKX has the 10-spline input shaft so the gear ratio set on that transmission favors a 3.08:1 rear gear so that's what I'm going to do.

I have a Fox housing with SN95 axles already with a stock Ford Trackloc that I'm going to use the alternating clutch/steel pack with a F150 bias spring to round out the diff. I used this combination on a NASA American Iron Mustang that I raced in the past and that diff lasted 12 seasons before it went bye-bye. That should be plenty strong for a street car.

I have some Enkei RPF1 17x9.5 wheels from the American Iron car that will give me a 275/40-17 square tire setup (I know I could go bigger in the rear, but I'm using wheels I already have).

I bought a set of Alcon 4-pot front calipers and floating 13" rotors off a race buddy for the front of the car and will use 11.65" Cobra rear brakes on the back (again repurposed from the AI car).

My production date is 7-Jan-2023, and I've already coordinated with Stewart for the shipment logistics so hopefully I will have it "home" by the end of January.
I talked with Blueprint and told them I didn't need the engine until late Feb, so they are slow playing my build. I could probably wait even longer but wanted to pull the trigger back in June since prices of everything was going crazy then.


Anyway, I'll keep everyone posted once the new "mistress" (as my wife likes to call my projects) arrives, LOL.


I'm in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex so if there are any coupe owners in the area, I'd love to network to pick your brain and maybe see your builds to give me inspiration, ideas, and solutions to problems I don't even know exist yet.

[burchfieldb]

Well, I guess it's my turn to start a thread too.

I've always wanted to build a kit car of some flavor and after seeing the FF Type65 I knew that was the direction I wanted to go. I originally wanted it for a 40th b-day present but I bought a '57 Chevy Belair when I was 39... and that took the Daytona time/money away. Fast forward five years and the Belair is done and my wife (finance committee) said that I needed to "sell one to buy one". Three days later the Belair was sold and on it's way to Sweden and I had pulled the trigger on my dream car, which should arrive shortly after my 45th B-day. Better late than never...

Anyway, I opted for:

Complete Kit
302/351 Engine Mounts
Driveshaft for a TKX
Body Cutouts
Standard Black Vinyl Seats
Power Steering
3-Link
A/C and Heat Option
Wipers
14" leather wheel
Side windows
Front Swaybar
EFI Fuel system
Hydraulic Clutch

I'm going to have it shipped bare and have it powdercoated "Silver Hammertone" from Cardinal Paints (PN: T065-GR05)

I've selected a Blueprint 408 with their front drive kit and a Sniper EFI system.
The TKX has the 10-spline input shaft so the gear ratio set on that transmission favors a 3.08:1 rear gear so that's what I'm going to do.

I have a Fox housing with SN95 axles already with a stock Ford Trackloc that I'm going to use the alternating clutch/steel pack with a F150 bias spring to round out the diff. I used this combination on a NASA American Iron Mustang that I raced in the past and that diff lasted 12 seasons before it went bye-bye. That should be plenty strong for a street car.

I have some Enkei RPF1 17x9.5 wheels from the American Iron car that will give me a 275/40-17 square tire setup (I know I could go bigger in the rear, but I'm using wheels I already have).

I bought a set of Alcon 4-pot front calipers and floating 13" rotors off a race buddy for the front of the car and will use 11.65" Cobra rear brakes on the back (again repurposed from the AI car).

My production date is 7-Jan-2023, and I've already coordinated with Stewart for the shipment logistics so hopefully I will have it "home" by the end of January.
I talked with Blueprint and told them I didn't need the engine until late Feb, so they are slow playing my build. I could probably wait even longer but wanted to pull the trigger back in June since prices of everything was going crazy then.


Anyway, I'll keep everyone posted once the new "mistress" (as my wife likes to call my projects) arrives, LOL.


I'm in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex so if there are any coupe owners in the area, I'd love to network to pick your brain and maybe see your builds to give me inspiration, ideas, and solutions to problems I don't even know exist yet.

Welcome to the club! It is always interesting to see other builds.

[GT_Rich]

Congrats and welcome. I am also currently building a Coupe with a 351 based stroker (427), TKX, and 3 link. You'll find this to be an uncommon combination. A couple comments, hopefully they help. The TKX I have is 26 spline. Do they actually sell a 10 spline TKX? And even then, why would you want it? I have personally seen twisted 10 spline input shafts. No thanks.

I also race other stuff with small block Fords and 8.8 rear ends so I understand why you're going this route. The familiarity is nice.

Your may find that's not enough rear brake. I would put a 5/8 MC on the rear circuit and put a bigger caliper on it. A caliper from a late 90s Taurus is 6mm bigger and is a drop in replacement. I personally made my own brackets to run Brembo rear brakes from a 6th gen Camaro V8. They work with 13" Cobra rotors. I made a thread about it.

Breeze Automotive sells a really nice rear lower control arm kit with offset spacers and rod ends. It's takes all the bind out of the rear suspension. FFR should deliver the kit this way in my opinion. You'll see them on my build thread.

[marshallmosty]

Thanks for the inputs, Rich! I appreciate it.
I will definitely check out the calipers as well as the control arms.

[Skuzzy]

I agree with GT_Rich about the TKX. You really do not want to use the 10 spline input shaft. The 26 spline is much stronger.

[marshallmosty]

The TKX I've purchased is TCET18086. It's advertised as being able to support 600+ Ft/Lb of torque. I've had it for over six months, so I'm stuck with it. Speedway motors had a deal on a "driveline kit" that coupled that transmission with a steel SFI bellhousing, SFI steel flywheel, Ram clutch, hydraulic throwout bearing, and a fastener kit for a pretty sweet price during the summer so I jumped on it.

1st: 3.27
2nd: 1.98
3rd: 1.34
4th: 1.00
5th: 0.72

I called and spoke with Tremec's tech line this morning and they assured me that it will live a happy and healthy life behind a 450HP/475TQ 351 without batting an eye.
The 10-spline input shaft is hardened and is rated at the same 600 Ft/Lb torque carrying capacity as the 26-spline input shaft.

According to Tremec, 10-spline option is offered to make it a direct replacement for the T-5 without a clutch swap.

[marshallmosty]

I received a call from Stewart Transportation yesterday and my coupe should be delivered between the 24th and 26th!!
It's about to get real, folks!

[burchfieldb]

Congrats! It is an adventure.