Trying to budget out 65 Coupe - PAINT and BODYWORK COST? also Engine Costs

[fixedgear]

I am budgeting out a Coupe build for the next winter. I WON'T be building an engine OR doing any paint and body work. Everything else will be done by my friend and myself. There will be all new parts, no donor car.

Budget so far.....

$31,000 for complete Kit, 8.8 (3 link), Wilwood upgrade front and rear, 17in Halibrands, tires, TKO 600 ( lightweight flywheel,scattershield, clutch).....basically everything but engine.

$12,000 (max budget) for 302 stroker turnkey crate (found EFI 425 hp 347 for $10,500 and the 363 Boss 500 hp strokers for a bit more). I want this thing to rip.

I want to come in at under $50,000 complete.

The thing is I have no idea how much body work will be needed on the Coupe. I just want a solid color and racing stripes (not doing the blue and white....thinking red/silver stripes or something. Nothing insane, just a professional paint job.

Total paint and body costs that you have incurred would be helpful.

Also, any links to better deals on engines would be great. (really leaning towards EFI) (looking at 302 over 351W do to lighter weight and shorter deck height...I don't want to modify ANYTHING on the body to make the engine fit but 351W are easy to make power with).

Thanks.

[Racer 28]

Engine prices are based on how complete and what kind of EFI. Stack injection will run you much more then say a FAST or Powerjection system, and is that price Dynoed? Carb. to Pan with pulleys, fuel pump, plugs/wires and distributor? For paint you can figure about 8-10k for a nice paint job.

[fixedgear]

Engine prices are based on how complete and what kind of EFI. Stack injection will run you much more then say a FAST or Powerjection system, and is that price Dynoed? Carb. to Pan with pulleys, fuel pump, plugs/wires and distributor? For paint you can figure about 8-10k for a nice paint job.

Stacks are cool but I am not looking for pure retro (don't like the 5.0 look though), FAST or Powerjection is fine. I am not sure how it performs though. I want something easier and less finicky than a carburator.

I was looking at a ready to go engine to drop in, although I don't know what kind of accessory pulleys are needed. The engine I was looking at was EFI to Pan but with no waterpump or accessories.

Basically, I want a reliable engine that will be enough to make the car formidable on the street and track.

I was guessing 8K for paint.

Another question - how do these cars perform with correct power, 3 link suspension? I assume better than most any car on the road within reason.
I know the car is light but will the GT Brake setup (in the kit) be fine or are the $2100 Wilwood brakes a good idea?

I was comparing the FFR 65 Coupe to the Superlite Coupe www.superlitecars.com That is a mid engine (Chevy LS / G50 transaxle) exotic car - about $75,000 fully built with 500 hp LS3. Except for top speed I could see the Coupe hanging with a SLC.

[Racer 28]

Brakes wise if you get the Kit Brakes you should be fine for regular street driving and the occasional road course run, If you decide to go auto cross/race it seriously later down the road then you can easily upgrade to the Wilwoods and sell the GT Kit Brakes on the forum. The Type 65 Coupe looks sexier then the SLC.

[fixedgear]

Brakes wise if you get the Kit Brakes you should be fine for regular street driving and the occasional road course run, If you decide to go auto cross/race it seriously later down the road then you can easily upgrade to the Wilwoods and sell the GT Kit Brakes on the forum. The Type 65 Coupe looks sexier then the SLC.

I REALLY miss my 65 Mustang that I made look like a Trans-Am series racer / restomod. That is why I am leaning towards the coupe. I could see the SLC getting REALLY out of hand budgetwise - that LS7 calling my name is $20K. $50K complete for the COUPE is for a totally built awesome machine. The SLC is awesome and so is the Coupe, both are rare as I have never even SEEN one in person.

Is it possible to build the Coupe to hit 0-60 in 3 sec, 1/4 mi in 10s, and 170mph + top speed?

[Shawnski]

I REALLY miss my 65 Mustang that I made look like a Trans-Am series racer / restomod. That is why I am leaning towards the coupe. I could see the SLC getting REALLY out of hand budgetwise - that LS7 calling my name is $20K. $50K complete for the COUPE is for a totally built awesome machine. The SLC is awesome and so is the Coupe, both are rare as I have never even SEEN one in person.

Is it possible to build the Coupe to hit 0-60 in 3 sec, 1/4 mi in 10s, and 170mph + top speed?

Vehicle Weight With Driver : 2500
Vehicle Wheel Horsepower : 400

Quater Mile: 10.73@127.035 MPH

Please note that this is an approximate figure based on almost perfect driving. Do not rely on this as 100% accurate. If you want to know your actual 1/4 mile time and trap speed, you will have to visit a track.

[fixedgear]

I just didn't know how they hook up or how they handle. Bench racing is one thing, real world is another. I know the power to weight ratio in this Coupe will be quite solid.

[riptide motorsport]

They hook up quite well actually.

[fixedgear]

I priced out the Superlite Coupe. Uh.....

$55,000 for a Roller (EVERYTHING except engine and transaxle includes wheels/tires, interior, body gel coated color choice, etc)
$11,000 Blueprint Engines 605hp/540ft LS3 Crate Engine (LS7 base ZO6 505 hp engine is over $14,000!) - LS376/ 525 hp crate is $7700
$6000 - $17,000 for transaxle - Porsche G50 to Ricardo Transaxle (Ford GT) - I heard you can find G50s for $7000 with limited slip


Call it roughly $70 - 75,000 for the SLC vs $50,000 for the FFR 65 Coupe.....hmmmm

SLC is probably quicker to build (no painting, comes as a roller with suspension in place but not torqued) and a good bit faster (even with just a 480 hp LS3).
65 Coupe has the vintage kick-assness that I miss in my Mustang and is no slouch in the performance department.

Both cars are sexy as can be in very different ways. I will have to see how my job is going come late fall. I may be ordering one of the two kits.

[Benji]

Honestly, I don't want to start any wars here or cause offense but I have a feeling that in anything other than a straight line a stock SL-C will walk a stock Coupe easily and by quite some margin.

[Movieman]

Honestly, I don't want to start any wars here or cause offense but I have a feeling that in anything other than a straight line a stock SL-C will walk a stock Coupe easily and by quite some margin.
Not to worry..Seriously the people here are adults and don't react childishly when they read comments like this..
Now if your house burns, your computer is hacked, your wife runs off with your best friend, you lose your job and your parents refuse to ever speak to you again it had nothing to do with the people here.. Just keep repeating that over and over and over......:D

[Timb]

No offense Benji and I also think you are right. Don't forget the SLC set several track records this last year.

[tjmotter]

You might want to check out the Bat's site: http://www.millercustoms.com/home.htm

He provides pricing for pretty much any option you might want and is the gold standard for quality. He is a pretty good distance from me but I was able to use his price as guidance to ensure that my local painter was being honest (found a couple that clearly didn't want the work based on their quotes)