Reflecting on my build plan over the past 4 years.

[Martin]

I had a few minutes to look back over my past threads and re-read everyone's helpful responses. I went back right to the beginning, and realised how much my build plan hasn't changed much.

What I wanted to use the car for hasn't changed, but I've added so many mods to it over the years and my engine needs have really ramped up. If I come out under 2600lb (no driver or fuel) I'll be lucky!

I started out at 350hp as a maximum number, now I am looking at 550hp... the engine is the last thing I need to complete the build now. I keep justifying it by telling myself that I've added a lot more weight to the car than I initially planned.

Needless to say, it was a good reality check.

It got me thinking about how much the plans of others changed from the first idea, to first "on the road", to a few years down the road. I know a few have been through a few reincarnations, just curious how much and how often.

Martin

ps. I know everyone has a lot of emotional attachment to their builds, but hopefully my build will be able to give something back to the community with a few innovative mods as well. The next 6 months are going to be very entertaining!

[bil1024]

Looking foward to your posts

[mrmustang]

I had a few minutes to look back over my past threads and re-read everyone's helpful responses. I went back right to the beginning, and realised how much my build plan hasn't changed much.

What I wanted to use the car for hasn't changed, but I've added so many mods to it over the years and my engine needs have really ramped up. If I come out under 2600lb (no driver or fuel) I'll be lucky!

I started out at 350hp as a maximum number, now I am looking at 550hp... the engine is the last thing I need to complete the build now. I keep justifying it by telling myself that I've added a lot more weight to the car than I initially planned.

Needless to say, it was a good reality check.

It got me thinking about how much the plans of others changed from the first idea, to first "on the road", to a few years down the road. I know a few have been through a few reincarnations, just curious how much and how often.

Martin

ps. I know everyone has a lot of emotional attachment to their builds, but hopefully my build will be able to give something back to the community with a few innovative mods as well. The next 6 months are going to be very entertaining!

Martin,

My advice, stick to your original 350HP goal as 550HP unless thgis will be a track only vehicle. 550hp will make the car unpleasant to drive on a semi daily basis, especially in a car weighing in at 2,600lbs. Been there, done that on several occasions (big and small block powered high HP monsters).


Bill S.

[riptide motorsport]

I agree With Bill.

[Martin]

I've been thinking about this a lot over the last two weeks. I think 350/350 at the wheels is plenty - more than enough for my needs.

With a 351 stroked to a 427, getting the bigger numbers isn't that much more expensive - even so, I think I will scale back to much, much closer to the original numbers.

Martin

[Bob Cowan]

I would have to disagree. I love all the power my car can make. Although I rarely (if ever) make all that power on the street, it is truly a joy to drive. Sometimes I go out and just drive around for a couple of hours - wander aimlessly. It's very relaxing.

It's not about how much power the engine can make, it's how you get there.

I think most builders change their plans a bit as the build progresses. Especially a first time builder. You have an idea/plan in your head. But you've never done this before. So things will change a bit as it goes along. My car is very differant today compared to the day I "finished" it. I don't look at it as a completed car any more. I look at it as a rolling project.

[SCFFR]

Martin,
You could split the difference and go with a 408/410 stroker engine that will give you close to 450 hp. Regardless of whatever you choose, it will be a great ride.

Ron

[Martin]

With the economy the way it is, a 427 has better resale if the unimaginable should happen.

I think I'm going for the smallest 427 known to man kind, with a wide band of power and torque.

[Mark Dougherty]

Martin
Asking this forum how much HP is right is like trying to ask them who you should be married to. It is a very personal choice. Every answer is going to be different.
Go with what your heart tells you, then make it the best it can be. You already have a great start on your car and I am proud to be apart of it. I think these guys are going to love the mods you have come up with.

BTW no one ever told Dick Smith he had to much HP in his Cobra the big trick is to get the advertised hp to become actual HP now there is the real trick.
Later
Mark D

[FFinisher]

I agree With Bill.
I agree with Riptide.

[Martin]

Martin
Asking this forum how much HP is right is like trying to ask them who you should be married to. It is a very personal choice. Every answer is going to be different.
Go with what your heart tells you, then make it the best it can be. You already have a great start on your car and I am proud to be apart of it. I think these guys are going to love the mods you have come up with.

BTW no one ever told Dick Smith he had to much HP in his Cobra the big trick is to get the advertised hp to become actual HP now there is the real trick.
Later
Mark D





Thanks Mark. To be honest, I haven't come up with any mods. They all came from the forums, then you came up with a few and improved others.

Desperate to get the car into the UK so I can start to touch it. I'm one very small step away from the loony bin waiting for it now. I might go into the garage and rub wd40 all over my body to ease the excitement!

[CraigS]

Your current plan will be perfect. SInce a small block can now become a big block there is no longer a weight penalty like there is w/ an FE. A mild 427 will be wonderful to drive. You can easily have 450-500 very easy to live with horse power. Make sure you have a long gas pedal travel so it's easy to control the power and you will do fine.

[Gumball]

Martin,

I went the other way with my build plan versus execution; lots of changes. I planned my build for seven years while doing other car projects, and have been working on the build for just over three years. Originally, I was planning on an occasional track car with fuel injection (mostly stock Ford engine) but with full-on vintage race car looks. Well, now I have an actual build that is going to be a street car only, but with a 347 that is putting out around 400hp/400tq and looks like a 427 S/C engine. On the outside, the racecar plans gave way to something that I hope will look like a street-going S/C in British Racing Green with no stripes and bumpers instead of quick jacks. These forums helped me develop a vision for my car and the sharing of ideas is truly one of the joys of these projects.

[mikiec]

4 years to build and still going. I envy your will power.

Mine took 3 months to build and I thought it was a long time.

Mike

[Martin]

4 years to build and still going. I envy your will power.

Mine took 3 months to build and I thought it was a long time.

Mike

4 years and my kit isn't even in the UK yet! It's been my kit for 11 months, but it's been in the USA getting modified for RHD ever since.

With any luck, I'll have it on the road by the end of summer 2013. Probably not painted, but on the road.

Martin