YEG Edmonton, Alberta Parts, Services, and Legal Stuff for MKIV Roadster

Hi. I've searched and could not find a post that deals with all the "logistical" stuff associated with building a roadster in Edmonton, Alberta. (I did start one thread on registration, but I'll regenerate here.) I'm hoping this one thread will be a good spot for everyone in the YEG Edmonton, Alberta area to share their knowledge and questions for the following:

- Shipping and transportation of kits from FFR (costs, who are the companies, customs and broker stuff, Transport Canada, etc.)
- Suppliers for Canadian completion parts (I know about Valins... great guy, but are there other sources? Also, shipping of completion parts to YEG area)
- Inspection, Registration, and Insurance (must-haves for Alberta registration? Defroster? Windshield wipers? Full bumpers (blech!), services shops / mechanics that are familiar with inspection for these builds, etc.)
- Pre-owned tools and supplies that people no longer need and are willing to sell (body bucks, chassis / wheel rollers, rivet guns, lizard skin spray tools, engine stand, etc.)
- Pre-owned parts (used or unused) that builders no longer need and are willing to sell

Thanks!

32J

Could have just kept going on your other thread but here goes....

- Shipping and transportation of kits from FFR (costs, who are the companies, customs and broker stuff
>>> The least expensive route is using Stewart (who only delivers within the US). They have special trucks for the FFR kits and do not require it to be crated. They will deliver to a border location where you meet them and you will bring across the border personally. I used a UHaul pickup truck with 12 foot trailer. THe boxes went in the pickup and the chassis, body, etc in the trailer. Worked well. For me the Stewart bill was around 2400USD and about 150Cdn for Uhaul. If you don't do it this way, you will have to pay the crate fee (800 to 900USD) and the freight will be much more expensive.

, Transport Canada, etc
>>> Okay, read the Canadian import procedure on the FFR web site. THey have detailed this perfectly and I don't think anyone can explain it any simpler or better. I followed the instructions regarding Transport Canada to the letter and it worked with no issues whatsoever https://www.factoryfive.com/order-a-...tional-orders/ You need this paperwork when you bring the kit across the border but no one asked me for it.

Canadian Completion kits
- My advice is use Ryan, it can't get any simpler. Tell him what options you want and ordered and he takes care of the rest. He places a separate order with FFR and has it drop shipped to you (not the border). The only bummer is you're now paying for more freight instead of being included with the kit. The only other Cdn kit source is Whitby and they have a terrible reputation for service.

Each province has their own requirements for vehicles. You'll need local knowledge for that. What I can tell you is that there are some inspectors that are "hot rod" friendly and others who aren't. To state the obvious, find one that is :)

Good luck
Steve

P.S. have you seen this link https://www.tremec.com/calculadora.php ? will give you an idea what speed you'll be doing at what RPM. 3.55 gears with the 0.64 OD is a very nice street combination for the Coyote. It's what I went with for my 347 - 450hp. In my trips around the block (not street legal yet) I don't even have to shift out of 1st. At 1500 RPM in OD you'll be doing in the 50mph range, great for the highway....

Thanks for that info.

I found this site that charts all the gear shifts for different transmission setups:

https://www.blocklayer.com/rpm-gear.aspx

I've been comparing the different shift points with different set-ups. The 3.55 and the 0.64 looks good.

Attachment 135490

32J

Stewart shipping is easily the most cost effective. The only issue I had was it was impossible to get a exact date to meet the truck and my job has me out of town regularly. I had them deliver the kit to At The Border Storage in Sweetgrass and picked it up there. Cost an extra $200.00 for storing everything for a week.
Used Whitby for the deleted parts in the Canadian kit and wouldn’t recommend them. Took months to get parts and some shipped to wrong customer took longer.

Some more info. Summit Racing has the best shipping rates to Canada as compared to any of the other performance suppliers in the states. Avoid anybody using UPS. Their customs and brokerage fees are horrible. For regular parts Rock Auto has great prices and shipping rates. Just don’t get the economy option on the parts. They are usually from China and the quality can be hit and miss.

I am in Airdrie and use the local Auto Value for things I need right now or need to test fit (accessory drive belts etc) and return if not correct. Get to know the people behind the counter, explain what you’re building and they can be very accomidating.

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Originally Posted by Norm B

Avoid anybody using UPS. Their customs and brokerage fees are horrible.

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You can do your own clearing. It certainly becomes worthwhile with higher value shipments.

I used an online brokerage service for some stuff clearit.ca worked great!!

All great advice here, get your request into Transport Canada as soon as possible as it can sometimes take a bit of time for them to respond, they took two months for mine. I met my kit at the Sweetgrass crossing also, I was given the phone number for the Stewart driver and he let me know when he was going to be at the border, it worked out well as he required down time so was there overnight. Didn't need brokerage as you just do that all at the border as bring it back across, make sure you have ALL your paperwork with you.

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Originally Posted by SDhemmings

All great advice here, get your request into Transport Canada as soon as possible as it can sometimes take a bit of time for them to respond, they took two months for mine. I met my kit at the Sweetgrass crossing also, I was given the phone number for the Stewart driver and he let me know when he was going to be at the border, it worked out well as he required down time so was there overnight. Didn't need brokerage as you just do that all at the border as bring it back across, make sure you have ALL your paperwork with you.

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In addition to the great advice above, if you plan to pick up your kit at the border, don’t get your completion items at the same time. This will put you in violation of the Transport Canada authorization to import. If the customs agent wants to be picky, you will have a problem. Have the extra items drop shipped to you or arrange a different pickup time. When I imported my kit they only wanted to see the final invoice from FFR to determine the GST I needed to pay.

All you need to tell them at the border is that you are importing car parts. Don't say "car" because then you open up a bigger can of worms. That is a totally different import process. They really just want the GST money. If I were to do it again, I would have the extra parts sent with my kit and if needed I would have the border storage people hang on to them for a few hours. I would drive the trailer back across the border disconnect then go back and get the other parts. They are just car parts again. The cost of shipping from Whitbys or Valins is so expensive "I want to say $1500" also you need to find a broker also pay them, what a headache. If that's to risky for you, you can source all the extra parts in Canada or order from Summit racing.

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Originally Posted by 32J

Hi. I've searched and could not find a post that deals with all the "logistical" stuff associated with building a roadster in Edmonton, Alberta. (I did start one thread on registration, but I'll regenerate here.) I'm hoping this one thread will be a good spot for everyone in the YEG Edmonton, Alberta area to share their knowledge and questions for the following:

- Shipping and transportation of kits from FFR (costs, who are the companies, customs and broker stuff, Transport Canada, etc.)
- Suppliers for Canadian completion parts (I know about Valins... great guy, but are there other sources? Also, shipping of completion parts to YEG area)
- Inspection, Registration, and Insurance (must-haves for Alberta registration? Defroster? Windshield wipers? Full bumpers (blech!), services shops / mechanics that are familiar with inspection for these builds, etc.)
- Pre-owned tools and supplies that people no longer need and are willing to sell (body bucks, chassis / wheel rollers, rivet guns, lizard skin spray tools, engine stand, etc.)
- Pre-owned parts (used or unused) that builders no longer need and are willing to sell

Thanks!

32J

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Following up to see if you got any specific feedback on registration in Alberta or if you made the go no go decision. I'm especially interested in the (blech) full bumper comment as I am thinking about a type 65 and can envision bumpers on that. I have gleaned from other posts wipers an a defroster / blower are a requirement in AB

I'm going without the bumpers for now as no one has confirmed otherwise.

There was a speed shop in Edmonton (West Edmonton?) that carries a lot of small parts and odd supplies that roadster / FFR builders find extremely useful. I can't remember their name! Can anyone help me out? Thanks.

Mopac they stock lots of stuff and can order other items for you. The staff there also know their products. I bought lots of parts from them
David W

Yes! That's the one, it was Mopac. Thanks for the reminder. I'm writing it down in my project book, this time.

Hi all,

Has anyone been able to answer the question about Alberta registration requirements (wipers,
/defrost - sounds like yes, bumpers?, anything else, etc.). Getting ready to finalize my order and want to make sure I order what I need!

Thanks for the heads up on MOPAC…looks like a good local resource.

Thanks,

Darcy
Calgary

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Originally Posted by DBK73

Hi all, Has anyone been able to answer the question about Alberta registration requirements (wipers,
/defrost - sounds like yes, bumpers?, anything else, etc.). Getting ready to finalize my order and want to make sure I order what I need!
Darcy
Calgary

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I'm surprised you haven't received any replies on your questions, I know there are lot's of Albertans on the forum that have had to deal with this.

You might be able to search on-line to see what the requirements are.
I'm in BC, so I may have had to meet slightly different requirements. I was required to have a working defogger, wipers, and daytime running lights, in addition to all the normal stuff, horn t/signals, etc. etc.
Now it turned out that several builders never bothered with a heater/defogger, and still passed inspection. That may depend on the individual inspector, or it may have been that the inspector just assumed that every car in our West Coast climate, would naturally have one. I know my inspector never asked me to turn the defogger on, or as far as I could tell, even glanced at the dash cowl, to see if I had vents.
The inspector did want to see the wipers working, hear the horn, and checked the headlights, for proper hi-low aiming. Never tested the e-brake, but was impressed with the seat belts. I had the same shop do a four wheel alignment while it was there for inspection, so he looked over the underside, but never went overboard checking things. He briefly looked under the hood, but more out of curiosity then anything.

Good luck with your build!

Definitely very dependent on the inspector in BC and something you should check into for Alberta. Find one (person or facility) that is familiar and friendly towards the roadster. It also depends on the car details - as a 33 Ford Replica my very hot rod friendly inspector basically rationalized that there weren't many car features available back in the day and so wasn't looking for much. The inspection report ticked all the boxes for signals, lights, horn but I know for a fact they weren't checked. He didn't care I didn't have wipers or bumpers. Did spend a fair bit of time under the car presumably checking the mechanical integrity ensuring it was at least safe on the road.

I passed inspection 2 years ago with a shop in Edmonton. I did NOT require bumpers, defroster, side turn signals or rear brake light that the inspection sheet calls for. He has inspected several Cobras and will thoroughly inspect the suspension, brakes and steering to ensure it is sound and safe.

My inspection on my Coupe 2 years ago was similar to JMJ. The mechanic checked the safety items but but did not look for items the car was not designed for. There are stories of inspectors asking for all kinds of stuff that makes no sense. Many of us in Edmonton go to Fountain Tire St Albert, not sure who does them in Calgary.
David W

Thanks guys…I have some time, so hopefully I can find a friendly inspector here. I’m planning for a heater/defroster already, but definitely want to avoid the bumper hoops!