Coupe-R build in Seattle

[Jphoenix]

OK, completion date is getting close, 7/20, so I'm going to start my build thread with the list of stuff. I plan to race the Coupe-R in both SOVREN (vintage racing) and ICSCC, aka "Conference" which is a consortium of five racing clubs in the Pacific Northwest. I'll be road racing - typically 30 minute races at the 5 tracks up here, Pacific Raceways, The Ridge, Portland International, Spokane County (now Qlispe Raceway) and Mission up in B.C. I don't autocross or track day. I currently race a Formula Ford - which I shall continue as it keeps me very honest and there is a lot of competition in the FF class up here.

I do not plan to drive on the street, so it will be race-height, dry-sumped, big brakes and as light as possible. The engine and trans is coming from Mike Forte as soon as end of this month.

Engine is a Ford Performance 363 with a TKX.
Probably AVIAID or Peterson dry sump parts, GT1 folks up here lean towards AVIAD, but they all work. Vipers use a very nice Dailey dry sump pan - but pricey!
FuelSafe 15 gallon cell.
Firebottle, Lifeline or similar fire system.
Accusump for pre-oiling.
Some kinda race wheels with 295 up front and 315/30r18's in back. Likely Hoosier R7's, but some of the guys like the Michelins and some like Avons (that are scarce now that AVON is converting to NOVA and out of production temporarily).
FFR doesn't have the 900/700 lb. spring combo they discuss on their race setup page, so I'll start with whatever it comes with, do corner weights and see how it sits. There are a couple of really smart GT1 setup guys here that can help me get set up. All my experience is with Formula Mazda and Formula Ford, so this is a new adventure with regard to setup. It's more than double the weight of the Formula Ford, so going through the corners will be interesting at first.

AIM data logging dash with all the inputs from the engine and chassis going into it. Smarty Cam input to the data logger.
Heater for defrost on those cool, rainy spring days - but no AC, I will run a cool shirt and helmet blower, it gets hot in Portland in August.
IRS, QA1 DD401 shocks, Aero6 Wilwoods, I like a hard, modulating brake pedal and have lots of old master cylinders to try and find the right feel and balance.
Gas-N headers - and I'll fabricate my own side pipes to meet sound limits. I've ordered all the aero bits from FFR and will fabricate a diffuser for it as well. Still trying to decide on which wing, rules limit width to 72", but that's not a problem.

SCCA rules have the FF Coupe-R listed as GTX with a minimum weight of 2600 - that seems kind of low for the engine size - especially since the 363 does not require a restrictor plate (366 and up - so got in just under the wire), there's a Porsche GT3 running here with a min. weight of 3200, same with the local Vipers, 3200 lbs, so maybe I have a chance I would like to get the car's empty weight down to 2400 so I can get close to the 2600 lb. min. weight, that may be a challenge, but I'll leave off anything cosmetic or unnecessary for racing.

I'll run in ITE class in Conference and in the Big Bore class in SOVREN. There's another Coupe racing in SOVREN, but I haven't seen him out yet this year.

So, that's it for now, Stewart might take a couple of weeks or so to get it here, so likely August before I start work on it. Also Stewart is bring my wife a 289 USRRC kit at the same time because she wants to build her own toy. She wants it to be as close as possible to an original, with a 302 that looks a lot like a 289, FIA pin drive wheels, rear exhaust etc. I'm glad she can weld!