Seattle Snake - Roadster mk5 planning thread

[DancingTosan]

This is my Roadster (mk5) planning thread. I'll start a separate thread for the build itself (ideally in 2026~, gotta get some money together).

My rough plan is to order a 'minimal' kit with all of the heavy stuff + small things I'll need right away, but leave out stuff I can order later. This will let me spread out the costs over time, rather than a ~$40k kit + ~$20k engine/trans up front. The minimal kit runs about $33k, which is still a good chunk. All in, it's looking like $70k~$80k total build cost.

I may swap out some of the parts for aftermarket ones, but having low up-front experience, I'm nervous about how/where/what for 'junkyard' and aftermarket alternatives - I want to be sure I get what I actually need and not some junk I can't use.

Goals for the build

• Quality time with my kids
• Enjoy the build
• Learn a lot
• Cruise around looking cool, when it's not raining (after it's done)

I want an modern, clean, fuel-efficient and low-effort engine. After researching the options, the Coyote (gen3 or 4) seem like the best bet. They have more power than I need (480hp is a lot more than the 300hp is recommended for the chassis), but by all accounts the Coyote is well-behaved at lower speeds, and shouldn't launch into space unless I get heavy-footed. The FactoryFive-AT option seems pretty pricey, but Mike Forte's option is only about $1k cheaper - but if it has everything I'd need, I would consider getting it from there.

Planning on a hard or soft top to make three-season driving a possibility in the PNW -- where we get only about four months of convertible-driving weather in the year.

I'm will update this post (with edits) over time and use it as my planning center to prepare the project.

Comments, suggestions and so forth are welcome.

Here's the plan so far:

Roadster mk5 Kit

• 14222 - 4.6L/5.0L Coyote/7.3L Godzilla Mounts
• 17823 - 2015 Mustang-based IRS Kit with KONI coil-overs, etc.
• 17150 - Front & Rear IRS Sport Shock Set
• 16668 - 2018 Mustang IRS 3.55 Center Section, Spindles, and Hubs
• Or donor?
• 60175 - 31 spline driveshaft for 4.6L/5.0L Coyote with Tremec TKX/TKO
• 16461 - 5.0L Coyote Power Steering Rack Kit (edit: was Manual steering)
• 16613 - Powder Coated Chassis, Satin Black
• 17657 - Chrome Driver Side 1.5" Rollbar
• 12239 - 14” Wood Steering Wheel
• 17728 - Mk5 Body with Cut-Outs
• 17742 - Carbon Fiber Dash with Glove Box
• 17617 - 2" Wide 5-point Street/Competition Harness, Satin Black Buckles
• 15834 - GT400 Bullet Side View Mirror, Polished Aluminum, Convex
• 15834X - Additional GT400 Bullet Side View Mirror, Polished Aluminum, Convex
• 16863 - Gen 3 & 4 Coyote Installation Kit (includes coyote accelerator install and fitment kits)
• 16796 - Headers: Gen 1-4 5.0L Coyote stainless steel 4-port full length with ball flange collector (edit - was omit for Gas 'N Headers)
• 17620 - Uncoated/Bare Steel Side Exhaust (edit - was omit for Gas 'N Touring)
• All no-cost options (‘cause why not)
• Gauges delete or resell
• Seats delete or resell
• Scoop delete or resell
• Cable clutch delete or resell (edit - aftermarket hydraulic)

Aftermarket

• Gas ‘N Pipes Touring Side Pipes (polished stainless) (edit - wait and see)
• Cobrastuff.com - 29" Chrome Finish Sidepipe Heat Shield Kit
• Cobraseats USA - Classic CS
• Tires - Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4
• Thomas Aftermarket Grille
• Hydraulic clutch kit (Tilton internal?) (edit)

Parts to order later (or aftermarket alternatives)

• 15812 - Vintage Halibrand Replica Wheels, 18” X 9” Front and 18” X 11” Rear
• 12042 - Sun Visors
• 15549 – Vintage Wiper Kit
• 17814 - Mk5 Over-Rider Bumper Kit
• 60378 - A/C - Heater-Defroster for 5.0L Coyote
• 17660 - Chrome Passenger Side 1.5" Rollbar
• 15158 - Rollbar Grommet Set, Driver Side
• 15158X - Rollbar Grommet Set, Passenger Side
• 60750 - 13" IRS Brake Kit
• 16037 - IRS Front & Rear Swaybar (edit - wait and see)
• 17680 - EFI In-Tank Fuel System (Edit - consider aftermarket alternatives to F5 version)
• 17712 - Remote Brake Booster
• 17664 - Mk5 Hard Top, Carbon Fiber
• Or 15199 - Mk5 Soft Top

Engine compartment

• Engine - Coyote gen4
• Transmission - Tremec TKX
• Breeze 70807 Radiator fan shroud (if needed)?
• Breeze 70031 Radiator Cowl cover (if needed)?
• Summit FLX-105490 radiator fan (if needed)?
• Larger Coolant overflow tank? (edit: see EdwardB's build thread for mounting ideas)
• Locking header bolts?
• Bad boy horn?

Exterior

• Quick-release license-plate holders? (hard-top looks like it will require moving license-plate)
• Backup light(s) + camera?
• Additional brake-light bar
• “Coyote” side badges (2bking custom billetbadges) ?
• Cobra emblems (front, rear, steering wheel, mats)

Interior

• Dynamat dynaliner (sound deadening + heat)
• Fat mat?
• Dead pedal?
• Sound system + carplay + backup camera screen
• Two 'triple' Speed Hut Vintage-style gauges (to make room for screen on the dash) (edit - forgot these)
• Breeze cubby?
• USB charging ports?
• Iphone charger pad?
• Cupholders (Poker dual-size, low profile)
• Estopp parking break?
• Rivnuts for some panels
• Hidden killswitch for security?
• Alternative rear-view mirror?
• Cobra emblem for steering wheel?
• Seat heater pads?

Body + Paint

• DIY fitment, basic body work
• Paint shop paint
• Maybe - Mazda Soul Red Crystal Metallic
• Maybe - some candy/metallic blue

Home Shop

• 4-post lift? APlusLifts or Halo?
• to aid build and longer-term to store four cars in a three-car garage and winter storage
• wall-mounted garage door opener? Genie?
• to clear-out headroom for the lifted car