What would you do differently?

[Hyde]

Hi Everyone!

I am thinking of doing a build, but before I start down that road I would like to know what would you do differently? Would you have spent more on an engine, done power steering...etc.

Thanks,
Hyde

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Just corrected the few things I wanted to change. Swapped the Autometer gauges out for a custom set of SpeedHut gauges. Moved the turn signal switch & horn button from the left to the right side of the steering wheel. Added a set of USB ports to the transmission cover & moved the small fire extinguisher to the rear bulkhead

[nuhale]

wilwood brake system over the hydro-boost I installed. Just more complication that is unnecessary and there are some concerns with losing brakes if loss of hydro pressure or either brake line circuit.

[1932]

If you are going to do MODS or change out to other parts, try to think ahead to see if they will be harder to do now or later?
I have changed or built my own parts and to do some of the changes later is HARD. But am still changing and building parts.

[GTBradley]

If you know how you want to use the car you won’t have too many regrets when completed. I spent a lot of time thinking about how I would use mine and why it was such a desire for me to build one of these. The real issue is what you are willing to spend on the things you want. My opinion is, once you have decided what it is you are going to do with the car, stick with the plan, but put the very best components and effort into the plan that you are willing to afford. There are some things I wish I’d done sooner though. I’m currently installing foot ventilation on a completed car and it would have been much easier doing it during the build stage.

[skidd]

Powder Coat the frame. The only thing I regret that I didn't do. I painted the frame myself.. and it wasn't worth the extra work balanced against the cost of having it powder coated.

[rich grsc]

Hi Everyone!

I am thinking of doing a build, but before I start down that road I would like to know what would you do differently? Would you have spent more on an engine, done power steering...etc.

Thanks,
Hyde

I feel that's the wrong question to ask at this point. You should let everyone know what you want. Knowing that, it is easier to say "oh this might be better".

[Papa]

Here's my list:

1. Powder coat or raw aluminum panels -- NO rattle can paint
2. Russ Thompson turn signal setup
3. Drop trunk
4. Battery in the engine compartment
5. Booked paint & body with Jeff Kleiner much earlier than I did

[NiceGuyEddie]

EDIT: New #1: no donor, but I'm not sure how common that is nowadays.


1. Better tires from day 1. I purchased the least expensive tires just to get on the road. At the time they were Sumitomo HTR. Good tires are a safety issue.

2. Clear bra on the front nose, even if just a spray-on bra like 3M Paint defender. The nose chips up MUCH faster than you'd ever imagine!

3. Wiring harness from a supporting vendor or Factory Five. I used a generic "street rod" wiring harness. The turn signals were tough since the FFR does not have a "standard" steering column with signal stalk.

4. GPS Speedo. My speedo is in the middle and due to the speedo cable taking weird turns, it has proven impossible to get the needle to not "dance" below 30mph. Although then this would mean digital odometer

[Hyde]

Thanks for the good advice. I have had several sports cars and was really looking for something different. I am a hands on kind of gal so I thought it would be fun to build something and really make it my own. I also plan on attending the build school to get a feel for it. As far as the car's use, I am thinking of car show/nice weather driver. I don't want to use a donor and want to start fresh on everything.

Here is what I am thinking from the research I have done so far [I haven't settled on anything else yet]:

- FFR Complete Kit
- BluePrint Ford 427 c.i. Fuel Injected HO Stage 1
- BluePrint KO 600 5-Speed Transmission

Thanks,
Hyde

[Hyde]

1. Better tires from day 1. I purchased the least expensive tires just to get on the road. At the time they were Sumitomo HTR. Good tires are a safety issue.

2. Clear bra on the front nose, even if just a spray-on bra like 3M Paint defender. The nose chips up MUCH faster than you'd ever imagine!

3. Wiring harness from a supporting vendor or Factory Five. I used a generic "street rod" wiring harness. The turn signals were tough since the FFR does not have a "standard" steering column with signal stalk.

4. GPS Speedo. My speedo is in the middle and due to the speedo cable taking weird turns, it has proven impossible to get the needle to not "dance" below 30mph. Although then this would mean digital odometer

I saw a video of the wiring harness vs the standard wiring kit and it looks like a great improvement!

[Avalanche325]

Things that I changed:
Added a drop trunk after the build. Makes the trunk MUCH more useful.
Moved my drivers side footbox air vent, and changed to exhaust cutouts instead of the plastic blast gates. Well worth it.
Changed to a hydraulic clutch. This was due to an earlier cable clutch quadrant issue.
I added headrests to my stock seats. This was at my wife's request. Now I'm glad that they are there for safety reasons.
I added Flowmaster mufflers to the sidepipes. Much quieter, but I still have to wear earplugs. I have a big cam in a 500hp 347, so it is very loud, even for a Cobra.

Waste of time item:
I mirror polished my engine bay panels. You can't really even see them. Massive effort, almost no reward.

Should have done:
Defroster vents during the build. I read not to cut them until after the car was painted. That was a mistake.

Things I recommend:
Power steering.
Wilwood brakes. Maybe you don't need them for going to car shows. But car shows are about impressing people, so maybe you do. I autocross and track, so I use them.
200 tread wear tires. I don't care if your car only sits in the garage. These cars need proper performance tires.
Autocross - You need to learn how to actually drive one of these cars. Autocross is the safe way to learn the proper skills, the cars limits, and your limits.

[GoDadGo]

I'd have changed the following:

1. Anodized The Aluminum Pans.
2. Gone with the Drop Trunk Option.
3. Blown off the stereo system since my car is stupid loud.
4. Gone with deeper gears (3.90 or 4.11 vs 3.73) since I've got a double overdrive (.75 & .50) ZF 6-Speed.
5. Had I known how painful the body work and paint process was, I would have gone to Jeff Kleiner, even though my results are excellent.

https://youtu.be/po1Bb2_XDDk

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...&theater&ifg=1

https://youtu.be/A0Jb1tjjtPU

NOTE: I wanted to learn how to do bodywork and had to bring in some serious professional help because this part of my build was 100% over my head!

[mike223]

Here is what I am thinking from the research I have done so far [I haven't settled on anything else yet]:


- BluePrint Ford 427 c.i. Fuel Injected HO Stage 1
- BluePrint KO 600 5-Speed Transmission

Thanks,
Hyde

That is a whole lot of motor for street tires - if that is your inclination.

I built a 10.5:1 compression 393w aiming for 500hp/500tq and probably achieved those numbers (no dyno report, sorry).

I can assure you the car is no faster to 100mph on street tires (200tw NT05) than it would be with 400/400 - it is simply more dangerous in third gear - do you really want to spin street tires and get squirrelly in the 60-100mph range? By accident? I have.


If I build another engine it will probably be a 9:1 compression 351w (around 400/400) - and that will take care of anything I want to do on street tires in one of these cars.


Another "what exactly do you want to do with your car?" answer.

Good Luck,

Mike


And for that kind of money (BluePrint Ford 427 c.i. Fuel Injected HO Stage 1) you're in Coyote (plug + play + forget) territory - you might want to consider that low maintenance ~400/400 option.

Or a milder 351w option (cheaper).

[AC Bill]

Before making any decisions, I would research the daylights out of what previous builders did. There are some great builder designed modifications that are worth the effort, others not so much, as it turned out. Some of the mods are now available from commercial sources, so you don't have to make them yourself. Reading through the many posts here, and on the FFCars.com forum should really help you.

Figure out what you will be doing, driving wise. Sunny afternoon cruises, daily driver, autocross, drag racing, long distance drives? That can help you decide on features you may use, such as the various suspension packages, brakes steering, even the engine. Think about if you desire modern vehicle features, or if you want the vintage driving experience, or a combo of both. A heater or air conditioning for example, perhaps a hard or soft top, standard roadster seats, or highback racing style, vintage looking gauges, or a modern look? Classic sized wheels and tires, or low profile with flashy wheels? Will you need wipers, or perhaps the State requires them? Check all the requirements needed to pass inspection. Don't get caught with your pants down, after months of work, just to find you have missed something, and need to tear it part, to add something.

[Hyde]

That is a whole lot of motor for street tires - if that is your inclination.

I built a 10.5:1 compression 393w aiming for 500hp/500tq and probably achieved those numbers (no dyno report, sorry).

I can assure you the car is no faster to 100mph on street tires (200tw NT05) than it would be with 400/400 - it is simply more dangerous in third gear - do you really want to spin street tires and get squirrelly in the 60-100mph range? By accident? I have.


If I build another engine it will probably be a 9:1 compression 351w (around 400/400) - and that will take care of anything I want to do on street tires in one of these cars.


Another "what exactly do you want to do with your car?" answer.

Good Luck,

Mike


And for that kind of money (BluePrint Ford 427 c.i. Fuel Injected HO Stage 1) you're in Coyote (plug + play + forget) territory - you might want to consider that low maintenance ~400/400 option.

Or a milder 351w option (cheaper).

I have heard a lot of good things about the Coyote, and I am looking for something that is plug and play; that you for the advice!

[delta0014]

There’s not much I regret with the build, but not many miles yet.
Coyote is a great engine so far.
Have manual brakes, and would do that again. Power steering is a must for me.
I would have everything powder coated, did the rattle can on a few things and even though they are out of sight, I don’t like it.
Would of spent more time hiding wires, just for aesthetic purposes. And a few other things in the engine bay, just for aesthetics.
I got the Russ Thompson turn signal, which is great but I would of ordered their self canceling one next time.

I really want to do another build sometime.

[Railroad]

Something I miss, but do not totally regret. The Coyote, even 500 HP model, will idle so smooth it sounds like a stock engine. I am used to a choppy exhaust and like that.

[JohnK]

Something I miss, but do not totally regret. The Coyote, even 500 HP model, will idle so smooth it sounds like a stock engine. I am used to a choppy exhaust and like that.

You could always go with a Lund "ghost cam" tune to get that lumpy idle with a Coyote.

[davekp]

Thanks for the good advice. I have had several sports cars and was really looking for something different. I am a hands on kind of gal so I thought it would be fun to build something and really make it my own. I also plan on attending the build school to get a feel for it. As far as the car's use, I am thinking of car show/nice weather driver. I don't want to use a donor and want to start fresh on everything.

Here is what I am thinking from the research I have done so far [I haven't settled on anything else yet]:

- FFR Complete Kit
- BluePrint Ford 427 c.i. Fuel Injected HO Stage 1
- BluePrint KO 600 5-Speed Transmission

Thanks,
Hyde

What sports cars have you had in the past?
My gently modified 302 is STUPID fast. And I raced SCCA formula fords and was a senior instructor. I can still get in trouble with the cobra if I'm not careful.
Read the sticky at the top of the forum.
Good luck, and have FUN!

[Hyde]

There’s not much I regret with the build, but not many miles yet.
Coyote is a great engine so far.
Have manual brakes, and would do that again. Power steering is a must for me.
I would have everything powder coated, did the rattle can on a few things and even though they are out of sight, I don’t like it.
Would of spent more time hiding wires, just for aesthetic purposes. And a few other things in the engine bay, just for aesthetics.
I got the Russ Thompson turn signal, which is great but I would of ordered their self canceling one next time.

I really want to do another build sometime.

Wow I love the dual roll bar look! I plan on power steering also.

[Hyde]

I also used to do SCCA; I started out with a 1989 Mazda MX6 with passive rear wheel steering and to this day I wish I still had that car. I bought it for $650; an older lady had it and it was making a knocking noise when it idled [5 speed]. Dropped the oil pan and there was something bouncing around in there [can’t for the life of me remember what it was, it was 22 years ago]. After that I bought a new Mustang GT 2000 with the modular 4.6 engine...really like it [couldn’t auto cross it worth sh*t though, but loved the sound of the engine. I decided to branch out from cars and starting riding bikes so I did that for a while. Then got bored again and bought a Hyundai Tiburon [also a fun car]. After that I got a Mazda Miata, got bored of that, moved on to a Mini Cooper S [very fun]! Got bored of that and started looking around for something I could get my hands a little dirtier with. I would love an older Mustang or a Trans Am, but I am self aware enough to realize I HATE working on older cars. I am not strong enough to loosen bolts and dealing with the rust ehk! So I thought what if I built something. I started down the path of a dune buggy type vehicle and slowly worked my way up to more expensive and expensive vehicles till I hit on the Cobra. I have always loved them, but never thought it would be possible to own one, but with the kits available, a good manual, and time on my hands I am thinking that is the direction I want to go.

<TLDR>I like cars, and I get bored easily</TLDR>

[Jeff Kleiner]

Hyde,
Welcome! If the fastest thing you've had is a 2000 Mustang you have noooo idea!

This statement won't be popular with some but the 427W while great for bragging rights can be kind of challenging to live with. Take a hard look at a nice 347.

Jeff

[FLPBFoot]

Here is what I am thinking from the research I have done so far [I haven't settled on anything else yet]:

- FFR Complete Kit
- BluePrint Ford 427 c.i. Fuel Injected HO Stage 1
- BluePrint KO 600 5-Speed Transmission

Thanks,
Hyde

Welcome to the madness...it's a trip you will enjoy.

As others have said a 427 is a huge amount of motor for a 2400 lb car! I have the Blue Print 427 but with a carb. I went with the deeper OD, 0.64, in the TKO. Glad I did. What I would change is have gone away from the 3.55 rear end and gone with a 3.27 or even a 3.08. I drive my car as a cruiser and the deeper OD and getting a lower rear end ratio will keep the RPM down while interstate driving and make the TKO ratio much more friendly around town.

Oh....and every time I stop for gas, and I mean EVERY time, someone walks up to me and asks "You have a 427 in it right"? Many people associate the Cobra with a 427. Not a deal breaker but I wanted to wear the 427 badges and truly have it under the hood.

Have fun!

Steve

[GoDadGo]

Hyde,

Welcome! If the fastest thing you've had is a 2000 Mustang you have noooo idea!

This statement won't be popular with some but the 427W while great for bragging rights can be kind of challenging to live with. Take a hard look at a nice 347.

Jeff

Mike223 and I have often lamented that less power (A Peppy 350-SBC or 351-SBF) would have been more enjoyable to drive compared to our peppier 383/393 combos.
To this point, my friend Heath J. installed a 351 in his MK-4 and he can still shred the tires in 1st and 2nd, and some wheel spin can happen once he is in 3rd gear.
Get past 400 ponies with similar torque figures and you better watch what you are doing with the Go-Dad peddle.
When I get a bit past half throttle in 1st gear I have to start peddling.

https://youtu.be/PCngiKoopkA

[davekp]

And something small block based will make it much easier to work under the hood. The big blocks are big.

[j.miller]

What would I do differently ….Completed my higher education (finished law school) , (opted out for an affair with a bohemian arts major)……...OH ! With the car.....my bad....can't answer now, need my safe space...da Bat

[mike223]

After that I bought a new Mustang GT 2000 with the modular 4.6 engine...really like it [couldn’t auto cross it worth sh*t though, but loved the sound of the engine. I decided to branch out from cars and starting riding bikes so I did that for a while. Then got bored again and bought a Hyundai Tiburon [also a fun car]. After that I got a Mazda Miata, got bored of that, moved on to a Mini Cooper S [very fun]! Got bored of that and started looking around for something I could get my hands a little dirtier with. I would love an older Mustang or a Trans Am, but I am self aware enough to realize I HATE working on older cars. I am not strong enough to loosen bolts and dealing with the rust ehk! So I thought what if I built something. I started down the path of a dune buggy type vehicle and slowly worked my way up to more expensive and expensive vehicles till I hit on the Cobra. I have always loved them, but never thought it would be possible to own one, but with the kits available, a good manual, and time on my hands I am thinking that is the direction I want to go.

<TLDR>I like cars, and I get bored easily</TLDR>

Not sure this is going to be a good project - many warning signs here.


Let's try this self assessment - there are 6 kinds of people, which one are you?

1- I get my oil changed at the quick lube because I'm afraid I'll screw it up.
2- I get my oil changed at the quick lube because I don't want to get my hands dirty.
3- I change my own oil because I want to know it was done right.
4- I change my own oil because the thought of paying a millennial to use an impact on my aluminum oil pan enrages me.
5- I enjoy changing my own oil.
6- What's this "710" cap for?

And something small block based will make it much easier to work under the hood. The big blocks are big.

The Coyotes are larger than the big blocks (and yup - that's "tight").

(opted out for an affair with a bohemian arts major)

Perfect.

[walt mckenna]

I would not waste money on the wipers unless you are building an all weather car with travel in mind.

[Caddy Dad]

I would have bought one of those heavy duty steel work benches and a big vise. I should have spent more time up front doing inventory and getting organized. Having a nice supply of fasteners on hand. Do more research on electrical connections and bought quality crimping tools.

[Papa]

I also used to do SCCA; I started out with a 1989 Mazda MX6 with passive rear wheel steering and to this day I wish I still had that car. I bought it for $650; an older lady had it and it was making a knocking noise when it idled [5 speed]. Dropped the oil pan and there was something bouncing around in there [can’t for the life of me remember what it was, it was 22 years ago]. After that I bought a new Mustang GT 2000 with the modular 4.6 engine...really like it [couldn’t auto cross it worth sh*t though, but loved the sound of the engine. I decided to branch out from cars and starting riding bikes so I did that for a while. Then got bored again and bought a Hyundai Tiburon [also a fun car]. After that I got a Mazda Miata, got bored of that, moved on to a Mini Cooper S [very fun]! Got bored of that and started looking around for something I could get my hands a little dirtier with. I would love an older Mustang or a Trans Am, but I am self aware enough to realize I HATE working on older cars. I am not strong enough to loosen bolts and dealing with the rust ehk! So I thought what if I built something. I started down the path of a dune buggy type vehicle and slowly worked my way up to more expensive and expensive vehicles till I hit on the Cobra. I have always loved them, but never thought it would be possible to own one, but with the kits available, a good manual, and time on my hands I am thinking that is the direction I want to go.

<TLDR>I like cars, and I get bored easily</TLDR>

Hyde,

If you really think you want to build one of these, you need to ask yourself if you can commit to the build. There are likely more of these kits sitting unfinished than have actually been completed. Most builders have a lot of energy when the kit arrives and then "get bored" or distracted by other things and the build sits. The longer it sits, the less likely it is to get completed. Some have built these in a couple of months, but most take years to complete. Are you ready for that? Also, the cost to complete a build is quite different than the cost of the kit. If you just want to have a new toy to play with until you get bored and want something else, perhaps buying one that's done is a better, cheaper option for you. I'm not trying to discourage you from building, but you need to understand what you're getting yourself into.

Dave

[weendoggy]

What would I do differently ….Completed my higher education (finished law school) , (opted out for an affair with a bohemian arts major)……...OH ! With the car.....my bad....can't answer now, need my safe space...da Bat

OMG! Should've had the affair with a judge, but wait, I think you made the right move...you're still playing with bodies.

[weendoggy]

Hyde,
Welcome! If the fastest thing you've had is a 2000 Mustang you have noooo idea!

This statement won't be popular with some but the 427W while great for bragging rights can be kind of challenging to live with. Take a hard look at a nice 347.

Jeff

True statement. I have both and it's like night and day, although my 2002 Mustang is getting a GenII Coyote to make things more equal.

[Hyde]

I would have bought one of those heavy duty steel work benches and a big vise. I should have spent more time up front doing inventory and getting organized. Having a nice supply of fasteners on hand. Do more research on electrical connections and bought quality crimping tools.

I have always wanted a pop rivet gun, but have never needed one. Is it wrong that I am excited about all the tools that I don't have that I will need to buy? LOL

[Hyde]

Hyde,

If you really think you want to build one of these, you need to ask yourself if you can commit to the build. There are likely more of these kits sitting unfinished than have actually been completed. Most builders have a lot of energy when the kit arrives and then "get bored" or distracted by other things and the build sits. The longer it sits, the less likely it is to get completed. Some have built these in a couple of months, but most take years to complete. Are you ready for that? Also, the cost to complete a build is quite different than the cost of the kit. If you just want to have a new toy to play with until you get bored and want something else, perhaps buying one that's done is a better, cheaper option for you. I'm not trying to discourage you from building, but you need to understand what you're getting yourself into.

Dave

That is a true statement about the commitment; I think building something myself is more of a commitment then just buying something off the lot and working on it. That is also what I am looking for, something I can really sink my teeth into with my free time.

[Hyde]

True statement. I have both and it's like night and day, although my 2002 Mustang is getting a GenII Coyote to make things more equal.

Thanks for the advice, I basically saw the 427 and set my heart on it. You are right though, I should really look around more to see what is out there.

[Hyde]

Hyde,

If you really think you want to build one of these, you need to ask yourself if you can commit to the build. There are likely more of these kits sitting unfinished than have actually been completed. Most builders have a lot of energy when the kit arrives and then "get bored" or distracted by other things and the build sits. The longer it sits, the less likely it is to get completed. Some have built these in a couple of months, but most take years to complete. Are you ready for that? Also, the cost to complete a build is quite different than the cost of the kit. If you just want to have a new toy to play with until you get bored and want something else, perhaps buying one that's done is a better, cheaper option for you. I'm not trying to discourage you from building, but you need to understand what you're getting yourself into.

Dave

That is a true statement about the commitment; I think building something myself is more of a commitment then just buying something off the lot and working on it. That is also what I am looking for, something I can really sink my teeth into with my free time.

[Hyde]

I would have bought one of those heavy duty steel work benches and a big vise. I should have spent more time up front doing inventory and getting organized. Having a nice supply of fasteners on hand. Do more research on electrical connections and bought quality crimping tools.

That is another thing I have to do; clean out the garage. I have a Yamaha YXZ 1000 SS SE sitting in there now which is my current project. It is a ton of fun though, but it's going to have to be relocated.

[Hyde]

Not sure this is going to be a good project - many warning signs here.


Let's try this self assessment - there are 6 kinds of people, which one are you?

1- I get my oil changed at the quick lube because I'm afraid I'll screw it up.
2- I get my oil changed at the quick lube because I don't want to get my hands dirty.
3- I change my own oil because I want to know it was done right.
4- I change my own oil because the thought of paying a millennial to use an impact on my aluminum oil pan enrages me.
5- I enjoy changing my own oil.
6- What's this "710" cap for?






The Coyotes are larger than the big blocks (and yup - that's "tight").





Perfect.

You are absolutely right; I don't have a problem getting my hands dirty, but if I can go through a drive thru and spend my time working on something else that is what I usually do with my daily driver. I don't let anyone change the oil on the bike or the UTV though because I don't want someone screwing up and I end up stranded somewhere or worse! I think it is a balance. For my daily driver I don't care; would I let someone else change the oil on my Cobra...no way.

[Hyde]

Welcome to the madness...it's a trip you will enjoy.

As others have said a 427 is a huge amount of motor for a 2400 lb car! I have the Blue Print 427 but with a carb. I went with the deeper OD, 0.64, in the TKO. Glad I did. What I would change is have gone away from the 3.55 rear end and gone with a 3.27 or even a 3.08. I drive my car as a cruiser and the deeper OD and getting a lower rear end ratio will keep the RPM down while interstate driving and make the TKO ratio much more friendly around town.

Oh....and every time I stop for gas, and I mean EVERY time, someone walks up to me and asks "You have a 427 in it right"? Many people associate the Cobra with a 427. Not a deal breaker but I wanted to wear the 427 badges and truly have it under the hood.

Have fun!

Steve

I don't want to regret not going with a 427; I really want to do this right the first time, but I think everyone is correct that I should keep my options open. I am planning on going to the build school in October and not ordering the kit till after then so I can get a real taste of what I will be getting myself into.