Quote Originally Posted by CraigHarkness View Post
Hello all!

My Dad (mechanic for over 40+ years) and I, are beginning the planning stage of building a Roadster and had a few questions for the group here. Using his connections with parts dealers, would it be beneficial to by a Base kit and order the running parts needed or should we just spend the extra $$$ and buy the complete kit and save ourselves the headache.

We have the means to spend the extra couple $$$ on the complete kit but wanted to get the opinions of you's here. Another question we have is, is it possible to make this an automatic? I ask because, unlike my father, I am very rusty driving stick. I learned on it but it's been over 10 years, the wife will NOT be driving this but just an overall random question. If it is possible, is it worth it? Does that limit the amount of power?

In terms of engine/trans, what is an option that will give us power and low cost? My dream would be to put a 427 in it but also can't bring myself to buy a brand new one for $24k. Would it be worth searching for an older one that can be rebuilt?

Last question, what is the "average" amount of time completing a build? This is will mostly be a weekend project for my Dad and I so just trying to get an idea on timeline.


Thanks!!
-Craig
Craig, my car has been on the road now for a couple years, have 5200 miles on it now. I went complete kit because of the headache factor of sourcing used parts and I wanted to build a completely "new" car. Everything FFR sent me looked like good quality suspension components and up to this point have had no issues with them. Took me about 300 hours to build it but that did not include paint/fitment which I sourced to a local painter in my area, my car was in go-kart at 8 months and completely finished in about one year with paint and I worked on it about one full day a week. Average builds on these are 1-2 years depending on part supply issues which seem to be getting better. If you want a 427 you will need to go with after market block (I went Dart) or you could do a 408 with a 351 Windsor block. Most engine builder won't do a 427 stroker with a Windsor block. Best bang for your buck imo would be a 347 and will have plenty of power. The 427 is a great engine option but you pay for it. I would recommend you call Mike Forte to discuss engine options or if you are in the Nor Cal area I have engine builder local to me who has done multiple engines now for Cobra builders.