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I finally did it. On 28 April, I ordered the Roadster Complete Kit. It should arrive sometime next week. I’ll inventory the parts, and then go on two weeks vacation. Then Build School on 17-19 July.
My plan is to build a car that I can drive from my home in Fairfax VA, to Monticello and back without feeling like I'm being beaten up. I don’t intend to race/autocross/drive on anything other than public streets.
I’ve never built a car - in fact, I’ve never really worked on one - and it’s unlikely that I’ll build another. So mine’s going to be gold plated. :001_smile: Here are the specifics:
Roadster Complete Kit
• Powder coated frame
• Ceramic coated headers for 302
• Body cutouts
• IRS
• Vintage gauges
• Wind Wings
• Sun Visors
• Heater
• Wipers
• Chrome Roll Bars (driver & passenger)
• Black Wilwood brakes (no power or hydraboost)
• Roll bar grommets
• Center dash support (I plan to add a console, so we’ll see if I end up using this)
• Leather steering wheel
302 Engine with EFI
• Will probably get the engine, bell housing, clutch, and transmission from the same source to maximize the chances of everything working together out of the box
• I may let CraigS talk me into a 331 depending on the cost, and depending on what I learn at Build School. Rousch Racing is going to talk to our class about engines; I’m looking forward to that.
• Mechanical throttle linkage
• 90 degree oil filter adapter (if necessary)
Transmission
• Tremec T5z
• 0.63 overdrive
• Hydraulic clutch
IRS
• 3.55 gear ratio
• Aluminum bushings for the pumpkin
• Spherical bearings (maybe)
Wheels & Tires
• 17" FFR Hallibrands. I know there have been delivery issues, but all the FF5 options were half off, so how could I say no? Plus, I know they'll work with the Wilwood brakes.
• Nitto NT555 Extreme ZR 255/40ZR17 front and 315/35ZR17 rear
• Again, I may let CraigS talk me into a slightly wider 275/40 front
Steering
• UniSteer power steering rack from Breeze (received)
• Fast Freddie's EHPS system (received)
• Offset steering rack bushings from Breeze (received)
• Breeze front lower control arm bushings (maybe)
Seats
• Haven't worked those out yet, but will add seat heaters
Cosmetics / Discretionary Items
• ABS (maybe; we’ll see if the FF5 front spindles come with provision for the tone rings and sensors, or better yet, with tone rings already installed)
• At least an attempt to do some sheet metal modifications, starting with the passenger foot box (and if that goes well, maybe a dropped trunk and who knows what else)
• Gas-n side pipes
• Cobra Earl's foot box fresh air vents
• Firewall Forward Kit (thanks howardsoflang!)
• Engine compartment battery box
• Breeze EzePak Cool Kit
• Russ Thompson Turn Signal & Throttle Pedal
• Heat shields for pipes - either Finish Line's or Drummer Mike's
• Tangent Franken-Bolt elimination kit
• Breeze behind seat cubby
• Roadster aluminum radiator panel from Replica Parts
• Trunk support kit from Replica Parts
Thanks to everyone who commented on my build plan, to all the guys who took the time to publish build threads (especially the lesser experienced builders - you know who you are, and I appreciate every detail you included) to edwardb (who probably saved me a bunch of money and headache by wisely urging me to wait and see what parts work well together rather than buy everything up front and at once), and especially to CraigS (who spent an entire afternoon making me smarter and has already volunteered to help with delivery)
John
My plan is to build a car that I can drive from my home in Fairfax VA, to Monticello and back without feeling like I'm being beaten up. I don’t intend to race/autocross/drive on anything other than public streets.
I’ve never built a car - in fact, I’ve never really worked on one - and it’s unlikely that I’ll build another. So mine’s going to be gold plated. :001_smile: Here are the specifics:
Roadster Complete Kit
• Powder coated frame
• Ceramic coated headers for 302
• Body cutouts
• IRS
• Vintage gauges
• Wind Wings
• Sun Visors
• Heater
• Wipers
• Chrome Roll Bars (driver & passenger)
• Black Wilwood brakes (no power or hydraboost)
• Roll bar grommets
• Center dash support (I plan to add a console, so we’ll see if I end up using this)
• Leather steering wheel
302 Engine with EFI
• Will probably get the engine, bell housing, clutch, and transmission from the same source to maximize the chances of everything working together out of the box
• I may let CraigS talk me into a 331 depending on the cost, and depending on what I learn at Build School. Rousch Racing is going to talk to our class about engines; I’m looking forward to that.
• Mechanical throttle linkage
• 90 degree oil filter adapter (if necessary)
Transmission
• Tremec T5z
• 0.63 overdrive
• Hydraulic clutch
IRS
• 3.55 gear ratio
• Aluminum bushings for the pumpkin
• Spherical bearings (maybe)
Wheels & Tires
• 17" FFR Hallibrands. I know there have been delivery issues, but all the FF5 options were half off, so how could I say no? Plus, I know they'll work with the Wilwood brakes.
• Nitto NT555 Extreme ZR 255/40ZR17 front and 315/35ZR17 rear
• Again, I may let CraigS talk me into a slightly wider 275/40 front
Steering
• UniSteer power steering rack from Breeze (received)
• Fast Freddie's EHPS system (received)
• Offset steering rack bushings from Breeze (received)
• Breeze front lower control arm bushings (maybe)
Seats
• Haven't worked those out yet, but will add seat heaters
Cosmetics / Discretionary Items
• ABS (maybe; we’ll see if the FF5 front spindles come with provision for the tone rings and sensors, or better yet, with tone rings already installed)
• At least an attempt to do some sheet metal modifications, starting with the passenger foot box (and if that goes well, maybe a dropped trunk and who knows what else)
• Gas-n side pipes
• Cobra Earl's foot box fresh air vents
• Firewall Forward Kit (thanks howardsoflang!)
• Engine compartment battery box
• Breeze EzePak Cool Kit
• Russ Thompson Turn Signal & Throttle Pedal
• Heat shields for pipes - either Finish Line's or Drummer Mike's
• Tangent Franken-Bolt elimination kit
• Breeze behind seat cubby
• Roadster aluminum radiator panel from Replica Parts
• Trunk support kit from Replica Parts
Thanks to everyone who commented on my build plan, to all the guys who took the time to publish build threads (especially the lesser experienced builders - you know who you are, and I appreciate every detail you included) to edwardb (who probably saved me a bunch of money and headache by wisely urging me to wait and see what parts work well together rather than buy everything up front and at once), and especially to CraigS (who spent an entire afternoon making me smarter and has already volunteered to help with delivery)
John
