I am getting out of Mustangs and into GTs. I want to build my own GT and need advice on a kit(?). I would like to build an all aluminum chassis (can weld aluminum, have large shop, mills, lathes, trailers, paint booth, etc). So, what are kit choices, how do they break down - oh, I would also like a big block in the GT - how practical is that vs. small block Ford? Thanks
New to GT40s Need advice
- Thread starter Skyline_Dougie
- Start date
Ron Earp
Admin
I assume you mean build a Ford GT40 replica, and not the Ford GT since that is the current production car.
My advice would be to search the forum on this very subject - you'll find some lengthy threads on the topic. If you are intrested in making your own chassis you'll want to look down in the Chassis and Drivetrains section, there are a few discussions there about doing just that and it has popped up a few times over the years.
Have fun, you've a lot to read!
Ron
My advice would be to search the forum on this very subject - you'll find some lengthy threads on the topic. If you are intrested in making your own chassis you'll want to look down in the Chassis and Drivetrains section, there are a few discussions there about doing just that and it has popped up a few times over the years.
Have fun, you've a lot to read!
Ron
Well, yes, a replica (I'm learning). I see you have one on order, and by the fact you are the forum creator you have most likely done extensive homework on the subject and would give the eye to the Roaring 40's kit. ? Do you bite the bullet and buy a new kit, or lay in wait for someone to bail on theirs and make an offer? Pros, cons? Thanks, am reading now!
Howard Jones
Supporter
I think you must first form a buget just like any other project. Include a best case and a piss off the wife a little case. Best case in the USA would be finding a older GTD that needs to be rebuilt but is all there and with current tags. My guess here would be somthing on the order of 30-40 grand and then another 10-20 all in. This will get you a very nice car with some or all of the upgrades.
Then you could do a RF for example like Ron, this can go more towards the pissed off wife zone but you would have a newer design with many upgrades installed allready.
Big options are really weber style fuel injection, pin drive wheels, and choice of gearbox. Oh and paint. If you can find a completed car painted the way you like it then I think you could save a lot of money. To get one painted is a LOT more that you think.
I have said this before but the first option to settle on should be the choice of gearbox. My opinion would be a G50 porche type. This is the only modern box that will settle most if not all the gearbox issues, strenght, ratios, LSD, replacement and avalibility, without going over 5 figures. Still you could be close to that all in.
In my opinion you will have a hard time finding a "I give up" new type car cheap. The kind of people who start these kind of cars have done their homework and know what they are worth, They also know that they can sell a RF build that is not completed for example, very quickly for a price that will get them the sum of the parts at least. Just a matter of days really.
Begin your reading and study bodywork issues. The newer cars will have a lot less fit issues. This CAN be a VERY big deal.
Lastly I think that the quick build option that RF has is going to be the future for these cars. Within a couple of years that will be the only way to buy them from anybody.
You should know that these cars are not cheap. Be perpared to spend 60-80K before you are done.
Then you could do a RF for example like Ron, this can go more towards the pissed off wife zone but you would have a newer design with many upgrades installed allready.
Big options are really weber style fuel injection, pin drive wheels, and choice of gearbox. Oh and paint. If you can find a completed car painted the way you like it then I think you could save a lot of money. To get one painted is a LOT more that you think.
I have said this before but the first option to settle on should be the choice of gearbox. My opinion would be a G50 porche type. This is the only modern box that will settle most if not all the gearbox issues, strenght, ratios, LSD, replacement and avalibility, without going over 5 figures. Still you could be close to that all in.
In my opinion you will have a hard time finding a "I give up" new type car cheap. The kind of people who start these kind of cars have done their homework and know what they are worth, They also know that they can sell a RF build that is not completed for example, very quickly for a price that will get them the sum of the parts at least. Just a matter of days really.
Begin your reading and study bodywork issues. The newer cars will have a lot less fit issues. This CAN be a VERY big deal.
Lastly I think that the quick build option that RF has is going to be the future for these cars. Within a couple of years that will be the only way to buy them from anybody.
You should know that these cars are not cheap. Be perpared to spend 60-80K before you are done.
You mean an aluminum chassis like this ?
Depending on your engineering resources (and your patience) you may want to consider purchasing a chassis.
My dad and I have $45k budgeted for completion of our RCR kit, which is generous...we may be closer to $43k. Of course, we're opting for a carbureted system instead of the high dollar FI systems. We are using a nice rebuilt g50 transaxle with LSD, pin-drive wheels, and AP racing brakes however...
If you have a close friend or family member to split the expenses with it definitely helps!
Just thought I'd add my $.02 as I'm very pleased with the kit that we purchased.
As Ron already stated...check out the search feature of the forums...I find information daily there about topics concerning me. This forum is a great resource.
Depending on your engineering resources (and your patience) you may want to consider purchasing a chassis.
My dad and I have $45k budgeted for completion of our RCR kit, which is generous...we may be closer to $43k. Of course, we're opting for a carbureted system instead of the high dollar FI systems. We are using a nice rebuilt g50 transaxle with LSD, pin-drive wheels, and AP racing brakes however...
If you have a close friend or family member to split the expenses with it definitely helps!
Just thought I'd add my $.02 as I'm very pleased with the kit that we purchased.
As Ron already stated...check out the search feature of the forums...I find information daily there about topics concerning me. This forum is a great resource.
Yes, like that! That would be trick - but probably expensive. Is that $45k to finish the kit or does the $45k include that chassis/kit? Where I can save money is in the fit and finish department. I have body work/painting available for materials cost+. Same with welding/machine work. My costs are kit, engine and trans - more or less.
I'm in your same position...minus the machine work. The $45k is our total projected investement once the car is fully functional...we only budgeted $1500 for paint as we have a lot of materials and equipment already.
If you're ever in the New Orleans area, drop me a PM so you can stop by and check out our project.
If you're ever in the New Orleans area, drop me a PM so you can stop by and check out our project.
Doug
Finding a quality uncompleted GT40 kit in the US at a large
savings is very very very rare. There just aren't enough
kits in the US for them to come up for sale regularly.
It sounds like you can invest a lot of sweat equity...which
is good since you can save a ton of money on assembly/paint
by doing it yourself. But I'd leave the chassis fabbing to
the factory that supplies the body.
If you are really serious, I suggest you inspect as many
different cars possible before making a decision.
They may all look a like outwardly, but under the skin
there is a LARGE variation. As a minimum I'd look at RCR,
RF, and DRB. There are some in Houston as well as Mike's car in Louisiana.
ERA's are great...but you pay ($$$$).
GTDs are common in the UK...not so common in the US.
Tornado's are certainly a good value...but again...rare
to find one in the US. Good luck.
MikeD
Finding a quality uncompleted GT40 kit in the US at a large
savings is very very very rare. There just aren't enough
kits in the US for them to come up for sale regularly.
It sounds like you can invest a lot of sweat equity...which
is good since you can save a ton of money on assembly/paint
by doing it yourself. But I'd leave the chassis fabbing to
the factory that supplies the body.
If you are really serious, I suggest you inspect as many
different cars possible before making a decision.
They may all look a like outwardly, but under the skin
there is a LARGE variation. As a minimum I'd look at RCR,
RF, and DRB. There are some in Houston as well as Mike's car in Louisiana.
ERA's are great...but you pay ($$$$).
GTDs are common in the UK...not so common in the US.
Tornado's are certainly a good value...but again...rare
to find one in the US. Good luck.
MikeD
