Hi guys,
First off - First post, nice to meet you all :)
I'm an engineer, and I'm now coming to a point in my life where I have money to spend on things I want, not things I need to get by. My work is also steering away from the hands-on engineering that I love towards a more paperwork based certification role. And I'm fine with that, but I need to keep getting my hands dirty or I'll go mental.
I've loved classic mustangs for as long as I can remember. Particularly the '69. I have no particular interest in the history / spirit of mustangs - I grew up in the wrong country, and the wrong time, I just have no connection to it - but god its a beautiful machine! I've wanted to own one for a long time.
After having seen a number of articles on Coyote engine swaps, I'm hooked on the idea of taking an excellent modern engine, and putting it in (what I think is) the best mustang body in the last 50 years. I'm thinking that this will be my project for a good few years to come.
I don't plan to start from a decades-old machine. I want to take a brand new shell from Dyancorn, and build my mustang up from nothing. Hopefully this'll be the closest thing to a 69 mustang built in 2015+ as one can possibly get.
I know this will be a LOT!! of work, time, and money - even taking into account Hofstadter's Law.
I have some acceptable mechanical skills with my job, and from wrenching on my and my wife's motorbikes, but I know I'll need to develop a lot of new skills. It will also be more difficult and expensive because I'm doing this in Australia, not the states so shipping and lead times will be a pain.
Here's my skeleton plan for the build. Very "Big hands, Small maps" but i have to start somewhere:
1. Set up work space
2. Get the Dynacorn shell, prime it, prep it for a long build time
3. Get VIN number etc. sorted out
4. Shock tower removal / Independent front suspension kit / Steering install
5. Engineering Certificate for modified chassis
6. Complete rolling chassis (and front seats + basic controls)
7. Crate engine, transmission, control kit
8. Power train integration
9. Sort out auxiliary systems - intake, radiator, fueling etc.
10. First test drive
11. Complete exterior
12. Interior design / Fabricate / Install
13. Strip down, paint, and upholster
14. Re-assemble, Additional Eng. certificates, legal hurdles for road Registration
That's what I've got so far, I'm going to be doing a lot of reading, but from what I've seen, this project is feasible-albeit-costly.
I'd love as much wisdom from you guys as you're willing to provide. On just about anything you can thing to enlighten me on. Things that I'm missing, things that I'll need to research in particular depth, details about registering custom vehicles in Aus, good suppliers of parts and services, both in Australia and the US, anything.
I don't know what I don't know, so please fill my brain :)
Thanks