Good luck Dylan! I have never done an engine swap, and I admire someone willing to take on a project like this, especially at home in his own garage.
I'm sure the end result will be awesome!
One question, how are you going to make this happen for $4K? I thought that used Coyote engines alone were close to that.
Truck engines are where it's at. I paid $2500 for my engine and you can find them for $2000-4000, depending on the seller. Mine is complete from pan to TB. The differences are pretty minor, intake cam, oil pump, exhaust manifolds, timing cover, and 10.5:1 compression vs. 11:1.
I have the correct exhaust coming, I needed a new TC for the PBH bracket kit anyway, and a few other odds and ends. Oil pumps are under $100 if you're inclined to change it. Stock used cams are cheap. I wasn't willing to spend the extra $2000-3000 minimum for .5 compression. I don't think it will make a big difference. I will also be leaving the truck intake cam for muh torkz and seeing how it does. I'm over 4K right now according to my spread sheet, but not by much. Once I start selling some 3V parts and sell my old engine, I should be into the swap for way under 4K.
I have a blowfish bracket, will review upon install but I am not expecting it to heal my burned up blocker rings. The GT500 clutch master might help ease the load as I'm hoping it makes for a more authoritative clutch disengagement.
Yeah, I'm thinking mine is partially because of the remote design even though I have an MGW and partially because the trans has 155k on it. I figured it was worth a shot. If I don't like it, I can sell it.
Second gear grinds? You should get lessons on how to drive from Kelly. I bet he never grinds or misses a shift.
Kelly has been playing with sticks for a lot longer than I have. It's just automatic to him now.
The engine showed up, there was a broken TB plug and VCT solenoid. Disappointing, but used TBs are all over the place and I'm sure I can get a VCT solenoid cheap and fast. I will be contacting the seller to see if they will cover at least the solenoid.