[AL427SBF]

As previously mentioned my aim is to be in a position where i can order a kit in july/august, allowing 3 months for manufacture it should be in my garage able to work just in time for xmas/new year holiday period when i get a couple of weeks off work. This gives me 3-4 months to do all my research, read some books (anyone able to recommend a few?) talk to the local boys, meet people at shelbyfest etc.

Also, i want to get anally retentive about this and make schedules for when i plan to have things done by, and also about build budget before going into it to so to have a better idea on costs, where i can skimp if need be etc. Both of these should aid in getting the car done quickly and cheaply. If anyone's taken an inventory of exactly how long it took to do and how much it cost to do that'd be most useful, and something I plan on doing, should help keep budget and schedule in check (i hope).

If you're going to do it, don't impose schedules for completion - you should go in with the attitude that it's going to take as long as it takes. Particularly for a guy who holds a day job. Not hitting schedules you've imposed on yourself will put you in a position of cutting corners if you are truly "anal" about it. Same goes with cost, what you have down on paper will never = actual cost when all is said and done. If you're real good at forecasting project costs, you'll probably be ~20% over budget, be happy with that. Buying 2nd rate components or "skimping" to hit your budget is not the way to go. My recommendation is cost out all components and 3rd party help, then multiply that by 1.5 - that should be your budget.