Superformance assembly

[My Dream]

This is my first thread.

I will be taking delivery of my dream, a new Superformance, in a couple of weeks. My question is: should I complete the assembly and powertrain installation myself, or have a professional builder do it? I have average automotive knowlege and skills. I would like to do it myself, but do not know yet what is really involved.

Can you advise?

I have to work today (gotta pay for it), but will read the responses tonight. Thanks.

[CHANMADD]

I think that your own sense of accomplishment will be far greater,and you will have the knowledge to get yourself going again when those inevitable breakdowns occur,if you do it yourself!!

[mike knight]

If you stay with a stock type set up so that you don't need an engine genius you can do it. You will need some physical help so it would be advisable to get close to some local club and its members. I don't know of too many clubs that I have read about here that don't jump right in and help noobies get there dreams fulfilled. I didn't see from your sig where you live. Unless you live in a remote area you can be sure that for a few beers and a barbecue you can "giterdun".

[289fia_cobra]

Whereabout in CA do you live? SF Bay Area? So-Cal or way-up-North CA ?

[STCinc]

I did my engine install myself.. It's not hard but you will need a few friends around when you install the motor/trans into the car. Also find a safe place to store the hood while you get the job done so it doesn't get damaged.

PS> For fender protectors I used lots of the heavy duty anti-slip stuff you find under carpet (the fishnet looking stuff, but get the thick version) directly on the car followed by large, thick beach towels... It was soft, didnt scratch or slip a didnt cost much.

[Hal Copple]

suggest you get Dennis Olthoff's urethane motor mounts, so your installation doesn't sag with the cheap rubber mounts. As for me, about 7 years ago, paid to have it installed by Dennis, i would pay him again, to be sure it was done precisely right.

all the best

[TKing]

I removed and reinstalled the engine myself and with few exceptions the process was not too painful. My biggest headache in the removal was the header bolts removal (about 4 hours) and the install was the mating the engine to the transmission. I also had problems bleeding the clutch cylinder.

I have average mechanical skills. It took me about 4 days to do the install myself (no help) I found very useful information on SCOF and the Ford Motorsport web pages (install instructions). I also took many pictures of the engine before I removed it and this helped tremendously. You may want to find someone with a Superformance with a production number close to yours and the same engine/transmission you plan on installing. Ask them to take some pictures.

Have fun and do it yourself!

Tom SPF1823

[Madmiles442]

There's lots of info out there to help you do it yourself and most active area clubs would gladly jump in to help too.
But it really depends on you. What are YOUR mechanical skills? Your mechanical interest? Some would rather pay someone to work out kinks while others would relish hunting and pecking through the shake-out process.
Paying for installation should save time in the long run because they can diagnose quicker (typically). But the fulfillment of learning all those details can be very rewarding for those interested.
Me? I'm much more of an R and R mechanic. Recognize and Replace. I'd have Olthoff or Dynamic finish it up for me. Just my $.02.

[My Dream]

Thanks for the input guys. I live just north of San Diego. I was wondering if there was much to apart form the motor and tranny installation? I am going with a small block 427.