Finances and Frivolity:
No way. Since this is a big hobby of mine, I'm sure it would seem to others on this site that I spend frivolously, but I was very frugal throughout my Army career, never any debt, and invested in stocks all the way. Combined with my pension from the army when I retire in 3+ years, I'll be financially independent of having to work, though I am unlikely to ever stop. Data science is fun, lucrative & is something I could do at any age, in-person or from home.
Yeah, Mike, that's the way I think about the Blue and Black turbo cars that will never sell. The black one is going to get a full, blow-it-apart and put it back together restoration-style paint job that will be $10k or more, I'm guessing. That, and all of the other adjustments and parts I'll do over time are definitely worth it to me.
Black Jack, OTOH, is supposed to be a car I don't have to park at the back of the lot, and don't mind giving some daily-driver abuse, to. I wanna have fun, but don't want to blow the bankroll on this car. In a way, it's really bringing me back to the light-hearted roots of where foxes began for me. The difference now is that I've learned some lessons, and blowing up a part doesn't leave me waiting for my next pay check before I can put the car back together!
Transmission info:
So, I just got off of the phone with Promotion Powertrain -- love those guys. Rick Collins there squared me away with the info that there isn't a substitute for the QT-8031. With an 03-04 Cobra style T56, it's the only game in town. He said that the Viper-Spec aluminum housing has the wrong depth. I think he said it's deeper. So, I had him sell me a 26-spline 10.5" ceramic disk to replace the KC clutch disk in the car, a reverse lock-out pigtail, and a clutch fork. I'll still need the cross member and shifter, both of which are fairly ubiquitous on the marketplace at budget costs, the driveshaft, which will need to be measured, and of course the bellhousing. I'll keep my eyes out for a deal on a used QT-8031 and would appreciate the info if any of you happen to come across one.
I'll be able to sell the T5, & Pro-5.0. Unfortunately, I wouldn't pass the FMS D/S on without making it clear to a buyer that it will come with a minor tremor. But, I imagine if I do it right and let a buyer feel out the T5, I'll be able to sell for a pretty good price. Maybe $800-$1k?