I had to add core data to an existing project but I am having issues with the managedObjectContext...
in prefix.pch I have this:
#import <Availability.h>
#ifndef __IPHONE_5_0
#warning "This project uses features only available in iOS SDK 5.0 and later."
#endif
#ifdef __OBJC__
    #import <UIKit/UIKit.h>
    #import <Foundation/Foundation.h>
    #import <CoreData/CoreData.h>
#endif
...
in my appDelegate.h I have this:
#import <UIKit/UIKit.h>
#import "AppViewController.h"
#import "DDLog.h"
#import "DDASLLogger.h"
#import "DDFileLogger.h"
#import "DDTTYLogger.h"
#import "KIP_LogManager.h"
@interface AppDelegate : UIResponder <UIApplicationDelegate> {
    DDFileLogger* fileLogger;
    /*coredata*/
    NSManagedObjectModel* managedObjectModel;
    NSManagedObjectContext* managedObjectContext;
    NSPersistentStoreCoordinator* persistentStoreCoordinator;
}
@property (strong, nonatomic) UIWindow *window;
@property (strong, nonatomic) AppViewController* viewController;
@property (readonly, strong, nonatomic) NSManagedObjectContext* managedObjectContext;
@property (readonly, strong, nonatomic) NSManagedObjectModel* managedObjectModel;
@property (readonly, strong, nonatomic) NSPersistentStoreCoordinator* persistentStoreCoordinator;
- (void)setupLogging;
- (NSString *)applicationDocumentsDirectory;
in appDelegate.m this:
@synthesize managedObjectContext = _managedObjectContext;
@synthesize managedObjectModel = _managedObjectModel;
@synthesize persistentStoreCoordinator = _persistentStoreCoordinator;
...
- (BOOL)application:(UIApplication *)application didFinishLaunchingWithOptions:(NSDictionary *)launchOptions
{
    //establish lumberjack logging
    [self setupLogging];
    DDLogVerbose(@"\n\n*********************\nNEW LOG SESSION\n**********************\n\n");
    //set root view controller
    self.window = [[UIWindow alloc] initWithFrame:[[UIScreen mainScreen] bounds]];
    self.viewController = [[AppViewController alloc] init];
    self.window.rootViewController = self.viewController;
    self.viewController.managedObjectContext = _managedObjectContext;
    return YES;
}
...
    #pragma mark - CoreData Stack
    - (NSManagedObjectContext *)managedObjectContext
    {
        if (_managedObjectContext != nil) {
            return _managedObjectContext;
        }
        NSPersistentStoreCoordinator *coordinator = [self persistentStoreCoordinator];
        if (coordinator != nil) {
            _managedObjectContext = [[NSManagedObjectContext alloc] init];
            [_managedObjectContext setPersistentStoreCoordinator:coordinator];
        }
        return _managedObjectContext;
    }
    // Returns the managed object model for the application.
    // If the model doesn't already exist, it is created from the application's model.
    - (NSManagedObjectModel *)managedObjectModel
    {
        if (_managedObjectModel != nil) {
            return _managedObjectModel;
        }
        NSURL *modelURL = [[NSBundle mainBundle] URLForResource:@"SPI_PAC" withExtension:@"momd"];
        _managedObjectModel = [[NSManagedObjectModel alloc] initWithContentsOfURL:modelURL];
        return _managedObjectModel;
    }
    - (NSPersistentStoreCoordinator *)persistentStoreCoordinator {
        if (persistentStoreCoordinator != nil) {
            return persistentStoreCoordinator;
        }
        NSMutableString* strDocsDirector = [[NSMutableString alloc] initWithString:[self applicationDocumentsDirectory]];
        [strDocsDirector appendString:@"/SPI_PAC.sqlite"];
        NSURL* storeURL = [NSURL URLWithString:strDocsDirector];
        NSError *error = nil;
        persistentStoreCoordinator = [[NSPersistentStoreCoordinator alloc]
                                      initWithManagedObjectModel:[self managedObjectModel]];
        if(![persistentStoreCoordinator addPersistentStoreWithType:NSSQLiteStoreType
                                                     configuration:nil URL:storeURL options:nil error:&error]) {
            /*Error for store creation should be handled in here*/
        }
        return persistentStoreCoordinator;
    }
    - (NSString *)applicationDocumentsDirectory {
        return [NSSearchPathForDirectoriesInDomains(NSDocumentDirectory, NSUserDomainMask, YES) lastObject];
    }
in the view controller, viewDidLoad I am logging the passed managedObjectContext and am getting null returned. Obviously I am missing something but not sure what? 
In viewcontroller.h I have: 
@property (nonatomic, retain) NSManagedObjectModel* managedObjectModel;
@property (nonatomic, retain) NSManagedObjectContext* managedObjectContext;
@property (nonatomic, retain) NSPersistentStoreCoordinator* persistentStoreCoordinator;
and in the viewcontroller.m: 
@synthesize managedObjectContext = managedObjectContext;
...
 DDLogVerbose(@"%@", managedObjectContext);