Need suggestions for project!
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Ft.Lauderdale, FL
Need suggestions for project! I'm 19 and I'm at something of a crossroads in my life. I'd like to make my living around cars. Problem is, because I have other priorities, I need to have either a very flexible schedule or a part time one.
In order to get a job that would put me in a position to get paid enough from either an employer or client, I'd like to build a project car I can experiment with and eventually use as a rolling resume. I'd like to showcase fabrication, tuning ability, ability to meet goals and plain ol' making good decisions, especially budget-wise.
I don't want to pour my heart and soul into a car and then wind up thinking I chose the wrong platform. I've thought of several cars but I won't say what they are since I want to make sure that your mind is open to all options. The only real constraint is purchase price which is must be under $5,000 barring extreme exceptions. With all that in mind, suggest away!
In order to get a job that would put me in a position to get paid enough from either an employer or client, I'd like to build a project car I can experiment with and eventually use as a rolling resume. I'd like to showcase fabrication, tuning ability, ability to meet goals and plain ol' making good decisions, especially budget-wise.
I don't want to pour my heart and soul into a car and then wind up thinking I chose the wrong platform. I've thought of several cars but I won't say what they are since I want to make sure that your mind is open to all options. The only real constraint is purchase price which is must be under $5,000 barring extreme exceptions. With all that in mind, suggest away!
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: St. Louis, MO
Apparently you are into F-Bodies or you wouldn't be on this site I'm assuming. But what I've always thought about doing if I had the money is, starting out with a very straight bodied V-6 car, you can find these cars fairly cheap and in decent condition. Doesn't matter mileage wise as long as it has a straight body. Just find a color you like and an interior you like and start from there. Yank the whole drivetrain out and build a very stout street/race car. That's my 2 cents.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 41
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From: Ft.Lauderdale, FL
Total budget would likely be about $10,000, but keep in mind I'll be fabricationg everything that is possible to fabricate myself.
I would actually lean away from F-Bodies. Very hard to be truly original starting with such a generic platform (don't get me wrong, F-Bods are great for bolt-on performance and other stuff, that's just not what I'm looking for).
I would actually lean away from F-Bodies. Very hard to be truly original starting with such a generic platform (don't get me wrong, F-Bods are great for bolt-on performance and other stuff, that's just not what I'm looking for).
Originally Posted by white_fly
Total budget would likely be about $10,000, but keep in mind I'll be fabricationg everything that is possible to fabricate myself.
I would actually lean away from F-Bodies. Very hard to be truly original starting with such a generic platform (don't get me wrong, F-Bods are great for bolt-on performance and other stuff, that's just not what I'm looking for).
I would actually lean away from F-Bodies. Very hard to be truly original starting with such a generic platform (don't get me wrong, F-Bods are great for bolt-on performance and other stuff, that's just not what I'm looking for).
89 RX-7 w/ LS1
Fiero w/LT1
73 Nissan 240z w/383
89 Supra w/402 or 408
84 Monte Carlo SS w/408
I think with any of the project mentioned above you'll be able to display all your abilities you'd like to showcase...
Fiero w/LT1
73 Nissan 240z w/383
89 Supra w/402 or 408
84 Monte Carlo SS w/408
I think with any of the project mentioned above you'll be able to display all your abilities you'd like to showcase...
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TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2006
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Originally Posted by Zeke34
1990 Notchback Mustang w/Forged 347, T56 Tranny, DP n2o, full suspension, as well as some interior and exterior mods...
Originally Posted by Zeke34
1990 Notchback Mustang w/Forged 347, T56 Tranny, DP n2o, full suspension, as well as some interior and exterior mods...
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 41
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From: Ft.Lauderdale, FL
I've considered doing a Northstar powered C4 with some hardcore track mods to make a poor man's ZR-1 that's even better than the original.
I like the S-10 idea and I already have a few threads on here related to that.
The tube-frame thing is interesting, but I'm not sure if I'm ready to design and build my own chassis.
The Miata would end up with a 302 simply because it is narrower and hence easier to work on/around.
Some other ideas I had were FC RX-7 with an LS-1, Focus V8 with WRC replica bodywork and a Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 with active diffs, anti-lag and other rally tricks. Keep the ideas coming!
I like the S-10 idea and I already have a few threads on here related to that.
The tube-frame thing is interesting, but I'm not sure if I'm ready to design and build my own chassis.
The Miata would end up with a 302 simply because it is narrower and hence easier to work on/around.
Some other ideas I had were FC RX-7 with an LS-1, Focus V8 with WRC replica bodywork and a Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 with active diffs, anti-lag and other rally tricks. Keep the ideas coming!
I vote for for an S10 project too.
S&W backhalf it with a 9", stuff a carbed SBC or LSx in it and stuff some big meets under the back. The backhalf is already put together for you and if you can fabricate like you claim, welding in the plates and new rails should be cake for you. A small cage is also a good way of showing your skills, the cage is usually a dead give away as to weather or not the person knows what they are doing. A shitty cage is super easy to spot.
Not to mention its a cheap kit, you would prob end up spending just as much on a bag setup that would take much longer to do. It will leave lots more time and money open for other 'cool' things to do with the truck. S10's are cheap and are super easy to find, keeping the initial cost of the vehicle down by chosing something a little more generic like the s10 will free up lots of $$ to put into the project.
S&W backhalf it with a 9", stuff a carbed SBC or LSx in it and stuff some big meets under the back. The backhalf is already put together for you and if you can fabricate like you claim, welding in the plates and new rails should be cake for you. A small cage is also a good way of showing your skills, the cage is usually a dead give away as to weather or not the person knows what they are doing. A shitty cage is super easy to spot.
Not to mention its a cheap kit, you would prob end up spending just as much on a bag setup that would take much longer to do. It will leave lots more time and money open for other 'cool' things to do with the truck. S10's are cheap and are super easy to find, keeping the initial cost of the vehicle down by chosing something a little more generic like the s10 will free up lots of $$ to put into the project.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 41
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From: Ft.Lauderdale, FL
The back half idea is interesting. It does look very easy to do. However, if I did an S-10 it would be AWD and be able cut low, low 60-ft times on junk tires while looking like a stock 4-banger or a NAPA delivery truck if I can get one of those huge hats.
As far as the Porsches go, I think I'd do a BMW if it is going to be a euro-car. However, a 944 with a Corvette transaxle might be an interesting way to go. Thanks again guys. Keep the ideas coming.
As far as the Porsches go, I think I'd do a BMW if it is going to be a euro-car. However, a 944 with a Corvette transaxle might be an interesting way to go. Thanks again guys. Keep the ideas coming.