I've always wanted a Corvette & right now the prices on 02 ZO6's are in my range. The only problem is that I would have to start modding all over again so that cost would also add to my expenses.

Currently I have a high 10 sec. 2002 TA (mods in sig).

I've narrowed down my options to keeping the TA, putting in a 6pt. cage so I can have fun at the track & not get the boot. Upgrade the fuel system to allow me to run more than just a 75 shot & get some other rims to make me happy with the looks & probably a ram air hood of some sort. I'd also be actively looking for someone to do a M6 swap with since I want to be able to auto cross a little, take it to Texas World Speedway now & then & just have a car that is more fun to drive outside the drag strip. When I'm at HRP I do love my car a whole bunch more tho

My second option would be to sell my car if I can get a reasonable offer with or without mods. Sell any leftover or taken off parts to go towards the ZO6. I really want a car that is just an all around car. Something I can take to the HRP one weekend then to TWS the next. I haven't driven either cars that are setup for the twisties & don't know how much better the ZO6 will be compared to a Trans Am with modded suspension & a M6 swap.

Please help me with some constructive input.

I've also thought about buying a C5 instead of a ZO6 for the removable roof. I do love my T-tops on the cruises and then just adding the ZO6 suspension upgrades. This way I could get a newer C5, or about the same year with lower payments to enable more mods or for me to get my but back in school & get my bachelors before I'm 40, lol.

I've changed my mind on what I want to do so much it hurts.....I just want too damn much. Champagne taste on a beer budget I suppose.

 

Dude, I know how you feel on lots of levels there - but here's the deal. You've got one hell of a car. If it were me (and it truly isn't) I'd go for school first. Personally all I'm going to do to my car right now is maintenance - I also need to finish my bachelor's before I'm 40 (not sure I'm going to make it though!).

With the degree, you may just be able to have a straightline car and a twistie course car (we should all be like 9ball and have 4 anyway, right?)

Good luck.

Todd

 

Thanks for your input! Somes days I wake up & follow my heart, the other my brain takes over & reveals to my heart what a budget is, lol. That is part of my reasoning on going back to school.....multiple fun rides.....I think the car bug bites me on my *** every other week or so....

 

What is your daily driver? If it's the T/A, then you shouldn't even think about selling it.

 

Having driven both cars 2000 Camaro SS M6 and my 1999 FRC Vette M6.

There is so much difference in the way the vette takes the curves and its also about 400 lbs lighter. Not to mention the pimp factor. But as far as track time.. The vettes suck. No weight transfer and the IRS likes to wheel hop.. And all vette parts come with corvette tax, so everything is alot more pricey.. But you will also be driving chevys flagship car. So its your basic win lose situation..

The F-bodys are great for drag racing. But how often are you drag racing? And another plus for the vettes is they are getting cheaper by the day. (bluebook value)

So MArc how much for your car without the motor, trans and rear end? Im looking for a lighter car for my impala's set up.. Or maybe trade your car to me for free labor for life!!!

 

No it is not, he has a Mazda pick-up.


Mark- Thats a tough call man. But I would have to say switch to a M6 tranny vs getting a C5, and here are my reasons:

- You won't get much for your T/A, and I hope you wouldn't be upside-down on the loan.

- C5 is a great car, but it is now "out-dated" by the C6.


Good luck on your choice bud,
Craig.

 

I'm 35 and I've had that car bug for some time - I've owned more than 20 and didn't have my first until I was 18. Had a couple of decent ones - 65 LeMans, 72 Cutlass, 84 Z28...then divorce and I had an 81 Pontiac T1000 (same as Chevette).

I do mechanical design/drafting and my pay isn't that great - I REALLY want to get my degree in mechanical engineering but I just plain don't have the time - Really, if it were me [again, it really isn't] finish the degree and you can be the one thinking up **** that needs to be done during the weekends instead of the guy doing the **** on the weekends (I'm usually the guy doing the **** on the weekends...).

Off my soapbox...

Later

Todd

 

I say z06 and back to school

 

do what ever is cheaper. Keep the t/a and go back to school!

 

marc i have one for sale you saw what it can do ........pm me if your interested....

 

I have a 2002 Mazda B3000 extended cab 5spd for a daily driver.


Well, I really don't think my car is the best candidate for tearing all the drive line out since it's a late 2002 model, only has 9,000 some odd miles, is a t-top car, and I still owe on it. It will be sold or traded complete with or without mods. If I didn't owe on the car I'd already have a Vette brother I'd have the best of both worlds. As for free labor....that's half the fun of having a hot rod No disrespect to those that can afford to sent a car off & have it pimped out, but coming from a background where I had to learn to fix stuff or I'd walk gave me an appreciation for turning wrenches myself. Plus it's nice to see home built cars keeping up & sometimes whooping up on cars that shops build. Inspector12's car is a great example of a sweet car built under his own roof. I know I can't do everything but you get what I mean. To me it's just a lot of fun building the car as well as driving it.

Man, you sound JUST like me! I've been doing CAD since '96 or '97 myself. Also considering a Mechanical Engineering degree but not ruling out MIS and a couple other things that strike my interest. I've also owned my own computer biz for the last 3 years but a couple of my big contracts dried up & got bought out so I had too many eggs in one basket. Not only that but I work 55 hours a week, 6 days a week & have to be there at 6am M-Sat.

So where do you work? You hiring any CAD people I've taken a step back to get the OT I'm getting now. Not to mention when I got back into CAD here recently there wasn't crap for jobs out there.

Keep the good input flowing guys! It's nice to hear voices of reason & get different views to open up my own thought.

Craig, it's MARC, not Mark, lol, not sure why you made it bold....

Good points as well. So when we putting the A4 in the SS & sending off the stall to get restalled bigger for that 427 of yours It will be much easier on your DRIVESHAFT so you can take it to the track

Just had to get a jab in


.....sure, I'll buy it for what I'd pay for a stock 02 ZO6.....$32,000 tops

Why the hell you selling it, you haven't even had it out of the shop for what, maybe a month? Maybe it's just the hot rodder mentality, sell it while it's running before I go beat the **** out of it & break it again, eh?

Got your eye on a C6 John?

 

Damn, and I never type your name wrong, tired I guess. I made it bold because I qouted someone else first.

NO A4 FOR THE SS! It's against me religion to drive a sports car with an auto in it! lol

We still can take it to the track, a road race track. Well, when I get my wheels back!

Peace,
Craig.

 

I work for a small design shop (small as in the president and 3 designers/drafters). We just hired the third guy in Dec. so we're not looking right now. My boss figures 50 hrs is a regular week, and 60 a touch over normal. I worked like 28 days straight from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve, 12 hours a day. I would LOVE to find a direct job in a bigger company (with bigger pay) that would give me time to pick up some classes on the side.

Your hours makes it sound like you work at Dril-Quip. If so, we might need to chat about that!!

Todd

 

Those aren't sports cars, they are muscle/pony cars sports cars don't come with back seats

I've been wanting to go autocross..........

Maybe another solution would be to get a little WRX or something to autocross? Opinions?

 

Marc, your Trans Am is very clean, and has low mileage. Honestly, you are headed down the same road I was with my Formula. Might want to rethink that one! When these cars are broken, you really start to dislike owning them. Thats when you start thinking about selling them.

The problem is, that no matter what car you own or potentially purchase, you know damn well you won't be able to leave it stock. Its impossible. You are a gearhead car nut just like the rest of us, and STOCK SUCKS. So, if you buy that Vette, you will end up modding it, breaking it, cussing at it, etc... all with a higher monthly note too!

Here is a cheap recommendation: One of the best ways to fall in love with your car all over again is to change the wheels out. Silly, but true. You just get tired of seeing the same setup, and need something different to look at. Put the hood and wheels on it, and enjoy it some more. When you get bored with it again, that means its too slow.

 

Autocross would be awesome....just don't go rice, dude!!

 

 

Autocross is actually harder on your car than drag racing. Its not uncommon for someone to wear out a brand new set of road race tires at a single event. Whats nice about drag racing is that you can go just about whenever you want since the tracks are open, and also the mods you do to make it faster in a straight line also show up on the street, performance-wise.

Just get your car running again. Letting it sit broken too long will make you dislike it even more.

 

It's only a minor down Tony, tore it down last week & should have it running this weekend which reminds me I need to pick up a head gasket.

As for being hard on the car? I'm not too worried about that, it's more about fun factor for me. I've ridden with some autocrossers & had a blast. As I've said before, with drag racing, the 'better' you get, the less time you spend on the track driving. I'm really not bored with the setup as I've still got lots left in it once I get a fuel pump & a cage

Don't think I haven't noticed a particular stroker rotating assebly on sale at a sponsors shop either

I think school makes the most sense. The sooner I start making more money, the sooner I don't have to choose either or & can afford both

Tony, it's crazy but you just quoted me from another thread, lol. Actually I have found a guy that will hook me up on rims like yours on the LE for $710 shipped for 18x9's that way I can use the same tires I have now. Plus when I sell the Y2K wheels I will recoop a good bit of that!

From this thread https://ls1tech.com/forums/newreply....eply&p=2465287

Thanks guys! I really appreciate your input & think you have helped guide me to do what I knew in my heart to be the best thing to do.

Keep the TA, start looking into a M6 swap (or get a autocrossable daily driver) and make the Bird into a beast! AND most importantly, get back into school.

Over the last 2 years I've managed to complete a little over 2 full sememsters so I just need to stick with it. Problem is I still don't know what I want to do when I grow up!

 

couldn't have been explained any better, KEEP THE BIRD!