Vague Question?

[tones2SS]

I know this is a vague question to begin with, but here goes.
"Roughly" about how much would it take, money-wise, to take a fairly rust-free 69 Camaro and turn it over into a pro-tourer/resto-mod? Keep in mind, I would like to keep the interior completely stock looking except for maybe gauge clusters. Have the body cleaned up, straighten panels, have a killer paint job. Suspension wise, I would go with Speed-Tech sub frame and their rear torque arm adjustable suspension. (would love to go with DSE, but not enough money for that).
Obviously wheels/tires need to be bought and a nice size power plant. I know this is just a vague/general question like stated earlier, but any info would be greatly appreciated before jumping in head first without be prepared. And I know the lateral-g crew are the people to ask.
THANKS guys/gals!!!:lateral: :thumbsup:

[jephs422]

What's your budget? What kind of shape is the car in?

[youthpastor]

$50K+ PARTS ONLY- ask me how I know- ' Cause the visa bills keep coming:rofl:

that's with a stock subframe, LS motor, doing the work yourself- EBAY can be your friend

[youthpastor]

save yourself buy one complete-- uhh like this one http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=19274:rofl: :rofl:

sorry- I''m having one of those days-

[almcbri]

It all is going to depend on how much work you are doing yourself and how nice the car is. If you are sending it out, body and paint can add up fast. What type of engine, trans?

Youthpastor is probably very accurate. Once you start adding up every nut and bolt at the end you will be surprised

[Flash68]

$80k-120k if you sub it all out.

[VP23271]

Plus you need to account for time. I don't have the wife and kids so I can do what I want with my time and money. If you have a family, your priority's are different. My hat goes off to you guys that work a 9-5, build your cars and still manage the family. That's a serious juggling act. Maybe one day I will be that lucky.

If you plan to do some of the work yourself to save money, it might be a while before your behind the wheel driving the car and enjoying it. With as many 1st Gen Camaro's for sale as of late, you might be able to swing a pretty good deal. If you can find one that is very close to how you want yours set up and all you need to do is tweak a couple things here and there or maybe just repaint it, I say go that route. You will be enjoying the car a lot sooner. The other option would be to pick up a Pro Street car and turn it into a Pro Touring car. Steve Rupp did that and a couple other people on this site have done it too.

[Vegas69]

Impossible to tell you how much. Ok....alot. If you don't want to spend a bag of cash, start with a finished car. As VP said, if you have the skills you can save a boat load of cash on labor. I have at least 800 hours in my build in the last year. On the flip side, putting in the time gives you pride and an attachment. I took mine out for a nice long cruise today. 4th gear pinned around a sweeper made it all worth it. :cheers:

[monza]

said here many times...

"How long is a piece of string?"

[jeff hanson]

What he said...(take your pick)...then triple it and add two years!:lol:

[Spiffav8]

What he said...(take your pick)...then triple it and add two years!:lol:

So very true!!!

[customcam]

Add it up
Start with a body say from MCC no rust repairs needed then find a good panel man to straighten and spray this is were most will go imo. then the front sub subframe connectors and rear end to purchase then install it, then Motor & Tranny,brakes,wheels & tyres,interior,headers and exhaust, roll cage :willy: etc. All all the big things, radiator and fuel tank and expensive accessories that YOU want and want to purchase, if you can get quotes you can add and then add a lump sum for the little things that are alot Ring Frank :lateral:

[Vegas69]

Then add 30%

[Flash68]

and then add 6-12 months......

[redfire69]

What he said...(take your pick)...then triple it and add two years!:lol:

This formula is proven true over and over!!! :lol:

[tones2SS]

I REALLY appreciate your info/answers guys.
I will have the car done by a professional as I know nothing of doing this job myself. Competition Specialties would probably be the top pick, among a couple of others that are sponsored here.
As far as time goes, that's really no biggie, as long as it doesn't take 50 years to build. LOL!! The money factor is the problem. Maybe I am better off getting a car that is very close to what I want and take it from there??
Nice car YOUTHPASTOR. I have thought about it, but I really want a 69 Camaro. Good luck with the sale. It is a beautiful car.
Again, I appreciate your input guys. THANKS!!:lateral: :cheers:

[ProdigyCustoms]

You can do something like the car we just finished below. A carbed small or big block, nothing to exotic, 700R or TKO trans, mid level suspension, mid level brakes, 2 piece 17" or 18" wheels, stock interior, Vintage Air, for about $80K.

As Todd mentioned, there is about 200 to 250 hours of assembly you can avoid if you can put together the rolling sheel like he did. And of coarse the farther from stock you go, the more those assembly hours grow.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u212/ProdigyCustoms/DSC00333.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u212/ProdigyCustoms/DSC00338.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u212/ProdigyCustoms/DSC00341.jpg

[DOOM]

$50K+ PARTS ONLY- ask me how I know- ' Cause the visa bills keep coming:rofl:

that's with a stock subframe, LS motor, doing the work yourself- EBAY can be your friend

:yes: The parts add up QUICK ... When my wifes friends ask whats all those things in the corner of the garage? My wife says its a car! The most expensive car shes never seen!!:lol:

[HRBS]

Then add 30%

Thats all YOU add ? :lol:

Its very hard to build a "nice", solid, yet reliable car now a days for less than $70k. Parts are Parts... and as others mentioned can run up towards $40k-$50k alone. Then add paint, interior (and if you're not doing it yourself) Labor !

[Vegas69]

That was almost exactly how much my project went over budget wise. :willy: :D

[tones2SS]

You can do something like the car we just finished below. A carbed small or big block, nothing to exotic, 700R or TKO trans, mid level suspension, mid level brakes, 2 piece 17" or 18" wheels, stock interior, Vintage Air, for about $80K.

As Todd mentioned, there is about 200 to 250 hours of assembly you can avoid if you can put together the rolling sheel like he did. And of coarse the farther from stock you go, the more those assembly hours grow.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u212/ProdigyCustoms/DSC00333.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u212/ProdigyCustoms/DSC00338.jpg

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u212/ProdigyCustoms/DSC00341.jpg

Again, thanks for the input/info guys.
I actually almost emailed you Frank to ask you personally, but decided to ask everyone their opinion. The car above is similair to what I want to do but with a little more pro-tour flare to it. I would love to have stock interior except for maybe the gauge cluster and of course, maybe have the Dynamat installed as well. THANKS GUYS!!!:lateral: :cheers:

[Mkelcy]

I would love to have stock interior except for maybe the gauge cluster and of course, maybe have the Dynamat installed as well. THANKS GUYS!!!:lateral: :cheers:

Add aftermarket seats too, if you're going to go around corners. Stock seats are terrible.

[TreySmith]

It isn't that expensive.. You have to factor in that these guys on this site have $10,000 paint jobs and $5,000 wheels and tires.. Then they have the superchargers and $$2,000 brakes and $6,000 suspension. And that is being generous.


If you just wanted a nice Camaro with an LSx engine, you will probably pay around $10-$15k if you do it all yourself. That is paint, interior, decent set of wheels/tires, and decent suspension including the price of the car. But don't listen to me as I have never done this before. This is just what I think it would cost.

[Flash68]

It isn't that expensive.. You have to factor in that these guys on this site have $10,000 paint jobs and $5,000 wheels and tires.. Then they have the superchargers and $$2,000 brakes and $6,000 suspension. And that is being generous.


If you just wanted a nice Camaro with an LSx engine, you will probably pay around $10-$15k if you do it all yourself. That is paint, interior, decent set of wheels/tires, and decent suspension including the price of the car. But don't listen to me as I have never done this before. This is just what I think it would cost.

He already said he will not do this himself and it will be done by a professional, so your $10-15k estimate is not even close.

But you are right about not NEEDING 10k paint, 5k wheels/tires, etc etc.

[TreySmith]

He already said he will not do this himself and it will be done by a professional, so your $10-15k estimate is not even close.

But you are right about not NEEDING 10k paint, 5k wheels/tires, etc etc. Then I would just buy a finished car for like $25k, then pay someone to swap in an LS1 or build up a 350.

[tones2SS]

Well, doesn't matter now, Got laid off from work on Friday.
Talk about a kick in the teeth.:mad:
Anyways, THANKS guys!!!:lateral: :cheers: