Affordable Builds?

[Muscle Car PWR]

I know the title of this thread and building Muscle Cars that do everything well don't really coincide but with the ever rising cost of building a G-machine with a wicked powerplant, killer suspension and brakes etc. what does the average guy with a modest budget turn to?

Don't get me wrong I love big wheels, big brakes, bad ass injected power and a six speed but are we living in a rally wheel and mild disc brake upgrade world with carb'd small-blocks while dreamin' about perfectly chiseld Muscle?

[JayR]

I can totally appreciate a tight budget and cost-cutting and think it's totally possible if you're smart, open minded and creative.

Think take out LQ4 or even a super cheap LT1 instead of an LS3 and go to online classifieds here and places like LS1Tech.com and craigslist instead of Summit and Jegs. Think '70s F, X, and G Bodies instead of first gen F-Bodies.

If you're really open minded, get a 3rd gen Camaro or a Fox Body Mustang which are both super cheap, pretty fast out of the box, efi with manual trans and decent brakes and suspension and loads of aftermarket support.

While obscure bodystyles are cheaper, don't stray too far or you'll have zero aftermarket support which is why I suggested the 70s GM stuff. The brakes and suspensions are already quite a bit more advanced than '60s stuff and there's lots of aftermarket support for them.

I would totally watch a carefully planned budget build so don't despair. Get a plan and get going.

[Taman]

I have been very fortunate building my TA. I have a grand total of $14k in it including the purchase price. I won the engine from Hot Rod's "Win Your Dream Engine Sweepstakes". I received the fuel pump, regulator and braided lines from Holley on the 04 Power Tour for getting Holley on the news . I was in a minor accident and the insurance company paid $5800 for damages to my car. My best friend's son didn't charge me for anything but paint, primer and materials. I did spend 3 of the hottest days two summers ago installing his pool.That was $6500. He put over 300 hours on my body work and I already had a pretty straight and rust free car. I discovered auto crossing on last years Power Tour and talked Heidt's into installing their Pro G front and rear suspension. With all the old parts I sold, that paid for a set of used Rushforth wheels and front 6 piston Willwood brakes. Here is a pic before the new suspension and rims. This is the new paint. The interior I did my self. As one can see I have been extremely lucky.
If you pick a non main stream car it helps. 2nd gen Ta's are still quite cheap if you stay away from 70-73 and 78 bandit TA's. I see them for under 10k all the time. Do a Hotchkis TVS and some Willwood brakes and you can be under $15k and have a nice ride.
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/xx58/taman1975/Passside.jpg

[67rstbkt]

I'm on what most would consider a tight budget. I've learned to save up some cash and just keep an eye out for the deals. The best I've got so far is a used T56 out of a Viper for $500, Ford 9" (practically free), and C5 calipers (all 4) for $200. I do all the work myself (except machining) and do not have a specific time for completion. I'm hoping to keep it under 30K. :thumbsup:

[Josh69]

I think my next one will be alot cheaper, I've learned from my mistakes and I think the biggest budget killer, is being in a rush. I fork over money for brand new stuff I feel I need ASAP, when I could've saved a ton by being more patient. It's still taken me 3 years to get to this point....so I guess once I can afford to start another one, I'll budget for 5 years and try to take my time finding deals before I even start.

Also, if I want to save money, I won't build another Pontiac. LOL!

I 2nd the motion to try a 2nd or 3rd Gen Fbody, or any Fox bodied Stang. They are classic, and lightyears ahead to start with than 60's cars. Power windows, locks, a/c, tilt, cruise, OD, disc brakes, EFI's small blocks, etc. You can buy one in mint condition and upgrade as you go for pennies on the dollar.

I see so few nice 60's cars driving around, or even 80's cars. So if you had a mint 80's pony car done right, it'll still be a real head turner in traffic. I still Jones for a nice 5.0L Fox, and someday I'll probably do one. I had an SVO in high school/college, and it was one of the most fun to drive cars I ever had, even with a whopping 175hp.

[Taman]

Building a 2nd Firebird or Camaro the cost is identical. There is no difference in price in engine or tranny rebuilds. Everything under the skin are all the same parts. A 3rd gen is even easier. Everything but body and interior is the same. God help it but you could even put a Chevy engine in a 70-81 Firebird. Same is true on 70's A bodies.

[MarkM66]

If you can do most or all yourself, and it doesn't get too bad. :cheers:

Other than that, you may have to settle for what you need, not necessarily what you want. :)

[Karl Buchka]

If you can do most or all yourself, and it doesn't get too bad. :cheers:

This is basically the deciding factor as far as cost goes.

My brother and I are doing pretty much all the work on our build. Seeing someone drop six figures on a build just seems absolutely out of this world, but when you factor in labor it suddenly makes sense. The hours add up quickly, especially when someone needs to get paid. ;)

I don't imagine our car will cost more than $20k, and that includes the engine build and a paint job.

I also don't think aftermarket support should be a deciding factor in what car you choose to build from. As long as you're passionate and unafraid of getting your hands dirty, you can make anything work.

[SLO_Z28]

+1 on the Second gen F-Bodys.

You can pick up a 74-81 camaro for about 3 grand. Replacement upper control arms with tall ball joints and lower delrin bushings, with lowering springs pretty much make the thing a beast(hate to say it but aftermarket subframes are mostly a waste of money). Global west rear leaf spring setup, adjustable shocks all around, cheap 17's(ebay ones can be had for about 700 for a set), with cheap rubber. Vortec headed 383 can be built for well under 2 grand and make 350hp. Weld the axle tubes on the stock 10bolt and toss in some 3.42 gears, locker. Kore 3 brakes all around. Then just body/paint/interior. You can build one hell of a cool car for well under 20k.

[boynton6spd]

I'm restomodding a 67 Impala Fastback.
I got the car for $400.00 witha running 283/poweglide...67K orig miles!
I JUMPED in and I LOVE the car...
However this is not a POPULAR car for aftermarket/Restoration parts...
Rechroming the bumpers is going to be $1,000!!!!!!
I could buy NEW bumpers for a 69 Camaro for $125 each.

Popular cars have cheaper parts, but the CAR is more expensive to get.

Less popular cars are cheaper to get, but parts are more expensive.

ALOT of trade offs.

[IndyNova]

I'm in the same boat, I have a 70 nova that I would love to have the big rims, brakes, fuelie motor, 6 speed, but I've also just finished school and have a two year old and the wife is talking about another kid. I see cars like felsers' nova, and some of the other killer builds and I think I could build one of those, and then reality sets in and I'm just going to build mine with what I have available to me, and what the wallet(and wife) will allow..lol

[realcoray]

I'm restomodding a 67 Impala Fastback.
I got the car for $400.00 witha running 283/poweglide...67K orig miles!
I JUMPED in and I LOVE the car...
However this is not a POPULAR car for aftermarket/Restoration parts...
Rechroming the bumpers is going to be $1,000!!!!!!
I could buy NEW bumpers for a 69 Camaro for $125 each.

Popular cars have cheaper parts, but the CAR is more expensive to get.

Less popular cars are cheaper to get, but parts are more expensive.

ALOT of trade offs.

It's true but there are less popular cars that have plenty of aftermarket support. I have a nova and most everything is available for it, and you benefit from the fact that so many performance parts work for both the camaro and nova.

Affordable is relative but I agree that if you do most of the work yourself, it's possible to have a car cost significantly less than equivilent builds that go through a shop.

[214Chevy]

Me personally, I think it is more about being patient and spending money wisely. What I mean is, if you truly want and LS don't go out and spend $4500 on a sbc when you could have waited 8 more months and got a $5500 LS3 built. Or spend $1600 on the smaller Baer brakes when 6 more months of saving can get the $2100 new Pro 6-pistons. Prices may not be exact, but merely examples. If that's truly what you want be patient and budget wisely. Those are examples of a budget build to me. I know, I know, everyone is not as fortunate and I understand that too. I'm just saying that if you truly want something wait and be patient, because if you don't and spend money recklessly, you will waste more money doing it over a second time. I am a witness to that personally. I bought alot of stuff just to get my car on the road and driving. Only to not be satisfied with what I bought because I still wanted other stuff.

[syborg tt]

Okay I have a new project in the works and it is truely going to be a full budget build. Not going crazy again.

However we are going to do it in multiple stages showing full cost of the build. Should be a pretty cool project and it's even a camaro. Most importantly the goal is to build a car that if you break down somewhere you are not screwed trying to find specialty aftermarket parts.

If you would Like I can e-mail you the build notes.

[Scotch]

Theres a ton of stuff out there for GM A-bodies, but they're expensive cars to buy in good shape. But- wagons and el caminos are usually a lot cheaper, even in decent shape.
Plus, they're different. I dig my wagon and it hustles pretty good too. I've got right at 30k into it now, after 6 yrs and doing as much as i could myself, plus horse trading for other stuff.

[DOOM]

What you need to do is stay off this forum!:lol: I was going with a simple copo clone resto until I found this place.:D These things can get out of control real fast money wise....

[Moose]

Im on a tight budget due to two kids and wife thats not working due to raising the kids.

I've done my car in stages. Started with the wheels and T56 for a SBC. I didnt get the huge 19's or 18's. Stuck with 17's. I did 13" brakes in the front and 12.19 in the back. Frank at prodigy was having a GP so got a good deal on disc brake conversion.

Now, I'm into the drivetrain again. I Got a smoking deal on a LS1 short block. Did some horse trading for some GTP stage 2 heads and paid 200$ for a cam. I probally have less 2000$ in the entire motor at this point, and thats TB to oil pan.

But being on a budget, I spent extra in certain areas that I felt, should be done the way I want.
For instance the gas tank. I ordered a ricks gas tank with the fuel pump in the tank. (got a another great deal, ricks was advertising a great price before x-mas). My point here is, I didnt want a external fuel pump that I could hear. I've been down that road and annoys me from day 1 of driving the car.

I know I'm not going to be the fastest guy on the autocross course or the drag strip. But I really enjoy my car because I'm building it.

[XLexusTech]

Whats cheap? 25K 30k 15 k 10 K?

Its all relative... personally I see the $$ piling up but I am also doing all of the work myself and sold off things I was not going to use.

[GregWeld]

Whats cheap? 25K 30k 15 k 10 K?

Its all relative... personally I see the $$ piling up but I am also doing all of the work myself and sold off things I was not going to use.

Best quote on here IMHO

Money is all relative. I have buddies that can't scrape up $500 for headers and then they come over to my shop where I've just bought "X" part for 10 grand that I think is "nothing".

The OP was asking about being stuck in a "brake upgrade world" to summarize his statement/question.... and I think if you're selling magazines - you need to suck people in with the no budget dream cars - but it's the how to articles for suspension - intake - brake upgrades that will be on the most read list.

[LS1NOVA]

I consider mine a budget build. Less than 20k, complete over about 7 years.

-Forged 6.0 built myself & homebuilt turbo system =600 hp
-Salvage yard low mile 4L80E
-17" VWW wheels, save lots of money over 18x11's
-LS1 brakes off LS1tech-they practically give them away
-DIY cage, saved lots of money there if you have good welding skills and dont need perfect TIG welds
-Replaced all the body panels myself and did all the bodywork myself. Farming out the paint. Learn as you go, but know that it will take a few years.
etc etc

It can be done on a budget. Be honest with what you can afford. Someone on here will always have better stuff. Dont go maxing out credit cards. Build what you can and get out and have fun.

[IndyNova]

Ls, I'd like to know more about your turbo set up, I want to do a turbo'd 6l myself and have been researching turbos.

And the point made earlier about how to articles is spot on, I just picked up and issue of hot rod( I know I shouldn't use that kind of language on here..lol) and it had a great how to on floor pans. That's the only reason I bought it, because it will help me with my pans when I do those soon. And the money is all relative is also on point, I've got buddies that spend thousands on their cars to drag race for fun only, they win very little money and hardly drve their cars on the street, that to me is crazy