Need some advice

[Weaver]

I am interested in building my own pt 69 camaro. I know...everyone and their grandmaw has one, but I have wanted one since I was in high school, which was 15 years ago. My budget is in the 30 to 40k range, which I know isn't much, but here is what I was looking to do.

Replace the front and rear suspension with a more modern one to handle high hp and add big brakes and 18's in the front and 20's in the rear. Replace the stock gauges with autometer gauges and redo the upholstery and add vintage a/c. Replace engine, tranny and rear end with a ls1/auto/ford 9 inch. Putting the cost of the car aside, could this be done for 30K? I don't know how to do any of this work nor have the tools, so I would have to get a shop to do it. Sorry I can't be more technical in what I want. I am in the process of reading the Pro Touring book.

Thanks for the replies in advance,

Weaver

[kennyd]

tracy ,
i will say no . cost of a good camaro 10k easy , motor and tans 4500. wheels 3k , 9in rear 1500, labor to paint assemble and wire 15to 20 k plus all the parts and materials i say 60k plus a interior.

[Stuart Adams]

If you already have a car, and the body/ paint is what you like then you could make some changes for 40K. The money will go real fast though so do a priority list and finish each item before you go to the next so you don't have a bunch of stuff and a non driveable car.

LS motor swaps are real pricey, I would do the front/rear suspension, brakes, wheels and tires for sure then see what is left over and add pieces as you go along. That is not too labor intensive ( that is where a large portion of the bucks will go, keep that in mind). If you have to have an LS motor then don't spend too much on the motor in there.

Good luck with it.

[camcojb]

I don't think so with all the upgrades; I think the parts cost would easily exceed your $30K budget even if you supplied all the labor.


I do wish you luck though, just seems like it's $25K+ just to re-do a car stock, not counting the cost of the car. Then again, the condition of the car has a lot to do with it. If the car doesn't need restoring, just changing it could be done. But when you figure replacing all the pieces on the car, body/paint, then adding all the upgrades it gets ugly quick.

Jody

[Stuart Adams]

If you were going to pay someone to do all that is in your post you would need at least 75K, not counting the car or body/paint.

[jy211]

You could probably find one almost to your liking...

Look here For Starters (http://www.camaros.net/classifieds/showcat.php?cat=44)

check all the sites. SOmetimes people get bored of toys and want to off load them to get something fresh...

I happen to be one of those people! :lol:

[rocketman]

I am interested in building my own pt 69 camaro. I know...everyone and their grandmaw has one, but I have wanted one since I was in high school, which was 15 years ago. My budget is in the 30 to 40k range, which I know isn't much, but here is what I was looking to do.

Replace the front and rear suspension with a more modern one to handle high hp and add big brakes and 18's in the front and 20's in the rear. Replace the stock gauges with autometer gauges and redo the upholstery and add vintage a/c. Replace engine, tranny and rear end with a ls1/auto/ford 9 inch. Putting the cost of the car aside, could this be done for 30K? I don't know how to do any of this work nor have the tools, so I would have to get a shop to do it. Sorry I can't be more technical in what I want. I am in the process of reading the Pro Touring book.

Thanks for the replies in advance,

Weaver


It will be fairly hard to have it built for that money.If you just want a nice cruise night,car show ,weekend toy.There's alot of stuff you dont need that will help in the cost.

Like keeping the front suspension,just rebuild it with tube control arms,get some dropped spindles,and aftermarket brakes,switch it to a rack and pinion.
Same for the rear,use leaf springs and a mini tub kit.These to step's save a fortune,when you don't need all the trick suspensions out there if you aren't going race or autocross it.

If shop wise you can pick up a nice low mile's LSx pull-out or mild built engine for decent money.Don't forget you will need a computer for the engine and tranny.

if you are willing to try and do some of the work your self,that can save a good bit also,you wont need much more than common hand tools.and save the paint and interior for a pro.

Depending on the results you are shooting for,30-40 g maybe dueable.

Also if spend alittle more on the car it self,like one with a good body and interior to start with that makes it easier,not spending a fortune on bodywork.and look for one thats not a bondo queen.

Thats a few tips I can think of right now.
good luck

Rocketman

[BThibodeaux]

You don't ask for much do you? :)

After the cost of the car and the parts upgrades, a shop will eat up your budget way before getting much of what you want done. IMO you are going to get the most for your money by finding a car that has already been done in a way that is pretty close to how you want it. Be patient, as it could take up to a year or longer, but you will find it. Look at lots of cars first, with the idea that you will not even consider buying one until you have seen at least 30 or so. This will give you a good idea about what you can really get for your money. Photos of cars online do not count. You need to see them and drive them in person. When you think you are serious about a car, be sure to have someone who really knows these cars inspect it with you. Don't be afraid to walk away from a car that you are not 100% comfortable with.

[Weaver]

I don't have a car yet, but I don't absolutely have to have the ls1/tranny swap. If I had a 350 with an auto, I could live with that, but I definitely want to upgrade the entire suspension, brakes and wheels. The interior I could live with, just have it re-upholstered. I think that could be done for $40k with the cost of the car. Agree?

Weaver

I don't think so with all the upgrades; I think the parts cost would easily exceed your $30K budget even if you supplied all the labor.


I do wish you luck though, just seems like it's $25K+ just to re-do a car stock, not counting the cost of the car. Then again, the condition of the car has a lot to do with it. If the car doesn't need restoring, just changing it could be done. But when you figure replacing all the pieces on the car, body/paint, then adding all the upgrades it gets ugly quick.

Jody

[rocketman]

weaver,where you located.

[Weaver]

Mandeville, LA-which is 30 miles north of the Chocolate City, New Orleans.

Weaver

weaver,where you located.

[jy211]

http://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21939

see what's out there....

[Weaver]

Yep. I have been looking, but after looking I have decided to try and build my own. If that means doing a little here and there, then so be it. I am looking for cars that may be projects and for whatever reason the owner is selling.

Weaver

http://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21939

see what's out there....

[Payton King]

in the mid 20's range and start from there. Camaros.net collectorcartrader , etc are good places to look.

looking at a number of cars to get a feel for the market is great advice.

[BC69]

How much of the work do you think you can, or could, do yourself?

Some of the mechanical work I think you could be able to do yourself and save a bunch of money. The body work is the biggest money, but its also something almost everyone has to pay out to a shop for, but you might be suprised what mechanical stuff you can do yourself to save a good amount of money.

Tim

[Weaver]

I am game for anything, but just have not done so before.

If I knew what I was doing, I would do it myself and save the bucks.

I just wanted to know if I had a pipe dream or if it was doable.

Thanks,

Weaver

How much of the work do you think you can, or could, do yourself?

Some of the mechanical work I think you could be able to do yourself and save a bunch of money. The body work is the biggest money, but its also something almost everyone has to pay out to a shop for, but you might be suprised what mechanical stuff you can do yourself to save a good amount of money.

Tim

[fatlife]

Just remember that people who tell you 60-80K have a differnet standard of what they want in a car. IMO it could be done for less, maybe not the super extravagant(sp?) suspension and motor, but you could do %70 of what you wanted with that much money, but it all depends on who you can find to do the work. I know of a few guys who could put a car together for a little over that, but don't expect to have a Sema car. AND no matter what you do, just remember that on any level of car build that its going to go over budget no matter who you are or what you think

[camcojb]

Just remember that people who tell you 60-80K have a differnet standard of what they want in a car. IMO it could be done for less, maybe not the super extravagant(sp?) suspension and motor, but you could do %70 of what you wanted with that much money, but it all depends on who you can find to do the work. I know of a few guys who could put a car together for a little over that, but don't expect to have a Sema car. AND no matter what you do, just remember that on any level of car build that its going to go over budget no matter who you are or what you think

The biggest chunk of cash will come from him paying someone to do the work. That adds up in a hurry. Plus it appears he's budgeted $10K for the car, and if you can find one for that price it will likely need everything.

And like you said everyones view of a nice car is different.

Jody

[Weaver]

My plan is to find a nice driver, i.e. not a lot of rust repair. The condition of the interior or exterior is not an issue. Also, it needs to run solid and don't want any issues with the engine or transmission. I am not looking to build a show car as I know that would cost at least $50k if not a lot more. I could always upgrade later to a better engine/tranny. I would just like to get the suspension, brakes and wheels done. If I could get that done for $30k with the purchase of the car as well, then that is what I am looking for. I figure I could get a car for $15K, so an additional $15k for parts and labor for the suspension, wheels and brakes. I want to run 18's in the front and 20's in the rear, so it would have to be tubbed. I figure wheels and tires will set me back a few thousand and the brakes a few thousand, so that would leave about 8k for the suspension. Of course, this isn't counting any rust repair. This won't be my daily driver, so I could work on it as need be.

Maybe i just have a pipe dream after all.

Weaver

The biggest chunk of cash will come from him paying someone to do the work. That adds up in a hurry. Plus it appears he's budgeted $10K for the car, and if you can find one for that price it will likely need everything.

And like you said everyones view of a nice car is different.

Jody

[4mm]

Your actual cost will ALWAYS be more than your anticipated budget. I just don't see how you could do it even if you did most of the work. As suggested, find one that already has that which you most want and then tweak it to your liking. You will save a bunch of money that way.

[camcojb]

My plan is to find a nice driver, i.e. not a lot of rust repair. The condition of the interior or exterior is not an issue. Also, it needs to run solid and don't want any issues with the engine or transmission. I am not looking to build a show car as I know that would cost at least $50k if not a lot more. I could always upgrade later to a better engine/tranny. I would just like to get the suspension, brakes and wheels done. If I could get that done for $30k with the purchase of the car as well, then that is what I am looking for. I figure I could get a car for $15K, so an additional $15k for parts and labor for the suspension, wheels and brakes. I want to run 18's in the front and 20's in the rear, so it would have to be tubbed. I figure wheels and tires will set me back a few thousand and the brakes a few thousand, so that would leave about 8k for the suspension. Of course, this isn't counting any rust repair. This won't be my daily driver, so I could work on it as need be.

Maybe i just have a pipe dream after all.

Weaver

minitubbing is $4K to $5K in most areas. Maybe get a tire combo that doesn't need tubbing?

Jody

[Weaver]

Maybe I can start selling crack rocks. That would help.

JK

Weaver

minitubbing is $4K to $5K in most areas. Maybe get a tire combo that doesn't need tubbing?

Jody

[Stuart Adams]

For me it has always been almost double what I thought the cost would be. I'm not very bright!

[Weaver]

It sounds like I am just going to have to give it a shot and look for a finished car and then eventually change it like I want.

Thanks,

Weaver

For me it has always been almost double what I thought the cost would be. I'm not very bright!

[rocketman]

The best car building advice,take your budget and add 20% that should cover building it.

[fatlife]

yeah, I have to agree with these guys, farming out the labor is way too expensive, anyway thats not what this hobby is about, its about building your own car, doesn't mean you have to take on everything yourself, but its no fun if you can't get your hands dirty some. I understand not everyone can do it, due to circumstances and such, but if you can't do anything yourself your gonna pay out the wazzoo for it.

I can understand though if you DID have the money, it would be nice to just let someone else go through all the headaches and just be able to write a check, wait for it to be done, and then go drive it.

My advice is either get some more money, learn to do some work yourself, find a car already done, or find someone on the side who does work cheap under the table, and start with a car that is already half way done

[Weaver]

Thanks for all the advice. I know I can find one close to what I want for $35 to 40k as I already have on ebay, but it would just need to be more suited to my taste, i.e. changing the color, changing the wheels, etc. Right now, I have $37K and with selling my current car, I should have another $25. I am going to buy a beater, but that won't eat up more than $7k, so that would leave me with $55k, of which I would like to save some, but I will have to make that call based on what I can find. I think my best route is to 1, find a finished car and change to my liking or 2, find a project that is near completion or halfway done. Like I said, I am willing to learn, but I don't know anyone that does this where I live and none of my friends do either.

Again, thanks for the advice.

Weaver

yeah, I have to agree with these guys, farming out the labor is way too expensive, anyway thats not what this hobby is about, its about building your own car, doesn't mean you have to take on everything yourself, but its no fun if you can't get your hands dirty some. I understand not everyone can do it, due to circumstances and such, but if you can't do anything yourself your gonna pay out the wazzoo for it.

I can understand though if you DID have the money, it would be nice to just let someone else go through all the headaches and just be able to write a check, wait for it to be done, and then go drive it.

My advice is either get some more money, learn to do some work yourself, find a car already done, or find someone on the side who does work cheap under the table, and start with a car that is already half way done