Lateral-g project car on a budget.

[ottatyme]

Originally Posted by JayR

Since this is a budget, I'd keep it on the frame and since the emphasis around here is on turning and stopping, I'd start pricing bolt-on suspension upgrades and maybe a junkyard brake swap from late F-body or Corvette. Then some bolt-ons for the motor like i mentioned before, carb/intake/headers/exhaust
Maybe check the classifieds here and at "the other site" for any A-body stuff as well as Olds forums for motor stuff.
Doing one mod at a time and following it through would keep it affordable and from being torn apart for months at a time and make it interesting to follow along with. You could also test-drive and evaluate each modification.

Since it's a Cutlass S, how about S Curves for a name?

Excellent points, Jason.
I'd also begin with suspension, but add replacing the body mounts with something good and stiff to help isolate the suspension. It may be extremely beneficial to make the most of junkyard swaps, as there are a ton of great factory parts waiting to be exploited. I think that a mix of great factory performance items with complimentary aftermarket stuff will make this project EXTREMELY interesting, and generate some creatiuve thought.

Attacking the project one system at a time will be a great service to anyone new to building a project, and the tech info generated alone will be invaluable. How about turning this into a "budget build book"? Hell, we publish the final build in pdf format and.... ok, a little ahead of myself here, but you can't deny the value of such documentation!

Having a background in project management automatically makes me think "schedule, schedule, schedule", and a detailed look at the disassembly and organization of this project will help all of the rookie builders... as well as creating a pre-made list of items that can be sold/bartered to further fund the project.

"S Curves" is a killer name, too.

[Derek69SS]

To make this a "realistic" budget build, include the market-value of whatever parts you use, whether you got it for a steal, or it's been in your way in the garage for the last 15 years, go by what the parts are worth. The only parts you don't add to the cost are the ones that came attached to the car when you got it.

A $10,000 budget is pretty tight, but completely feasible if you don't get too crazy with anything, and are OK with buying or re-using some existing used parts. Brakes, for example don't need to cost a fortune. 4-wheel discs for well under $1000. Sure they're no 13" C5s, but the budget probably can't support those.

Other ideas to help give the project some direction:

For wheels, something like a 17x8 AR "Hopster" would look good without breaking the bank, give it a Pro-Touring flavor, and they're not TTIIs.

Engine/Trans-wise, I'd stick with an Olds 350/TH350 for a cheap combo, but if it's in the budget, an LT1/4L60e is hard to beat if you want injection and O/D, gas mileage, and reliable power. It's not an olds motor, but it will bolt right in.

[Hdesign]

I like "S-curves".

Here's a couple in the vein of a budget project:
cheap Skate
Cut-le$$
Tight-pocket Rocket

As far as keeping the olds "all-olds" and rebuilding or buying another Olds engine. I tend to think that money could be saved by getting a crate carbed SBC (if we want new) and rebuilt Th350 or 400. It seems to me that there may be a sacrifice in suspension/brakes/wheels etc. if we spec an engine that inherently costs more. I'm just thinking that this forum seems more focused on the actual performance rather than the originality.

Used parts was also a great suggestion especially for brakes.

[DAWG]

a first gen camaro would be nice.
I could donate some parts for the build aswell.
god knows all the extra camaro parts ive accumulated over the years and would never use.
heck i might even throw in a 327 complete motor.
only if the car is built and sold/ raffled off and procceds go to a charity of our choosing.

[Budnik Wheels]

Hi,
This sounds like a really cool project. Please let us know if there is anyway we and our new "Lateral" wheel can help out.

Thanks,

Jason,
Travis, and Jon

[3kidsnotime]

Jason, Travis, and Jon Thanks and thanks to every one and the support on this, I will be snaping some shots tonight of our project and lets keep the ideas coming in Thanks Jeff

[Hdesign]

Is this something Steve could use in PHR....hmmmmm?

[BThibodeaux]

Originally Posted by XcYZ

Jeff (3kidsnotime) and I been talking, and he wants this to be a fully documented budget build that will be covered on our website. What I plan on doing is create a webpage(s) just for the build then have it link to an ongoing thread here on the forums - a blog of sorts. That way, the project will have a dedicated URL and will be easier to find, add pictures to, and follow the progress with, etc, yet still be interactive. I think this is a cool idea and I hope it plays out the way we hope it does.

I talked to Jason Rushforth, and he thinks it would be cool to have the designers on Lateral-g come up with their own designs for the car and then we'd all vote on our favorite.

What do you guys think? Would this be an interesting addition to the site?

Here is the project car:

Scott,
This is a perfect idea, especially given all of the interest you are already seeing. Will it be possible to create sub-areas within the new webpage that would each be for suggestions/discussions related to specific areas of the build, such as design, paint and body, wheels and tires, front suspension, rear suspension, interior, etc.?

Thanks.

[customcam]

wow this is very cool
showing all aspects in detailed form of a build is just the best for all of us
Those Lateral budniks in a 19/20 combo with some BFG G force tyres will sit very nice under their

[black2002ls]

I think this would make a great article/series for PHR!! Also keep in mind, I'm not sure if the parts would be compatible on some of the roundy round cars, but if there is a dirt track community near or a good parts community, you might see if someone locally is interested in the parts, that would bring a little extra cash into the project. not much but it would be some. We've got some good ideas going here. I like the LT1 idea, surely we can find one for a good price. Or the idea of the crate motor. I agree with a lot of the comments we should try and stay away from the cookie cutter style of the big wheels and flashy brakes. We should display function over form. A tight budget build that will handle with the big boys. We don't need to haul this thing in from 200 MPH we, hopefully, want it to hit the twisties and handle.