Affordable Builds?

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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! I was going with a simple copo clone resto until I found this place. 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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.