TriniTuner.com  |  Latest Event:  

Forums

Prologue to a Build

Automotive Non-Technical topics... Just anything car related for the gear head in all of us

Moderator: 3ne2nr Mods

User avatar
Zorak
Sweet on this forum
Posts: 297
Joined: September 7th, 2007, 10:28 am
Location: Location, Location!

Prologue to a Build

Postby Zorak » February 25th, 2016, 7:11 pm

Hey fellas. So I've been contemplating starting this Build Thread for a while. The real reluctance being that at the moment I don't have a project car and in all honesty, I'm unlikely to get one to even get started for another year. I'll say it now before anyone else does, Worst Build Thread Evorr! Ha! The reality is though, even if I did have a car in my possession, I'd still have a long way to go and a whole lot of learning to do.

So why did I start this thread? I guess I feel like this has been a pipe dream for far too long, and even this, sharing that I want to build a project car, is a step towards that goal. I hope I'll be able to draw on the experience of you guys and in turn contribute to a subject everyone here is passionate about. As I learn, I hope that others too can learn from this, just as I always learn from reading the many build threads already here.

Now saying I want to build a project car can be very vague without highlighting exactly what areas I want to be involved in. The answer is, everything. Mechanical, fabrication, body work/painting, welding, fibreglassing. I suppose electrical work is the only aspect that goes into a build that I'm not currently excited about learning.

I guess the next step is evaluating my current capabilities. Well, I'm not at a complete loss around a car or as the French call it Le Automobile. I change my own oil, my brakes, I've changed my wheel bearings, some work in and around the engine, but I've mostly done suspension work. Luckily in the Mechanical aspect, I think I'm pretty well covered in attaining more knowledge and guidance since my dad has 35+ years as a mechanic. All that while I've been pretty busy finally getting that 52 on my bmx! Ha! I kid, I kid. Really though, I've spent a lot of time in the garage. No, I take that back, I've spent some time in the garage. And while I've helped out with engine and transmission work, I can't say that I was there often enough to let that level of detail sink in. Hopefully, some more of that knowledge can percolate into the further greying matter.

Regarding the prospective project's criterias, the first and maybe even the main criteria: RWD. Front-engine, rear-wheel or maybe even the odd mid-engine, rear-wheel (the only thing I can think of fulfilling that mid-engine layout is the MR2, and I guess that is lower on the list of possible candidates). The next, budget-friendly. This is definitely going to be a long-term, budget-conscious build. It's only based on what is available at the time that I will truly be able to pinpoint a budget to purchase the vehicle. If something I really like comes up at a reasonable price then I may consider selling my current vehicle and investing a little more. The project would of course then have to be a daily driver also. However, for now I'm thinking along the lines of having the project be an additional vehicle. With that being said, ideally I would be looking at something between $15,000 and $20,000. I'm definitely up for bargains though, rusty with pitbull-chewed interiors are welcome. If there are cars that fit that criteria for under $10,000 then I'm willing to take a look. Remember, I'm very interested in learning to do body work and panel repairs etc. In addition to being rwd and within those budgets, the only other thing, and this is an absolute necessity, is that the car must be legit and easily transferred. The goal of this project isn't to have a track monster but something simply exciting to drive and looks the part.

That just leaves the prospective candidates. Based on RWD and budget constraints most of you can guess where we'd be looking. The '70s & '80s! Damn those boxy edges and wedges are sexy!

So the candidates...
1. First Gen RX7
I really want to stop here. Really. I drove one of these a very long time ago when I had just gotten my licence. Absolutely exhilarating. I love everything about it. The way it drove, the sound and I think it just looks fantastic. Should I get one, it would definitely be rotary. While I do know that there are a lot of swapped examples, I'm all for buying one of these and swapping back in the soul. As such, I'm willing to buy a trashed engine from now so that I could use the time to dissect and learn its ways since my dad does fix rotaries and has had RX 2s in the past. I do know however that there are some mechanics who specialise in rotaries and so may have older non-working ones that I could use as a learning aid. So please, feel free to point me in that direction.

2. RX2
I'm almost certain I wouldn't get one within the budget I'm looking at. I am however willing to look at a 616 and do a conversion.

3. RX3/4/5
I can't recall seeing any RX3s locally, hopefully I'm wrong. Haven't seen an RX4 in a long time. And I do recall seeing an RX5 for sale on tuner a while back. I believe it was green and from Mayaro. Any help here would be really great.

4. Datsun 1200/1600

5. Datsun 120Y (310...maaaybe the 210 also)

6. KE70 Corolla

7. Datsun 620 Van/ Mazda 1600 Van

8. A172 Box Lanc...errr...I dunno. I do like these. I just never gave thought to owning one seriously. Oh well, it's there. Box Lancer.

9. And this really should be higher up but because I already said main criteria being RWD and this is FWD I didn't want to go back and change all that...Anyway...the Mini.

So these are the car-ndidates at the moment. That is, based on that budget for firstly acquiring a vehicle. Off the bat I can tell you it's not going to be a restoration. It'll be more along the lines of a restomod. A tasteful restomod.

So that's about it for now. Feel free to comment anything or make suggestions, point me to builds, post some of your favourite pics of the cars listed anything. It's going to be a looong process so thanks for the patience and I know I've already bored some of you already. So, here are some pics to say Thanks in advance.

Image

Image

Image

Image

User avatar
supercharged turbo
punchin NOS
Posts: 3668
Joined: January 19th, 2011, 6:53 pm
Location: turn around

Re: Prologue to a Build

Postby supercharged turbo » February 27th, 2016, 12:27 am

Sounds like you leaning towards a Mazda with a rotary.

User avatar
Ted_v2
TriniTuner 24-7
Posts: 11399
Joined: March 30th, 2010, 8:58 pm

Re: Prologue to a Build

Postby Ted_v2 » February 27th, 2016, 8:01 am

a first gen is a excellent platform.
due to local availability id opt for a b310/1200 with a sr20 swap
the box lancer is also a good candidate.

theres a guy that had a s14 sr20de and 5fwd box in a 1200datsun, had a b310 diff and some s13 front suspension bits, that thing haulled ass. super revvy and fun in such a small chassis.


but ill share my thoughts on undertaking a build.
i currently have a c32 laurel a local with a solid rear end.
i bought it with a l28 swap but the engine had too much problems so i swapped back in a l24.
it drives beautifully with blown struts. ( would upgrade rather than put back stock components)

its a older car so i scrapped out the entire interior and painted and rust treated everything, chapped and replaced whatever i needed too. i also took of my front and back glasses, looked good but was super rotten below .

all in all i spent about 15k in repairs and i got a pretty good daily runner with the cost of 10k for the car. so 25k in all.


if u asked me if it makes sense id say no.
mind u i did painting, welding , everything, engine swaps ect.

i am doing automotive service tech, a mechanic program. The stuff i learnt on this really helped me out alot, learnt most of everything.

however i used to run a alignment center ,so together i learnt stuff nobody could teach you.

User avatar
cinco
TriniTuner 24-7
Posts: 18211
Joined: January 6th, 2006, 3:21 pm
Location: Does this rag smell like chloroform to you?
Contact:

Re: Prologue to a Build

Postby cinco » February 27th, 2016, 10:13 am

Boy take that money and turn that hatch into a monster.
Coilovers, half cage, stripped interior, v6 and gearbox and you will like yuhself

User avatar
nos_specialist
Shifting into 6th
Posts: 1909
Joined: May 27th, 2005, 10:13 am
Location: Right Here
Contact:

Re: Prologue to a Build

Postby nos_specialist » February 27th, 2016, 11:46 am

Don't do it....don't.....


Trust me..its a never endin hole of expense

User avatar
Zorak
Sweet on this forum
Posts: 297
Joined: September 7th, 2007, 10:28 am
Location: Location, Location!

Re: Prologue to a Build

Postby Zorak » February 27th, 2016, 1:17 pm

Actually boy supercharged, I feel like I'm leaning towards anything with a rotary. I'm even fine with the older 12a. I'm thinking it might be cheaper to get one of these since they're usually swapped out for the 13b.

I really like those c32's as well boy Ted, post up a pic! I would really like to go that exact route as you did. Acquire and scrap right down, take it back to bare metal and build back from there. Where are you doing the mechanic program, time, cost? I think it's something I will definitely consider. I really think the Datsun 310 might really be the ideal car to use as a guinea pig/something to learn on. They're more readily available and if I mess it up it won't be such a tragedy as compared to wrecking something a bit harder to come by.

Cinco boy, just the other day I see a man selling the v6 from an mx3. I know that's a good swap for my car. Oh wait, I think the mx3 was being sold and I was just thinking it's only the engine I may want, lol. But I just really reluctant to swap out my ZL and tiptronic. Never had any problems and works really good. This car has really been good to me boy. Perfect daily. Only if I blow this engine would I really consider swapping. What do you know about swapping in a RWD engine in these that come 4WD? Ideas are brewing.

Lol!@nos_specialist. I'll redirect some of my food money towards the project. That way I'll lose weight which will negate my needing to go to the gym, savings there, aaaand less weight for my car to haul around, increasing fuel economy and saving money there too! :D

User avatar
cinco
TriniTuner 24-7
Posts: 18211
Joined: January 6th, 2006, 3:21 pm
Location: Does this rag smell like chloroform to you?
Contact:

Re: Prologue to a Build

Postby cinco » February 27th, 2016, 1:20 pm

Rwd not worth the work the 4wd system not that great. I working on turboing mine

User avatar
Zorak
Sweet on this forum
Posts: 297
Joined: September 7th, 2007, 10:28 am
Location: Location, Location!

Re: Prologue to a Build

Postby Zorak » February 27th, 2016, 1:40 pm

Oh nice man! Drop some details on that turbo build!

User avatar
cinco
TriniTuner 24-7
Posts: 18211
Joined: January 6th, 2006, 3:21 pm
Location: Does this rag smell like chloroform to you?
Contact:

Re: Prologue to a Build

Postby cinco » February 27th, 2016, 1:45 pm

When ah done u go see it. I trying to do it cheap but trying to be reliable. Looking for small power 150 an ting

User avatar
Zorak
Sweet on this forum
Posts: 297
Joined: September 7th, 2007, 10:28 am
Location: Location, Location!

Re: Prologue to a Build

Postby Zorak » February 27th, 2016, 2:09 pm

How come you didn't go 2.0? I think that supposed to be 170 out the box. Or is that the turbo 2.0?

User avatar
cinco
TriniTuner 24-7
Posts: 18211
Joined: January 6th, 2006, 3:21 pm
Location: Does this rag smell like chloroform to you?
Contact:

Re: Prologue to a Build

Postby cinco » February 27th, 2016, 3:37 pm

2.0 only dynos at 110-120 at the wheels 1.5 takes boost better

User avatar
supercharged turbo
punchin NOS
Posts: 3668
Joined: January 19th, 2011, 6:53 pm
Location: turn around

Re: Prologue to a Build

Postby supercharged turbo » February 27th, 2016, 9:15 pm


User avatar
Zorak
Sweet on this forum
Posts: 297
Joined: September 7th, 2007, 10:28 am
Location: Location, Location!

Re: Prologue to a Build

Postby Zorak » February 27th, 2016, 11:26 pm

Well definitely keep us posted on that front cinco. What management would you be using and does it still retain the vvt?

Thanks supercharged! That looks like a great candidate.

User avatar
Ted_v2
TriniTuner 24-7
Posts: 11399
Joined: March 30th, 2010, 8:58 pm

Re: Prologue to a Build

Postby Ted_v2 » February 29th, 2016, 4:34 am

IM doing automotive in nesc, pretty good program
7-4 for 2 years and then 1 year training.

trinizuela also does the automotive but i really cant give u the cost

User avatar
moti
punchin NOS
Posts: 4811
Joined: October 23rd, 2006, 11:51 am
Location: looking for Perry!
Contact:

Re: Prologue to a Build

Postby moti » February 29th, 2016, 8:32 am

cinco wrote:When ah done u go see it. I trying to do it cheap but trying to be reliable. Looking for small power 150 an ting



Esss arrr twentee deee eee tea

OR

Ess arrr twentee vee eee

User avatar
moti
punchin NOS
Posts: 4811
Joined: October 23rd, 2006, 11:51 am
Location: looking for Perry!
Contact:

Re: Prologue to a Build

Postby moti » February 29th, 2016, 8:35 am

nos_specialist wrote:Don't do it....don't.....


Trust me..its a never endin hole of expense



Seriously tho, this is the best advice here!

But who cares, cause when that project bug bite nothing cures it.

User avatar
cinco
TriniTuner 24-7
Posts: 18211
Joined: January 6th, 2006, 3:21 pm
Location: Does this rag smell like chloroform to you?
Contact:

Re: Prologue to a Build

Postby cinco » February 29th, 2016, 11:19 am

moti wrote:
cinco wrote:When ah done u go see it. I trying to do it cheap but trying to be reliable. Looking for small power 150 an ting



Esss arrr twentee deee eee tea

OR

Ess arrr twentee vee eee

too easy
yew know I like it hard teehee

User avatar
supercharged turbo
punchin NOS
Posts: 3668
Joined: January 19th, 2011, 6:53 pm
Location: turn around

Re: Prologue to a Build

Postby supercharged turbo » February 29th, 2016, 8:27 pm

Zorak wrote:Well definitely keep us posted on that front cinco. What management would you be using and does it still retain the vvt?

Thanks supercharged! That looks like a great candidate.
Np looks like a good platform for you

User avatar
Zorak
Sweet on this forum
Posts: 297
Joined: September 7th, 2007, 10:28 am
Location: Location, Location!

Re: Prologue to a Build

Postby Zorak » March 1st, 2016, 8:57 pm

Thanks for the info Ted. I don't have the time for a full time class but I'm sure I can get some short courses if I look around. I think I remember one dealing with fuel injection somewhere. And I think MIC does short welding courses.

I wanna get you guys' opinion on something. And I'm only asking cuz I believe I saw something similar in the Ole Skool Projs thread. In that thread it looked like someone was planning to join the front end of one one mini to the rear of another. I think it was basically cut down the middle, maybe around the B pillar. Thinking about it now, I guess a similar thing is done when they make stretched limousines out of non-stretched vehicles. The question is, what do you think about bringing in a rear half cut or shell of a fastback 120Y and replacing the end of a local sedan? Seems like it would be legit as you're not entirely re-shelling a car, so the chassis numbers and firewall are untouched. In terms of safety, I'm thinking maybe a half cage in the back in addition to any other welding for reinforcement. I guess the wheelbase of both cars is something that will have to be considered. It's just a thought. What do you all think?

Image

User avatar
cinco
TriniTuner 24-7
Posts: 18211
Joined: January 6th, 2006, 3:21 pm
Location: Does this rag smell like chloroform to you?
Contact:

Re: Prologue to a Build

Postby cinco » March 2nd, 2016, 1:22 am

Getting that done.properly will be expensive

User avatar
kjaglal76v2
12 pounds of Boost
Posts: 2214
Joined: April 1st, 2014, 4:03 pm
Location: iymc

Re: Prologue to a Build

Postby kjaglal76v2 » March 2nd, 2016, 4:33 pm

1st gen + sr20det

ram & sons has a clean one, very fast too

User avatar
Sanctifier
punchin NOS
Posts: 3768
Joined: June 9th, 2004, 8:09 am
Location: Good question!

Re: Prologue to a Build

Postby Sanctifier » March 4th, 2016, 12:54 pm

Zorak wrote:In that thread it looked like someone was planning to join the front end of one one mini to the rear of another. I think it was basically cut down the middle, maybe around the B pillar...
The question is, what do you think about bringing in a rear half cut or shell of a fastback 120Y and replacing the end of a local sedan? Seems like it would be legit as you're not entirely re-shelling a car, so the chassis numbers and firewall are untouched. In terms of safety, I'm thinking maybe a half cage in the back in addition to any other welding for reinforcement. I guess the wheelbase of both cars is something that will have to be considered. It's just a thought. What do you all think?

That reminds me of Ryan Garcia's RWD box Lancer about 15-20 years ago.
Two 1/2-cuts joined together + heavily tweeked 4G63-power...
Almost killed him when it split in half in an accident racing a local Lamborghini & Porsche IIRC.

So... Yup it's possible (I'm going to do something "similar" [only swapping rear floor... NO 1/2 cuts!] to a box Lancer after the Evo 6 RestoMod). It can be made reliable & safe... if you throw enough $$$$ into it! Personally, I wouldn't sit in anything like that to drive around the block... unless it was done by a professional body-shop... with the equipment & factory chassis specs to align, spot-weld & weld-bond the chassis together safely! (Google it!) So if you know of ANY local body-shop that has that kind of equipment... then go for it!
Sanctifier wrote:BTW that's exactly the equipment I bought over the last 7 years for my DIY project.

My Image

User avatar
Zorak
Sweet on this forum
Posts: 297
Joined: September 7th, 2007, 10:28 am
Location: Location, Location!

Re: Prologue to a Build

Postby Zorak » March 10th, 2016, 2:30 pm

Thanks for the info Sanctifier. I was just mentioning the joining at the B pillar based on that mini post. But I think I would have looked at joining closer to the C pillar and definitely a half or whole roll cage. That's more of a Is it Possible kinda thing though. Not so much a real intent at the moment.

Anyone with info on any 616's?

User avatar
moti
punchin NOS
Posts: 4811
Joined: October 23rd, 2006, 11:51 am
Location: looking for Perry!
Contact:

Re: Prologue to a Build

Postby moti » March 10th, 2016, 3:13 pm

If joining, then keep in mind that it will not be road legal.
Fact is, any proper inspection that is done and it was revealed that the car was joined then it would fail inspection.

Join chassis is one of the checks on an inspection sheet.
But alas, our inspection process is so funny.

User avatar
moti
punchin NOS
Posts: 4811
Joined: October 23rd, 2006, 11:51 am
Location: looking for Perry!
Contact:

Re: Prologue to a Build

Postby moti » March 10th, 2016, 3:16 pm

Also, I think your budget should be raised a tad bit.
Say maybe 20k or so to cater for a better condition.

Cheaper the car, the more rust/filler issues you will have.

User avatar
Zorak
Sweet on this forum
Posts: 297
Joined: September 7th, 2007, 10:28 am
Location: Location, Location!

Re: Prologue to a Build

Postby Zorak » March 10th, 2016, 3:29 pm

Ohhh. Wasn't thinking so much of modifying/joining the chassis. But more on the level of body work. Similar to what would be done for widebodies I guess. I definitely wouldn't join chassis though. That sounds like immediate death! Lol! Definitely would want the car to be road legal anyway.

But talking about road legal or more precisely nottt road legal...
What about just bringing in a car for track use? I think the US has a lot of older japanese cars that are interesting/versions we rarely got like a lot of coupes. I know the process of bringing in cars to license but are there any difficulties in bringing in a car for just using on the track? Going that route you can really bring in something special like a 240z or something.

Rory Phoulorie
3ne2nr Toppa Toppa
Posts: 5238
Joined: June 28th, 2006, 6:17 pm
Location: On the Fairgreen
Contact:

Re: Prologue to a Build

Postby Rory Phoulorie » March 11th, 2016, 6:27 am

Zorak wrote:Anyone with info on any 616's?

There is a guy in Montgomery Street in Ste. Madeleine (1st street on the left after the government primary school when heading towards Princes Town on the Manahambre Road) with an RX-2 that he obviously does not have the money to put back on the road. I am not sure what engine it has in it now. It has been parked up years now. The guy's nickname is Lyo. Sorry, I don't have a number for him.

User avatar
Zorak
Sweet on this forum
Posts: 297
Joined: September 7th, 2007, 10:28 am
Location: Location, Location!

Re: Prologue to a Build

Postby Zorak » March 11th, 2016, 9:24 am

Rory Phoulorie wrote:
Zorak wrote:Anyone with info on any 616's?

There is a guy in Montgomery Street in Ste. Madeleine (1st street on the left after the government primary school when heading towards Princes Town on the Manahambre Road) with an RX-2 that he obviously does not have the money to put back on the road. I am not sure what engine it has in it now. It has been parked up years now. The guy's nickname is Lyo. Sorry, I don't have a number for him.


Thanks! Will definitely check it out!

User avatar
kjaglal76v2
12 pounds of Boost
Posts: 2214
Joined: April 1st, 2014, 4:03 pm
Location: iymc

Re: Prologue to a Build

Postby kjaglal76v2 » March 11th, 2016, 10:13 am

Zorak wrote: I know the process of bringing in cars to license but are there any difficulties in bringing in a car for just using on the track? Going that route you can really bring in something special like a 240z or something.


240z is big $$$, like really big $$.

jus bring the car as parts(shell with the engine,transmission & front suspension removed & set aside!!

User avatar
Zorak
Sweet on this forum
Posts: 297
Joined: September 7th, 2007, 10:28 am
Location: Location, Location!

Re: Prologue to a Build

Postby Zorak » March 13th, 2016, 12:50 pm

kjaglal76v2 wrote:
Zorak wrote: I know the process of bringing in cars to license but are there any difficulties in bringing in a car for just using on the track? Going that route you can really bring in something special like a 240z or something.


240z is big $$$, like really big $$.

jus bring the car as parts(shell with the engine,transmission & front suspension removed & set aside!!

Nah man. You can get a lot of beater 240z in the States for under US$3k. I think if someone is looking at building a track only car then that could be a good option.

Advertisement

Return to “The Car Park”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 7 guests