1gary

As I surf this forum and others as a long time hod rodder,leaves me to wonder if this generation has been lost to the bombardment of the cheapest low dollar parts market.That is all they know and if funds where available,they wouldn't know what to get.
When I was younger and well even now,I have always had a dream build I wanted to do.I don't see that kind of posts anymore.I think it has taken the optimism point of view out of hot rodding which that has been a cornerstone of what hot rodders are.We had always figured a way to get-er-done without compromising our dreams.

I do know of "some" guys on here that have thousands and thousands of dollars invested in their builds.But not many............

Maybe you guys could list what your dream build would be and how your going about it to prove me wrong.I sure hope so.My hot rodding is my everything and I do really care a ton which direction it's going in.

RavageTheRoad

I sure wish I could I could buy an engine and mod the hell out of it, get a $20,000 paint job, and do a frame off resto... But my job tells me otherwise. I didn't mean to come off as sarcastic because that is a very good question to ask these days. But IMO (and just because I really hope fast and furious didn't do it) it's more because the money just doesn't flow like it did. Should I get SFC's or milk and bread? Probably why the rat rod scene has become more popular. Just my .02 but I wish there was higher dreams besides "slap some TV's and big tires on it" myself..

Veaceonee

iTrader: (1)

Ravage is right, jobs dictate what can be done and when.

My dream build is just to bring my car back "to its heyday", with slight upgrades while maintaining the stock form, but nothing fancy. I have no ambitions to do an LSX or anything crazy like that. I am doing it VERY slowly, one piece at a time.

TurtleTamer

iTrader: (1)

I agree with what's been said about income. Being 30 I'm at this weird cusp of a generation that belongs nowhere. I remember a time without the internet and cell phones, making collect calls, going to the library for research, etc. But the technological advances we have today soon came to fruition in my childhood, teen years and early 20's. I was in high school during Columbine but left soon after and only a few years later the environment was drastically different.

When I was a kid it seemed the opportunity was out there to learn a trade, get a decent-paying job and eventually you could buy a house, start a family and end up with a project or two in the garage. Nowadays it takes a college degree and/or decades of experience to even dream of making enough to buy a home or own a second car.

Modding has changed a lot as well. Cars were carburated, came with dual exhaust with no cats, had mechanical fuel pumps and timing mechanisms; the list goes on. Modern fuel injected vehicles simply take a whole lot more to mod tastefully. Emissions need to be kept intact. Computers need to be tuned. Things need to be wired in or wired around and (re)programed.

You also used to be able to pick up something old and fairly powerful for cheap. Not so much anymore. Around 2000 I looked for a powerful car to buy and I remember late 70's Camaros were around $3000. You may be able to find one like that now but you'll have to trailer it home and hope you don't get sued from rust chunks falling off and hitting cars behind you.

Fast and Furious didn't do it. I'm fairly active in the Mistubishi world and over there they look down on all the BS they did to cars in that movie and the ones thereafter. The issue is import cars with small engines are what people can afford. It's what's available to them, and hell look at gas prices. What kid can afford $4 a gallon gas?

bygddy

You and i have this argument before lol, so I will refrain from the sarcasm etc, that being said, I think your looking at it from a pesimistic view point. While I agree, having a "dream build" is a good goal and something to look forward to, you still need to enjoy today while you wait for tommorow. If everybody waited for there dream build to come to fruition there would be garages and lane way everywhere full of unfufilled dreams. That's where the "cheap parts" and budget builds come into play. I can have my car apart for years and years while I spend money on the best parts which are generally overkill anyways (afr heads on a 350 with a 268 cam that will never see a racetrack) or I can research, find a budget head that will give me the performance I want, for a much lower cost, yes that includes 305 heads, procomp heads etc, and get my car on the road that much sooner. I think there's a place for "dream cars" and they are what we strive for, but rather then daydream about something most of us can't afford between kids, sports, home repairs, mortage's etc etc, we compromise, and we buy "cheap" parts, and we get our **** together and enjoy it. And to me that's what's keeping "hotrodding" alive. Because if my 300hp budget car works this well, imagine what 400hp will feel like, and now I have a goal, buy better parts next time around. And that's what keeps the market going, guys that get hooked on driving something they love, and wanting to do better. But that's the key, "driving"....not "looking at in the garage" ........that's My humble opinion.

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

The thirdgen crowd isnt well known for being wealthy enough to afford dream builds. Lol. Check the 4th-5th gen crowds and vettes. I have been fortunate enough to do my dream build and see it come into fruition. Granted i really want a big block efi with twin 76-80mm snails but my 400 with 70's should be more than enough. Some parts i cheaped out on, like shp block instead of lil m, and master power turbos instead of turbonetics/precision turbo/garrett etc.
dream builds are NOT cheap because dreams are not reality for most. Theres still some items i would love to have that are out of my budget

W.E.G.

A car is either a hot rod, or it isn't.

Definition is in the eye of the beholder.

If you are a rodder, or even a wannabe, just get the coolest you can afford, and give it what you can afford.

There is no shame in not having a twin-turbo 1000+ HP monster with immaculate paint. The wall at the track just hits them harder anyway.

It's a more diverse world now.
Rodding will always be foreign and incomprehensible to many.

Rodders are here to stay.
You just have to look a little harder to find the legit ones these days, and you have to understand when they are a little less overt than the old days.

kevin j

first Off Sorry About The Costent Cap At Every Word But My Phone Is Doing It For Whatever Reason. Any Way I Agree With This Post But Dissagree At The Same Time. I Am 18 years Old And I Work In A Machine Shop And Tire Shop And I Spend Seven Days A Week Under A Hood, If I Find Free Time. I Have Dreams Of A Blown 383 Making 500 Plus To The Wheels. Iv Lost Countless Amount Of Girlfriends Do To My Obsession, And It Just Is What It Is. So I Say That I Am One In A Few In My Gen That Has An Appreciation For Old Pushrod Carborated Monsters. Now I Do Agree With This Becouse All My Friend Arnt On Third Gen But On HondaAcura Trade Or Swapping 240 Engines. I Think It Is Pathetic And A Shame To See People DumpThousands Into Making A Four Banger Act Like A Proper 8Cylender. My theory Is ThatMy Generation With All The Tech Advancements Are Used To Having It Now, So They Can't Dream

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

3rd gens are low budget cars. Most guys with them have low budgets.

If they had bigger wallets chances are they would have something more of a 'classic'.

Budget dictates build.

I am sure most of the guys here would love to build a higher end car, but may not be out of reach.

Not everyone can justify $2000 heads for a basic rebuild either.

Speaking for myself, I went lower budget on my 3rd gen because its just a basic rebuild for a daily driver, and I have a 1971 camaro that will get more expensive stuff and a 1955 belair that I have to get finished and it has more top shelf parts as well.

There should be room for everyone in this hobby.

No reason to look down on those who can't afford the top of the line stuff.

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

I have been fortunate enough to have my dream builds.

1. 1955 Bel Air, back halved, L-88 shortblock with LS6 heads.

2. 1971 camaro, it may get a bigblock, but I haven't started the build yet, daily driving it though, so I am living the dream.

But at the same time, I have a job that I love and is very fullfilling. I teach people and touch the lives of many daily, however, I do not make much money with this job, but its enough, and more rewarding then a hih paying job could ever be.

I also have a 6 year old daughter who I provide for and hope to provide a future for, so I have to budget.

Its just the way life is for many people these days, you got to pick where your money goes.

ASE doc

Johnny Blaze, you're fortunate to get to enjoy your hotrodding adventures while raising a family. With the cost of living being what it is today, that's not easy to do. As far as third gens being low budget cars, I have to contend against that idea. The third gen isn't a classic yet but it's getting close. In 4 years, I'll be able to insure my 87 IROC Z28 as an antique. It may never get the full appreciation of my friend's 67 but I didn't choose it for the cool factor. The 3rd gen, like it or not, is the most aerodynamic of all the f-bodies and has the best chassis for cornering and high speed driving.

I first began dreaming of a 3rd gen build when I first saw the 85 IROC. When the 5.7 came out in 87, I knew that would be my project car. Before that, as a child in highschool, I dreamed of a 70 454SS Chevelle. My wife wants us to find a classic cruiser at some point just for cruise day weekends, but my first love(car that is) will always be my Beasty. I have invested more time and money into this car than many invest in their Vettes or classics, and to reach the full realization of my dream I have further to go. A stout rear axle, tubular crossmember and lower control arms, 600+hp motor, new paint. With each new development in the aftermarket to benefit our 3rd gens, the list grows.

At the same time, I have learned to appreciate any honest effort at building a hot rod. Everyone of us has a different vision and a different path for getting there. For me to stand in my shoes and sneer at the visions of others is neither kind not constructive. It's not always easy and every time a pumped up Subaru drives by or my buddy asks me to help him diagnose the misfire in his pumped up Audi turbo, that old feeling of contempt rises up. But, hot rodding is a very personal topic for each of us and in order to call myself part of that society, I have to respect the visions of others. Even while my car isn't all that I want it to be, I love it and I love driving it. It is a beautiful and very fast car and I love the attention it garners whether just driving around town or when I take it to a rod club meet. Yes, even many serious classic hot rodders appreciate my 87 IROC.

Right now, my wife wants to buy a house. I had a house once and had to sell it when I lost my business, ended up renting. So, now I have priorities other than my hotrod dream. My wife still let me build my new transmission this year($1,800 in parts), plus she has a car that needs tires and TLC. Once I have saved up a down payment, 2 years I hope, then I'll get to work saving for the new motor and a rear axle assembly, and the dream will go on.

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

Luckily I had the iroc and the bel air before my family got started.

Hotrodding is a family tradition. I grew up in trifive chevys.

My family owned a Studabacker dealer before my time, when studebaker went under, they became an AMC dealer. In fact my Uncle still has an AMC The MAchine, they got new. When AMC went under they sold the dealership to Ford.

Family also owns a junkyard I spent many years in.

In my family we have drag racers, a Mud Truck racer, a rock crawler, and stock resto guys. Cool mix, chevy guys, and even mopar guys in my family.

I had several other hobbies I have given up, hot rods is it now.

I love the 3rd gens too, and they are starting to gain some more respect, but you still don't see many picking them for big buck builds, which is ok with me.

Jcodello

Well as far as my 2cents, I've finally started my dream build. I've owned my 92 Firebird for years now and am just now starting to build her a good engine. Nothing unrealistic in my opinion. Just a good strong loud motor between 4-500HP and a suspension that will allow me to drive her like i stole it and fix the inside and body back to the way she was when I bought her.

t-top havoc

iTrader: (3)

My dream build is a 34 Ford
3 window chopped coupe with an 8-71 blown big block.
Just something I've wanted to do..

1gary

The dream build I think of is a mid 13 second consistent winner bracket race car.Not bragging,but for yrs I have been very,very,lucky to have been racing winning 9.90 cars.I did come from those 13 second and slower cars background.
There is something to be said about enjoying the competition and the ride in a slower car.Sounds weird,but it was a simpler time.We have gone in the 1/8 4.56@150 mph and have a two car race operation with a second car running 10.90.
I look across at the staging lanes with envy at the guys running over there even through I think we have been very successful for many,many yrs.
I think one thing that is assumed that everyone spends a bundle on,is the electronic media and as I said assumed it is just what everyone else is doing so it's ok to include that costs as life's normal course.Not to look at it as something to give up to apply to a hot rod project.So I question the level of commitment to hot rodding.
I said hot rodding is my everything.The things I have given up to I think to get where I am today goes far,far,beyond the scope of a thread like this one.

Yes one other thing to add.Hot rodding is a family activity whether it be as a cruiser,or any form of racing.It has been proven families spending time on that have children a ton less likely to get into trouble.So it shouldn't be a question of either/or.

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

What do you mean 'electronic media'? Like tv and stuff?

I have no cable tv, no home phone, no car payments, just insurance, morgage, electricity, water, gas for cars, and food.

I don't buy fancy stuff, unless its for my hot rods!

I hear ya. You just gotta remember not everyone is as dedicated to their cars as we are.

fireburdluvr85

Going on 5 yrs with mine. First was a tpi, now I have a healthy 355 tpi running on the 411. Had to build the tranny, 4l60e, to match the healthy 355. I started with a brake upgrade as I learned that the motor / appearance was last in a build. Its all a balance. I want a stock appearance, a little more bite, killer handling, and massive brakes visible. Now the downside we all know, my 355 and trans have only been run on the stand, my full c5 brake swap sits on my bench at work, my fourth gen interior is half done, and the drivers door upper hinge is smoked. The reality; the house, wife, kid, bills all come first in my short day of working full time and part time running my business. My car had a hard life before me and it hurrs to see the clear coat peeling. I won't get rid of my 91 formula because the first time I drove one at 16 I was hooked.

1gary

Cell phones,texting,etc.I look down on parents who miss out on key moments in kid's life's self involved hooked into all the electronics.Those times you never get back.There is no greater time spent in a parent/children hot rod project at any kid's age.Those the kids will remember that the rest of their life.

1gary

The people who stick to it get's my respect.

Daves82

You know, I have dream builds. It just seems that this is not the place for them, as none of them revolve around f bodies. I bought my camaro for something to work on while I still try and save up for the dream.

naval_ned

My dream build is a late '50's to early '60's chevy station wagon with a stroked 350. I just picked up a 350 vortec bare block for $50 and then I hit a good score on ebay. Got the computer, harness, and TBI for it as well as a distributor for my 89 camaro and edelbrock intake for $150. So I don't feel the money as an issue you just have to jump on a good deal and be actively seeking them out.

red rock

iTrader: (2)

I have too many money pits already. I restore and mod old Arctic cats(70's), have a Harley that get's too much chrome and motor upgrades, buy too much sporting equipment, I am always up gradeing the Iroc with something every year. I spread the money to all my hobbies and don't concentrate on just one project. One thing to note hear though, everything i own is loud, just like it was in the old days. My point here is, everyone has their own goals and how ever they get there is up to them. This is a good thread to learn how some go about their goals.

Bullydawg

iTrader: (7)

I have dumped so much money in my car at this point I hate adding up the receipts. Here is the route I am going...

T56, New AFR Comp 195's, Superram (welded and ported), 9" rear. Then I will be parting out my current engine.

T56 (installed)
9" (getting built/installed when I am deployed)
Superram (own, getting sent off and welded/ported)

Paint job is already paid for, just waiting for me to get home and pull the engine and paint the bay.

Aiming for the 400rwhp number sticking to TPI.

Car also has Tokico Illumina's + drop springs, Ronal R15's...

Basically, my car is going to be going through a lot of changes around Feb once I am out of the military and have some time off... Deployment money is going to help as well.

Hot rodding isn't dead just yet, but thirdgen's are getting harder to find.

UnstableAviator

Well, I guess I'm a unique case here. I bought my 3rd Gen in 1997 and it has sorta grown up with me. I am very fortunate to have a good job and the time and ability to make my Camaro better and faster. So even though I could afford something more classic, or worthy, (in some folks view) I am CHOOSING to build a thirdgen. The performance at the track these cars offer is really a hidden gem in the hot rodding world. Last summer I was knocking off 1.62 60' times one weekend then winning my autocross class the next, and all I had to do was change tires and bolt up a sway bar.

Bullydawg

iTrader: (7)

I agree... I could stop now, park my car. And start building another car if I wanted to... My car probably needs another 10k to get it finished to my liking.

DeltaElite121

Gary, I have always had the vision of having a street strip warrior simply because most thirdgens do NOT earn us respect overall. They're run down junk cars that barely run and have rust plaguing them... begging to be crushed. I chose to be different, and build the car for myself. Everyone I know (except one person) told me I couldn't do it... that's right, even the other mechanics that "know more than you could forget"... My Dad said I'd never be "mechanically inclined enough" to do it and that I should just "sell it since it's on it's last leg".. I had to prove it to myself I was smart enough to learn this stuff, and sometimes it really felt like I wouldn't make it.. but I did.

Now look who's laughing. I started with a 355 with 882 smog heads and a XE274.. now I've got a fully built 355 (literally everything new), built TH350 with a billet converter, full BMR suspension, ford 9" and 6 point rollbar setup, that will easily pull the front wheels off the ground and HOPEFULLY dip into the high 10's this season after everything is finished. All of which I learned from sitting down and doing my homework. I didn't base off people's OPINIONS (even on here!); I did research, learned the math, learned how things work, and did something about it instead of sitting there asking "Uhhh what intake should I buy? It's good because everyone else picks it, right?" I could've had a 383 by now easily.. 396, even.. or even bigger. I don't care about that. I saw someone else do amazing things with their LT1 355, and I really want to see if I can push it even further. Maybe I will, maybe I won't.. we'll see. It's a personal goal of mine, and I intend to make it happen and be happy with what I have - even if I don't meet my goal.

My dream has never changed aside from getting bigger. I bought this car when I was 18, and I'm 26 now. I wanted a street/strip thirdgen Camaro that brings on respect to a neglected and forgotten bodystyle. The problem is my generation.. they dream too much, and work too little.. and expect everything handed to them through socialism and credit cards. They are the "instant gratification" generation. They see one person that has done something amazing on youtube, and then everyone thinks they can do it. I'm not made of money, and I'm still finishing college (last classes this semester FINALLY) but the fact is - I've sunk a ton into my car.. because I want it to do what I set out to do. I want to run 10's with this car naturally aspirated, and I WILL do it... even if it's only 10.9's.

Hotrodding is about learning.. it's not about who's fastest, or has more money, or whatever materialistic perspectives people get. It's about sharing knowledge and helping the guys that don't know the things you wish you knew when you were their age. I know one "old school hotrodder" that always builds and sells.. builds and sells.. and we're talking some seriously nice cars when he's done with them. He is NEVER happy because he's stuck in his old ways, doing the same old tricks. I honestly think he's partially bored, but after doing the same things for over 25 years... who wouldn't be? The problem with him is he's unwilling to change, and would rather be closed-minded... just like so many others. When I showed him my DART heads, he actually told me they were junk.. I LOL'd and walked it off. Ignorance is bliss, I guess.

Jcodello

I'm also building a 355. What kind of parts are you putting into yours?

1gary

It has never been convention that has driven us.After all what I have tried to pass on about us flip selling race cars and how it effects the money management certainly has never been well accepted.That and beening a insider to the business of high performance parts along with current tech has steered our moves and forced the moves up.
Having been "faster" isn't maybe where I would prefer.Might be time to retire from the business to a personal open trailer-ed bracket car to do rounds in and not have the pressures of a business to contend with.Just get back to having fun again.

In those fast lanes there are a ton of bald/gray hairs all on the cutting edge like us.

Now unknown to you,but I have read alot of your posts and when you don't see me jump into a thread,I agree with you.You covered the topic as well or better than most could.

jdracer13

Ok. I will be doing a dream build after I graduate. I will have college to pay for but who cares . The car is more important, and money really shouldn't be an issue as an ME. I will be doing a Twin 76mm Precsion Turbo 358 EFI. I should be able to run mid to high 8's low 9's. It will be going to get acid dipped before it gets repainted because there is wayyyy to much damn undercoating on it . Anyways it will have full cage and interior, and should be able to drive it from coast to coast. I want to still be able to take it the the road course or AutoX and still kick ***. No expense will be spared. We have built race cars in the past, done auto-body, and now we build race engines. Some of our customers are national record holders in the NHRA and we have brought in and started to build engines for the man, Jeff Lutz, for his Pro-mod Camaro and his streetcar a '57 Chevy Bel-Air which some of you may know about it.

Right now the car is going to be mid 12's car waiting on my motor to be finished. Damn engine guys haha, they take for ever. It will also be able to run AutoX. I got out of dirt racing and I just need something to tinker with while I am in school, that will not break the bank.

ksith

Oh dream build for me (and I do mean dream build) would definately involve a World Products sbc 454 (it exsists for about 12k) backed by a good enough 6 speed manual to back it a light weight drive shaft finished by a moser 12 bolt with a good set of gears and disc brakes all around. Suspension would be fully adjustable with qa1 coil over shocks on all for corners. Adjustable sway bars would and to body roll stiffness and frame ties and steering stabalizers would all the chassis stiffness as well as a roll cage. All while keeping it streetable so I could enjoy it the once a month my wife lets me drive it. Can't forget the adjust lower A-arms and rear lower control arms either of course. Definately a corner carver

kentuckyKITT

iTrader: (4)

My third gens ARE my dream builds. Budget cars or not, man when I was a kid THESE were the cars I wanted!! It's what I grew up with. I remember when every one of them were new. I'd have 30 of them if I could afford it. I'm working on a third right now. I've always wanted a GTA. I want another Camaro RS too! Then, there's Knight Rider. I mean if you were a kid and a fan of the show like me, you dreamed of having KITT and little did you know years later you could actually make that happen as I have.

I just finished building a $5,000.00 327 for my KITT car. I don't consider myself a "rodder" per say, but I had a blast building that engine and it's a fun ride too.

In my area, car culture has dwindled significantly. All I see these days are poor souls staring at their phones while driving some completely stock, hideous looking gas saver. I'm SO GLAD I'm not one of these people. It seems that each passing year, more and more young people are NOT discovering car culture. It's sad really and that's why every time I'm at the local cruise ins or car shows and someone younger comes up and asks me questions or seems interested, I'll talk to them forever in hopes that they might retain that interest and pursue their own build someday.

Cars today are nothing more than appliances to most people, so it's nice to meet other car culture oriented folks even though they are rare here.

Johnny Blaze

iTrader: (15)

I agree with you the car culture has dwindled.


I did not mean my budget comment to be derogetory to 3rd gens.

I have sunk a ton into mine over the years, as have others.

But, I do think the draw of them for many is the affordability.

Dyno Don

iTrader: (7)

Lived my dream...

red rock

iTrader: (2)

That a boy Don.

Sidethumper

iTrader: (1)

Well my dream build is in progress, Its not a 57 chevy drag car like Dyno Dons above but its mine and I love it. I have dropped well over 10 grand on this project so far and I know I will never get a good resale but that's not why Im doing it. Its because I simply love all years of these cars !

ASE doc

RIGHT ON!!!

ASE doc

Ya know? I was just thinking as I finished another long winded response to a question posted by a member who just inherited someone's abandoned project. He wanted to know what kind of power he should expect from a largely undocumented combination that has sat in someone's driveway for some unknown length of time. I had to tell him that I don't know what he should expect. Based on some of the information he gave. It may not work out well at all. Then again it may be a beast.

The whole point of this is to do what ya can with what ya got. Isn't that the true essence of hot rodding after all? I think back to my uncles and other old timers I grew up around. All the old junk they had thrown together back before you could open up a catalog, let alone click on a website, and order up any combination of high dollar parts your credit card would allow. Or better yet, have some highh dollar speed shop build it for you so you could get on the pages of magazines and brag on it as if you had built it yourself.

These old timers had a need for speed and they did it using mostly factory parts stolen from various cars and trucks and ported or welded or cut up to work.
Isn't that what hotrodding is really all about? Just a thought. I myself built my car out of the Summit Racing catalog. Internet wasn't quite there yet.

Damon

Generally people reserve their "dream builds" for cars they loved when they were kids.

For me, it's a 78 Malibu my Grandparents bought new in 78. And it ain't much of a build, money-wise. It's just a cool old cube with a torquey motor and skinny tires. It's sorta "retro". You could have built it the way I've got it now with parts available in 78. My friends say it's like a warmed-over back-woods Georgia sheriff's car. I can live with that.

Would love to do more, but budget dictates (as do kids).

Also realize that the more modern the car, the more expensive it is to build it. Modern Camaros and Mustangs are MUCH more expensive to build starting right from the price to buy the car in the first place. I'm lucky to have 2 of the best hot-rod shops around right in my back yard, including Evolution Performance (they do sick-fast Mustangs that have been in the magazines too many times to count- Google them). Nelson, who owns Evolution Performance, talks business with me from time to time and we both agree the "middle market" of Hot Rodding for regular guys is dying. The high end is booming, however. So don't feel bad if you can't replicate the killer cars in the mags- they don't come cheap. Not unusual for him to do $30K of work on a car that cost more than that to buy it in the first place. Of course, it will roll out of the shop putting over 700HP to the wheels, still get 20+ MPGs and be able to drive cross-country with the A/C and cruise control on while still sporting a nearly-stock long block under the hood. The magic of boost and modern EFI in the hands of someone who knows what they are doing.

As cool as that is, there's a complication factor that doesn't appeal to everyone. Guys still build some pretty wild setups using nothing special for parts. My friend's home-built turbo/carbureted 72 Chevelle is a great example. It runs low 11s (at 126+MPH!) on pump gas with no traction. It didn't cost anything like $30K, including the car itself. But, MAN, did it take work!! Simple, cheap, but only if you have the time to invest.

Just build what you like and can afford.

fireburdluvr85

Jcodello, before im beaten; i got a hell of a deal on the bottom end- 93 truck 350 {2 bolt} cleaned up with a .030 over all new cam bearings, freeze plugs, crank turned to clean up. bearings, rods, keith black pistons, pretty much a whole short block for $500. guy wanted out of the $1800 he put in and i didnt sway cause its all i had. got a set of afr195's brand new in the box for $1200. harland sharp 1.6 rockers for $125. have a lunati cam of mild sorts [10120702LK]. i had a spare tpi intake just ran a sanding drum the what i could as i dont wanna hurt a good design. i had a 96 truck harness and converted that to the 411 for free. paid alittle for the 411 from spareecm. as was stated above we use whatever is afforded to us and we take pride in the higher dollar parts of our builds. i love to make a joke that my car is 15 cars combined. its all one color with the original panels tho. no red neck here.
im blessed that im a mechanic and i run a computer diagnostics specialty business. i own alot of diag equipment for these newer computers so i pretty much trust them and can pin point certain failures coming just by looking at my data. thats why i took the jump. the trans, well its just a monster in a box. im not shooting for 1000 hp either. im looking for 325. my main focus in a build is the suspension and brakes. as of next month hopefully bilstein all around with founders caster plates. poly bushings all around. i have home made lca out back with poly. i have weld 17" rims. ive cobbled all this stuff together or traded to get alot of it in the last 5 yrs. you have to feel what the car wants next. thats how you know you are in tune with your car. the coolest part of my car i think is the lingenfelter 3" aluminum drive-shaft i bought for $75 brand new in the box. also had to trade my 89 gta grids but ehh, didnt match my formula. i love coming on here because this forum shares ideas that can keep our community alive. plus when some of us young'uns [im 30] get stupid ideas we get bashed and are grateful for it in the end. keeps us sane.

Rolling Thunder

Yea I see there are not a lot of "dream builds" going on here but really when you look at the big picture was this ever the case? Especially considering the age group. Id bet the majority of us are under 25 or so. The key is I think we all have dreams just not the financial means or know how to act on them. We just do the best we can with what we've got. Of course, wasn't that always true of the original hot rodders? What you lacked in funds or availability you made up for with creativity and hard work?

I think the best thing we can do as a community is to teach what we know. How many projects get cut down simply because they just don't know how and are too afraid to dive in as result? In a time where doing your own basic maintenance in the driveway is rapidly becoming a thing of the past who will teach the next generation how to weld?

zraffz

I'd have to agree. I see a lot of younger guys with them or older disabled men.

ASE doc

I was out in the early morning today driving my Beasty with some equipment connected to diagnose my inop TCC. I passed a couple of third gens. One was a filthy beater and I felt bad to see one of our cars being so neglected. It's not uncommon though. Someday these cars will be old enough that the only ones still on the road will be those that are loved enough to still be running. Then, they'll be considered alot more special. This morning at the gas station I had a few people checking her out and got props for her being such a nice car.

Jcodello

Sounds like your truly along on your build. Sounds great! I really agree about the "posting stupid ideas and getting bashed" part of your post. I've been hit over the proverbial head a couple times on here but it was really for the best since I realized what i was proposing to do really wasn't in my or more importantly, my cars best interest. Your must further along then I am. Ive got a stock 1992 Firebird sitting in my garage with a bare 305 block sitting on the engine stand next to it. My 355 is at the shop and the lower end is all finished and looks awesome! He bored it .30 over with beautiful swirls on the cylinder walls and decked the block perfectly to get my compression ratio to 9.94:1 with the KB Hypereutectic short skirt pistons. He is going to start working on the vortec heads but can go only so far since the company that I ordered my RR arms from wrongly sent the non self adjusting ones so I have to wait until the send the self adjusting ones so we know for sure the length of the push rods that we are going to need. I also have to buy the intake still. I was trying to reuse my edelbrock tbi performer but after seeing how much machining it was going to take to make it fit on the vortec heads plus be so restrictive that it would negate the higher flowing heads, I finally decided on going with the Professional products Vortec hurricane intake manifold. Thanks to everyone on here that really helped me out to understand how silly it was for me to try to use performer. That's why we post our projects on here, so people can point out some of our less then good ideas on our builds. As far as the car I haven't done anything to it yet. I know I want to put a posi in it with 3.73's and am going to get TCI's Breakaway torque converter. Not sure what to do with the suspension yet. Was thinking coilovers on the front. I also agree on replacing all the rubber bushings with poly. Where did you find that driveshaft that cheap! Lucky dog! I'm not sure on the brakes yet either. Do you think it would really make a difference to upgrade the front rotors and convert the rear drums?

Blue1990camaro

iTrader: (1)

as much as i LOVE my IROC Z, its never going to be my dream build, iv always had and loved third gens, alwaysloved them for there quick street ability and cruising comfort and amazing looks, but HONESTLY, if i was going to throw $30k at a car, id want it to be a 68-67 Nova, but then again, like its been said before, alot of us here just do not have the funds to do so, thus why I have an iroc z28, cheap cost to buy, parts availibility, doesnt cost a WHOLE lot to modify them, and still when finished a budget build you end up with a quick or fast street or track car that didnt break your bank and is still a great looking and great riding car thats more or less, in my book, unique.

around here i dont see third gens, very rare actually, maybe a hand full of 4ths, but usualy they are either just base v6s or they are riced out

all in all, i love my third gen, and am happy with how im building it

Anti-Venom

I can honestly say that my '89 Formula is my dream build. My first car was a third gen Camaro. Since then I've built a crap ton of cars to include a 500hp bbc powered '66 Chevy pickup, after i built it, I ended up wanting more performance. So I built a '69 Firebird, it just didn't do it for me either, and the bang didn't meet the buck.. G bodies felt too sedanish. I even built a couple turbo imports. Moral of the story, I ended up that I liked driving 3rd gens more than anything else. My formula has the stance, sound, and feel that hits home for me. Truthfully, I've never built cars for the attention or resale value, I've always built them for me, and me alone.

I can recall when 2nd gens were cast away white trash crapcans that nobody wanted. And now look at the prices they bring. It won't be long until these cars become more diserable. They're already becoming less and less common as more and more of them get junked for one reason or another. When people start to see them as classics with tons of potential, the values will go up, and people will start putting money into them again. I've seen a few high dollar 3rd gen builds here lately. I think they're on the verge of coming out of the awkward worthless old crapcan phase. 4th gens are now starting to go into that phase. People either want classis cars, or they want brand new ones, and in the middle is were the budget guys are found.

So guys quit whining about it and take advantage of it. This is the best time to be a 3rd gen guy. Buy up the cheap parts and cars while the gettin is good. They won't be this cheap forever.

Unfortunately my builds have slowed way down here in the last 10 yrs. 3 kids and looking to buy a new house here soon, and both me and my wife are finishing our degree's.

I can't wait to blow the dust off my car and start wrenching on it again, but It's just not in the cards for at least another couple years. In the meantime though, I've used it as an opportunity to just pick up a few parts here and there. I'm now sitting on 4 corner Bilsteins, full Spohn delsphere rear suspension, GW front bushings, T56 swap, and a mini tub kit to name a few. I can tell you though, buying the occasional part here and there really helps in keeping the project under the wifes financial radar.

My vision of it done is with a full cage, race seats and harnesses, 18" Formula 43 wheels, super ram'd stroker, Big hairdryer, and brembo's. I eventually want to run some lsr events with it.

SLEEPER 86

Going on 15 years with my '86 coupe project. After losing garage space it's becoming a battle against the elements. I guess I keep going because of determination and commitment.
I really miss all the '67 Camaros and Firebirds (including a'67 SS 350 RS and a'67 400 4speed bird, but this is my baby now and I'm sticking with her til she's done!
Ok, they're never really done......

lunati397

there are plenty of dream builds where guys are taking every nut and bolt out the difference now is they can do it cheaper just because someone doesnt just throw money at something doesnt mean its not thier dream build I only have 10 k wrapped up in mine and its my dream build but is it not worth it because im a bargain shopper

I have had my car since 98 and this will be its 4th motor since one was weak one blew one sold for cash and this one is what I always wanted Turbo LS3

fireburdluvr85

i personally felt a difference with the rear disk to drum swap but the bigger front { i have the 98+ 12" set now} wasn't much of a difference other then less fading during " spirited driving" . my formula is also my daily so planning to do work takes some time. just gives me more time to research and gather parts. hell i didn't buy my cam for a yr cause i wanted it good for what i want. one of the bigger names on this site recommended the cam i bought to another member who built a motor similar to mine. i want 330 hp. will i get it? hope so. kinda hard to pull an engine when the current one is running pretty darn good.

i read on here that front coil overs are not the best idea. our strut towers aren't very robust.

novaderrik

don't know if it's been covered because i skipped to the bottom:
people don't seem to want to work for things and get things one piece as a time as they can afford them any more... they buy crate engines for thousands of dollars and drop them in instead of buying a set of pistons this month, a cam and lifters the next month, getting machine work done the next month, etc.. they buy prefabricated big brake kits for thousands of dollars instead of using factory replacement parts and making brackets for hundreds of dollars... they try to make the car pretty before making sure it's safe and fast.. to a lot of people, this is the only way they know to do it, so they don't even get involved and try because they don't have the cash to buy the expensive aftermarket parts up front..
and it doesn't help that in the last decade or so we've had tv shows where they totally rebuild a car in a few days to a week- so when they get into the third weekend of their simple 305 to 350 engine swap they start to get discouraged.

1gary

THANK YOU.