stony Posted January 4, 2002 Share Posted January 4, 2002 well thanks to the 2000 dollar paint job that turned into a 6500 full body/frame restore im into the 20k range im sure i bought the car in japan fro 2500 i bought my entire drivetrain intercooler to r-200LSD in japan for 4500. sds 1300, wheels 500, tires bfg DR 200.(EBAY) chromoly lower control arms 1200, coilover conversion 200, shocks 240, springs 360, aluminum radiator 350, custom exhaust and intercooler pipe welding labor and parts (includes kakimoto exhaust that was motified and rb-26 downpipe)1500, fuel pump 80.00, steel braided line 200.00, misc gages 600.00 ( tach, egt, afr x2, booste) hmmm well thats over 20 k there and my interior is still bare. i still need seats , i have a ford nine inch to install and full rollcage to buy and all the other goodies to go with that. im gonna buy a welder to save on some labor there and do as much as i can in my garage. maybe someday it will be done and hopefully still be married the car has run 11.138 @ 121 mph with lots of wheelspin in first and second. I believe its is capable of a hi 10 sec pass with a few adjustments but ill never know the next time it hits the track again will be with the nine inch installed and a full cage, bigger injectors and a little more booste. take away that damn paint job and that a pretty fast car for under 15 K and on top of that all the parts are stock parts from other cars ;> which makes it very reliable. i dont plan on doing any engine or tranny work till back in japan....thats when the fun begins ;> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 4, 2002 Share Posted January 4, 2002 I'll throw my 2 cents in, or shall I say... - The Car, plus body work and interior - $1K - Engine/Tranny, after complete rebuids - $1K - Misc. goodies and gadgets of all kinds - $500 - I still need Paint and Tires - $1K If you know the right people, take your time, do Most of the work yourself, it IS possible to make a Z damn near show quality for around 3 grand. I'll have to post a detailed list on a website one day, a couple more months and I'll have pics of the finished product to go with it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 4, 2002 Share Posted January 4, 2002 My wife asked that I post this so that hopefully others will not make the same mistakes as I did. Her words not mine. > 77 Scarab in 1986 - $10,000 > Frame up restoration and body modifications - 1988 - $8,000 > Custom Wheels and tires - 1988 - $1,500 > Balanced and Blue printed de-tuned Nascar Chevy 350 from race shop Dynamometer tested 500HP-1988 - $15,000. > Rebuilt Muncie 22 Stonecrusher transmission - 1988 - $800. The major expenses ended in 1988,however, maintaining a vehicle with this amount of spirit is an ongoing experience. Recent upgrades in the past several months to enjoy 2000 technology for exhaust, ingnition, fuel delivery and sounds added another $5,000 to the project then I met Mike Kelly and learned of his suspension upgrades. This will be done in late spring of 2002. A conversion can be done for much less, I am not mechanically gifted as are many of you, so I had to pay professionals to do all of the work which added greatly to the costs. The level of your investment depends on what you want the project to look like when you are finished and do you plan to keep the car which I do. I am positive that you can do an entire car for $8,000 to $10,000 that will turn many heads and be the talk of all the hard heads in your area that consistantly look at your taillights and you will enjoy your ride just as much as I do mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted January 5, 2002 Share Posted January 5, 2002 MacDaddy, Your car looks like a million bucks anyway Davy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fl327 Posted January 5, 2002 Share Posted January 5, 2002 its not what you spent, its what you get back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Lee Smith Posted January 5, 2002 Share Posted January 5, 2002 I don't plan on spending over $500. I paid $35 for the 84ZX [ bad motor ], have parted out 100+ & have the 5spd left yet, any body interested ? Make a offer + shipping. I have Ford, SBC, AT & stick on hand, used but good for what I want. I will do the wrinch work first, then body, if I get it running. I am now reconditioning a 82 2+2 & 83 T T-top, a little interor left, about a week, then the 84 V8. I have for sale 78Z in high good cond. for $2000 and the 84 T T-top in low exl. for $3000. If anybody is interested I have pics & info. Lee Smith Duncombe Iowa 50532 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lone Star 1 Posted January 6, 2002 Share Posted January 6, 2002 About $22,000 in car, but about $3,500 was in the old motor that is now sitting in my garage collecting dust. Anybody in Texas need a 73 240Z motor with mild cam and tripple Webbers. $500 takes all and 4 speed tranny. New dash was $880. The conversion was about $8,000 + or -. Just bought a SY3500 Yank convertor $800. Want to buy stage II heads and B1 cam $3,500. Oh and headers $600. If my wife doesn't shoot me first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 6, 2002 Share Posted January 6, 2002 heh... car --- paid 150 bucks for a car someone started to convert and gave up .. kit 1000 $ includieng radiator fan motor mounts custom long tube headers coated and trany mount and driveshaft.. fuel system 500 $ sumped tank and put in new 8 an lines and a 400 gallon per hour pump .. cage 900 $ transmission . bought used and then put in a good shift kit and new clutches .. total 300 $ torque converter - 300 $ misc 800 $ gauges brakes repairs etc exhaust 150 $ motor hehe ---- 7000 $ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 6, 2002 Share Posted January 6, 2002 I bought this 73 Monte Carlo with a 350 that has an Edelbrock package (minus aluminum heads) The car was driven for about 1500 miles and found not to be an oil burner.The motor is still in the Monte Carlo which I drive on occasion.The transmission is a turbo 350 and the ignition is a point distribitor which are to be replaced.I stripped out a 78 280 Z and used its motor in another 280 Z.I made the motor mounts from the JTR book I purchased. I recently purchased a set of Rams horn exhaust manifolds that will be modified when I find a cheap machinist. The point is:I am going to take my time to find the best deals and make my plans slowly to accomplish the goal of a V-8 Z that will be street driven and reliable. I go to garage sales and watch the classified ads for bargains. I hope to come in under $1200.00. I got the Toyota 4x4 brakes for free with new pads including an additional 350 short block with a spun rod (?) bearing. So it goes on the cheap....Got a lead on a 700R4 for $125 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Perry Posted January 9, 2002 Share Posted January 9, 2002 I did the turbo swap for about $600, I bought a whole turbo car running for $200, then replaced a lot of gaskets and hoses and had an exhaust built, bought a boost guage etc... Did the turbo swap over the weekend while in college, drove it home from work friday, drove it to work monday with the turbo. I am doing a V8 swap now and have about $700 into the engine, expect $200 more but by looking for deals I have ZZ4 cam, intake and heads. I bought my 77 280Z for $1800, a parts car with nice wheels for $300, put on a set of tokicos for about $250. and I have fabricated anything I can to keep cost down. I found a good U-pull-it yard that has a $25 all you can carry out sale every other month. For $25 a trip I got a 350 long block (yes I carried it 12 feet) a couple of T5s, a radiator, performance intakes, miscellaneous turbos, intercoolers, starters etc.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gbvol54 Posted January 10, 2002 Share Posted January 10, 2002 Perry, if we ever meet, remind me to be polite. Anyone who can lift a 350 long block much less carry one 12 feet gets my respect! Sounds like a contest on ESPN's Worlds Strongest Man show. I share your fiscal restraint if not your strength. I'd hoped to do a conversion for $2000 but am getting bit by the 'just a little more power' bug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dp351zcar Posted January 10, 2002 Share Posted January 10, 2002 Hey gbvol54 if you ever see that bug (just a little more power, bug) flying around, slap it down before it bites you! If you have a bit more power what do you do with it and how do you get it to the ground? You end up spending way more money than you intended to. You need the power train, suspension, wheels and tires, and brakes. Oh and that's is not including that takes to keep your doors and hood so they line up and close correctly. Just some thoughts from someone is half way down that road now. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gbvol54 Posted January 11, 2002 Share Posted January 11, 2002 Don, I'm doing my best swatting that 'just a little more power' bug. My wife buying bug repellent. I see you are in Maple Valley WA. Nice to see a 'local' on the site. does the '351' in your member name denote a ford 351? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dp351zcar Posted January 11, 2002 Share Posted January 11, 2002 Yes it does but its a long way off. I think I have most of the parts so now I have to do the work. I think I bit off too much to chew. I am doing the whole car in one shot and not doing it in stages. I emailed you from this site and it returned as undeliverable so I noticed the @home and figure thats the problem hope my second try got through. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 11, 2002 Share Posted January 11, 2002 Ummm, I don't know but I know this: It's Priceless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyvette Posted February 6, 2002 Share Posted February 6, 2002 Ive got $47,000 in 3 vettes Im rebuilding that run great but 2 of them still look terrible so far , but after reading what you guys spent it makes me feel better (hey Im good at engines not paint and interiors) and yes its cheaper and heathier for me than a mistress , especially if I got one and the wife found out so I stick to cars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted February 7, 2002 Share Posted February 7, 2002 Doner car, parts car, and body kit 4K Engine, Trans, turbos 2.5K Still haven't started assembly Estimated cost to complete 6K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dankinzle Posted February 8, 2002 Share Posted February 8, 2002 http://pages.sbcglobal.net/longta/costs.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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