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KevinD
01-28-2011, 07:44 PM
As much as I like looking at them, I'd like to leave out the cars that get built with a credit card IE: shop cars.
I being married with kids/house/bills etc haven't really built anything in a while, but have built a few decent runners over the years. Of the vehicle I currently have, I'm seriously considering rebuilding my old orange truck. It was my dad's work truck, I drove it all through school, and bought it from him after I got out of the Air Force. It's a total rust bucket, and wouldn't really be worth restoring except for the sentimental value. The cab of the truck is going to be the hardest part to fix if I ever start on it.

The first car I ever modified was a 68 Camaro I bought for $300 in High School. It had a 3 on the tree, and a 250cu inline six when I bought it. No AC, but even better, no rust!
I went through several motor and trans combos, until the last I had in it was a 468ci big block, Doug Nash 5 speed overdrive, and 2.73:1 rear gears. I sold it in 86 (iirc) for $5,000. I wish to heck I still had it!
First car I ever put nitrous on was a 73 Challenger. The previous owner had put in a 340ci six pack with a slapstick, and a friend and I rigged nitrous to the middle carb. I couldn't tell you what jets were in it, but I remember you had to hold a red PB switch in your hand to activate the Nitrous when we first did it. Then I switched to a throttle linkage micro switch, and that was the end of that car.:doh:
I had been out street racing one evening, came home, and left the bottle on. I parked behind my dad's truck, so he got in the car to go to the store. When he left the neighborhood, (according to him) he floored it (just to check it out, not knowing about the nitrous, and first time he'd driven the car) He said it spun around on him twice. He drove it back home and told me "Boy, I don't know what the hell you've done to that car, but you're selling it RIGHT NOW!":sad2:

I never really modded my 99 Z28, other than some intake/exhaust stuff. I did run nitrous on it for awhile (125shot) but, mortgages, kids, etc kinda put the ole kibosh on the hot rodding.

Noilly Pratt
01-28-2011, 08:30 PM
I modded my first car, the Ford Fiesta with stuff from a wrecked Ford Capri of a similar vintage. I found that most of the stuff would interchange well. So, my Fiesta became unique in having a console, 2 mirrors and a day/night mirror which no Fiesta ever had available.

I was never savvy nor brave enough to tackle the engine myself.

My Nissan has a K&N intake nearly from day 1, and when 200,000kms came up and I blew out my bottom end (of the car! :D ), I had them put in a used Japanese import engine from I don't know what. All I know is that it had 80,000kms and it needed a different induction system retrofitted because the existing one didn't fit. My car had 140hp and it now has something closer to 180hp and a way-deeper exhaust tone, even though I didn't change the exhaust.

KevinD
01-28-2011, 08:34 PM
Cool..I wouldn't say I'm a mech genius or anything, but the old style small block chevy doesn't have many surprises for me. I tore my first one apart at about 12 yrs old, and got it running when I was 13. hahaha. I dunno how many times I've rebuilt a SBC now.

Goofy
01-29-2011, 03:51 AM
Retrieved from the temp site


This is whats keeping me busy at work atm, the car has been bought by some rich bugger who wasnt happy with the previous restoration job so brought it to us to get it done correctly......... must be nice to have that kind of money to throw around :lol:

Pics i took this morning..... (cameraphone so not the best of quality)

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/6155/0812100807medium.jpg (http://img834.imageshack.us/my.php?image=0812100807medium.jpg)

http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/2179/0812100808medium.jpg (http://img130.imageshack.us/my.php?image=0812100808medium.jpg)

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/757/0812100809medium.jpg (http://img43.imageshack.us/my.php?image=0812100809medium.jpg)

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/5882/0812100810medium.jpg (http://img194.imageshack.us/my.php?image=0812100810medium.jpg)

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/9928/0812100811medium.jpg (http://img3.imageshack.us/my.php?image=0812100811medium.jpg)

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/406/0812100852medium.jpg (http://img96.imageshack.us/my.php?image=0812100852medium.jpg)

http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/7510/0812100853medium.jpg (http://img823.imageshack.us/my.php?image=0812100853medium.jpg)

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/7740/0812100804medium.jpg (http://img217.imageshack.us/my.php?image=0812100804medium.jpg)

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/420/0812100805medium.jpg (http://img3.imageshack.us/my.php?image=0812100805medium.jpg)

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/8951/0812100806medium.jpg (http://img149.imageshack.us/my.php?image=0812100806medium.jpg)

Having lots of fun getting the front nosecone to fit correctly :lol: Fibreglass pish :X

Once the car is finished ill post up more pics :)


Finally remembered to bring my camera home redred :lol:

http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/7420/escortrs001medium.jpg (http://img526.imageshack.us/i/escortrs001medium.jpg/)


http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/9944/escortrs002medium.jpg (http://img203.imageshack.us/i/escortrs002medium.jpg/)



http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/4733/escortrs003medium.jpg (http://img222.imageshack.us/i/escortrs003medium.jpg/)



http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/8863/escortrs004medium.jpg (http://img256.imageshack.us/i/escortrs004medium.jpg/)



http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/4488/escortrs005medium.jpg (http://img819.imageshack.us/i/escortrs005medium.jpg/)



http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/7682/escortrs006medium.jpg (http://img842.imageshack.us/i/escortrs006medium.jpg/)



http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/9881/escortrs007medium.jpg (http://img716.imageshack.us/i/escortrs007medium.jpg/)



http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/689/escortrs008medium.jpg (http://img31.imageshack.us/i/escortrs008medium.jpg/)



http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/6541/escortrs009medium.jpg (http://img440.imageshack.us/i/escortrs009medium.jpg/)



http://img816.imageshack.us/img816/9354/escortrs010medium.jpg (http://img816.imageshack.us/i/escortrs010medium.jpg/)



http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/3773/escortrs011medium.jpg (http://img4.imageshack.us/i/escortrs011medium.jpg/)



http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/8516/escortrs012medium.jpg (http://img197.imageshack.us/i/escortrs012medium.jpg/)



http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/9523/escortrs013medium.jpg (http://img199.imageshack.us/i/escortrs013medium.jpg/)



http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/7836/escortrs014medium.jpg (http://img266.imageshack.us/i/escortrs014medium.jpg/)



http://img810.imageshack.us/img810/2584/escortrs015medium.jpg (http://img810.imageshack.us/i/escortrs015medium.jpg/)



http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/1647/escortrs016medium.jpg (http://img833.imageshack.us/i/escortrs016medium.jpg/)

fricnjay
01-29-2011, 04:15 AM
My first car I ever had I bought with my own money when I was 16. It was a redish orange 1970 Plymouth Duster. It had a little 318 in it with a mild RV cam in it, Edlbrock single plane intake and a Holley 650 dbl pumper. It had a 727 trans with a reverse manual valve body and a 83/4 rear end with 4:10 posi out back. I had that car for a few years and got hit by a guy in a white Ford F-250 and totaled the car. I salvaged everything I could, the intake, trans and rear end and bought another one a few years later. It was a straight 6 car so I had to buy a V-8 cross member. Then I bought a 360 had it totally machined, decked, honed, planned..the works. Dropped a pretty nice Edelbrock cam in it, cast rockers, dual valve springs, Crome Molly rods and lifters with my old intake and a new reworked Holley 750, headers and a Mallory Billet ignition. It was estimated it would put out around 500 to 550hp. Had to beef up the tork converter amongst other things. Started it only a couple times and it sounded mean, lots of loap in the cam had a real nice sound to it. I sold it for music, wish I would have keeped the car. I plan on getting another one day...

KevinD
01-29-2011, 04:20 AM
I'm still keeping an eye out for a 70 duster. Never did make it back where I saw the two dusters in a yard. May head up there this weekend if I can remember where exactly I was. Pretty sure neither of them were 70 models though.

fricnjay
01-29-2011, 04:38 AM
Yea I would only have a 70, I dont like the rear end look of the other years.

Yt Trash
01-29-2011, 05:10 AM
I have some to post, but Flickr is not letting me post small size photos, only originals.... too big. Although most of my stuff is more modern, nothing older than 80.

Noilly Pratt
01-29-2011, 05:29 AM
Thanks for the update, Goofy. That (Escort?) looks really nice.

My uncle had a '70 duster. Brown with a slant 6. I remember even then (at age 6) remarking how it sounded like Mr. Hagerty's laundry delivery van. It too was a Dodge, and my dad said it probably had a 6 as well. That was back when engines were distinctive.

I remember not liking the taillights of the '70 Duster :theyareontome::point: Sowwy. In 1974 I fell in car lust with a Hang 10 Duster (a special edition)

http://i52.tinypic.com/2cdiqv4.jpg

I'm derailing the thread ever-so-slightly because I've never had one, just lusted after it.

a current lust object -- don't know why because I haven't seen one for a while but if I had spare cash I'd get an mid 80's Monte Carlo. Would love one kind of like this one:

http://i53.tinypic.com/dovwqv.jpg

Saw one in the local paper for $4500...

Noilly Pratt
01-29-2011, 05:38 AM
I've changed my mind...with a spoiler, and this rear-end treatment, I like this '70 duster...

http://i56.tinypic.com/2nu69m9.gif

Yt Trash
02-03-2011, 01:08 AM
I've always liked trucks. To me they're functional when you own a home. When I was 24 I bought a used 1984 GMC Sierra Classic with a 6 cylinder in it. Drove it for a while the way it was until motor got tired. Bought me a 350 4 bolt main, lowering spindles and an air ride rear suspension, since it still was a service/towing vehicle. Build pics below. Took me about a 1.5 years to build. Custom interior, Audi power leather seats, and full blown stereo. All work was done by me including paint. It was my first custom paint job, and "my own hot rod"

Night I bought it.

http://i.imgur.com/MO5On.jpg

After I initially lowered it.

http://i.imgur.com/399GN.jpg

First Paint job..

http://i.imgur.com/8cB82.jpg

Withing 3 months of the fresh paint job, a friend borrowed it and rear ended another vehicle, had some work done to it and I updated the front end at the time to newer lights and grill treatment. I also added the yellow, I looked plain with the blue and red.

http://i.imgur.com/Qtgu7.jpg

shaved mirrors, all mouldings and emblems and filled all holes, added 91 Suburban grill and lights.

http://i.imgur.com/8aYKQ.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/umv6k.jpg

KevinD
02-03-2011, 01:18 AM
Nice one YT. You still have it by any chance? I just joined this site:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/

They have an awesome section on the 73-91 body styles, (as well as others too)

Yt Trash
02-03-2011, 01:30 AM
Nice one YT. You still have it by any chance? I just joined this site:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/

They have an awesome section on the 73-91 body styles, (as well as others too)

No sir. But it is still around. I have friends in my home town and they still see it from time to time. I sold it to a kid, and some old guy has it now. Still looks the same from what I've been told, other than paint chipped here and there.

KevinD
02-03-2011, 01:34 AM
I sold my 68 to a friend of a friend around 86 or so. last time I saw it was around 95 (didn't recognize who was driving it) but it still had the rattle can flat black, and custom widened steel rallies I put on it ( along with a certain whiskey dent hahaha)

Goofy
02-03-2011, 12:19 PM
Thanks for the update, Goofy. That (Escort?) looks really nice.

Yep, Mk2 Escort RS2000 :tup:

Noilly Pratt
02-03-2011, 08:54 PM
Nice truck, YT! :tup:

I think I'm going to have to do the unthinkable...sell my car. The ignition switch just died and the part to replace the cylinder was - get this - $400! Even if I went to dodgy websites and looked at that angle, it was in the high $300 range. I'm afraid 1992 Nissan parts are virtually unobtainable now. I've babied it all of its life but I just can't afford to fix it anymore if anything goes wrong. Now that it's all fixed up, I guess I'll have to sell.

If I were a single guy and had money to lavish on it, that'd be OK but still. I remember the first set of tires I put on it - Dunlop D40 M2s - 195/55R14's and they nearly cost me $600 for 4 of them back in the day.

I hate debt, too, but will probably have to go back into it (I just paid off all my credit cards 2 months ago!) All I have for debt is the house...sigh.

So, hopefully I'll get $2000 for my car and I'll look at something for about 10K (figured if I went any lower it'd be a major fixer-upper). Would like to have a classic car but need the reliability of a newer vehicle.

Yt Trash
02-03-2011, 09:44 PM
Nice truck, YT! :tup:

I think I'm going to have to do the unthinkable...sell my car. The ignition switch just died and the part to replace the cylinder was - get this - $400! Even if I went to dodgy websites and looked at that angle, it was in the high $300 range. I'm afraid 1992 Nissan parts are virtually unobtainable now. I've babied it all of its life but I just can't afford to fix it anymore if anything goes wrong. Now that it's all fixed up, I guess I'll have to sell.

If I were a single guy and had money to lavish on it, that'd be OK but still. I remember the first set of tires I put on it - Dunlop D40 M2s - 195/55R14's and they nearly cost me $600 for 4 of them back in the day.

I hate debt, too, but will probably have to go back into it (I just paid off all my credit cards 2 months ago!) All I have for debt is the house...sigh.

So, hopefully I'll get $2000 for my car and I'll look at something for about 10K (figured if I went any lower it'd be a major fixer-upper). Would like to have a classic car but need the reliability of a newer vehicle.

Thanks! Have you looked into Junkyards or u Pull it yards for a steering column for your car? Just a suggestion. What is the problem with the switch? Maybe you can add a start button to it?

Noilly Pratt
02-03-2011, 10:07 PM
Thanks! Have you looked into Junkyards or u Pull it yards for a steering column for your car? Just a suggestion. What is the problem with the switch? Maybe you can add a start button to it?

Definitely yes, but they had cars that had 200-450K (!) on them. Believe me, I'm on a first name basis with the junkyarsds around here!

The switch has a button you press to allow you to turn the key - it wouldn't press in anymore. I fixed it once because I saw the broken part that had to engage and release the keys. Tried to do the same thing again 4 days later, but it didn't work. :dunno:

Tank
02-07-2011, 05:59 PM
Retrieved from the temp site

:wank:

now i know who to call on when/if i ever get a Mk2 Escort :)

KevinD
02-07-2011, 06:08 PM
Well, Sunday I went and took a good look at the old truck. (Pics too) The rust is much worse than I remember. Definitely NOT gonna be restoring that cab. Waiting to hear back from the DMV on the legality of putting a different cab on it.

Tank
02-07-2011, 07:25 PM
my current project car is my current daily driver, although nothing major has been done to it yet besides some tints on the back it will one day get a full work over. ultimatley i want to turn it into a Colin McRae replica rally car and take it to shows and stuff, i know it might sound a little sad/geeky but i've always wanted to do something like it.


i despise the though of turning it into a 'boy racer' cruiser, or to you guys in the USA a 'ricer'. i cant think of anything worse than chucking massive alloys on it, lowering it beyond driveablity, putting a massive fart can on for an exhaust and then just driving it round and round my local tesco blearing some shitty ass music out of it!! :thumbsdown:

KevinD
02-07-2011, 07:33 PM
You know, I've never had a car that had much more than the factory stereo system/upgraded speakers, but EVERY car I've ever put my grubby little paws on had a decent cam and exhaust on it...hahahaha

I don't plan on doing any exhaust work to the CSRT4, as a most definitely DON'T want it to sound like a ricer. The CSRT4 to me is kinda like a fat girl..fun to ride, but you really don't want your buds to see you with it...

Tank
02-07-2011, 07:37 PM
You know, I've never had a car that had much more than the factory stereo system/upgraded speakers, but EVERY car I've ever put my grubby little paws on had a decent cam and exhaust on it...hahahaha

I don't plan on doing any exhaust work to the CSRT4, as a most definitely DON'T want it to sound like a ricer. The CSRT4 to me is kinda like a fat girl..fun to ride, but you really don't want your buds to see you with it...

the difference in the mods you made to your cars and the ones the ricers round my way do is that you put DECENT exhaust on them, the ricers round here open up a tuner booklet and pick out the largest back box they can find and slap it on, so makes no real improvments to the car as a quality exhaust system would

KevinD
02-07-2011, 07:54 PM
This is precisely what my 99 Camaro sounded like though it's all back to stock now except for the cat back:

http://www.gmmginc.net/Exhaust/index.php



My vids on www.ls1sounds are down now for some reason..

KevinD
02-07-2011, 07:57 PM
Here's a better link..not my car, but the same mods I had:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn3LfzDmZnI

Tank
02-07-2011, 09:02 PM
sounds good on those type of cars with the big engine.

doesnt sound so good on a shitty little eurobox with a 1liter engine!! :thumbsdown:

KevinD
02-08-2011, 12:33 AM
Yeah, that's the rub isn't it? To me a 5.7 ltr isn't all that big. I remember when I was in the Congo, one of the guys I was working with was from London. He got a chance to drive the company truck there (F250 Ford with the 6 something liter gas/petrol engine....He came back all "Holy hell that thing has torque!!" I didn't really understand what he meant 'till the first time I drove a modern 4 cyl

Tank
02-11-2011, 09:54 AM
you used to think a 5.7ltr motor wasnt that big!?!?!? :faint:


but yeah, these 4cyl motors might be economic n shit but give me a big ol burbling engine anyday! :headbang:

redred
02-11-2011, 10:02 AM
hey tank what about this one

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Landrover-Bowler-Tomcat-Off-road-racer-/260723054837?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3cb44e18f5

KevinD
02-11-2011, 01:32 PM
you used to think a 5.7ltr motor wasnt that big!?!?!? :faint:


but yeah, these 4cyl motors might be economic n shit but give me a big ol burbling engine anyday! :headbang:

Yeah, to me a 5.7 isn't that big..I grew up driving 350ci/5.7 motored vehicles, so. I'm still not totally sold on the fact that 4 cyl are "more" fuel efficient than 8 cyl. My 99 Z28, with the stock 5.7 LS1, and an auto matic 4 speed got 29-30 mpg on the highway. The CSRT4 has a turbo 2.5 4 cyl, with a 6 speed manual, and only gets 30-32 mpg on the highway.

Tank
02-11-2011, 02:04 PM
hey tank what about this one

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Landrover-Bowler-Tomcat-Off-road-racer-/260723054837?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3cb44e18f5


:wank: i'd love one of them!


Yeah, to me a 5.7 isn't that big..I grew up driving 350ci/5.7 motored vehicles, so. I'm still not totally sold on the fact that 4 cyl are "more" fuel efficient than 8 cyl. My 99 Z28, with the stock 5.7 LS1, and an auto matic 4 speed got 29-30 mpg on the highway. The CSRT4 has a turbo 2.5 4 cyl, with a 6 speed manual, and only gets 30-32 mpg on the highway.

yeah the problem you might have on your CSRT is the turbo smacked on it. that wont help fuel consumption, but imagine how boring the car would be without it :nono: