The $15k thread

[PlanDefeat]

Suppose you had $15k to spend on your f-body. It is a late 4th gen, you cannot reuse any of your drive train and this would be your everyday driver. So considering this you want something very reliable not too intense for every day driving take mpg into consideration on this build. This will not be a shop task so you can throw labor costs out the door. So what are we looking at here; engine, trans, rear, spark/fuel.... There is also an extra $5k window if necessary. Also include companies to purchase from.

[NastyEllEssWon]

8k for a built motor
4k for a fab 9
500 for a pst shaft
2500 for a built t56



then youll need like 2-3k more for random goodies, like tires, bolt ons and such.

[NJ346]

~7K for LS3 crate motor
~1k for bolt-ons
~1k for fuel pump/injectors
~2.5k for a 9"
~3K for a built 4L80E
~500 to tune everything

Free: some weight reduction.

In that budget you can throw in some NItto DR's since their cheap. So for ~15K, you get an 11 second street machine that should get in the low 20 mpg hwy.

[HeadlessNorseman]

I would do something similar to NJNETSFAN, built auto and a 9" rear. or you could always just use a t56 if you want. It should be able to handle a boosted motor. A mildly cammed turbo will let you keep semi good MPGs, while also providing a ton of power and upgrade potential down the road

3-5k -
Used/ebay Iron 6.0...these motors are getting cheap
full rebuild
forged pistons/good rods
L92 heads - factory 300+ CFMs
custom, but not crazy, boost cam to keep the fuel cost down and driveability up

2-3k
intake manifold
throttle body
fuel system upgrade
intercooler and piping(if needed)

5k
trans/rear

3-the restk
Custom made turbo manifolds/turbos or a giant supercharger....user choice :)
tuning
stuff you realize you need later on down the road




Edit: Why is everyone talking about motors at 6:00 am?

[MonmouthCtyAntz]

LS7 - $14,1xx.xx
Headers

That pretty much covers the 15k.

[bubba428]

572 deluxe
built TH400
moser 9in

yea thats about it... your 5k window will cover motor mounts, linkages and DS...and BTW fuel economy is for tree huggers, every time I look at my car 10 baby seals die

[LTb1ow]

Smaller displacement SBC of your choice, LT1, SBC, LS1 etc... 355 with stock crank, new rods, and pistons. Maybe 4k there.

Single turbo kit 7k.
CPT built A4, 2k
Rear end of choice, 3k

Thats around 16k, so you have like 4k to finish it up.

I think its a little to low of a budget to want to go beyond stock on everything in the drivetrain at once.

[procamaroz28]

buy an ss for about 10k then 2k in random mods (shifter, cam, sfc, phb, lca, rims, tires, headers, y pipe, cat back, intake) and the remaining 3k in to an ok daily driver.....

[NastyEllEssWon]

~7K for LS3 crate motor
~1k for bolt-ons
~1k for fuel pump/injectors
~2.5k for a 9"
~3K for a built 4L80E
~500 to tune everything

Free: some weight reduction.

In that budget you can throw in some NItto DR's since their cheap. So for ~15K, you get an 11 second street machine that should get in the low 20 mpg hwy.





in justins words


''nittos are just street tires that wear fast'' :lol:

[NastyEllEssWon]

LS7 - $14,1xx.xx
Headers

That pretty much covers the 15k.





youll break every rear you touch with that

[NastyEllEssWon]

Smaller displacement SBC of your choice, LT1, SBC, LS1 etc... 355 with stock crank, new rods, and pistons. Maybe 4k there.

Single turbo kit 7k.
CPT built A4, 2k
Rear end of choice, 3k

Thats around 16k, so you have like 4k to finish it up.

I think its a little to low of a budget to want to go beyond stock on everything in the drivetrain at once.





any type of gen 1 or gen 2 motor you build will be horrible on gas.

[7pointoh]

LS7 - $14,1xx.xx
Headers

That pretty much covers the 15k.

youll break every rear you touch with that

Nah-ah. No hard launches, sticky tires and drive it like a commuter would and that rear will hold.

I would part out that car and with the money put it on a good down payment on the 5th Gen Camaro.

But if that's not your cup of tea, then:

427 ShortBlock from Lingenfelter or Katech 7K at the most
L92 Heads 1200
Matching intake with 90 mm TB 700
Rear end 3k
Trans 2K
Misc (extention harnesses,tune, exhaust) 1K

[V]

$2 worth of air fresheners and $14,998 on hookers

[BonzoHansen]

$2 worth of air fresheners and $14,998 on hookers

Might be better than dumping $15k into a DD 4th gen. :rofl:

[FIcamaroRE92]

LS3- 7k
Trans-2k
Rear-3k
on my thirdgen :)

3k for bolt ons and such

[procamaroz28]

Might be better than dumping $15k into a DD 4th gen. :rofl:

ya tru a 15k 4th gen dont sound like a DD

[NJ346]

in justins words


''nittos are just street tires that wear fast'' :lol:

How would Justin know...I mean when was the last time he made a pass down the 1/4 in an f-body?:loser:

[LTb1ow]

any type of gen 1 or gen 2 motor you build will be horrible on gas.

How?

Theres nothing horribly different than a GenIII and SBC.... built well and a person without a lead foot could see some nice numbers, both mpg and HP.

[WildBillyT]

8k for a built motor
4k for a fab 9
500 for a pst shaft
2500 for a built t56
then youll need like 2-3k more for random goodies, like tires, bolt ons and such.

Basically this, but building a destroked 9000RPM 302 engine.

[NastyEllEssWon]

How?

Theres nothing horribly different than a GenIII and SBC.... built well and a person without a lead foot could see some nice numbers, both mpg and HP.






gen III has a revised firing order. fuel injection, coil over plugs, 8 coils and is highly much more efficient than a carb would be. tpi wasnt also known to get very good gas mileage stock let alone modded. gen 1 motors also used inefficient points style ignition.

[LTb1ow]

gen III has a revised firing order. fuel injection, coil over plugs, 8 coils and is highly much more efficient than a carb would be. tpi wasnt also known to get very good gas mileage stock let alone modded. gen 1 motors also used inefficient points style ignition.

Well ok, but we are talking lots o money here.... its completely doable to run coil per cylinder with most aftermarket computers. Revised firing order is eh, but its more to even the loading on the mains than make power. And carb? Pft:rofl:.

[BonzoHansen]

gen III has a revised firing order. fuel injection, coil over plugs, 8 coils and is highly much more efficient than a carb would be. tpi wasnt also known to get very good gas mileage stock let alone modded. gen 1 motors also used inefficient points style ignition.

Look at that pile of stupid. Like with $15k you'd build an engine with points or factory TPI. The gen3/4s have a weight when aluminum, but the true advantage is the heads.

[Tru2Chevy]

I like how not a single person has mentioned a K-member, A-arms, Torque arm, LCAs, SFCs, etc.....how is anyone planning on controlling these beastly motors that they are building?

I would start with full suspension, geared toward the type of driving I would be doing, then build the drivetrain from the back to the front. Good rear, aftermarket driveshaft, built trans, then worry about an engine with what money you have leftover.

- Justin

[BigAls87Z28]

First of all, you should jump off a bridge for spending 7 grand on an LS3.

If I HAD to keep the 4th gen, swap out the LS1 and get an LQ9 aluminum 6.0 out of an esclade for 2-3 grand? Buy the L92 heads for under a grand.

In the real world, Id sell the 4th gen for 8 grand, take the 23k as a down payment on a 2010 Camaro 1SS/RS in victory red cyber gray rally stripes, auto, Boston Accoustics system, aaaaaand I think that wraps it up.

[NJSPEEDER]

LS2+6spd from GTO/CTS-V and a 12bolt with 4.10's

Should be enough left to drop on a few suspension goodies and call it a day :)

400hp, .5:1 overdrive, and good handling. That is a formula for a fun and reliable daily driver.

[NastyEllEssWon]

First of all, you should jump off a bridge for spending 7 grand on an LS3.

If I HAD to keep the 4th gen, swap out the LS1 and get an LQ9 aluminum 6.0 out of an esclade for 2-3 grand? Buy the L92 heads for under a grand.

In the real world, Id sell the 4th gen for 8 grand, take the 23k as a down payment on a 2010 Camaro 1SS/RS in victory red cyber gray rally stripes, auto, Boston Accoustics system, aaaaaand I think that wraps it up.





8k would get you a nice 454 lsx stroker long block :nod: and no one likes the camaro so quit http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.ls1tech.com/get/forums/images/smilies/nutswinger.gif

[Knipps]

"no one" ? Strong words.

[NastyEllEssWon]

meh no one when compared to other competitors numbers

[HeadlessNorseman]

Look at that pile of stupid. Like with $15k you'd build an engine with points or factory TPI. The gen3/4s have a weight when aluminum, but the true advantage is the heads.

This. LsX heads are pure magic. Even the truck heads are awesome for factory as cast pieces. Gens 3+'s get so much better mileage because of the massive flow and efficient a/f mixing of the heads, sequential vs batch-fire injecton, and the factory cars run higher fuel pressure. And combine that with modern tuning and timing curves(not sure how different they are). But yeah to the OP for a DD, in the end i would stick with an NA package, large displacment, mild cam, factory intake manifold/tb and ecu. Nothing too fancy. I would stick with as many factory parts as possible and a something that wont need a whole lot of tuning. This will keep it easy to work on and diagnose. And i will always suggest iron blocks over aluminum, but thats just me and a matter of personal opinion. Is this actually a plan or hypothetical?

[BigAls87Z28]

gen III has a revised firing order. fuel injection, coil over plugs, 8 coils and is highly much more efficient than a carb would be. tpi wasnt also known to get very good gas mileage stock let alone modded. gen 1 motors also used inefficient points style ignition.

Whoa, coil over plugs!!! Modern teknologes!! Like the ones found on Grand Nationals!
TPI got good gas milage compared to carb or TBI. My 305 would easily knock down 24mpg before I played with it. It got about the same gas milage as my old 95 Taurus with 2 more cylinders and 50hp more.

and not ALL Gen 1's use points. HEI replaced points, then was totaly replaced by the 80's.

I like how not a single person has mentioned a K-member, A-arms, Torque arm, LCAs, SFCs, etc.....how is anyone planning on controlling these beastly motors that they are building?

I would start with full suspension, geared toward the type of driving I would be doing, then build the drivetrain from the back to the front. Good rear, aftermarket driveshaft, built trans, then worry about an engine with what money you have leftover.

- Justin

Well dur...but you went full race. Kmember, A-Arms, etc etc, you are now turning the car into a race car.
At least with my 2nd choice, you can have a car thats already built for handling. :)

meh no one when compared to other competitors numbers

I belive that the Camaro got higher votes here then Challenger, but thats another thread.

[1QWIKBIRD]

Fun and reliable DD (no snow driving) fourth gen.....here is the recipe.....

Brakes/Suspension:
Front C5 brake upgrade
Track Brackets $250
C5 Calipers (new from dealer, if you're hooked up) $125 each
Factory style rotors (new) $70 each
Hydraulic lines $80
Performance Pads of choice (Hawk HP+, Carbotech etc.)$150

Rear Brakes
Perforance Pads of choice $80
New Rotors $70 each +/-
New Lines $80 +/-

Strano springs $280+/-
Koni SA shocks at all 4 corners $835
Strano front and rear bars $439
UMI LCA (rear) $210 Poly/rod
UMI PHB $130 Poly/Rod on car adj.
Spohn TA $410

17x9.5 factory wheel or aftermarket repro (ZR1's or something similar) $600
275/40/17 Goodyear F1 GS D3's (no snow driving with these) $1000

Brake/Suspension Total $5170

Drivetrain

Moser 12-bolt with all the options and goodies 3.73 gears/true track 33 spline/Relo brackets and TA cover $2900
Stage 5 T56 $2400
QTP Blowproof bell $350
LS7 Clutch Pressure Plate Disc $460
Driveshaft $200+/- Factory LS1 Aluminum with good U-Joints
TicK Performance Master cylinder $340
GM Slave $130
Pro 5.0 Shifter $180
Remote Bleeder $50

Drivetrain Total $7010

Total so far......$12180

Engine TSP 347 Long Block $5900 (any TSP cam you want)

LS6 Intake $300
Headers/Cats/Y-pipe/Cat back $1300

Grand Total $19680 + 320 for the odds and ends......=20,000

For that kinda cash....I'd scrap that idea all together, sell the F-body roller I already own and go by a used C5 FRC like this one.....

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=261524870&dealer_id=64078469&car_year=1999&rdm=1241574269692&model=CORV&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1999&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=2&fuel=&only_price=1&awsp=false&search_type=used&distance=100&marketZipError=false&ct=p&search_lang=en&sownerid=70706&showZipError=y&make=CHEV&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&body_style=COUPE&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=2&sort_type=priceDESC&address=08610&advanced=y&only_photo=1&end_year=2001&doors=&transmission=Manual&max_price=&cardist=68&standard=false&rdpage=thumb

Chris

[Tru2Chevy]

BiGals, why does full suspension have to equal race car? I'd rather have a car (and be around other cars on the road) that handled well and had less power than something with a ton of power and old stock suspension.

- Justin

[BigAls87Z28]

BiGals, why does full suspension have to equal race car? I'd rather have a car (and be around other cars on the road) that handled well and had less power than something with a ton of power and old stock suspension.

- Justin

Agreed, but full K-members and tubular a-arms, then rod ended jobbers...and then its a fixed race seat with a 15 pt cage, 5pt...

[NastyEllEssWon]

Whoa, coil over plugs!!! Modern teknologes!! Like the ones found on Grand Nationals!
TPI got good gas milage compared to carb or TBI. My 305 would easily knock down 24mpg before I played with it. It got about the same gas milage as my old 95 Taurus with 2 more cylinders and 50hp more.

and not ALL Gen 1's use points. HEI replaced points, then was totaly replaced by the 80's.



Well dur...but you went full race. Kmember, A-Arms, etc etc, you are now turning the car into a race car.
At least with my 2nd choice, you can have a car thats already built for handling. :)



I belive that the Camaro got higher votes here then Challenger, but thats another thread.





ok your talking about the gas mileage of a 305. while the person in this thread said they wanted a daily driveable 4th gen. it was stated before. now someone had to go and post about gen 1 blocks in here when its known that a built up modded gen 1 motor cant get the same hp and gas mileage ratio that a ls motor car can get.

were not talking about gn motors here either.




i also wasnt talking about votes, i was talking bout look at the sales figures. FACTS DONT LIE. your opinion cant counter them.

[BigAls87Z28]

Yes, the Challenger has been on sale for a while, Camaro got a half a month of sales, with none in the dealer.