after a few of use mentioning not to spend money on our cars, and I have kept a fairly good list of mods done on my car, I thought I would start it. Ahem.... Almost had the car 3 years now. I bought it for 450 dollars. Spent 1000 fixing the 700r4, and guessing another 200 on break booster and master cylinder as well as other little things just to put it on the road. Below are the modifications I have done to the car and cost of them. Does not include any sensors, fluids, bolts, gaskets, sealants or anything like that to perform the work. Lets see what we have “invested” shall we…. Engine: L32 (3.4) 650’ish plus gas, hitch, rented trailer Auto to T5 Swap 450 trans alone Polished heads/intake 10 Headjob w/springs 220 1.6 Rockers 50 Fiero Valve Covers 30+gaskets/bolts LB8 Air Intake 50’ish Brass Freeze Plugs 20 Taylor 8mm Wires 50 MSD Coil 55 Cardone30-1633Distrib 140??(think more) ASP Crank Pully 60 V8 Dual Electric Fans 60 180 T-stat 5 High Volume Fuel Pump 70?? ford 19lb injectors 20(think more) Dynomax 17493 250?? Pacesetter Headers 220+dump+welding TB Bypass hardline 5 ES Poly Trans Mount 30? EGR Removed free Smog Removed 10 (belt) Total Engine/Trans 2453 What I got from it est 40hp, 50tq, less miles on engine Suspension: UBE Panhard 150 34/24Swaybar 30? ES Poly Endlinks 20 ES Swaybar Mounts 20 KYB-GY2 Struts 150 TDS Vr1 WB 40 Chrome Diff Cover Transferred from old s10 Aluminum Drums 40 Re-inforced LCA's 10 ST Springs (rip off) 110?? Spohn Torque Arm 450? 16x8 S10 Blazer Wheels traded radio system sz50ep 245/50/zr16 85 (major deal!) Total Suspension 1165 plus trading What I got from it better ride and handling, little bit of style Inside: Pilot sw801e Wheel 50? Disabled/Removed SRS FREE! Radio/Speaker Delete FREE! Black Head Liner 50 (backboard and cover twice) Black Sail Panels 20 Black Seatbelts traded Black Sunvisors 15 Black Carpet traded Carpet Console 5 Cargo Roll Up 25 O **** Handles traded Pro 5.0 Shifter 150 Total Inside 315 plus trading What I got from it slight color change, fixed a few stains and holes, weight reduction Body: TDS Hatch Motor ?? Clear Fender Lights 25 Berlinetta Tail Lights 65 Blister Packs 100? z28 hood traded Spohn Subframes 195 Z28 Grill 15 Removed Rear Spoiler free Total Body 400+trade (doesn’t include paint or clear) What I got from it hood I don’t like anymore, new grill and body bracing. Have, need to install SLP LSD 100 3.42 gears 25 Ok, so I have a total of 6100+ in this car. Now if I am to leave work and get hit on the way home. Would I get my 6100 plus labor back? Nope. If I was to sell this car, would I get that? NOPE. Anyone would laugh at it. Do I even think my car is worth this? HELL NO. So why do we do it? If anyone sees incorrect figure on parts of what they go for, please let me know and I will correct and re-tally it. I know some of these items came from board members or talking to members have mentioned the cost I paid for the part(s). So how about everyone else?

intake 600$+s&h
headers 175$
throttlebody 50$
centerforce clutch250$
cam 200$
springs 100$
spring retainers 40$
lifters 100$
pushrods 100$
roller rockers 350$
ported and polish heads 800$
conn rods 200$
aluminum pistons 800$
dual x pipe side exit exhaust 600$

3.73 rear(posi) 100$
alum driveshaft 75$
paint job 1800$
new seats 800$
new guages 300$
nitrous 75 shot wet 900
various sensors 700$
new tires 400$

this is all just rough estimates on most of it but you get the idea.
most of this i am still waiting on to get here, but it will be here and mostly done by january 06. some of this will be done cheaper, but those are the estimates as of right now.
all that for about 350 hp
about 280 of that to the rear wheels with a 8,000 redline!!!!!!!
sound far fetched?
wait til i get done and get some slips.

he said spent, not about to spend

10,260 since august 2002. including oil changes, repairs and accessories, rims, alarm, louvers, 5 sets of tires, bodywork to repair rust, bodywork to repair a light accident, towing, emergencies, and dealership ripoffs, and alot of spare parts.

*edit $ in canadian funds

I think I'm hovering around $3k, despite all the swaps involved. Buy stuff here, sell stuff there,........... I could probably knock off about $500 in replacement/regular maintenance items alone.

Wow, I never even tried to keep track- in fact, I don't think I want to know. I think my front suspension rebuild alone was around $600 in parts... I don't want to know what the past 11 years have cost!

I really don't want to think about how much I have spent in the last 14 months. I don't plan on ever selling it, so don't really care how much it costs to maintain. The most expensive part is over for now, getting it running reliably and legal to drive.

I think I'll avoid the list method since nobody is gonna read it anyway. Adding up what receipts I have comes to about $2800 (minimum). That includes buying the car with a reman long block ready to go in. (dead engine was out already)

gettin started 800 for the car
12 dash... 2- ecm's 100 chasin bugs
tps 19...maf relay..15 .....fuel pump 70....hatch motor 42...
plugs wires cap rotor 60... rear cylinders and shoes 30...
battery 900... from truck I bought haha... all the fluid changes and filters 50... yes everything., oil sensor12...resovior cap 3...
seat covers, floormats 40... head light switch no less than 2- 48..(story here) a/c vents shoot my self 32...hood assit 35..
hatch assit shocks 45...18- dash lights 24...mirrors both 20...
well thats 640 just to get life back in to it so far and dang I still need to finish paying for it .
ok freebie or manual labor stuffff...heat and beat doors so they will line up again no pin kit for this job would solve the prob. remove tint from hatch, paint hatch trim..clean and paint engine compartment... vaccum lines.chase down all wires and test sensors and fuses ,reattach review,a/c knob,lube window rails, glue door panels arm rest
O yea 900 for the battery cuz exhaust valve burnt on truck camaro first yea thats the right priority
800 what was I thinking ...still to do rear end yea that noise was not the muffler bangin round...new set of tires ....and a paint job and which I will do. t-top head liner.etc etc. I know their is tons more to do ...

THEN WELL TALK MODS .......WHAT WAS I THINKING

You know you have spent a lot of cash when your pockets are empty and you cant remember where the $$$ went, lol

Car- $2000
Paint- $750 (painted it myself)
Stereo- $5000 (give or take a few hundred)
Nordskog Digital Dash - $450ish
Auto-Meter Cobalt Gauges (air/fuel, fue press, tach) - $600
B&M Ratchet shifter - $170
Monroe SensorTrack Shocks/Struts - $400
1998 SS Rear with 373s - $400
Front/Rear Drilled rotors - $200
Weld Rims + Tires $700
IROC Rims + Tires $400
IROC Grille & Fogs - 300ish (aftermarket fogs, factory switch)
Headlight adapters - $100
HID bulb setup - $300
Clear corners, New Park Lamps - $150
IROC Taillights $100

Total Spent 12,020

Sold the car for $3500

This is making me sick to my stomach.

-Jim

that's why I'm doing 1 more swap w/a vee-ate.

wow ive spent quite a bit on stereo(700) i just did my brakes(200) new tranny mount and new distributer. thats about it....traded for an slp posi and gears. umm...running a 16.8@78mph. Taking the engine out this summer for a 355. Priceless. 350hp v6......far fetched

I have about 5K alone in just brakes

Car has to be between 20-25K

What else can you buy for 25K that will compete with what I have built? I would much rather have this then a new POS for 25K that would depreciate to nothing in 5 years and never be anything special.

$1400 Car
$235 Custom built intercooler
$300 T61
$50 HD Zexel Torsen
$25 '89 rear end + 28spline axles
$18 Front Pads
$15 Rear Shoes
$200 Random piping
$50 Blow Off Valve
$260 Zeitronix WB02
$75 Flash n Burn + adapter package
$50 TunerCat/TDF
$100 Dropzone Springs
$50 Bearings/Seals for the rear end
$50 22pph injectors

So $2878 into the car.

it is the love of cars--WTF money dosenot matter

I broke a $8000 motor so what I just love the sport and I will not be out this year as I have no cash for a motor bohoo for me

I really hope to see others out there crusing because I love to see all the cars tricked or stock they are beatifull

later and
gb the USA


rick

Car was $300
3.4 was $800
Two tranny jobs $1200
Mufflers are about $200
Cat Convertor was $113
radio was $25
Body parts were about $250 (thank you pick your part!)
Tires are about $200
Shocks/struts $200 or so
Operational R12 AC was $400 (AND IT'S THE BEST THING DONE TO CAR ALSO!!!)
EGR/Belts/Hoses/Sensors/Radiators (yep two!)/timing chain/alternator/heater core...I assume $500 range
Hood prop rod $1! (buy those struts gotta be kidding!)
New front seats-Free
Electric front seat adjustment seat track-free (I sold a 1995 F Body interior for someone & that was my fee)
Brake rotors - Free (THANK YOU DEAN!!!!)
Brake work, hoses, wheel cylinders, labor $200 or so (AND WORTH IT BIG TIME!!!)
Anyone adding for me?
Funniest topic I've seen in days here!
Worth the effort
OH HELL YES!
This car has been most fun project done in long time next to building a motorcycle from boxes!
OH passing smog checks PRICELESS!!!
That will be my Father's Day Present, next to the new bathroom/shower I've built.

geez, where to start.........

bought it for $3000

driveline:
3.4L $780 shipped from FLA to MICH
dynomax catback $180
catco cat $80ish
pacesetter headers $220
roller rockers $ 120ish
underdrive pulley $ 45
8mm wires $ 40
180 t-stat probably $5
open air boxes free
AIR delete free
denterforce dual friction clutch (w/ throwout bearing
$230
5.0 pro short throw shifter
$180
3.42 gears (someone put in 3.23 for some reason)
$180

suspension/ steering:
Spohn subframe connectors $ 230
Spohn LCAs $ 115
Spohn LCA relocation brkts $65
Spohn adj. panhard bar $125
dropzone lowering springs $125
KYB shocks $ 30 each
KYB struts $ 65 each

exterior/interior
paint job $2000
96 camaro frt seats free
98 camaro center console $75
indiglo white gauges $ 40
white HVAC overlay $ 25
custom int. paint $ 20
stereo
deck $200
subs/amp $200 (family discount, lol)
custom box$125
other speakers, came w/ car

thats all i can think of right now. im sure im forgetting stuff, but there ya go. heres the part thatll scare me.......... the total. let me just add it up a second..........

$8515, holy crap!!!!!!!!!!!!! i never realized. and that doesnt include some other stuff ive bought that never came to be, or has yet to be (P&P heads and intake). some of us are just obcessed, lol........ but thats ok, lol

Engine Stuff
---------------------------
Accel 8.8mm - $80
MSD 6a - $150
MSD coil - $50
Igniton module - $50
NGK Plugs - $35
Sensors - $200
Ram Air - $50
Custom Air Intake- $25
New Alt - $200
Starter - $150
Battery - $50

Interior/Etc.
----------------------------
Headliner Kit - $300
Door Panels - $135
4th Gen rear seats - $80
Mint Dash Pad - $0 (stripped from my 84)
T-Top weatherstrip kit - $300

Suspension/Chassis
----------------------------
Shocks all around - $200
Wonderbar - $50
Bushings etc - $50

Total - 2155 + about 800 or so in various labor because of breakdowns

well i have 3 to do

1991 camaro hardtop with 93k miles no options but auto and AC
black with red interior 1200

engine powertrain
tranny lines 100
full new ignition system and timeing chain and full tune up 600
iroc dual snorkle 36 shipped from ebay
starter 100
flowmaster 40 series muffer free
tranny mount 7 bucks lifetime warrenty
oil pressure switch "the super high oil pressure gadge got annoying" 20

exterior
pass side door ground effect 16 shipped
iroc hood blue 10 plus gas so 50
iroc hood black free
iroc hood louvers 40
3rd brake light spoiler 20
drivers side fender 20
foglamp grill 20
miss iroc/z28 logos badges 15

interior
leather interior parts "steering wheel, shifter,ebrake 40
2nd leather wheel free
deluxe saddle leather seats Free
04 corvette bose/monsoon cd headunit free
locking hatch cover free
roadmaster 6x9 and 4x6 speakers 30
Suspension/Chassis
ws6 springs all 4 40
1le sway bars and poly bushings 60
tierod ends 40

Brakes/wheels
rotors/hub pair 20
loaded calipers pair 10
z28 rims from white ghost on here 160 total with gas
tires front 225/55/16 rear 235/55/16 goodyears all around 130
set 2 of z28 rims with 245/50/16 120

2900 or so total on Camaro now with 111k
im sure theres more that im forgetting
---------------------------------------------------
1992 firebird W68 t-top with every option but leather seats 133k
red and tan
300

engine/powertrain
starter 100

exterior
87 formula front bumper 50
both front fenders 50
free spare headlights
85-90 Gta rocker/door groundfx 90
^looking for rear bumper and 1/4 panel parts
82-84 Cowl induction hood 25
interior
02 Trans Am monsoon radio free
t-top bag "GM" 40

total 660 sofar

firebird came with dynomax exhuast rebuilt tranny
and almost no rust
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1989 Camaro Iroc-Z 305 t-top Black with grey interior
13k 4800 (bought for me by my father he still dosnt trust me to drive it much) garage queen with out the garage

Engine/powertrain
altronator 40
flowmaster American thunder catback 300
2 k&n filters 60 stock replacement size
talor wireset40
msd cap/rotor 30

interior
9x deco bose cd player free

currently 25k miles

5250 total spent


-------------------------------------------------------

its the smallest things that add up lol

btw when i went on my rant in the other topic it was because of people saying there dropping 1000s of dollars into ther car to make 10-20 hp or telling me to buy things that are not made for my car and what not example headers that are not emmissions legal for me

250 centerforce clutch
120 tds wonderbar
80 waterpump
50 timing chain
40 spark plugs
500 iroc double stripe rims
100 iroc grid lights
20 armrests
300 deck
30 head lights
250 new rad
500 various sensors,oil, and other such things
200 new seats
50 sway bars
230 sfc's
300 front end brake rebuild
800 front end rebuild suspension
160 rear shocks
200 2 new doors
40 new coil
300 2 new alternators



plus the 1950 to buy the car



total so far

6100

and i still need paint, none of this includes the motor being rebuilt for it right now

Lets not get this thread into what insurance money you have spent, what maintenace money you have spent, or what parts you had to replace how many times.

Its all about what does the car have in it currently as it sits in front of you with those tires, that oilchange, those brake pads, etc... not what you have spent before
***, if we start this I have $100,000 into mine.

i agree with dean on this one, ya know if that were the case, i would have some serious cash in mine too(MORE THAN 20,000)

if i took my car right now and added up all the money that i SPENT on parts alone with car included, it would be about $7-8k. the amount would be alot more when you add the labor/machining costs into it. prob $10-11k.

car was 2500
dynomax catback 160
cat 100
cai 60
accel 8.8 wires 50
accel coil 50
cap/rotor 15
180 t-stat 15
steering knuckles fixed 160
horn fixed/ fuses so door lock button will work/2 window motors installed 375
4 new tires 280

car was 2500
dynomax catback 160
cat 100
cai 60
accel 8.8 wires 50
accel coil 50
cap/rotor 15
180 t-stat 15
steering knuckles fixed 160
horn fixed/ fuses so door lock button will work/2 window motors installed 375
4 new tires 280

It started with little things, holley throttle body, jacobs ignition, SLP headers, suspension parts from spohn ect, then t56 6 speed, 12 bolt posi rear, 11-1 custom 302(4.00 bore x 3.00 stroke) made 275 on the tires with the stock tuned port on it. Decided a mini ram would solve my lack of power and found a crack in the block when the intake came off now I am finishing a HD 4 bolt main 355 (no bolts all studs). I am at about $24000, the problem is I am loosing interest. The car is so violent my wife wont get in it anymore, my kids dont fit in the back, and to and from work is getting boring. Whats an old hotrodder to do. (no regrets)

Car- $2500
ZR1 wheels/tires-$900
92 Z28 spoiler- $100
LS1/t56 swap- $3500
Headers-$800
Exhaust-$350
Total: Just over $8000.

Dyno'ed 310hp/325tq at wheels.
1/4 mile time 12.84@104mph.

Wasting $ on the V6= senseless

ok this'll be good.

car--- free
parts car---- $100
steering rebuild $800
engine work $400
carberator $100
paint and misc $200
louvers $20
power bulge hood free
wheels $100
tires free


I know Iam missing some stuff but I might be wrong cause I got alot out of the parts car like the BIG sway bars with poly bushings.

(now for whats not in the car like the v8. I am about 2000 into the v8)

2 new gfx pieces painted $350
tires $400
clear corners $30
cd player free thx to
Silverstar fog lights $40
exhaust $250
so $1070 on "mods"
bout to drop $600 on new shocks/struts
prob another 3k on maintenance and resto/repairs

Kicking your *** in autox= A Pleasure

ok 1 more things to add from today........

carb gasket, gas cap, vacum line......$15 lol

now thats funny

Car - $2,000
Dash Pad - $60
Powerbuldge Hood - $75
Thermostat - $7
Tires - $339

Total - $2,481

Thats how it stands in my driveway.

Let's see..

$250.00 - Initial Purchase of the 1984 Firebird
$40.00 - Doeskin taupe Fabirc to re-cover the dash
$25.00 - New Fuel Pump
$22.00 - Carb Rebuild Kit
$10.00 - Air FIlter
Total - $347.00

This Bird has been sitting in a Neighbors yard since 1996 and I have been staring at it, Twice a day since 1999 thinking about asking about it. July 4th this year I finally did and bought the car dirt cheap. The lady told me it's been sitting there because it has a carb problem. Just before it was left to sit and "rot" her daughter backed into a tree. so it has a wierd bit of rear damage, door damage and fender damage on the left side becuase when she hit the tree it pushed the left side a bit forward.

So after two weekends and one carb rebuild we found the REAL problem, a faulty O2 Sensor. The Mixture Control solenoid isn't opening and closing to allow gas into the bowl as it should. Without the O2S plugged in and lifting the plunger out to allow gas in it starts beautifully. Next week we get a new O2S.

I have to say it was awesome to hear the car start after a few hours of work
(As we didn't do any work other then looking over the car when we first got it, We didn't wanna get it running and then drive away the next day and make the previous owners feel bad it was so easy to fix)

I am estatic about this. I can't wait to get it on the road!

Lt1 swap and all other related upgrades = Easily in the $5-7k range.

Roughly 20,000. Probably more, denial is a wonderful thing. Can we include sick days and vacation days in our estimates??

Oh yeah, in the last year i don't think i drove it 10 times, now i'm laid up (9weeks so far) i can't even press the clutch pedal. Sadly its all i think about, that and boobs (breasts that is not board members )

If I stopped and thought about all the parts I've bought and changed in the past year alone.....I think I would throw up.

Let's just say, this car is on its third motor and second trans and I've got entirely too much cash invested in parts

Initial purchase of vehicle: $7000 cdn 48148 miles
Safety:
4x new cooper tires $850
Exhaust pipe $175
All new lights $150
Break job $500 (new pads, bleed lines etc)
Major tune up $600
Safety fee $35
Insurance $1800
A/C Compressor replace $675
A/C Recharge/install $275
Bottom end rebuild $2700 57003 miles
Upper end performance rebuilt $5300 76378 miles
Transmission performance rebuild $2400
General Maintenance for 2 years : ~$750
Gas ~$2000

Total
================
$25210 Canadian prices suck...
Shoulda bought a 4th gen or went to school to fix it all myself

I was actually stuck at the airport overnight a year or so ago. During that entire night, I added up ALL the items I can remember buying from the DAY I got my first car, to present time (about a year ago).

The total came to about 40 grand.

But that includes the cars...

The cars I currently own are in my SIG, and that 40 grand doesn't include the Pontiac Solstice or the 2002 Crown Victoria. The 2002 Crown Vic I actually inherited from my Grand Father.

The 40 grand also includes the following cars:

1984 Toyota Corolla LE Sedan
1983 Datsun 280ZX 5-Speed
1982 Pontiac TransAm WS6
1976 Chevrolet Camaro LT-350
1983 Volvo 240 Turbo Wagon
1988 Mazda RX-7 Turbo-II
1985 Pontiac Fiero 2m4
1985 Pontiac Fiero GT
1986 Pontiac Fiero SE / V6
1997 Pontiac Grand Am SE Sedan

and a couple of other cars.

I've been driving and buying since 1996.


The Solstice will be my first BRAND NEW car... and my total cost came to just a hair under $24,000.

The next most expensive car I've ever bought was my 1997 Grand Am SE which I got in Aug of 2000. I paid $11,000 for it.
Third most expensive car was my 1997 Grand Am GT which I got in Sept of 2003 for $6500.
Next most expensive was my 87 Fiero which I bought in 1996 for $5,000 with 43k miles on it (now it's got like 160 or something???)

Man, I haven't been on the boards for a while. I have about $6900 (CAD) in receipts for my car plus the $3000 I bought it for in 1998. So for a car that's been pretty reliable for 7 years, I've paid around $10k. Not too bad.