Everyone keeps telling me different things about what to do. I am in the process of building my 88Z into a street/strip car.
I know the car will be a bad ride when I am done, but I am afraid I am spending way too much money on it. The one good thing is, I will have built it from the ground up.
So far I have bought a ford 9in posi unit geared 411, new adjustable pan hard bar kit, frame connectors, lower control arms, a th400 manual valve body transmission, TCI torque converter, a crate 383 stroker, and all the brackets to make everything work. Mind you, all of these are brand new parts. I know I still have to buy an MSD, an intake, Carb, distributer, shifter, headers and exhaust. I am also going to have cut outs installed in the exhaust for those track days. My factory heat and air will stay on the car as well.
This should prove to be a bad *** ride when complete, but am I losing my mind for putting this kind of money in my car?

 

If you are starting from the beginning, it is WAY cheaper to buy someone else car that is already built.

You gotta remember, you would be lucky to get 1/2 your money back if you decided to sell the car later with all that you have put in.

I tried selling my 11 second car this past winter for $12,000, no rust , never winter driven and timeslips to prove and I never got any bites. I have spent WAY more than $12,000 into my car.

Something to think about!

 

Well, one thing I didn't mention is that the car does have some sentimental value. My mother actually bought me the car. She asked me not to sell it. We lost her back in August, so that is one reason I am going this route. I don't plan on ever selling it unless it is an emergency. I guess I am kind of crazy.......

 

YOU HAVE LOST YOUR MIND!!! actually every single one of us has gone mad. It makes absolutely no financial sense to spend all this money modifying our rides, but since we've all gone looney there's no way to stop ourselves!!

 

No we have not lost our minds we are gear heads, And I'm damn proud to be one. No you more than likely will never make your money back, But why are you building it, to enjoy the build , have a great ride, a fast car, to be proud you built it not bought or payed someone to, Or is to make money, I know I do it because I love it all, I'm a gear head

 

I am having someone do the work for me because I don't have the place to do it. I am however picking out the parts that I want and need for the build, so I guess I am still the designer and project leader so to speak. This car just has so much sentimental value and I want it done right........my way!!!
I am not rich by any means, but I don't mind sacrificing other hobbies till this project is completed......

Thanks guys for the positive comments!

When the build actually gets off the ground I will start a build thread.

 

FIRST off.. get a plan, things like this will snowball. into Big Big Bucks!!

pick a time spot 10s 11s 12s or what ever and look to see what it takes to make it...

it's easy to think about what we want to do, and start to drop cash, on the things we think we need in the car,

strip car? show car? street strip show car?

 

Street/strip/show car is my goal.

 

And youll be broke all the time, just like the rest of us!

 

Start with lots of money. Invest a lot into the car. When done, the car will be worth less than what you invested. It's always cheaper to buy someone elses car.