anesthes

iTrader: (12)

My girlfriend said the same thing to me the other day..

-- Joe

Street Lethal

iTrader: (16)

Absolutely. With my build it was just to show what a 305 can do, that's why I ported the stock parts and went cheap with it, so other's could replicate it if they wanted to. Could have easily invested in aftermarket and been done a long time ago, but that would defeat the purpose. I had a GTR and ZO6 awhile back when I was on LS1.com, but I gave the GTR back because the insurance was a waste, but had fun with the ZO6 while I had it. Thanks for the offer Justin regarding the 305 roller, I just might take you up on that if the leak down test points to the rings being the issue. Sorry for the hijack Steve. But yeah, those new Porsche's are sick. There's a dealer right where I work in Manhattan...

- Rob

DIGGLER

iTrader: (1)

kids have broken me. i cant even afford a thirdgen at this point.

ZZ3Astro

Balance hole in the trigger wheel... pretty sure I used extra weld beads to make up for the loss of mass of the missing tooth. OR that was the plan anyway!


Budget for the super car shrank a bit during my week of vacation. I had to cool off a bit. Right now the top budget would allow for buy or build an Alpha 9. I need to stay on track with my financial goals. But I'm not 100% sold on going to the GTR. I have considered just keeping with the third gen but I prefer the safety of newer cars. In that case I prefer the GTR over many options. I tried to look at E63 AMG's while in South Florida but none of the dealers within 50 miles had any. One had just sold two in the past week. Mercedes lose so much value in the first few years though, even if buying a 1-2 year old used one you will still lose big time. Speaking of value, my 13 GTR lost almost 20k in value since I traded it 18 months ago. It seems like a good time to get back in as they general are expected to stay in the high 40's to low 50's.


As for the Iroc... I'm looking at a good 20k more to put into it to get it 1000 hp capable. And building out the rest of it will be very time consuming with various pitfalls along the way. That may well be the direction I go, but I doubt it. I don't want to cage it and a newer car will take care of a lot of that concern. I feel trapped as I've put so much into it already, but I know it will always feel that way no matter how much more I put into it. Sometimes you just need to cut and run. Anyway I'll have it running soon while I decide what the future plan holds.

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

Dart shp block, callies compstar or molnar bottom and throw your heads on with a good s480 or so will do it for fairly less money than 20k

DIGGLER

iTrader: (1)

I know everyone has different ways of looking at stuff, but from my perspective you spent $20k "renting" a gtr for a small time.

at least if you spent the $20k on the iroc you would still have a 1k+ hp car in the garage with no car payment....

ZZ3Astro

I'm talking engine, trans, converter, fuel system upgrades, exhaust, tires, etc etc for 20k


I could spend another 20k and still have a 7k Iroc.. but paid for none-the-less.

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

You seem to have alot of the parts already lol not much further to have it all.

ZZ3Astro

Yeah I have a great turbo, ECM and driveshaft at least. Hopefully that 9 inch will be in good shape when it goes in. I'm not in a giant rush to buy a replacement except for interest rates going up (buy now or pay more later). In fact I've had unplanned expenses this month in the business that are pushing back my eagerness to spend anything for the next month. So I guess that is good news for the Iroc, for now.

zz17iroc

iTrader: (4)

Why wouldn't you finish installing the parts you already have for the Iroc? I mean seriously it sounds like money is not the issue, it's the time needed to finish installing parts. Cmon Steve you already know this, anyway there will always be a greater sense of accomplishment knowing you built your own monster. Everyone in this forum will agree with me on this one, especially if it's a 3rd Gen Camaro/Firebird. Yes it's old and crusty, but it's what you like. If you didn't, it would have been gone aloooong time ago!

Just face it your going to finish it because you already have a plan on what is needed to finish the Iroc. My vote get it done my friend!!! You don't need a GTR or a Benz, you'll always come back to your first love. LOL

ZZ3Astro

I will get it running... as for putting in the rest of the parts - that just depends. Some of the parts will require new parts or major effort (such as modifying a driveshaft to work with the 700R4/9 inch which seems to be a wasteful effort when I have everything I need to bolt in a 4L80 - which I don't have yet). Tires it will need desperately but to spend $600+ on two tires for something that will possibly be a $1500 rolling chassis soon doesn't seem like a wise move either. It's a giant puzzle filled with required micro-transactions to solve!

I have enough car there to drive around once the Holley system is wired in. A few days behind the laptop and steering wheel will likely settle the future of this car. Either it amazes me with performance or it goes to the chopping block. Or I find a deal I can't walk away from and stack a GTR in the shop alongside it for a while, again.

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

I just fail to see the logic here....few thousand dollars vs 100k super cars. ??? Couple thosuand is pennies why not just get what it needs

ZZ3Astro

So many factors I can't list them all. At the end of the day it's different, provides instant gratification, and much much more (working AC for one!).


Debt is the only part I'm not a fan of, but the money is already being spent on a non-running car. I don't have any other debt of significance so it's not a big deal to take on a payment. One life to live and I'd like to be out driving something I can enjoy now - not next year, or the next etc as it has been thus far. That is my logic.

Don't get me wrong, I'd own your 8 second third gen in a second. To me it's just not worth all of the aggravation these cars can present and have one running 11's. The best I can hope for without spending another 20k is mid 10s if everything works out and only a few times before my 700 finishes off the third gear clutches. I think I just want something I can rely on that will put down 800-1000 so I can go scare myself when the urge hits. I don't need a proper race car really.


I will continue working on the Iroc until it drives. Maybe it will prove to be exactly what I'm looking for with the new setup.

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

It should! I cant see why not with the new parts. Else bring it to me i’ll get it working lol

anesthes

iTrader: (12)

I kinda see both of your positions.

It's a lot of money tied up in a thirdgen. Those parts would be much better suited in a car worth more money - i.e a 1st gen Fbody, 3rd gen Corvette, etc.

But it's what he has. Might as well finish it. I'm kinda in the same bought. I've got a lot of parts and work into a car that I couldn't get $5k for on here.

The super car thing or whatever you want to call it is simply tied to age. I'm not sure exactly how old Steve is, but I can tell you that I'm in a point of my life where I'm a lot more interested in high end sports cars or REALLY old hot rods, like 1930s. Things change.

-- Joe

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

You guys actually buy these cars hoping someday they might be valuable? Lol

I have spent 6 figures on my car over last 15 yrs. i dont care about resell because I probably will never sell it and already knew going into this thing that its a loss, you’ll never get your money back out of it

I dont think you can have any other attitude when modding any car platform imo

anesthes

iTrader: (12)

On what ?

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

On car related parts and builds over the years. My current bbc is at the 30k mark already and i’ve had several motors in car in 15 yrs

anesthes

iTrader: (12)

30k ? I guess that's not too terrible. A mail order 1,000hp 496 is around $12k. You'll be making what, 2,000hp ?

You've sold your old parts though, so you've re-couped some of your expenses, no?

-- Joe

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

Yes some expenses recouped including selling my 91 z28

When i say 30k i mean including supporting stuff so far including fuel system and turbos and a 4500$ th400 rossler trans. So no not bad at all imo. Its the most budget 2000 hp you’ll get.

Motor itself was nearly 14-15k

Alot of parts were second hand lol

Street Lethal

iTrader: (16)

It's how the market works gentleman. Your car is a concoction of various metals, plastics and rubber. Somebody slapped a number on it, and suddenly it has some form of value lol. I can care less for, say, an original 426 Barracuda, but people out there would sell out their own mother for one, and that is what gives it its' value. Demand. I think Michael Douglas' character from Wall Street explained capitalism the best over anyone else I have ever heard it from. Once the generations that experienced it passes away, the value goes with it, save for those institutions who try to keep it all alive by "assigning" annual value to it, like coins, baseball cards, etc. Life is short, drive whatever makes you happy. Greatest scene ever by the way, Wolf of Wall Street only got its' views because of its' perverted scenes. Wall Street was a way better movie...

anesthes

iTrader: (12)

I get it.. It's your thing. I used to spend a ton of money on horses and speed boats, and my ex. Rob knows about that mess

I hope you have some real estate too, Justin.

Steve: I think I'm gonna mount my reluctor closer to the balancer. I'm on the fence if I can mount it actually at the balancer face (1/8" tooth depth), or if I should put it on the crank pulley 1/2" or so away from the balancer face. 8" balancer, 8 1/4" reluctor.




-- Joe

Street Lethal

iTrader: (16)

Haha, yes, but I never talk about what is said to me in confidence. It's an Italian thing...

- Rob

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

By real estate you mean house? Yes i have one and thats why my car is taking alot of time

The whole point of this was to say dont get into modding old cars with the reasoning that you wont get anything back on resell. It never happens. You must understand that or dont do anything to your car. Lol just buy new factory stuff and leave them stock and hope it dont depreciate much

Dont mean to take this thread off rails. This build is only a few key parts away from being a solid powerful build and at this point a few more thousand dollars imo is well worth it.

ZZ3Astro

I figured up I'm at about $35k into my Iroc in cash. I couldn't possibly figure up all of the hours I've put into it but I'm sure I'm well over $50k of my time (if I had spent it doing billed hours in my business). Cars are a loss no matter what. It has been entertaining at times at least.


The hole that is the Iroc is so deep I almost feel better to just keep it even if I get another GTR or similar. At least I can pull out the drivetrain and put it into something else if the opportunity comes along. I just need more roof space to put it under as my shop is already full plus Melissa wants to bring her Ram Air home from storage. I'm planning to build another pole barn shortly to put my truck and RV under along with some extra space so it just might work out.


Eventually the engine/trans from the Iroc would end up in something with a bigger engine bay, maybe a Chevelle or something else from the 60s. I thought about putting it into my 49 but I just received word that the Atlas inline six rear sump pan is FINALLY going to be available in April, so I'm back on track to do that build as originally planned.

Street Lethal

iTrader: (16)

Hmm... all dat money in all three builds up there.

Hmm... I hope you guys make more power than yours truly, cuz if not lol...

- Rob

DIGGLER

iTrader: (1)

You dont need an expensive engine to go pretty quick. the time and money needs to go into the chassis/drivetrain though.

mine went mid 9's with an LT1:
stock block
stock crank
stock rods
stock pistons
stock heads (cnc ported)
stock lifters

single plane intake, but stock intake would have worked. (went 10.20s with stock intake/48mm throttlebody)
aftermarket cam/springs/rockers/pushrods
headers with bullet mufflers
old nos cheater plate


all tubular suspension stuff, 8 point ms rollbar. 3050-3100 raceweight
strange brakes
hughes th400
9" rear
prostars/skinnies/275 drag radials

still had power brakes, power windows/mirrors/trunk pulldown etc. along with functioning lights. headlight motors too. would have been totally streetable if it had an exhaust. would go 6.10 to the 1/8 with a 100 shot, so it would have lasted a long time and many passes like that. i figure a 9 second car for most people is pretty dang fast, and it can be done without spending a fortune. its amazing how many factory parts you can use really.

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

I agree the power is the easy part and stock parts generally can hold a good bit on good tunes. Getting it to the ground is money with transmissions and suspension setups although i went extremely fast on your basic suspension most guys on this forum have lol and it was 10 yrs old...so just shows these cars work well for what they are

anesthes

iTrader: (12)

How much spray? I've been collecting LT1's this past year. I want to build one up. Probably for boost, but who knows.

I have a stock LT1 Corvette that I enjoy driving, I'd also love to do a 400-450hp n/a build, if possible, without it idling like a turd.


-- Joe

anesthes

iTrader: (12)

Houses.. Invest in real estate. It's a good tax shelter, and you can use it as retirement.

Yep, I totally agree.. I keep spreadsheets of all my expenses and I've spent over a million dollars on hobbies in the past 10 years. But I've enjoyed life.


Cool build. I hope he enjoys it when it's done.

-- Joe

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

Advanced Induction ported stock heads and a wide lsa cam should essily do that

DIGGLER

iTrader: (1)

look up the thunderchicken AI 396. i actually own that engine now.
with cnc trickflow 21 degree heads it made 505 whp on pump gas while eating its pistons. i figure with good fuel and a tuner who knew what he was doing it would have made more. oh, and that was with a ported stock intake also. that car was a street car.

DIGGLER

iTrader: (1)

it would go 6.10 with a 100 shot, and 6.00 with a 150 shot. i had a 2 stage plate on it (after the cheater plate), and planned to hit it with a 100 and 150 but never did. probably would have gone 5.70's if it held together. converter and gearing were setup for nitrous and was a dog n/a.

ZZ3Astro

I've found a Alpha 9 that is really tempting and located within a reasonable distance. It seems like a very fair deal and they don't stick around long when they are. I wouldn't plan on stopping the Iroc work before it's drivable but then again... I'm trying to free up my time and that is part of the reasoning to go back to a GTR. Decisions....

Street Lethal

iTrader: (16)

Steve get that Alpha 9 GTR and be happy with it. Life is too short, enjoy it.

That's why I post these videos, you gotta laugh at life every now and then fella's;

ZZ3Astro

Going to look at it tomorrow so we'll see.

Street Lethal

iTrader: (16)

It's weird though Steve. I'm the one here encouraging you to do it, because I have been dying to get a new car to play with myself... but then I come across this song without even looking for it, and I change my mind. I hate this damn song because it reminds me of this damn video, and then the video reminds me of who we all are, and why we're all here. Damn the maker of this video lol. Stick with the Iroc Steve lol.

- Rob

The part when he says "you will remember..." always gets me lol.

ZZ3Astro

Looked at the Alpha 9 but there was an undisclosed dent on the quarter. I think it will PDR out fine but like I told him, I'm not paying a premium price for anything less than premium. His PDR guy was busy from the hail storm they had this week so I had to walk.


I'm not sure how he could have missed this damage but looking at the listing pics the damage is not there. He had it detailed for me Friday in case I bought it and I'm wondering it the damage happened while they had it parked. In any case, he is reimbursing me for the wasted trip and offering to deliver it to me if I buy it after dent repair. Bummed to come back with an empty trailer but maybe I will spot something even better today that I would have missed had I bought it.

Street Lethal

iTrader: (16)

You would have had to of taken a picture of the damage....

Gotta assume you're not showing any listing pics cuz you want to surprise your viewers.

Either way it sounds like you really are ready to move on from the Iroc, can't blame ya.

- Rob

ZZ3Astro

The biggest obstacle to keeping and continuing the Iroc is shop space. But I also don't see myself finding increased time and energy to build a race car. I have too many other interests I guess.


Took this photo of the car... damage is right at the edge of the side marker on the driver side rear quarter. Something soft hit it and put a nice dent with no sharp edges but it moved a good bit of metal around. Will take an expert PDR guy.

Street Lethal

iTrader: (16)

Damn that is sweet.

If the seller does right by you, and fixes what needs to be fixed, I say do it.

That is freaking nice Steve.

- Rob

ZZ3Astro

It is levels above my old gtr.. because it has just about everything you can do to one to make it better. Remote Start? Check. Tail light mod that gets rid of the orange turn signal and flashes the red brake lights instead? Check. Carbon wing, side skirts, air dam, and vents. Yep. Full coil over suspension? Clear wrap on forward facing panels? Full LED lighting and 2015 head/tail lights? All of that too. I think he said it also has ceramic paint coating. The only downside is the Alpha 9 hardware is more than capable of taking out the rods and transmission. Topspeed builds a lot of them and knows the safe torque limits so it should have a very safe tune, but there is always a risk of something going out. I general have the plan to do at least a 3.8 shortblock and a trans upgrade so it wouldn't be the end of the world, but I'm hoping it would hold up until I decided to make upgrades down the road.

anesthes

iTrader: (12)

How much is it?

-- Joe

DIGGLER

iTrader: (1)

would you be interested in a twin turbo c5 z06? it has something like 35k miles on it. Red with auto conversion. Im putting it back together right now.

Street Lethal

iTrader: (16)

Dig, I think he has his heart set on the AWD. Can't blame him, as even the Corvette is destined to have AWD sooner or later along with its' new mid engine setup. Exciting time to be a Corvette fan, although the purists still bitch about the possibility of an AWD system...

- Rob

DIGGLER

iTrader: (1)

meh. that vette has been 5.70's to the 1/8 so far and it wasnt turned up at all. on 17" radials. looks/sounds/drives like a stock z06.

ZZ3Astro

Not a vette fan.. One of the things about the GTR I dig is how large it is inside. And I won't have to buy jean shorts like I would with a vette!


Joe we are at 85

89FormulaLS

why not just get a lamborghini

anesthes

iTrader: (12)

For $85k?

-- Joe

ZZ3Astro

Ok Iroc update time..


I made the decision today that I will not be working on the Iroc or 49 project myself moving forward. In the time I've owned the Iroc I went from being a one man band to running a seven person corporation that is about to be 10+ this year. The demands on my time and energy have evolved in ways I never imagined (not really complaining). My free time is different than before and I made the choice that I want to spend it, among other things, only behind the wheel when it comes to cars.


My luck with other peoples' work has not always been stellar. I am also picky about how things are done (I prefer one of the right ways). As I see it though, I only have the choice of finding a reputable shop or getting rid of the cars. If the business winds down in the future and I find myself with more time, I will do more DIY if my aging bones tolerate it. As I type this my left knee is griping in a big way from some work I did today.


The task at hand on the Iroc is simple.. just wiring in the coil power circuit, plugging in the Holley harness and making a few connections to the fuel pump, ign and gauges. I have already talked with a particular shop, the owner of which has been a long time subscriber to my youtube. He has a slot in about three weeks so I'm going to give him a chance to make me a long time customer. If all goes well I told him he may be seeing me for the trans swap, 9 inch install and even a new bottom end build.


GTR is looking pretty certain as well. Waiting on the PPI results hopefully tomorrow. I would be very pleased to have the Iroc and 49 completed and running alongside it. Could be a fun summer!