Hey guys. I'm new here, so let me introduce myself before I start asking my questions

My name is Adam, I live in Toronto, and I'm 18. Currently in school to become a mechanical engineer. Right now I drive a 1995 240sx. I'm thinking of selling it and buying a 3rd gen z28 with a 305 TPI. Then rebuilding a 350 TPI myself or getting a shop to put one in for me. I want it to make around 350 hp. Then if the z28 I buy doesn't have nice paint give it a paint job. Add springs, shocks, bigger sway bars and some nice rubber.

My question is: Is this a smart idea for a daily driver for a student? What kind of mileage is this going to get for city driving? What about reliability? Another idea would be to keep my 240sx and buy a really cheap z28 and build it on the side over the next couple of years.

Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

 

I'd advice taking up a major project car during school. I was an ME major as well, and you will find yourself very short of time very shortly once you get past the lower levels. If I were you, I would try to find a clean thirdgen of your choice, in good condition, and just drive it. Do minor mods as your budget and time allow, but save major things like a motor buildup till you are out of school, or at least a bit further into it so you have a better idea of your limits.

 

I had my IROC w/ 350 TPI for a daily driver through most of college and I still use it as one now, weather permitting. I do have my wife's old 90 Geo Prism that I use when weather sucks or I go out of town on business.

As long as you have the funds, building it to 350HP won't be a problem. Reliabilty will be good as long as you get a car in good shape or fix what needs fixed when you buy it (the youngest 3rd gens are 10 yrs. old now so some things will probably need replaced). And as far as a 350 HP 350, it can and should be very reliable. Gas milage won't be bad, probably around 16 MPG??? in the city under "normal" driving.

If it was me, I'd keep the 240sx as a beater and drive the 3rd gen in nice weather, especially up there in Canada during the winter. But funds did not allow me to do this in college. If you can swing it, I'd keep the 240 and run it until it dies.

 

Golly, I must have done something wrong while in college. Started at age 27, married, two children, full-time load, rebuilt three engines and did one swap (V6 Vega) while earning that BSME over 3.25 years.

Oh, worked from 1:30 am to 7 am seven days a week for the last 3 semisters.

Where did I go wrong????

 

Thats just because you're an old bastard 57kid They make you actually work to pass classes these days

 

I don't quite have 350 hp, but my car is my daily driver, and I'm in college. I went to community college last year and this year I go to college 3 hrs away. The only problem I might run into is the college is in Frostburg in the mts and once it starts to snow I might be in trouble. That's why after the Thanksgiving break I took my mom's car back up there in case it did snow.

 

Oh.