Need help picking a project car : /

**gdbyrd** · 04-30-2009

My issue with the V8 is that I really won't need all that power. The more I think about it, the more i think I need less of something that's crazy fast, and more of something that's just fun to drive. Both coincide, but hopefully you know what I mean.

I don't do any racing, of any kind. I just drive around, and this is more of an effort to get me back into my garage than anything.

So let's say I buy a 99 Trans Am(there's one down the corner!). I put a cam in it, do a block back exhaust, all the bolt ons. I should be in the low 12's-high 11's by then from what I've read with the LS1(going from LS1tech). Now I have nothing else to do because that's one fast freaking car.

With something that makes less power to begin with I have to do a lot of playing/tinkering/work to get it where I'd want it.

It's a hard decision to make. The LS1 doesn't seem like a project. IT's almost PERFECT, lol. If I could find a solid 3rd gen f-body shell I'd be SOLD. But they are few and far between where I live and my searches over the past month have come up with a lot in the $5-6K range. Hell, even civics are stupid expensive. 93, 245K miles, 4500 FIRM.

, you gotta be kidding me.

So I have to toy around with ideas(hence the thread). A Grand national would be sick, but damn they're hard to find, expensive when you do find them too.

Bluegtp91: Actually I found a 1G GS-T for $500. It needs motor work but runs. Body looks straight and all that. My first car was a 94 Eclipse GS :P. I wish I had a facebook account so I could see that video.

**Iron Indian** · 04-30-2009

I donno why you wouldn't consider a V8 muchless and LSX to tinker with. The modding potential is endless, you'll never be bored, but to each his own.

**blueguy** · 04-30-2009

I can see where both of you are coming from though...

Shawn: The LSx has ENDLESS potential...and you can start with something that is very mod friendly and loves to have the crap beat out of it...not too expensive to mod and you can always do something to them (Blower, Cam/Header, Spray, Turbo...)

gdbyrd: Starting with something with a low power level and making it ungawdly quick is something I have always commended...if I have my ass handed to me by a Civic...(hate the car) but honestly I would give the guy congrats and make him pull the f*ck over and tell me what he has done to that thing LOL

In the end I still say get a 1G DSM...for 3 grand you can have one stupid car

**Iron Indian** · 04-30-2009

Originally Posted by bluegtp91

See what happens when the boobs ain't respected? LOL

What about a 1G DSM? Talon/Eclipse/Laser? Great cars and can be had cheap especially if it is turbo model with something wrong motor wise...mostly because it wasn't taken care of. Pull it and drop in a 4G63 that is built...my buddies '91 Talon weighs **** for nothing and I can run him down to about 60-80 from a dig...then jesus...that thing will put bus lengths on me after 100 or so...if you have a facebook I would show you what it did to a bolt on GTP with a race tranny from a 60 roll...passed the guy spinning LOL

Fun little car...he ran 13's in it spinning through 1-3 and wheel hopping 4th @ 110 I think...but we are slapping slicks on it sunday and turning the boost from 14psi to 22psi now that he got a 3BAR GM MAP

I know a guy in HS that had an early 90s DSM. It was a fast car, and it ran Mid 11s BUT it wasn't realible worth a ****. I couldn't tell ya how many motors and trannies that car went through in one season (used to race it at the track EVERY weekend and street race it too). It wasn't no cheap half assed built car, it had probably the best of the best of EVERYTHING availible at the time (his parents were loaded). Right before graduating he got sick of the car and around March or April his parents were nice enough to buy him a brand new (at the time) 2002 SS Camaro. Month later it was a 10 sec car. Him and his dad had that thing built up including the bottom end, headed, cammed, sprayed, stalled, geared, etc etc... pretty damn nice car when he graduated in May. Years later he's still around and I see him on the street, I havent talked to him in years but word on the street is he's in the 9s now and he still drives it damn near everyday.

**GTPluv** · 04-30-2009

I LOVE my Trans Am. I have 4 of em (see my photos). I am very happy with my LS1!!!! and, one of the best days of my life (Ialmost got teary eyed) was a month ago when I got my CORSA thats right I said CORSA exhaust. Get you a Trans Am. They are TOO cool. Like I always say, everyone has a mustang or a camaro. You would really enjoy being in the cool crowd

**SlowM90** · 05-01-2009

I was a proud owner of 4 DSM!!! THEY ARE NOT RELIABLE! And if your planning on modding them they are REALLY not reliable! Great cars to mod and RACE. But not made to be modded and a DD. My car was VERY well built tranny,motor everything. But it still had its problems.

**GTPJOE90** · 05-01-2009

this is off topic but i want to say that your trailblazer SS is FLIPPIN SWEEEET IRON! congrats on that sexy ride!

**blueguy** · 05-02-2009

Originally Posted by Iron Indian

I know a guy in HS that had an early 90s DSM. It was a fast car, and it ran Mid 11s BUT it wasn't realible worth a ****. I couldn't tell ya how many motors and trannies that car went through in one season (used to race it at the track EVERY weekend and street race it too). It wasn't no cheap half assed built car, it had probably the best of the best of EVERYTHING availible at the time (his parents were loaded). Right before graduating he got sick of the car and around March or April his parents were nice enough to buy him a brand new (at the time) 2002 SS Camaro. Month later it was a 10 sec car. Him and his dad had that thing built up including the bottom end, headed, cammed, sprayed, stalled, geared, etc etc... pretty damn nice car when he graduated in May. Years later he's still around and I see him on the street, I havent talked to him in years but word on the street is he's in the 9s now and he still drives it damn near everyday.

That is because of the good old crank walk before people started figuring out 6 bolt vs. 7 bolt cranks...he has been pushing all of this power though a STOCK '91 tranny with 189K on it...the damn thing took it for over a year and finally threw an input shaft on a 4K launch...I think...went out and got a LSD, Race Built 5-spd with an Evo 5th gear and called it a day...damn thing is THE most reliable car he has ever owned...also has a IMMACULATE '99 GS that is a show winner, NEVER had one issue...maybe it was just him...

Originally Posted by Jess3103

I was a proud owner of 4 DSM!!! THEY ARE NOT RELIABLE! And if your planning on modding them they are REALLY not reliable! Great cars to mod and RACE. But not made to be modded and a DD. My car was VERY well built tranny,motor everything. But it still had its problems.

SO...why 4 of them if they were so bad?

j.w.

**GTPJOE90** · 05-02-2009

go grab that ls1 around the corner!

**SlowM90** · 05-02-2009

Originally Posted by bluegtp91

SO...why 4 of them if they were so bad?

j.w.

They could be made in to quick little 4cy! LOL. I had a DD. I sometimes would drive mine but I ALWAYS had a tool box in my back seat. Its like this! You have a 16+ car. From factory the motor/tranny can only hold like 190hp (if that). You get kids who buy them slap on stuff turn the boost up and give it hell!!! They are not just ALL bad cars! I know a elderly lady who has one she bought it for her son brand new! She hasent had any problems with it! Why? Cause he LEFT IT STOCK! LOL. I guess with any car you mod your prolly going to have problems and those cars are not made to hold power. But they can be made into badddd lil cars!!! IMO if your a student low on money and your wanting a DD that you can mod..a DSM is not the way to go. But they are a BLAST during icey weather!

**Iron Indian** · 05-02-2009

Originally Posted by bluegtp91

That is because of the good old crank walk before people started figuring out 6 bolt vs. 7 bolt cranks...he has been pushing all of this power though a STOCK '91 tranny with 189K on it...the damn thing took it for over a year and finally threw an input shaft on a 4K launch...I think...went out and got a LSD, Race Built 5-spd with an Evo 5th gear and called it a day...damn thing is THE most reliable car he has ever owned...also has a IMMACULATE '99 GS that is a show winner, NEVER had one issue...maybe it was just him...

SO...why 4 of them if they were so bad?

j.w.

Actully I remember him solving the crank walk issue on his, since that was one of the issues he dealt with and is common for those cars. I forget all the stuff, but it didn't pan out to be a realible race car/daily driver. His Camaro proved to be much better in this catagory, and much better faster too. I think he got a better car in the end, but thats my opinion. I would of started with an LSX car to begin with because of the cash flow he had availible.

I guess if you want an all out race car, a DSM could be an option (just like any all out race car, you will be wrenching on them). But honestly why would a choose that when there are plenty better options in the RWD V8 catagory. Thats me though.

He had fun with his DSM and he had the best of the best parts availible at the time. I seriously doubt he'd ever do another one though. To each there own.

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