Jump to content
SAU Community

Recommended Posts

I've convinced my mate he needs a project car whilst he's saving for an XR6T (he's a ford person :no: ). We're both interested in rebuilding/converting something and his old man has a fair bit of expertise.

The general consensus was it must be a sleeper, must be reasonably quick and be on the cheap side. If it runs a flat 14 he should be happy (currently on par with my R32 :) ) but if it manages to go quicker its a bonus.

He drives an LPG Falcon so fuel economy isn't a worry as it won't be daily driven. 4 doors is a bonus, but not a necessity. We both love the note of a V8 but it does detract from the sleeper value of the car. Turbo would also be nice. RWD is prefered

The first idea was a VL. We found one with a recond gearbox and blown head gasket for cheap. The idea was to do a RB30DET conversion using a stock bottom end and keep it looking like a shit box. Only problems would be the drivetrain isn't up to the power so it might start getting expensive and his parents hate Commodores and are refusing to have it parked outside there house :) (which is fair enough)

I suggested an aus spec R31 but he doesn't think it has the same sleeper value as a VL. I'm yet to pitch the idea of the FJ20 turbo Datsun ute (my favorite) or a supercharged 4A corolla. A torana may be an option but it's not really much of a sleeper with a V8 inside it.

Budget is probably about 4-5 grand for the whole thing. Definately wouldn't be spending any of that on aesthetics :P

Can anyone suggest any other cheap cars to do up?

If anyone can come up with some mini car (moke or lada style :D ) that you can shoehorn some kind of ridiculous engine into I'd love to hear it.

Cheers

-Matt

Link to comment
https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/149534-need-a-project-car/
Share on other sites

  • Replies 44
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

Posted Images

^Haha those things are granny mobile's to the max.. Reminds me of an AMC Gremlin

FJ20> MR30 hatchback... Engine should bolt-in with DR30 cross member

MX83 Cressida with 1JZ 1/2 cut. Can be done very cheaply if you don't mind the auto.

Edited by Drift_Limo

Nissan Patrol?

it's dirty cheap nowdays, you could turbo it and see it fly,

see this for example: http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/in...howtopic=148705

Buy 3l verison, drop the motor off vl turbo after these who has spent loads and see if it is faster than 32 gtst.

If 4.2ltr, you could pick 1 with lpg and use lpg mixer to fuel it no ecu needed, boost it to 10 psi and enjoy.

Post up if he decides to do the cheap sleeper project.

Cheers

ea/eb falcon with turbo bolted on..

in fact there was/is? one for sale very recently for about $5k.. looked as grandpa as you could get. In fact, if anything it was too clean.

VL's are hardly 'sleeper'.. If anything the one car cops would pick on..

4 to 5 K is not enough money for a sleeper, let alone a motor for a sleeper.

All you gonna have is heart ache and worries.

By a car that is already fast and cheap..ie Q45 Infinity..around 7K

This then can be worked on slightly to increase power..ie zorst, intake,re-chip/comp.etc.

0 to 100 in around 5.5 seconds,1/4 Mile in 14....and this is in stock form

My 2c

At the last dyno day in NSW we saw a recently converted bright yellow and rust VB commodore wagon, with roofracks and all....

RB20 inside with VG30 on the side...

aparently he wanted to do it to show the "ricers" a thing or 2 about drifting on the track...

sleeper and a half

71829276.QcQjsNDV.jpg

71829275.FYHa0BVb.jpg

71829277.Q1kGk2DR.jpg

people look at you like your a bogan, untill they realise it goes like shit off a shovel

DRIFT WAGON FTW

Haysey, where are you getting all these pics from? Friggen awesome! :(

Has anyone ever done up a R31 Skyline wagon?

According to redbook they have the same kerb weight as an R32 GTS-T. A turbo on the RB30 would make it bloody quick in a straight line. You could probably drift it aswell :P

Keep em coming :D

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now



  • Similar Content

  • Latest Posts

    • Out here E90s are the cheapest way into a sporty-ish car because everyone knows just how expensive the repairs can get. 8-10k USD for an automatic 335i. 
    • Noted. Have noticed BMW are more 'high maintenance' for sure. They've attracted my attention as I think the used car prices seem reasonable vs other options, and the extra quality overall vs a commodore / camry / corolla or similar of the same vintage is appealing, especially the interior, and they are more on the sporty side whereas the others mentioned can be more cruising or economical A-to-B only.
    • Haha yeah I know, this is SAU after all, why are we talking about BMW's of all things!? I hear you on the 'don't have to worry about it' side of things. Having been fortunate enough to be have been able to buy a brand new motorbike or two...never really enjoyed them as much as I'd have liked as you worry so much about where you park it, will it get scratched, stolen, attempted theft, knocked over, etc...and yes dirty. Older less valuable bikes you can just go where you want and park it wherever and not really worry that much in comparison. And who cares if it gets dirty! Never owned a V8, and have had my eyes on VE / VF commodores for years but with their prices climbing so high, the M3 has come into focus more as prices are much closer than I've ever seen...is it a potential contender now?...of course need to factor in the S65 'maintenance' especially and like you said general M car 'tax'. One can dream anyway. But more on the reality front - did read the whole 330i thread as well and was a great read too, both threads enlightening as I've never even driven one of these cars! I do recall 330i didn't seem to have the same amount of issues for almost the same car (turbos and related differences notwithstanding)...perhaps down to getting it earlier in it's life so looked after better than the 335i? Perhaps so as your 130i has been good and quite similar, so finding a car that's been looked after well is the especially-crucial-BMW-first-step.
    • Nice. Dont worry about the time of not running. My current skyline hasn't run since I bought it. About 8 years ago.
    • It's also worth noting that I am heavily and unconditionally biased. I've had a lot of cars including some GTRs a fair while ago. I love my BMW's now a lot. They make no sense a lot of the time and the guys on here remind me regularly that I could get something else that does what I want better and cheaper. If you're going to take on an older BMW it's definitely a commitment. If you bail on it early you'll lose money and also the ability for it to put a smile on your face. Stick with it and it just gets better.  f**k I should get into advertising.  
×
×
  • Create New...