newbie and old school project

[Tank-machine]

Hello everyone. I'm a new guy, (mechanically) and even though i know my basics, i still need experience. I want to start a project with a 1979 Trans Am and eventually make my dream car. (I just love the old school firebirds) I'm still young and still live with my parents and everything. My dad doesn't support my love of cars, so it's harder for me to get started than others, but I really want to do this. What should I do and how should i get started? I don't have a garage or tools, but i know people. If anyone can give me an estimate on the cost of parts, or tips on how to make the project cheaper I would appreciate it, since I am the sole funder and machanic.

[Earlsfat]

Originally Posted by Tank-machine

Hello everyone. I'm a new guy, (mechanically) and even though i know my basics, i still need experience. I want to start a project with a 1970 Trans Am and eventually make my dream car. (I just love the old school firebirds) I'm still young and still live with my parents and everything. My dad isn't into cars so that makes it harder for me to get started, but Ireally want to do this. What should I do and how should i get started? I don't have a garage or tools, but i know people. If anyone can give me an estimate on the cost of parts, or tips on how to make the project cheaper I would appreciate it, since I am the sole funder and machanic.

Well... do you have your T/A yet?

You need to plan out what you want to do to it, and how you're going to get there... do you want to drive it while you're working on it, or are you going to park it until it's completed?

It all really depends on what you have, and where you want to go.

And pay mechanics as little as possible... they'll rape you.

[SG007]

From experience, don't do it until you are financially capable (AHEM...Jim ) to dump money into the car. Seriously, it's not fun when you're broke. Will this be your daily driver?

[philly rs]

no matter ow u do it, it will cost alot! most of us have running cars that we are just modding out and its big bucks for us.... and u want to re-do an entire car..a old car at that. parts will be some what of a issue, i hope u have a decent job because it will become another bill once u start! dont get any of us wrong, we encourage u to do the project, but we will keep it real with you and let u know this aint cheap.... hell my car has already in one year over 8k worth of work into it..and i own a home and have hella bills!! its tough man. but i do agree with the wait untill u can afford this type of project advice!

[Tank-machine]

Ok, so maybe i'm in over my head. But i could care less about the paint job and stuff, i just want to start with the essentials and build from there. I just want to be able to drive it, and over time, I'll add stuff to it. If i could find one with most of the parts still in it, i would buy it. Remember, this is really just speculation right now, and i'd say over the years i'd put about 30k into it and race it. My biggest hurddle right now is money, and secondly, experience, and third, equipment ... but i guess that's all you need besides time, right?

[philly rs]

man..... u got that right...the money, and the how too.... it aint no joke. im sure with time u could do it. we all learned somehow

[Earlsfat]

Originally Posted by Tank-machine

Ok, so maybe i'm in over my head. But i could care less about the paint job and stuff, i just want to start with the essentials and build from there. I just want to be able to drive it, and over time, I'll add stuff to it. If i could find one with most of the parts still in it, i would buy it. Remember, this is really just speculation right now, and i'd say over the years i'd put about 30k into it and race it. My biggest hurddle right now is money, and secondly, experience, and third, equipment ... but i guess that's all you need besides time, right?

Ok, not to be nit-picky, but you're going to take a 70 t/a and dump 30-40k into it and race it? Are you talking street racing, strip racing, or what? You REALLY need to see what it is you want... that will dictate almost everything else... the car you get, what mods you do, how much money you spend. If you want a NICE street car, you probably don't want to start from the ground up. Early 70's (1970-1971 model year for t/a - firebird's) are very expensive 20-30 for anything that's decent. If you do intend to start from the ground up, realize that MOST people who do that and arent' people that do it regularly wind up selling everything for nothing 5 years later because they've gotten no where and just want to get rid of it. (I hope I said that right... it didn't read right to me, but you get the point.)

If you're gonna do it, do it with your eyes wide open brother.

Best advice I got... Buy one that's done, you'll spend less and enjoy it sooner. I took 8 years to find it and bought mine for 14k, and 500 miles after I got it it's been parked, needs engine rebuild, already rewired whole car, and rebuilt trans, going to redo interior. I knew what I was getting into though, and what I wanted was VERY specific and not very plentiful. Do your research and you'll be alright.. but if you think 30k-40k and time is what it takes... the 30k-40k is probably close, the time you should probably double or triple unless you know what you're doing.

Mr Pbody is a big Pontiac guru, if you see him around hit him up, he'll help you out.

[79Bandit]

i started with my t.a bought it for like 2000 and now im up to 7000+ there not cheap to maintain if they have been badly treated which most t.a's in your price range more than likely are. non the less i love my car and if you ever need any parts or have a question pm me and ill help you out.

[Tank-machine]

Thaks for the advice. maybe taking on a later model will save me some bucks?

[Earlsfat]

Maybe, maybe not. Depends on what you're looking to do with it. If you want a jaw dropping daily driver, spend 25k and buy a 70 firebird that's done well, and enjoy it now.

If you want a badass street machine that really belongs on the strip, then it doesn't matter much... that's where you're going to spend your cash and time... having a race car and forcing it to be streetable.

Who knows though... if you nose around enough you might come across one that's in decent shape for a good price. First thing is to deceide on what you want, and then figure out your timeline and budget.

[wrightz28]

No car + no experience + non-supportive family + no garage + no tools = instant failure of project

Sure the best way to learn is to just get out there and do it, but, be evaluative of your situation. Someone else I know (who owns a brussel sprout farting dog) thought he'd tear his car up and be back on the road in no time, now he's coming on completing year one of the 4 I think I said it would take.

If you know your basics, start small. Even just purchasing the vehicle will be a challange. for low money, it either looks good/runs bad, or looks bad/runs good. Without a supportave enviornment and means of any kind to accomplish this, I highly suggest holding off and learn as much as you can, tinker with a lesser/cheaper car until opportunity presents itself.

[Earlsfat]

[quote=wrightz28]Someone else I know (who owns a brussel sprout farting dog) thought he'd tear his car up and be back on the road in no time, now he's coming on completing year one of the 4 I think I said it would take./quote]

HAHA! Yeah but TIME, is my primary foe, seconded by money, thirded (is that even a word?) by time, money and experience. lol.

I knew what I was getting into, although it IS taking me more than I had HOPED, I ANTICIPATE it dragging out for ever. Seriously, once I get a chance and some friggin motivation I'll get it completed, but the EARLIEST I'm expecting is June of this year. **sniff, sniff**

Good rule of thumb - take projected monetary investment and multiply by 2.5, take time investment and square it.

[korndogg]

I said I was going to take it slow too. Which I sort of am in a way I guess but since I got my car I have easily put $2000-$3000 in it and this year its going to be $5000 or more. You get addicted lol.