making a reasonable/logical choice and living with your decisions

Grumpy

The Grumpy Grease Monkey mechanical engineer.
Staff member
I got into a rather long and detailed discussion with one of the local guys ,
concerning both the car he owns and the engine he wants to build,
and if you come down to the basics, budget and time frames, and the end result.
many people subconsciously think and fail to question,
the idea,that they are stuck modifying the car,
they currently own, and modifying the basic engine the car came with...
if thats not the car your dreaming of owning, thats obviously not the route to take,
it makes no sense to put time and a great deal of money into a car you really don,t want to own.:rolleyes:
one of his major concerns , was that every time hes thinking hes found the best engine combo,
he reads some magazine article promoting a different improved cylinder head,
intake or engine, that makes his previous combo look pathetic.
every time he goes to a car show, or the local swap meet,
or the local race track, he sees several very impressive cars, all different, yet all impressive.
it may take you decades on a limited budget,
but set a goal, make a list of what you want as a completed project,
and stick to the goal.
know what you want!
and don,t jump on any parts or project unless its exactly what you want at a good price.

now very few people have the cash flow to just start buying cars,
tools,and performance parts,as fast as most of us wish we could ,
and pure physics your budget and a place too work on the car, will limit your choices.
if you want a fast car, you want to consider a lighter weight project car,
and a reasonably large displacement and reasonably high compression.
I ask him , if cash was not an issue what car would you own?


he currently owns a rusted out auto transmission 4 cylinder powered,1975 monza he hates,
his dream is to own a 1967 corvette, with a serious big block engine 4 speed and side exhaust.

1967bbcm1.jpg

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1967bbcm5.jpg


he has a 454 BBC engine from a 1974 corvette (thats the 270 hp oval port version)
obviously he needs to find a 1965-1967 corvette project car, if hes ever to proceed.
very few of us would not like to own a classic corvette
if youve priced, a 1965- 1967 corvettes in anything like decent condition, you know that they are not cheap.
but if you want something badly theres usually a route to take to get there.
(UN-fortunately none of them are dirt cheap)
hes in his early 30s but single so if hes got a decent job or willing to improve his marketable skills his goal is not-un-obtainable.
I strongly suggested he join several local corvette clubs and start making contacts,
theres always guys getting divorced, loosing jobs, having kids ,
and moving out of state with half finished project cars they are forced to unload,
at a significant price reduction, on short notice,
the key is knowing about their project availability, and sale,
and having a decent checking account balance available, at a moments notice,
to make a legit offer on the spot!
(it also helps to own a truck and car trailer or know a good buddy that has them)
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...u-really-can-use-a-car-transport-trailer.845/



http://customimagecorvettes.com/product-category/c2-corvette/complete-body-c2-corvette/

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used-1967-Chevrolet-Corvette-c409

https://classics.autotrader.com/classic-cars-for-sale/1967-chevrolet-corvette-for-sale

related threads
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...e-to-run-reasonably-fast-in-street-trim.3404/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/matching-parts-and-a-logical-plan.7722/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/what-to-look-for-in-a-good-engine-combo.9930/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ng-to-take-awhile-but-theres-good-tips.15295/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ers-and-yeah-thinking-it-through-helps.15137/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/think-thru-your-goals.10606/#post-78961

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/454-bbc-on-the-cheap-well-to-start.11739/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/power-from-a-stock-454.16370/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ve-friends-with-similar-cars.5976/#post-72520

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-about-your-potential-dream-bbc-combos.14607/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...have-chosen-a-different-car.15246/#post-87872
trust me my personal goal has been for several years,
to collect the parts required and knowledge to produce and install a larger displacement, EFI BBC engine,
connected to a 4l80E transmission i a personally owned c4 corvette,
modified with full manual control 4l80e trans in a C4 corvette with a dana 60 rear differential, I personally own,
I've helped 8 other people do similar engine swaps over the last 21 years, installing, chevy big block engines in their personal C4 corvettes ,
so I know what's involved, but I personally just never yet, have had the spare cash, to build my corvette the way I want to build it,
and since I refuse to compromise and slap something inferior, or sub-standard together,
its still a project I'm working on completing.
with the rapidly approaching future move its once more being delayed
if your going to do something I've learned you either do it correctly or wait until you can do so, or you'll always regret the results

related thread
s:like:

the c4-bbc engine swap

no its not a TRUE drop in,and drive engine swap, it will require some fabrication skills to do correctly, but its not that difficult either! and its a reasonable way to get 500-600 hp, and 500-600 ft lbs of torque PLUS in a c4 corvette. Ive built engines for . and helped work on, some of the...
garage.grumpysperformance.com

converting a dana 60 to disc brakes

If you read a bit on this forum it would be hard to escape the idea that Ive been rather positive on the DANA 60 rear differential, its extremely durable, but in many cases it comes with drum brakes which are heavy and not as effective as a disc brake upgrade, so here,s some linked info on...
garage.grumpysperformance.com

anyone have experience converting a 4l80E to full manual?

garage.grumpysperformance.com

installing a BIG BLOCK CHEVY IN A C4

theres no way a c-4 will exactly match the weight distribution and handling of a C6, BUT the strait line acceleration CAN be equaled or exceeded with a decent well thought thru and executed BBC swap,and you might be amazed at how well a properly set-up C4 with a big block engine handles in the...
garage.grumpysperformance.com

4L80E no computer... light switches!

as the title states... im not sure if this should be in the lounge for how outlandish it is... and check out the guys speedo... the video is very telling of the process and it seems to be a pretty nifty setup http://www.autoblog.com/2014/06/05/car- ... ps=gravity heres a link directly to the...
garage.grumpysperformance.com

cooling off that c4 corvette

your stock corvette has a rather marginal cooling system if your engines been modified for significantly higher hp levels, that cooling system can be significantly improved upon.I run into this frequently, and theres several sources or causes for an engine to run hotter than you might want it...
garage.grumpysperformance.com

Big Block Intake, Hood Clearance For Engine Sbc> Bbc Engine Swap

Ever since I sold my 1971 Big Block roadster I have had an empty place in my heart and garage. Last week I was on Facebook and a picture of a corvette popped up on the marketplace. It was a nice red 1980 L48. The motor had stuck rings and smoked like a freight train. The interior needed...
garage.grumpysperformance.com

4l60e and 4l80e info

http://www.ckperformance.com/resources/ ... NENTS.html sometimes you need to fabricate adapters, when you install a non-O.E.M. transmission careful measurement, a drill press and a welder in even limited skilled hands can fabricate a decent adapter some more welding grinding and some paint...
garage.grumpysperformance.com

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Talk him into a C4 Corvette Grumpy.
Take him for a quick ride.

Unless you have $50 k at least your not going to own a Nice clean 1967 C2.
 
The Monza as is will be popular with Drag Racers that like Street Outlaws.
As long as does not look like it was pulled out of the Ocean 50 years later.
Sell pretty easy.
 
My old Neighbor Mike had a 1975 Monza.
Home built chassis.
Used a 1957 Pontiac 9.3 diff narrowed.
SBC poweted.
It was the fastest car local for 20 years.
Nothing street legal on car but he still drove at night and raced it on the streets.
Not even working headlights .
Suicide.
 
If he owns a 4 cylinder Monza, he will never have enough money to fix what he wants.

Dreaming!!
 
not necessarily , he drives that 40 plus year old monza even though he detests it,
to save every dime he can, like he says,
" I put gas and oil in it,
it hauls my butt around ,
and thats about all I bought it for."
my cousin owned the car before he bought it,
the body has rust issues but its mechanically dependable transportation.
the guy has a decent home thats easily worth 500k, so hes not dirt poor ,
I don,t know for sure but I think he operates heavy construction equipment like cranes and front loaders, as his current job.
 
not necessarily , he drives that 40 plus year old monza even though he detests it,
to save every dime he can, like he says,
" I put gas and oil in it,
it hauls my butt around ,
and thats about all I bought it for."
my cousin owned the car before he bought it,
the body has rust issues but its mechanically dependable transportation.
the guy has a decent home thats easily worth 500k, so hes not dirt poor ,
I don,t know for sure but I think he operates heavy construction equipment like cranes and front loaders, as his current job.
Not sure in Florida but here in Illinois a Heavy Equipment Operator is a UAW Union Job. Pays $32- 80 per hour in Chicago and areas around.

Tell him to go to the bank and State I want $100 K for a Big Block 1967 Roadster Corvette.
 
In florida I doubt hes making more than $35 and hour tops
 
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