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Advice to a young hot rodder

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  • Advice to a young hot rodder

    Ok here's the situation:

    Im going to be graduating high school in May. I have made a deal with my parents that i would not buy a car until i have graduated. My dad told me today that if i find a car i like that doesnt run and is cheap (like 100-200 bucks) he would let me get it NOW and HE would buy it for me. Well i initially thought of the whole ranger/s-10/sonoma V8 conversion thing and now i kinda want to build one of these. However, if i wait 3-4 months i can buy a f-body/mustang for cheap and modify from there. But i would have to wait. Either way the goal is to make a reasonably fast vehicle on the cheap. I drive an explorer right now (not allowed to hack it up...its not technically mine).

    I know i have made similar threads before (ideal first muscle car), but this is a different situation. Should i wait and get an 80s muscle car or get a little truck now and do the V8 swap?

    At this point i pretty much have all the tools i need to do the swap and have a decent amount of mechanical experience in my school's auto shop (and im state certified in 3 areas).


  • #2
    Re: Advice to a young hot rodder

    I say do it, especially if dad will help. Could bring the two of you even closer, and fill the hole in you for the Hot Rod, too.

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    • #3
      Re: Advice to a young hot rodder

      I vote for the truck v8 swap. how mechanical are you? you can put together something very quick, very inexpensively.
      www.realtuners.com - catch the RealTuners Radio Podcast on Youtube, Facebook, iTunes, and anywhere else podcasts are distributed!

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      • #4
        Re: Advice to a young hot rodder

        What Dieselgeek said is true but all hot rods have some issue. The small trucks dont have much working room.But a cheak to make semi fast.
        Terry

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        • #5
          Re: Advice to a young hot rodder

          Originally posted by dieselgeek
          I vote for the truck v8 swap. how mechanical are you? you can put together something very quick, very inexpensively.
          Well im sure im an beginner compared to most on this site, but ive been working on cars in my shop class for the past three years. I am state certified in Engine Repair, Steering and Front End, as well as Brakes. I have helped pull an engine out of a Chevelle (and i dissasembled it) as well as a 73 Camaro. I have also rebuilt an engine for an '83 Escort 1.9 L.

          So not all that amazing compared to what some of you guys do, but i can normally figure stuff out

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          • #6
            Re: Advice to a young hot rodder

            I was going to say wait, but, being a dad I wish my kids had more of an interest in cars.

            I'm going with what min301 said...

            good luck

            grumpy

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            • #7
              Re: Advice to a young hot rodder

              I think I would go with the V8/truck as well. Find you the best truck you can afford, gather all the pieces you will need for the swap, then start the engine swap. Will you still be able to drive the Explorer while you get your project up and running? What are the emissions laws where you live? Plan things out, the best you can, before you start taking things apart. And remember there will always be something that doesn't work out like you want. Good luck.

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              • #8
                Re: Advice to a young hot rodder

                Originally posted by 1966-100 cdan
                What are the emissions laws where you live?
                We have no emissions testing or inspections what so ever on any car. I LOVE Michigan ;D

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                • #9
                  Re: Advice to a young hot rodder

                  when looking at cars involve your dad, he may have some expirience to lend depending on what you are looking at doing.

                  if you plan on doing a swap, research what it will take dont just jump in. its always good to know where you can get the stuff you need before you purchase a vehicle.

                  also is you dad hoping you get something he will like or does he not care.

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                  • #10
                    Re: Advice to a young hot rodder

                    I've got to side with everyone else - take the truck. I'll even make you and Pop a deal. Come on down to Wilmington (easy 2 day drive or Lloonng 1 day (we've done it often) and get a clean, rust-free truck. Michigan rot is a royal pain. Plan to tow it back - I'd rent or borrow a tow dolly (know anyone with a motorhome? They often have a tow dolly lying around). I'll put you up for a day or two, and I'll search out some candidates before you get here. Our trucks usually have pretty good bodies, but you may have to search out an interior when you get back - less sunlight in MI. I can't do anything until after April 6th. - that's the first Maxton meet and I'm in the middle of a mad thrash. After that, things are a bit less hectic.

                    As an example, I found a Ranger PU in a salvage yard less engine for like $300 (we didn't get down to hard negotiating, as I really didn't have a use for it). The body was near perfect, and I didn't have to yank the motor. I had a 5.0 and an AOD sitting on a stand at that point, so it was pretty tempting, but.....

                    I used to occasionally find an out of state body in MI, so you may get lucky and avoid the drive. I found my Vega from Arizona there, so you just don't know.

                    Good Luck
                    Dan

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                    • #11
                      Re: Advice to a young hot rodder

                      one more thing to add is dont let anyone make up your mind with this decision.

                      mini trucks and big motors are cool have fun and dont get to overwhelmed. if you need any help finding parts post up what your looking for and im sure every one here will be more than willing to help out.


                      check out this post here little bit of a drive but it is worth the 600 he is asking for it.

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                      • #12
                        Re: Advice to a young hot rodder

                        I wasn't going to post in this thread because everyone needs to go their own way with their car or truck. Then everyone said to do the truck, so i thought I should throw in my thoughts.

                        I would wait and get a car. If you can find an F-body with a V8 in it already, you can put all your money into hotrodding it. I would think your dad would be with you either way.

                        Nothing against trucks, I like the conversions. I think the car would get you where you want to be faster.

                        If you and your dad need a speed fix in the meantime, find me at the Shell station and I'll get you a ride in something fast to hold you over.
                        Cognizant Dissident

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                        • #13
                          Re: Advice to a young hot rodder

                          I've done three V-8 s-10 s and will probly do another before I die not if you not at least going to have a limited slip rear before next winter I say wait.I have three 3rd gen f-bodies now and they hook /drive so much better .

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                          • #14
                            Re: Advice to a young hot rodder

                            Do it and make sure your dad is involved. I'd give one of my sons one of my cars if he was sincerely interested in working on a car with me. My 20 year old is only interested in out of the box fast cars (read, sport cars that he can't afford) that he doesn't have to work on. My 16 year old has taken up some interest but I think it's more, I'm at driving age now so any car is cool. Of my two sons, the youngest might get involved someday but only time will tell. I am not getting any younger and there won't be a second chance for a bonding experience like that. I'd give anything for that experience...

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                            • #15
                              Re: Advice to a young hot rodder

                              One of my proudest memories is of my son and I road tripping a POS Austin Healey Sprite through 11 countries in 3 days... on less then 500 bucks TOTAL.

                              Jr. wasn't into cars at all at 14... but we did this deal.. and it was GOOD... Shipped it back to the states for 1200 bucks... spent 3k restoring it... and he drove it to High school... and then crashed it... Bummer... or not... He was fine the car was gone... and we had the experience... It was perfect!!!

                              Keith

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