New member w/ a situation....Please help

[SS1156]

Well I joined the site with the intentions of building another 2nd gen that an ex-girlfriend had sitting at her business. The 72 Camaro has been sitting for years and after asking her to sell me the car, she finally agreed to sell the car to me. I saw 2 pictures of the car and they were okay pictures but I needed some more to see what I was getting into. Well after countless e-mails, texts, and voicemails I got nothing. I sent her an e-mail asking her WTF? Needless to say I got a nasty e-mail back from her telling me that we shouldn't be talking anymore and all this other b.s.

I should have known this was coming, fair weathter friend that she is just made up some b.s. excuse and now isn't going to let me have the car.

Now here is my situation, I NEED SOMETHING TO BUILD!!!. I want to PT something that is affordable and that parts are available. I was thinking about the following cars: 78-80 Cutlass, 83-88 Monte SS, 78-85 Malibu & Malibu Wagon. I want to definately do a 5 or 6spd trans w/ SBC power. I would love to see some pics of any of the following cars that were mentioned. I also need to find out who does the clutch stuff for G-bodies.

You guys were awesome when I asked for pics of Camaro's and very helpful too. I hope you guys can shed some light on my soon to be new adventure. Thank you in advance.

[T_Raven]

Welcome to the board. I just wanted to point out how cheap an LS1 swap is these days if you want a 6 speed anyway. Figure that it will cost you $1500 for a LT1 6 speed to put behind a small block. You can get an LS1 with t56s from $3k-$5k. Even if you spend $5k to get a lower mileage set up that's only $3500 more than you would pay to get a t56s to put behind a SBC. Yeah you'd need a few things for the swap but you get fuel injection as well as an engine that is easier to make power with.

Anyway, Just a few things to consider. It's cheaper to go with a carburated small block at lower power levels, but once you start trying to make more power the LS1 seems like the way to go. It seems like you can end up with more power for the same or maybe slightly more money, and have the benefits of fuel injection.

But either way you go good luck finding a project and I look forward to seeing it.

[gmjj13]

one place you could probably check would be at quaker steak and lube on thursday night. i know that there are usually a lot of cool cars there as well as cool people to talk to. someone there might know where you could find one or even have something close to what your looking for. good luck with the search, and let us know what you find.

[bavtech]

Good Luck ....

Here is a nice Monte Carlo SS


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/Rolling1-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/web_site_081-1.jpg

[bavtech]

Malibu Wagon

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Welcome to the site.

[icebird84]

Welcome to the forum

[SS1156]

Good Luck ....

Here is a nice Monte Carlo SS


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/Rolling1-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/03/web_site_081-1.jpg

Both of those look pretty sick. I had an 85 years ago and I liked it. Maybe I will try and find one of them. Thanks guys for the help.

[SS1156]

Thanks for all the advise and info. I'm intersted in finding the company who does the manual trans kit for the G-body. If anyone can direct me to them I would greatly appreciate it. I think I'm going to try and find a Monte SS that is in need of some help. Anyone know of an 83-88 Monte SS that fits my situation? I don't want a mint one, just one that needs work but is all there.

[SS1156]

I am at the point of aggrevation. All the 2nd Gen camaros that I have found that are in restoring cond are priced out of site. These people are trying to retire of the sale of an old car. I don't expect to find one for $500 or something but $5000 is ridiculus for a car that is going to need another 30k worth of work. It is almost to the point that only the rich can enjoy the car hobby. I'm not that old and I remember when the average guy could build a nice local show piece or a nice driver without getting a second mortage on his house. This hobby has pushedout the average guy like myself and now I have to admire from a far, it's just sad. I used to love working on cars. I guess I will just have to pick another hobby that the average guy can do like collecting stamps. Have fun guys because I am ending my search for a car to build. I really do appreciate all the info and suggestions that were given to me on this site. You guys seem like a great bunch of people.

[JJSmitches]

Maybe take a break from looking for a bit? But do not give up!

Our project cars are great because once you own them you can take as long as you like to complete them. I am on year 10 and counting

[mc84_zz4]

I'm intersted in finding the company who does the manual trans kit for the G-body. .....
Anyone know of an 83-88 Monte SS that fits my situation? I don't want a mint one, just one that needs work but is all there.

1) There is also a vendor BRPHotRods that makes full kits for fitting LSx powerplants into G-bodies, headers, motor mounts, etc.
http://www.BRPHotRod.com (http://www.BRPHotRod.com)

good pictures of a project here:
http://www.montecarloss.com/community/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=575857#Post575857

2) Hunting for a nice Monte SS?... You can check into montecarloss.com, there are usually a few in the for-sale section, but you need to sign in as a member to the site to get access to that part, but it's a great place to hang out for anything G-body related, TONS of information shared and a good group of people.
You can find project cars, show cars and anything in between.
http://www.montecarloss.com/community/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=6&page=1 (http://www.montecarloss.com/community/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=6&page=1)

Happy Hunting! Hope you come over to the the Dark SSide.

[SS1156]

Maybe take a break from looking for a bit? But do not give up!

Our project cars are great because once you own them you can take as long as you like to complete them. I am on year 10 and counting

I agree Jason, the problem is finding one and being able to buy it. I'm just an average working stiff that has been pushed out of the hobby by guys who afford it all. I love these guys that say that it's not expensive at all then you look at their sig and there are 4 or 5 cars in their sig. Of course it's not bad for them. Sorry, I'm going off again. I'm done with the car hobby as there is no way I can afford an overprice rusty Camaro that has been sitting in a field for 5 years for $3000, thats just stupid. Have fun everyone and I thank you all for your info and advice that was given. I guess I was dreaming in thinking I could get back into the car scene.

[jy211]

http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/cto/1054332421.html

http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/cto/1071424934.html

http://tampa.craigslist.org/hdo/cto/1047071745.html :1st:

http://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/1085741560.html



What about an Elky?

[jy211]

http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/cto/1047380292.html

[jackfrost]

I'm not a fan of putting Chevy motors into Oldses, but maybe look into a Cutlass. you can get them in reasonable shape for a couple grand, and it's the same platform as the MC. they seem to be ignored by the masses, so they're a little cheaper.

of course, I'm biased. :razz:

[jy211]

http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/cto/1085868054.html

[SS1156]

http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/cto/1054332421.html

http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/cto/1071424934.html

http://tampa.craigslist.org/hdo/cto/1047071745.html :1st:

http://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/1085741560.html



What about an Elky?

Thanks for the ads. The 1st Camaro was sold and the last one is out of my price range.

[jy211]

what's the budget you have to be in...TOPS

[SS1156]

Around 2k

[SS1156]

I'm just not going to get worked up about it anymore. I had a 72 Camaro lined up for $900 and for some reason my ex-girlfriend is giving me some bs reason why she can't sell it right now. A guy we do alot of work just called me and offered to let me come down to his shop and look around at some of the parts cars he has (which are mostly complete cars) and see if I want a rubber bumper car. This guy has every color that was offered in 79. I guess if I can't get an early 70's Camaro I will have to settle on a late 70's car.

[jy211]

http://fortmyers.craigslist.org/pts/1080959175.html

[SS1156]

Now if you could find a Camaro I would probably pass out. I really do appreciate all the effort you are putting in this.

[69Camaro/70 Velle]

Please don't give up. Be patient,keep you're eyes and ears open. Go to cruises and local car and ask around. Hopefully you'll come up with something in you're price range soon. But be patient.

[SS1156]

Please don't give up. Be patient,keep you're eyes and ears open. Go to cruises and local car and ask around. Hopefully you'll come up with something in you're price range soon. But be patient.

Thanks man. I may settle for a late 70's early 80's 2nd Gen.

[Ralph LoGrasso]

I'm just not going to get worked up about it anymore.

Exactly--it's just not worth it. I know where you're coming from, though. It took me over two years to locate and purchase my '68 Camaro (for the first year and a half I wanted a '69). Over those two plus years, I had several "mint, rust-free" cars lined up for purchase, all of which fell through (i.e. they were neither mint, nor rust-free). After the third or fourth time this happened (and countless hours spent searching / driving / checking out cars), I was ready to call it quits. In fact, I did call it quits on these very boards.

After some encouraging words from fellow forum members, I decided to stick with it and a few months later I purchased my 99% rust free (Arizona / Vegas car) '68 Camaro.

Patience was the biggest part of the search processs; and seeing how that was over five years ago and the car still isn't finished, patience continues to be an important factor in the build process.

[SS1156]

Exactly--it's just not worth it. I know where you're coming from, though. It took me over two years to locate and purchase my '68 Camaro (for the first year and a half I wanted a '69). Over those two plus years, I had several "mint, rust-free" cars lined up for purchase, all of which fell through (i.e. they were neither mint, nor rust-free). After the third or fourth time this happened (and countless hours spent searching / driving / checking out cars), I was ready to call it quits. In fact, I did call it quits on these very boards.

After some encouraging words from fellow forum members, I decided to stick with it and a few months later I purchased my 99% rust free (Arizona / Vegas car) '68 Camaro.

Patience was the biggest part of the search processs; and seeing how that was over five years ago and the car still isn't finished, patience continues to be an important factor in the build process.

Ralph, I really do value your advice. I'm not in a hurry to build the car by any means. I just want to get the car in my hands before they are really out of sight. I would rather do small things to the car and be able to look at it. I think thats is what is making my hurry to buy one.