What to start with?

[plepper]

A few weeks ago I went to my 4th Hot August Nights in Lewiston ID and got the bug to build a car. I want something for a driver and low budget (around 10 grand for the build up) now the problem I know very little about the performance car scene, I built 4X4's and have good mech and fab skills but I don't have the foggiest idea what to start with! Not too concerned about brand Ford, Chevy, Dodge as I've had them all although Chevy powertrain seems cheapest to build. I'm just looking for a good all around car that I can take to crusies and sunday drives. So how about some input with facts to back it up. Also not trying to be snobby but please no 13 year olds shoping list I'd like info from someone that has done it before.

[Bandit]

Why not get ahold of a 2nd-gen Camaro, or Firebird/Trans am?
I have 2 Trans ams, a '79 and an '80, and owned an '80 Camaro previously.

There are several great things about these cars as a base project car: they are still fairly cheap to get ahold of (for now!), they have decent suspensions, brakes, and aerodynamics from the factory, and parts are cheap and plentiful.

You are right, I think, about Chevy being a smart choice for the powertrain, I am amazed at the plethora of cheap and potent crate motors out there. You could go with a Chevy powertrain in either the camaro or firebird.

A good formula would be as follows:
Solid 70-81 f-body (assuming engine is stock or garbage like most out there, and you will toss it) $3000
Chevy crate 350/383 stroker/400hp $3000
Budget TH350 tranny $1000
Hotchkis/GW suspension/new shocks $1500

Assuming you do the work yourself, this puts you in the $8K range, and you still have money left over for a set of killer wheels and tires!! Of course this is an optimistic estimate, and would require some research and luck to accomplish. More likely, you will have at least 15K invested for a good all-around streeter, once you factor in all the little stuff you forgot about.

My 2 cents: Don't buy anything with any significant amount of rust or frame/subframe damage.
Don't have an engine shop rebuild your motor if you go with a chevy 350-- go straight for a crate. Unless you have the inside scoop on a great machine shop with a perfect reputation, it's just not worth it IMHO.

Paul