QUESTION: PROJECTS UNDER $2k?

[Yoda4561]

I'll be itemizing my upgrades at or below 2 grand for alot of stuff, mostly because of time constraints. I plan on making the car my regular ride, and a downtime of more than a weekend isn't gonna work out. I was kind of surprised at how many things can be broken down that way, other than complete engines, transmissions and fancy moser/strange/etc rear ends there's not a whole lot that costs over 2 grand all at once. My project is a 1975 firebird that I'll be picking up in a couple weeks.

So in some vague semblance of order that I'll be doing them in....

Manual brakes: Not quite sure on the cost, but I'm sure if I do my homework before spending a dime it could almost be done for free.

Performance brake pads on stock disc/drum brakes: 100 dollars

Mild sound deadening(spectrum undercoat, a bit of damplifier and heat shielding where needed): ~250 dollars

xpipe exhaust + hooker aerochamber and resonators: under 1000

1970-73 trans am front nose swap: ~400 dollars

Modernize and rewire electrical system, hella headlights: under 1000 dollars

Temporary repaint(rustoleum satin black or maaco): Under 500 dollars

Subframe connectors and solid body bushings: under 400 dollars

Delalum bushings where appropriate: ~500 dollars

Hotchkis TVS kit + 4 matched shocks: ~1900 dollars



B&M megashifter & leather steering wheel: 500 dollars

Rear end: if the stock posi works, won't be doing anything to it, but if not, it'll be moved up to first on the list, and rebuilt with new gears and a truetrac+ axles: 1200 dollars.

Prep for efi (stainless efi tank+pump, fuel lines, regulator to use with carb): 1200 dollars

Multiport EFI install, edelbrock efi manifold, injectors, and ez efi mutliport system: Should come in under 2k with room to spare.


17~18 inch rims and tires: Setting the budget at 2k tentative, but if I find a set of rims I JUST HAVE TO HAVE it could go a smidge over.

Kore3 C5/6 front and rear brakes: Depends on whether I go for the zo6 setup or not, but the basic C5 brakes front and rear should run under 2k for my
application.

The I'll finish off the suspension with tubular upper and lower control arms: 1700 dollars


After that it's pretty much the high dollar stuff that I don't wanna skimp on, giant cupholders, a stroker engine build, bowler 4l65e overdrive, maybe a moser wavetrac 12 bolt rear, the "real deal" final bodywork and paint job.