Pro Touring Cutty?

Well as many of you are aware I have the '80 Cutlass that I'm starting to work on and the original plan was to build it up as inexpensively as possible and as simply as possible. Part of the reason for this is I'm a poor college student so funds are tight.

Well couple months ago my uncle called me and said there is an art collector that want to buy a sculpture I own (and have for more that 20 years). It is a one of a kind piece my uncle did back in the '80s and the guy is offering around $20,000. We originally paid $600 for it, I still have the paperwork. I am strongly considering selling it even though I love the piece (I own many other pieces of my uncles art). Not only would this give me money for helping with school but a healthy chunk for my car budget for parts and tools.

This got me thinking of building the Cutty up as a Pro Touring style car instead. Say an LS1 instead of a carbed 350, 6 speed trans instead of a muncie 4spd, big brakes, larger alloy wheels instead of 15 inch steelies, and put more into the suspension. Then also update the interior and the like a bit more and not have it as barren as I was thinking.

OR I could build the Cutlass up as planned and find myself another old Camaro as I've been missing my old '78 for awhile now and build that as a pro touring.

I'd pay for important stuff first and/or put a healthy down payment on a house in this killer buyer's market.

But anyway... an LS1 and 6 speed with some 10" wide wheels and big brakes would be AWESOME!

I'd stick with the original plan, using a Challenge type budget and bank the cash.

Oh yeah my very few bills will get paid off first.

Hmmm how about an LT1 (with mega squirt to control it) and the 6 speed for a bit tighter budget, full new suspension, ford 9 inch rear with disks, beef up the front disk, alloy wheel (nothing crazy but bigger and wider), powder coat the bumpers, cowl hood, nice bucket seat, update the interior a bit but keep it simple...If I'm careful and do all the work myself bet I could do it all for under $3-4000 including paint (again do it myself).

Skip the lt1 and find an lq4 or something like that. Aluminum block > iron block.

lq4 was a truck engine right? about how much should one of those go for from a yard providing I put myself back under a budget? Hmmm actually I think that might be the engine in my moms truck...

oh and is it wrong to like this? I'm sure it cost a ton to build.

here is a thread on another board with many pictures of pro touring cars. http://forums.motivemag.com/zerothread?id=3337788&page=1

unf

That car is gorgeous. As is this one.

I didn't go through the entire thread, but...wow...that car is stunningly beautiful.

What is the definition of "pro touring"?

As for LS truck motors, the LQ4 is a 6.0 motor and expensive I think. The L33 is a 5.3 motor, yet still an aluminum block. LKQ seems to have those regularly for $500-$1000, depending on accessories and mileage. That's the motor that is in the Ford Fairmont sleeper build running nine's.

pro touring cars are generally older cars (mostly muscle cars and the like), that have all new guts underneath. Normally this includes a more modern engine with fuel injection, updated suspension and brakes, some more modern tweaks to the exterior (though not always as extreme, sometimes just modern wheels) and a general modernization of aspects of the car.

Normally the object is to build a car that is streetable but will perform and handle well. Unlike many of the old Pro Street cars that were uncomfortable to drive anywhere but the drag strip.

My object would be to take the Cutty and build it into a car I could (fairly) comfortably drive around town, and still take it down to Portland to the occasional autocross race and have fun with it.

That makes sense. It is definitely a cool category in the universe of modded cars.

On the engine front, maybe you could scan the local ads. I just found this car on CL, which would be the perfect donor for your project.

http://ocala.craigslist.org/cto/1246375773.html

1995 pontiac firebird formula V8 lt1 6spd - $2500 (forrest)

i am selling off my baby. i hate to see it go but i want to start a company. this is a car in need of some cosmetic fixes. it has alot of new parts on it and i will do the work if needed for the sale. parts needed are a fender front bumber cover and drivers side headlight assembly. i bought the car as i am selling it except it now has a new 300 dollr stage 3 clutch, transmision mount, radiator, and tempature sending unit. i paid more for the car then i am selling for just to follow a dream. it has a bra on it to cover the damage till it is fixed. very drivable as it is my daily driver. the parts are less then a 100 buks but i have been holding out for the right color. this is a black on grey car. very fast!!! serious inquiries only please. pictures to come tomorrow. first offer takes it.

oh baby

I think the Lq4s go for pretty cheap, and are plentiful to find. But you want to find an aluminum block not the iron block variety.

Here's the wiki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Vortec_engine

dyintorace wrote: That makes sense. It is definitely a cool category in the universe of modded cars. On the engine front, maybe you could scan the local ads. I just found this car on CL, which would be the perfect donor for your project.

Oh yeah I am checking all of that stuff out. I did find an LT1 out of a similar 90's Camaro for $475 complete with ecu in So Cal. Going to contact a buddy down that way to see if he would be willing to check it out and pick up for me since the guy does not want to ship.

Grtechguy wrote: oh baby

I just jizzed in my pants

EricM wrote:

Grtechguy wrote: oh baby

I just jizzed in my pants

I have wanted to build THAT car as a vintage Trans-AM knockoff in Penske livery since the day my slippery fetus fell out of the womb.

I figured you guys would appreciate this class of car.

walterj wrote:

EricM wrote:

Grtechguy wrote: oh baby

I just jizzed in my pants

I have wanted to build THAT car as a vintage Trans-AM knockoff in Penske livery since the day my slippery fetus fell out of the womb.

I as well. The 67-69 Camaro is hands down my all-time fav dream car. I like the Euro Trash now, but I grew up loving old muscle cars.

I'd sell my first and second born for that car. (I don't have them, but pre-emptively)

yeah I searched high and low for a first gen Camaro years ago but it was right when the prices started to rocket up. I will still have one sometime though I will more than likely get another second gen next.

My parents had a second gen Trans Am and my aunt had a Firebird then I had my Camaro guess they run in the family.

i want.

i NEED!

The pictures in that thread were excellent. Thanks for the link. Made this long boring Friday far more tolerable.

rebelgtp wrote: Oh yeah my very few bills will get paid off first. Hmmm how about an LT1 (with mega squirt to control it) and the 6 speed for a bit tighter budget, full new suspension, ford 9 inch rear with disks, beef up the front disk, alloy wheel (nothing crazy but bigger and wider), powder coat the bumpers, cowl hood, nice bucket seat, update the interior a bit but keep it simple...If I'm careful and do all the work myself bet I could do it all for under $3-4000 including paint (again do it myself).

Just to let you know...I'm seriously shopping g-bodies right now. If I sell that race kart I picked up, I might have one in the near future. I've also got a line on an LT1 setup (albiet with automatic transmission).

I'm thinking something that turns and goes but looks like grandpa's car (except with wheels).

How's your progress?

Clem

Grtechguy wrote: oh baby

Oh HELL yeah!