[trackbird]

I can never seem to decide which way I want to go in my automotive travels. I enjoy my 2002 and it's a great car, quick, handles well, etc. I don't really want to run it at track events as a daily driver. I've been considering a 3rd gen for a long time now and I have some options.

I have a car lined up in VA that I can go pick up. It's an '83 chassis (not the best year), an automatic, a hard top and has no engine in it. However, the price is "right".

I have a local friend who's car I could buy. It's not CMC legal and it's not enough motor for AIX (though I might run ok in AI). Considerably more money, but a nicer car.

I've been looking at the specials on trucks lately (Dodge is way overstocked on inventory and they may be giving them away soon, they have good incentives now) and thinking of "de-modding" my car and trading it in. I'll keep what I can use and sell off the rest of my parts towards the new car (being a 3rd gen, only the rear suspension stuff will swap). The real concern is, can I get rid of enough of the parts from the current car? And, will I be sorry for getting rid of the 2002?

[trackbird]

Alan, I converted my '89 Formula from daily driver to "full cage, 22 gallon fuel cell, -8 braided lines up front and back, etc". So, I've been down that road (and might do it again). I got to the end, the headers and oil pan didn't fit together. I had both modified and finally got mad and sold the entire project (after putting 30k in it). It had been apart for 6 years and I decided I was "done" with it. It became the "get it out of my garage" special. I put the chassis up on Ebay the week of the attacks in New York. It got one bid, $500. I sold it with cage, fuel cell, Mallory comp 100 EFI pump, filters, braided lines and a harwood hood (and the T-tops). I took a beating on that one when I sold it, but I was moving and needed it gone. So, I'm trying not to repeat past mistakes.

My other thought is, I can tear down SB Chevy's in my sleep (I used to have the torque values and sequences memorized and will again if needed). No fancy valve spring compressors, no metric hardware and again, parts are a "dollar". I know 3rd gens inside and out (as far as repair goes) and am comfortable with them. That's why I was/am leaning that way.

Costas, you are 100% right and I'll probably be 100% stupid and build something out of an F-body. I'm not sure if I want to go CMC/AI/AIX or AV8SS racing (but it will probably be one of those). I might get it running and do track days with it for a bit, get it sorted and find it a home (before it's too far gone for one class or the other).

[rmackintosh]

Alan, I converted my '89 Formula from daily driver to "full cage, 22 gallon fuel cell, -8 braided lines up front and back, etc". So, I've been down that road (and might do it again). I got to the end, the headers and oil pan didn't fit together. I had both modified and finally got mad and sold the entire project (after putting 30k in it). It had been apart for 6 years and I decided I was "done" with it. It became the "get it out of my garage" special. I put the chassis up on Ebay the week of the attacks in New York. It got one bid, $500. I sold it with cage, fuel cell, Mallory comp 100 EFI pump, filters, braided lines and a harwood hood (and the T-tops). I took a beating on that one when I sold it, but I was moving and needed it gone. So, I'm trying not to repeat past mistakes.

My other thought is, I can tear down SB Chevy's in my sleep (I used to have the torque values and sequences memorized and will again if needed). No fancy valve spring compressors, no metric hardware and again, parts are a "dollar". I know 3rd gens inside and out (as far as repair goes) and am comfortable with them. That's why I was/am leaning that way.

.....and that right there is why it is ALWAYS cheaper/smarter/easier to buy a well sorted, preped, ready to race car..... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

You can always find the guy who has committed to another race car/series, and NEEDS to unload his current car....or guys like yourselft that just nickel and dimed themselfs to death, and just run out of steam on a project, then sell it for pennies on the dollar...smart way to get into it....

On the other hand, it is an extremely seductive path to slowly mod and upgrade a current car, or build your own car your way.....I myself have had 2 race cars and I built BOTH from scratch myself......not smart, but it was something I wouldn't trade for anything......of course, I spent $5 for every $1 I would have spent on buying a similar car from someone else.... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/banghead.gif)

The smart man would buy a "depreciated" race car, race it, and if it is not for them, for whatever reason, they can sell it for less of a loss....JMHO...