Where to start a Car Project

carstensdj

carstensdj

Expert Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2011
Messages
2,512
Reaction score
259
Location
Cape Town, South Africa
Hi all,

I've recently decided that i'd like to build up a drift car/project car in my spare time. Not necessarily to enter competition with just yet, but more for the experience of building the car up from start to finish and then enjoying it purely for the drive.

My mechanical knowledge is also pretty limited to be honest! I have had a PASSION for cars/bikes and racing all my life but could never afford to get into it, nor could my father when i was younger. I'm 27yrs old now and can't afford any of the cars i really want (Honda S2k, MX-5, GT-86 etc) so building one up which is more about fun that all out speed is my next best option.

Have any of you done something similar? Best place to find a cheap RWD car? I had an E30, E36, 180SX, 200SX, Avante etc in mind...
Best place to get parts from? Helpful places in CPT to assist with advice on the build etc

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. If you can't share advice but share the passion, that's ok too :)

P.S: Been watching loads of the "Engineering Explained", "Mighty Car Mods" and "B is for Build" type videos and am addicted! Tired of watching now and want to do!!!
 
if you don't have the space, time, money and knowledge then do not bother with a car project

I can guarentee you it will fail.

One member on this forum spent R150k on a polo that made just over 100kw and then sold it for under 100k- ask yourself if that makes sense.
 
Last edited:
saturnz said:
One member on this forum spent R150k on a polo that made just over 100kw and then sold it for under 100k- ask yourself if that makes sense.
Click to expand...

Sounds like he wants to do it more for the enjoyment part than the profit part :)
 
like u say

get a cheap non runner 325i e30

then you drop in a 540i engine in
seen people frop the 5L v12 in from the 750il

but me personally like the raw power and sound from v8


but a e30 is a great car for anything

edit: what will be nice but alot of time and money
awd turbo civic
 
Last edited:
When you say your mechanical knowledge is limited, does this then assume "build" = "get someone to fab/put together and tune my project"?
 
carstensdj said:
Hi all,

I've recently decided that i'd like to build up a drift car/project car in my spare time. Not necessarily to enter competition with just yet, but more for the experience of building the car up from start to finish and then enjoying it purely for the drive.

My mechanical knowledge is also pretty limited to be honest! I have had a PASSION for cars/bikes and racing all my life but could never afford to get into it, nor could my father when i was younger. I'm 27yrs old now and can't afford any of the cars i really want (Honda S2k, MX-5, GT-86 etc) so building one up which is more about fun that all out speed is my next best option.

Have any of you done something similar? Best place to find a cheap RWD car? I had an E30, E36, 180SX, 200SX, Avante etc in mind...
Best place to get parts from? Helpful places in CPT to assist with advice on the build etc

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. If you can't share advice but share the passion, that's ok too :)

P.S: Been watching loads of the "Engineering Explained", "Mighty Car Mods" and "B is for Build" type videos and am addicted! Tired of watching now and want to do!!!
Click to expand...

Go for it.

Just know now that whatever money you put in it, you will never see again. Then you'll be ok :)
 
c3n0byt3 said:
When you say your mechanical knowledge is limited, does this then assume "build" = "get someone to fab/put together and tune my project"?
Click to expand...

It's not rocket science...

Buying a Rolling chassis, an engine and so on then putting it together is very easy with the correct tools and the internet. He's not trying to fabricate a car, he wants to build a project car for drifting. For the more intricate things like cam cutting and so on he can use engineers and a mechanic. 90% of it he'll be able to do himself no sweat.
 
How much time can you spend on it? Be prepared for a few hundred hours at least if you are doing by yourself and learning as you go. You can save some time by paying people to do things but that then costs money.

My advice is dont do it unless you are willing to spend years on it with a few hours every week and more on the weekend and have the place to leave it.

Of course it depends to what level you want to finish things.
 
c3n0byt3 said:
When you say your mechanical knowledge is limited, does this then assume "build" = "get someone to fab/put together and tune my project"?
Click to expand...
Not in the slightest. I would just buy a car then...

Pitbull said:
Go for it.

Just know now that whatever money you put in it, you will never see again. Then you'll be ok :)
Click to expand...
Yip, that's ok :) This is a low cost project for fun and nothing about making money back from it.

Pitbull said:
It's not rocket science...

Buying a Rolling chassis, an engine and so on then putting it together is very easy with the correct tools and the internet. He's not trying to fabricate a car, he wants to build a project car for drifting. For the more intricate things like cam cutting and so on he can use engineers and a mechanic. 90% of it he'll be able to do himself no sweat.
Click to expand...
Exactly :) Thanks! Wouldn't go as far as to say it will be easy as i have never done something like this but will be awesome to learn along the way.
saturnz said:
if you don't have the space, time, money and knowledge then do not bother with a car project

I can guarentee you it will fail.

One member on this forum spent R150k on a polo that made just over 100kw and then sold it for under 100k- ask yourself if that makes sense.
Click to expand...
Lol, well that's optimistic :P Nah, i've got no intentions of spending money like that or making money back. This will be a low cost drift car.

Stevi said:
Sounds like he wants to do it more for the enjoyment part than the profit part :)
Click to expand...
Spot on!
 
Beachless said:
How much time can you spend on it? Be prepared for a few hundred hours at least if you are doing by yourself and learning as you go. You can save some time by paying people to do things but that then costs money.

My advice is dont do it unless you are willing to spend years on it with a few hours every week and more on the weekend and have the place to leave it.

Of course it depends to what level you want to finish things.
Click to expand...

That's my plan... I'm not in a rush. Part of the fun is learning the mechanics behind it and how it all works and fits together...
 
carstensdj said:
That's my plan... I'm not in a rush. Part of the fun is learning the mechanics behind it and how it all works and fits together...
Click to expand...

Then go for it I love working on cars as well although if I have to rush it its one of the things I hate as well :wtf:

What I do suggest you do is think about it carefully often times it makes the world of difference to spend a little more for a working car with all the valid papers etc vs one thats not running or needs a paint job etc etc.

If you disassemble it off the bat you are typically in for the long haul vs just working on one aspect like suspension or changing the cam etc and then having some fun on track days etc.
 
Step one is to find a place to do the project before you go looking for a car. An empty bouble garage should be big enough, although a bit tight.

A single garage will just be a PIA. I have rebuilt a couple of bikes in a single garage and it often felt too small.
 
Grab an E36 328i and you're mostly there - brakes and suspension are beefy and the engine has plenty of punch to get you started - there is also a wealth of info on the net about these cars, plenty part suppliers in SA and won't be too hard to find one.
 
carstensdj said:
Lol, well that's optimistic :P Nah, i've got no intentions of spending money like that or making money back. This will be a low cost drift car.
Click to expand...

Oh no it won't. It's going to cost far more than you think, and then after that it'll cost some more still.
 
Tremayne said:
Get a 325i e30 and turbo it, that car would be insane! I want to that one day.
Click to expand...

I have one :)

But I will be removing the motor and replacing it with an M3 unit when I eventually am in the mood again.
 
that can also be a nice project car a old E shape opel
with the 2L 16v superboss engine swap,then when u get more money , turbo :D
then if u have more money after sometime and want more power, upgrade the internals and more BOOST!

sleeper monza :love:
 
Colin62 said:
We'll pretend you're the first guy to think of that if it'll make you feel any better...
Click to expand...

Yes,Yes it does thank you kind sir...

OP didn't put it in his main post or haven't been posted here,so see nothing wrong with it,and it is possible to do with out killing the bank,and parts are everywhere

what every guy do think of is a UZ1 swap,cheap and v8
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X