Where to start a Car Project

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...
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Want to start cheap maybe try find a Datsun rolling chassis somewhere. They were all rear wheel drive, maybe even the older Corollas or Avante.
You should pick up a 280X, 1200GX Coupe, 1600GX and so on very cheap probably round R 6k. But bare in mind it's will be nothing but steel with wheals, if it has wheels on it.

Sounds like an amazing protect tbh. Learn as you go and have fun with it. Just be very careful though. It's addictive and you even as you plan not to spend too much, you will want the best since you building it from scratch. Watch your wallet and enjoy.
 
I am 27 too and I have two "classics" atm, I have a 1987 Nissan Skyline GTX for a daily drive, it was a pretty decent find with 130k on the clock and not butchered, everything is standard and original, except for the rims, but I found the originals rims, refurbed them and it looks magical. I have a 1980 Ford Escort MK2 1600 Sport that I am busy restoring as I get money and time to do so.

IMO don't build a drifting car, it's going to cost you a crapper ton of money, building a car, and then repairing after you smash it, which will happen or when you blow up the engine, low speeds and high engine rotation is never good, not to even mention the rate you will be going through tyres. I go to car shows often and the amount to people you meet and stories they tell you is awesome.

I enjoy my cars as is, restoring to original and preserving them feels good, especially when people asks if you want to sell, happens every single day. Had a few guys come up to me with a bag of cash wanting the car right there and then. once had an offer of R120k I promptly refused. It feels good.

So try to find a "classic" restore it and enjoy.
 
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.
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If rolling chassis (and depending on engine) he would have to fab the mounts and shafts.
If he chooses the right engine for the chassis, he would still have to fab a better oil and cooling system.
A drift car is a bit different to some street racer. Unless of course he plans to drift it once, maybe twice.
What you see in drift cars is a lot of work and experience, and these are just the amateurs.
Even forgetting about fabrication, he will have to wire up, service and tune the engine.

You see many project builds on forums.
What you don't see is all the money, help and heartache put into these things because they read somewhere "It's not rocket science".
Call it school fees...
 
Look at a Lotus 7.
You can use a bmw LSD diff in the back with a bmw motor.

I'm currently busy playing with a classic mini. :D
drum brakes are crap :mad: but difficult to find disk brakes that fit under the 10" wheels.
Also have a old Series 3 Landy that still waits to be mechanically restored.

edir:
Oh, and if you are going to make it faster, just make sure it can also stop!
 
spiderz said:
Look at a Lotus 7.
You can use a bmw LSD diff in the back with a bmw motor.

I'm currently busy playing with a classic mini. :D
drum brakes are crap :mad: but difficult to find disk brakes that fit under the 10" wheels.
Also have a old Series 3 Landy that still waits to be mechanically restored.

edir:
Oh, and if you are going to make it faster, just make sure it can also stop!
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I had one :)

You can import brakes from the UK. Lots of Classic Mini spares and fan sites in the UK that can help you with it.
 
Carstensdj

I would say go for a 200sx s13

U can get spare engins from mikesplace.co.za and join the 200sx local forum
u can get a s13 for anything between 25k and 50k might not be in the best shape,but that's the point u want to redo it.

Mechanical knowledge don't worry about it,just start and get your hands dirty,everyone has to learn,change oil,plugs,install new brakes,u get the point.U can take it to track days at killarney and have a blast,and maybe get into drifting.
 
Hey everyone, thanks again for all the replies! This got a lot more traction (no pun intended) than I thought it would. Everyone's opinion is very much appreciated. Even the guys with the warnings and negative comments - Thank you too! It's good for me to keep an honest and open mind about this as it's a first for me and as per my OP, i DO NOT have money to waste or throw around.

My plan with this first build is literally as i said... It must be something that will not cost me a lot and doesn't matter if it's got a knock here or there (to a degree). Once i've completed my first build and if it was successful, I will then look at doing another where i would spend more money on a nicer car and be more pedantic about panels matching up etc etc etc (JDM all the way!!!)

This 1st build is more of a learning curb and allowing myself to have something that makes me smile when i drive it.

Anyone who knows me will tell you that i eat, sleep and breathe cars and bikes. It really is my passion! If i've had a bad day there is no better way to release stress than go for a drive in something that excites you (Or a ride). Well that's just my opinion anyway :)
 
Gonzo.B said:
Carstensdj

I would say go for a 200sx s13

U can get spare engins from mikesplace.co.za and join the 200sx local forum
u can get a s13 for anything between 25k and 50k might not be in the best shape,but that's the point u want to redo it.

Mechanical knowledge don't worry about it,just start and get your hands dirty,everyone has to learn,change oil,plugs,install new brakes,u get the point.U can take it to track days at killarney and have a blast,and maybe get into drifting.
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An S13 is my first option but eish... They don't come cheap hay :(
 
Gonzo.B said:
Carstensdj

I would say go for a 200sx s13

U can get spare engins from mikesplace.co.za and join the 200sx local forum
u can get a s13 for anything between 25k and 50k might not be in the best shape,but that's the point u want to redo it.

Mechanical knowledge don't worry about it,just start and get your hands dirty,everyone has to learn,change oil,plugs,install new brakes,u get the point.U can take it to track days at killarney and have a blast,and maybe get into drifting.
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I was looking for a 300ZX a while ago and it was nearly impossible to find one second hand. Are the 200's easier to get?
 
Pitbull said:
I was looking for a 300ZX a while ago and it was nearly impossible to find one second hand. Are the 200's easier to get?
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There is a guy on that forum with a 300zx,yes the 200sx s13 much easier to get ,s14 and s15 not so much as we didn't get them here but some guys do have them
 
Okay for a novice.
This is not really going to be a drift car. But here goes anyway.

Buying a road going car and then converting it, will lose you money. I recommend a custom build car.

I recommend you start with a birkin lotus 7. Or a locost (if money is really tight)

-They are made in SA pinetown. Support from them is legendary.
-Easy to work on.
-You do not need a massive toolset.
-Light weight
-Engine cost approx R3500 for a 1600 VVT, that is still fast. Becasue car weights in at <750kg
-Easy to fix
-You can sell it part completed(if you get bored), due to someone alway looking for a part project.

As a novice you need help, the people from lotus register do exactly that for ZERO fee.

If you are careful and wait. You can do it really cheaply. And still have a fun car to drive. That you can actually upgrade when you have the money.

AND the biggest thing. You will learn car control in this car.

You can go mild to wild (read over R300 000)

http://www.lotusregister.co.za/?page_id=55
http://www.locost.co.za/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birkin_Cars
http://www.birkindirect.com/

I have worked on many project cars. The birkin was the most fun and zero stress.

more to come
 
Last edited:
silver6933 said:
Okay for a novice.
This is not really going to be a drift car. But here goes anyway.

Buying a road going car and then converting it, will lose you money. I recommend a custom build car.

I recommend you start with a birkin lotus 7. Or a locost (if money is really tight)

-They are made in SA pinetown. Support from them is legendary.
-Easy to work on.
-You do not need a massive toolset.
-Light weight
-Engine cost approx R3500 for a 1600 VVT, that is still fast. Becasue car weights in at <750kg
-Easy to fix
-You can sell it part completed(if you get bored), due to someone alway looking for a part project.

As a novice you need help, the people from lotus register do exactly that for ZERO fee.

If you are careful and wait. You can do it really cheaply. And still have a fun car to drive. That you can actually upgrade when you have the money.

AND the biggest thing. You will learn car control in this car.

You can go mild to wild (read over R300 000)

http://www.lotusregister.co.za/?page_id=55
http://www.locost.co.za/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birkin_Cars
http://www.birkindirect.com/

I have worked on many project cars. The birkin was the most fun and zero stress.

more to come
Click to expand...
Thanks for this, that's really cool actually! While it is cheap, i wonder what it would cost to get a semi decent one completely built. Engine, drivetrain, wheels, suspension etc...
 
carstensdj said:
Thanks for this, that's really cool actually! While it is cheap, i wonder what it would cost to get a semi decent one completely built. Engine, drivetrain, wheels, suspension etc...
Click to expand...

Check on Gumtree, you can find one at a resonable price...
 
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