hey guys, I finally gotta raise @ work, and I'm figuring I can save about 3 grand for the car by the end of the summer...

I'm wondering on your opinions and suggestions of my plan...
First I'd like to say that my main goal is to get the car running in tip top shape, i'm not looking to sink all this cash into performance mods to increase power...

Things I need/Issues with the car currently:

1) Tranny hard to get into gear when its raining outside (moisture on the clutch setup?)
2) I get codes for my opti 36 every few months, 16 has appeared once or twice in the past year or so
3) Slight 'clunking' in the rear-end area...
4) Bald tires
5) Horrible Brakes
6) Low/High RPM stumble/miss
7) Fuel issue, humming from the pump towards the rear of the car

Things I already have/will fix:
1) Get the clutch checked either at a shop or beg someone that knows what they are looking at to help me.
Possible means:
Pay a shop to look at it: no idea here, 100 bucks?
A new clutch: LT4 setup for now 600 bucks?
New Hydrolics (Mcloud adj. master?): 300 bucks?

2) Replace Opti and Harness: 400 bucks?

3) Get rear checked, maybe U-Joints?
Possible means:
Take the cover off and inspect the gears & Diff: free
Replace U-Joints: no idea here what so ever: 50 bucks?!
Suck it up and put in a 12 bolt and sell my old rear end
4.10 gears, mac girdle, Auburn Pro Diff, should be able to get 500-600 for it (maybe!?): 2600 bucks?

4) Buy used tires to last a year: 200 bucks
Buy used 17" wheels and tires: 1000 bucks

5) Install my LS1 brake upgrade: 50 bucks (misc, crap needed?)
Possibly replace rear rotors and pads: 120 bucks

6) Install wires and coil that I have and buy new plugs: 20 bucks

7) Check fuel pump/pressure
Replace fuel pump: 300 (racetronix setup)

-----------
If I leave the clutch alone, go with used tires, leave the rear alone that puts me around 670 bucks, for the opti replacement, brake install and some used tires... So that'll leave me with about 2,330

What I'd LIKE to get:
1) Headers - Single Cat AS&M's: 700?
2) Igitition - Digital Accel: 200? I'm not even sure on this... The car will eventually be running a DFI/FAST sorta setup, so perhaps this isn't needed at al...
3) Autometer Electric Fuel Pressure guage in single pod

I can't think of any other bolt-ons...
I'm not interested in rockers or anything like that yet... I don't want the valve covers to come off the car so nothing like a cam or heads or anything... Those will come later... I probably won't even bother actually, I'll just build a new motor or buy one like Craig did... so these are basically supporting mods for the new motor that might go in next year...

I barely drive the car, at most 2-3 times a month, otherwise its parked in underground parking (finally off the street!! woohoo!!)

but any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks guys!

 

put that 3K savings into some risky position on the market, and watch it double or triple for you, then u will have 6000, or 9000 to spend

heh he, i'd get a turbocharger...

 

Not a bad idea really...

I'll fix what has to be done... and take the remaining funds and invest it... Its a risk, but in a year or so(do I wanna wait that long?) it'll be even more (or perhaps less )... And more is good!!

 

the only way to learn how the game of investing works is to take risks... u cant learn how to ride a bike before fallin a couple of times right?

you might lose, you might gain, its hard to say as there are so many ways you can play the market.......

 

That's some of the worst advise I've ever heard. Trust me, I've done the schooling for it. Don't go that way. Just take a look at the way the markets been performing. My word of advice, Talk to shaun (97TA-WS6-CON), he's a financial advisor. Or go to your bank and talk to them before you start throwing your money down the drain.

 

I say: after you fix your problems with the car.....buy some SLP or FLP headers. From there, save your money for some more meaning full mods. (heads and cam)

For the money, I think a nice LT4 hot cam kit would be nice and it would freshen your motor somewhat. ie...timming chain and valve springs etc....

Andy

 

It's not advice, it's simply feedback....... he can make his own choices what he does.. all i am saying is... I would invest it....

you can always make money in the markets, regardless if they are on an uptrend or a downtrend, it all depends on you and how big of a risk taker you are.

Buying low, selling high is not the only way to make a profit.

Yes Shaun is a financial advisor.. and part of the job of financial advisors is to tell their clients to diversify, and invest in low-risk opportunities (RRSP, Bonds, Mutual Funds, GICs) that will take years to accumulate the same levels on return that risky investments could prove in months.. The low-risk option IS the route to take for -most- who are scared to take big risks...

 

I would wait to invest myself, things could change very quick

 

Andy, you make a good point of by installing a new cam, with the new springs and such it would really freshen the motor up... I never thought of it that way

But once my bolt-ons are done, any further money will go into a jar for the new motor... I hate doing things twice, and selling mods is far from an investment

so the less I have at the end thats of no use to me, the better... Stock parts are ok, such as cam and heads and stuff... but idealy, I rather just drop in a whole new motor and sell the other one, complete. It only has 90,000 km's on it... by the time I get ready to put in a new motor it might have another 10-15,000 km's... so 100,000 km isn't too bad, I should be able to get a few grand for the motor... maybe... I might end up blowing it up tho, so who knows, hehehe

I'm going to really try for my fixup, so clutch, opti and coil, plugs and wires, fuel pump and guage, 12 bolt w/ tires (DR), 2 tires for the front and install my LS1 Brake upgrade and maybe some new rotors/pads for the back...

but i'm creeping upwards of 4 grand there I'd say... But i'll try!

Headers can even wait I'll go 12.8's without 'em!! I hope

but thanks for the investing points as well guys! but I'm far from a gambler, so I doubt I'd go the high risk way, but I am also very spontaneous, so who knows what'll happen, hehe

jeff

 

Right on jeff, soupe that baby up some more, the girls will love it and hey if fun's what you are after.... well then we know what you should do with the money, spend and spend away

heheh

 

My gf isn't really into cars at all... but thats fine...

I should also note, that this money i'm talking about is just for the car, its besides other savings and such... I'm rather good with budgeting money, and this cash will be aside from other RRSP and saving plans

but yes, its all about fun And my poor car has been neglected for the past 2 years and its time for that to change, hehe