Anatomy of a blown budget

[aherrmann]

I started out with a budget build, planned for $20k, no more. I picked up my donor, everything looked great. Upon closer inspection I noticed that the rear main seal was leaking, so I reluctantly decided to have the engine rebuilt (not in budget). While this was going on, I called Mike Forte – whom I highly recommend – and he said things to me like, “Are you going to drive this thing like you stole it?” 20 minutes later, I had ordered a Tremec 3550, McCleod scattershield, and a bunch of awesome clutch components (not in budget). Then I decided that if I’m going to drive it like I stole it, I might as well look like a rock star and go with the carb’ed setup (not in budget). In the meantime, my engine builder talked me into a new set of heads – so I went all out and got Trick Flow twisted wedge heads (again, not in budget). Everyone knows you can’t have new heads without a new Trick Flow cam, pushrods, and why not replace the lifters while you’re in there (duh, right?). And if you’re going to have a setup like that, you definitely want an MSD-6AL ignition, Blaster Coil, Holley Blue Pump, Autometer gauges, ceramic coated Tri-State pipes, IRS wit pin drive width arms, Torque Thrust 15” wheels and good looking BFG’s all around.

Right about that time, some vandals broke into my shop and stole everything I owned forcing me to purchase everything all over again (big-time not in the budget). Luckily, I hadn’t ordered my wheels yet and they left the transmission and components – so it wasn’t a total loss.

So now I’ve got a car loaded with awesome parts sitting in my shop with all 4 wheels on the ground while I wait for a T-filler for the radiator hose. Other than that, she’s ready to fire up.

Do you think my mom would object if I got her a bump steer kit for Christmas and then told her it would go great on my car?

Sum total of all donor parts = front spindles, engine block, radiator.

Drew

[David L]

What you did not buy a alluminum radiator, you
get the old one.???

Dave

[aherrmann]

Yes, I'm sticking with the stock radiator for now. But as soon as it even looks at me the wrong way it's going to get replaced.

[NAGA]

Drew,
My wife calls it, "May as well" syndrome. It's what caused me to replace the driveway when I went out to mow the yard.
d.

[baumann]

Whoo boy, does that sound familiar, minus the parts getting stolen that is.
Budget build planned:
Do the teardown, and...
bushings and ball joint shot (new LCAs $225)
Gee, I'd like disk in the rear... (M2300K $1700)
Wife takes one look at the engine while I'm preparing to tear it down.. "You're not putting that old thing in your new car!?" uhh.. no. (FRPP crate motor ~$3000)
M2300K is 5 lug.. (New wheels, $540)
Open up the rear end and find shredded gears and trac-loc (new rear end, with 3.73 ~$800)
Wife questions use of "old beat up radiator" ($150)
Dead Alternator ($120)
Start car and PS rack spews oil after sitting for 2 years ($125)
Bad injectors ($200)
Side pipes are too loud.. (Tristates $900)


well.. you get the idea

But I love the car, and the acceleration is a drug -- I think I see a 351 in my future....

[LuisO]

Sounds just like me.

Only difference is I heard so many of these stories before I started, I didn't even get a donor (why bother?)

[Hoosier]

Hope all the new owners read this post.

If you new guys are reading this post, this is going to be you in the very near future.

[2FAST4U]

Budget? We don't need no stinkin' budget!

Mine went through the roof. If I had stayed the course, I could have bought my GT40 kit. Now I have to wait while my funds accumulate.

2FAST

[Cobra NJ]

I'm like LuisO. I waited so long before getting started that I recognized some of my original follies ("Hey!! I can build this for $20K or less!!") and continually upgraded my plan.

When I finally got agreement from my bride to build this thing, I showed her my budget and I believe I can stick to it. But it's a helluva lot closer to $30K than $20K now.

AJ

[BillKnight]

Drew, Man do I know the feeling. This forum doesn't help when it comes to budgets.

[cwood]

The donor concept and performance numbers from a stock build get you sucked in....then the sleepless planning nights kill you. As soon as you waive the donor ..... you are in a budget spiral. You skip the donor because you want certain things, then you say "well I can't do that because that wouldn't go with all the other nice stuff".

If she had any idea....I would be a dead man...ok, not dead but seriously in the dog house.

All my friends wives manage the household finances....there is no way I could be where I am if we worked that way.

[pra4wind]

I originaly had the car on the road for 18k with rear coil overs dual roll bars painted at home, classic Gauges, vintage air heater, and a wiper kit bought on the old forum from someone who didn't want to use it.
That was all before the radiator leaked, the tranny wouldn't shift right, the engine started knocking around 3000rpm's, and I decided auto-xing on the turbine wheels just wasn't gonna cut it, not to mention the power steering upgrade, trunk mods, battery box, and optima battery, foot box vent kit upgrade, etc. etc.....
but I can still say I built my 30k cobra for 18k

[Bob Cowan]

I don't really have a budget, never did. I sort of keep track of expenses, but not very closely.

I decided in the beginning what I wanted, and how to get there. Then I just went. I knew some things would be really expensive (EFI), but that would be balanced out by things I didn't really want (stereo, leather), or could do without (digital gauges). I'm also a good shopper, and don't waste money on things that don't have "value added" IMO. I'm also not afraid to buy used parts and recondition them. E-bay and this forum have been my friend.

If I had stuck to a strict budget the car would be on street by now. But I buy parts as I get money. It's going to take a little longer, but I'm building the car the way I want it the first time.

[Shep]

Drew - All too similar to my story. Bought the donor, replaced all of the donor parts except the pedal box and fuel filler tube with new. About 3 months ago I decided to tally up all those slips that were stuffed in by build binder. Let's just say I'm in the mid thirties now with about 5K more to spend on paint & bodywork. Surprised - you bet. Regrets - not a one .

[WAYNES WORLD]

Hey Drew, Sorry to hear about the buget. If I remember correctly after a few beers you did say something about more horse power. That's where it all starts. It's good to see you are moving right along with the car. After the setbacks you have had some people would have given up. Keep at it. I hope to be back in your neck of the woods this spring. Would love to get together again. And you may not want to try the "Car parts for mother" thing. But maybe for dad.
Take care, Wayne

[go fast]

Drew302, At least you used the stock radiator and spindes

Sorry to here you had some idiot break-in and steal your components.

Hope you get it on the road soon, Go Fast

[289FIA_Cobra]

Drew: seems you missed my post last month on "budget". Kind of an oxymoron term. Might want to budget your patience instead; it'd be easier.

My $25k "plan" went to $35k in just 2-1/2 months and I haven't even bought the kit yet! I have the donor though and I think the problem is, the longer you take to build, the more apt you're likely to change the plan.

Fortunately, I'm at the point where even with the donor, the high water mark is set at $35k but at least now I know it's a more reasonable amount than the original $25k. However, my wife has already been resigned to a $40K plan! [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Mike D2]

The biggest problem I have now is the used donor stuff does not look good against other new parts. The more new parts I buy, the uglier the donor parts appear. I can not believe I bought a brand new EGR valve just because the old one looked old!

[Bob Cowan]

Mike, check out Eastwood. They are masters of refinishing. Time consuming, but cheap(er).

[Sinatra Fan]

I am like boB. No budget. Wait, my budget is: When I run out of money, I spend a little more. Seriously, this has been a dream of mine and took many years of starring at FFR flyers, videos and kit car mags in addition to success in my business before I got to this point. Once I decided to do it, I made the decision that I spend what it takes to get it done right, aka my way!!! No regrets. Bottom line, don't take any shortcuts unless your budget absolutely demands it. For the many of us, this is our dream car. Don't sell short of your dream.

[Cobra Cory]

Budget. Shorthand Slang term I use with my girl friend when the guys are over....

Yo! Fridge, Bud Get!

[FattyBri]

This thread made me go thru mile FFR file and add up my wish list of parts. hmmmm...maybe i shouldn't have done that. I came up with $11,500 in parts alone and that doesn't include paint/body and small stuff. I have 10k set aside in savings for parts, looks like i need to save more. Good thing is my list includes good stuff like a Keith Kraft 331 stroker longblock, tremec trans, 5 lug 4w disc conversion, nice wheels, tristate headers, etc, etc, etc. Budget....what budget?!

[aherrmann]

Oh, I almost forgot, I used the donor gas tank, gas tank cover and filler neck. I also traded the wiring harness to a nice gentleman in Utah for a bunch of cool switches for my dash.

[Big-Foot]

I read the subject line and choked till my coffee came out my nose...

I hate it when that happens!

BUDGET?????

Surely you jest!!!