Super Specific Question
Super Specific Question
So I’m completely new to this... I’m planning to start my first project car within the next year, probably an ek or eg. I’ve looked through a ton of tutorials for beginners, and I feel like I have a good basis of knowledge to start with. Do you guys have any tips on where I should start and what I should expect from my first car?
Re: Super Specific Question
So, your plan is to daily a Mini and make a Honda your project? Seems a little backwards lol
Prioritize a clean body over the engine. Engine's easy, body isn't.
Prioritize a clean body over the engine. Engine's easy, body isn't.
Re: Super Specific Question
How come? And no, the minis a family car that I’m leaving in BC once I go back to school in Ontario. I don’t need a daily, so I just want a project that doesn’t necessarily need to run all the time.
If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
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Re: Super Specific Question
Probably your body/engine comment. His priorities may be different, , maybe he wants to dive into bodywork and wants a solid reliable mechanically sound car to start with?
I like to think I'm a half decent mechanic but wrenches and paint don't mix well for me. If I was gonna have (not another got damg) project car I too would try to start with shell that looks perfect lol
Truly great body and paint work is worth a small fortune.
I like to think I'm a half decent mechanic but wrenches and paint don't mix well for me. If I was gonna have (not another got damg) project car I too would try to start with shell that looks perfect lol
Truly great body and paint work is worth a small fortune.
Re: Super Specific Question
Let me tell you about 2 of my friends who bought project cars.
One bought a '92 MR2 for $1000. The engine was in pieces but the body is super duper clean. He was able to reassemble the engine without much hassle and it now runs. He has a few electrical gremlins to deal with but he'll be on the road by the end of the summer. He'll be about $2000 into it.
The other bought a '99 Prelude for $2500. Ran and drove well but had hail damage/rust. Did the bodywork and is now in the process of repainting it. When I first see it, I realize it's burning a ton of oil (this is a pretty common Honda thing). He's not replacing/rebuilding the engine, but now he'll have a decent-looking car with an okay engine. He'll be about $3500 into it.
Basically, you can get a cheaper end result and a way cooler car if you buy a clean shell or something similar. If you're able to figure out how to wrench, it'll save you a ton of money.
One bought a '92 MR2 for $1000. The engine was in pieces but the body is super duper clean. He was able to reassemble the engine without much hassle and it now runs. He has a few electrical gremlins to deal with but he'll be on the road by the end of the summer. He'll be about $2000 into it.
The other bought a '99 Prelude for $2500. Ran and drove well but had hail damage/rust. Did the bodywork and is now in the process of repainting it. When I first see it, I realize it's burning a ton of oil (this is a pretty common Honda thing). He's not replacing/rebuilding the engine, but now he'll have a decent-looking car with an okay engine. He'll be about $3500 into it.
Basically, you can get a cheaper end result and a way cooler car if you buy a clean shell or something similar. If you're able to figure out how to wrench, it'll save you a ton of money.
Re: Super Specific Question
Let me tell you about 2 of my friends who bought project cars.
One bought a '92 MR2 for $1000. The engine was in pieces but the body is super duper clean. He was able to reassemble the engine without much hassle and it now runs. He has a few electrical gremlins to deal with but he'll be on the road by the end of the summer. He'll be about $2000 into it.
The other bought a '99 Prelude for $2500. Ran and drove well but had hail damage/rust. Did the bodywork and is now in the process of repainting it. When I first see it, I realize it's burning a ton of oil (this is a pretty common Honda thing). He's not replacing/rebuilding the engine, but now he'll have a decent-looking car with an okay engine. He'll be about $3500 into it.
Basically, you can get a cheaper end result and a way cooler car if you buy a clean shell or something similar. If you're able to figure out how to wrench, it'll save you a ton of money.
One bought a '92 MR2 for $1000. The engine was in pieces but the body is super duper clean. He was able to reassemble the engine without much hassle and it now runs. He has a few electrical gremlins to deal with but he'll be on the road by the end of the summer. He'll be about $2000 into it.
The other bought a '99 Prelude for $2500. Ran and drove well but had hail damage/rust. Did the bodywork and is now in the process of repainting it. When I first see it, I realize it's burning a ton of oil (this is a pretty common Honda thing). He's not replacing/rebuilding the engine, but now he'll have a decent-looking car with an okay engine. He'll be about $3500 into it.
Basically, you can get a cheaper end result and a way cooler car if you buy a clean shell or something similar. If you're able to figure out how to wrench, it'll save you a ton of money.
Re: Super Specific Question
It depends on what you want from the Honda. If you want crazy high hp, then the Honda's the one for you. If you want decent power (maybe 300hp) then the Mini would be better. Supercharger pulleys are cheap and increase the power quite a bit. The Honda's gonna be 10x more reliable in stock form too.
I'm not necessarily saying build the Mini, but they do respond very well to engine modification. They make excellent builder cars.
Are you planning on buying a car in BC or Ontario?
I'm not necessarily saying build the Mini, but they do respond very well to engine modification. They make excellent builder cars.
Are you planning on buying a car in BC or Ontario?
Last edited by FRSam; Jun 29, 2020 at 01:45 PM.
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