"No, I don't thank you for the fish at all" (notindetroit)
01/31/2014 at 11:33 • Filed to: None
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"No, I don't thank you for the fish at all" (notindetroit)
01/31/2014 at 11:33 • Filed to: None | 0
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Car and Driver has this article on "alternative" muscle cars that won't break the bank. If you ask me some of the prices are a little over (or even under) inflated, especially if you insist on trying to find a near-perfect survivor, but it's still a good list, and I suppose keep in mind the obvious: good condition survivors are not only pricey but in this case were often smack-dad in the smog/malaise era, so it might be worth investing in a cheap beater example where you can massage some more horsepower out of it.
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/10-co…
Image from !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! - incidentally they run a lot of these types of articles, too.
AMC/Renauledge
> No, I don't thank you for the fish at all
01/31/2014 at 11:39 |
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Yeah, you don't need an SC/360 to get a factory Hornet with the 360 V8. They came as options from 1972-74 in all Hornets. In fact, the X hatchback that James Bond drove in "Man with the Golden Gun" had a 360 V8, I believe.
Still, and SC/360 is pretty special, as only 784 were made.
Lazzris
> No, I don't thank you for the fish at all
01/31/2014 at 11:45 |
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The glhs seems over priced I see them going for 5000 to 10000 here all the time
472CID
> No, I don't thank you for the fish at all
01/31/2014 at 11:46 |
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The cool thing is darn near any American car from ~1960-1973 makes a bitchin' project. Obviously 2 doors are preferable, but if you can get past it sedans and wagons cost next to nothing.
MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
> No, I don't thank you for the fish at all
01/31/2014 at 11:48 |
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This exactly.
I tell people all the time to just look for something that isn't the prototypical muscle car. You'll have just as much fun! You don't need a 69 Charger or Chevelle.
My 68 Mercury Montego in running/driving condition (though certainly in need of some resto work) was $2,500. That even included the original window sticker! I mean I know I got lucky on part of it, but if you look at some more oddball cars, especially those which share parts with the big name ones so you have mechanical parts available, you can get a lot for your money. My Montego shares parts with the Torino, Fairlane, Galaxie, and Monterrey. It started out a bit slow (but tire spinning was still an option) at 210 hp with a 302 and a 2 barrel. I now estimate around 280-300 with the 4 barrel, edelbrock intake and dual exhaust. It's a blast, I couldn't be happier.
CobraJoe
> MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
01/31/2014 at 12:13 |
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You just said everything I was going to say.
There are so many great projects out there for anyone who is willing to have something different. In fact, that's an advantage in most shows, people will walk past the line of pristine chevelles and take a look at the thing they don't ever see.
My project is a 1988 Thunderbird Sport, and came from the factory with a weak 165hp 5.0, an auto trans, 14in rims, and tiny brakes. However, it's a Fox body underneath it all, so I have the options of chassis and engine parts from many 1979-2004 Fords to choose from. It already has a 5 speed swapped in (thanks Previous Owner!), headers from a 5.0 Mustang, an intake from a 5.0 Explorer, and springs from a '98 GT, and I have a head and ECU swap planned next.
Of course it still needs some bodywork and paint, and that picture was from before the spring swap. But it's great having a car with extremely cheap upgrades that will stand out in any car show when I'm done.
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MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
> CobraJoe
01/31/2014 at 12:17 |
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YEP!
Everyone sees a fox body mustang, you don't always see the thunderbird at the show though.
What heads you putting on? I had a set of heads from a 92 GT Mustang that I almost put on the 68 Montego. Isn't it INSANE that I can use parts that are that new and just bolt em on?! I just have to clog emission ports and I'm running. They weren't the best heads and if I was going to upgrade E7's probably weren't worth it. So I sold them on craigslist for double what I bought them off craigslist for a year before.
It's fun to have a different car. I get people walking up as soon as I pull into a show and they say "...what is it?!" or "I've never seen one of these before!". It's pretty fun!
Hey Julie
> No, I don't thank you for the fish at all
01/31/2014 at 12:18 |
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You know whats a great muscle car for a minuscule budget? A 1998 mustang! Because my car.
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CobraJoe
> MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
01/31/2014 at 12:56 |
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I just have a set of E7s that I got off of craigslist, but I got a pretty good deal. I got an HO cam and the heads for $40 total. They needed cleaning and checking up, but I think they'll give me a nice power bump when combined with the stock flattop pistons.
I love the old and new swappability. I was considering finding some good flowing 60's era heads, but I'm going for cheap right now. Just because money's tight doesn't mean I have to stop my hobby.
BTW, love the Montego. Old Mercurys were great, they seemed to be built more solid and quiet than old Fords.
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MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
> CobraJoe
01/31/2014 at 13:06 |
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I hear you that's exactly my situation (money tight, keeping the hobby going).
I would shoot for some GT40 heads (not the P heads tho). if you're looking for better flow. You can sometimes rip em off a V8 explorer in the junk yard! Aluminum even!
E7's will be an improvement from stock I believe on yours, my 68s are NOT high flow in any way so be careful with picking some 60s heads. And for $40 you can't go wrong. I bought the E7's for $50, sold em for 100 when I decided to not used them, I was told when I bought em they had upgraded valves to GT40 but I dunno if it was true or not.
Yours is probably fuel injected, but my upgrades were easy for huge power increases.
$25 4 Barrel Holley (then a 40-50$ rebuilt kit lol)
$60 (i believe) Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake (the RPM, actually does bring your RPM up another 500 or so from stock, it makes a difference)
$130 for 2 super 44 flowmaster 2.5" mufflers
$250 to install dual exhaust and weld it
That's about all I've done to it and it's a monster now. It was so restricted from the factory that this engine has just now finally come to life.
Thanks for the Montego love. It's an oddball car that most don't know what is. I feel like I'm a Mercury Brand Representative or something LOL. There's nothing quiet left about it now that I have the exhaust on!
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CobraJoe
> MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
01/31/2014 at 13:43 |
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Fuel injection motors take pretty good to mods too, it just takes a bit more research to make sure it'll work correctly. The biggest upgrade I've done so far is the Explorer intake, it's pretty much equivalent to a GT40 setup, but I used one from a later Explorer so I had to get creative with the EGR and a sensor. The plus side is that it feels nearly identical to the '86 Mustang GT that my friend has (He actually bought it from me.), so I'm guessing I have at least 180hp now. Adding the ECU and better injectors and cam and heads should put me over 220hp, and that'll keep me happy until I can save up for a better set of heads and a proper tune.
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MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
> CobraJoe
01/31/2014 at 13:49 |
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Nice. When you save up for a new set of heads maybe you get the GT40 heads that match that GT40 Intake?
I see GT Mustang fuel injector/manifolds on craigslist constantly. What area are you in?
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CobraJoe
> MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
01/31/2014 at 15:12 |
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I might go for GT-40 heads, or I might go for something better. We'll just see how the budget is and how much power I want by then.
I often browse the craigslist for parts, I'm dreaming of upgrading my brakes too, but anything bigger will require bigger rims and new tires too. Thats the way it always seems to go.
I live in the Omaha area.
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MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
> CobraJoe
01/31/2014 at 15:22 |
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Ahh cool I've got family out there, really cool downtown in Omaha that nobody ever thinks of. (by that I mean people not from there). Was just asking to know if I should keep an eye out, but that's a bit far to ship heavy parts. These parts are just real common around Detroit.
I'd love to upgrade my brakes...I don't even have power brakes lol. 4 drums no power!
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CobraJoe
> MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
01/31/2014 at 16:04 |
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The old market is pretty nice, we just don't often have a reason to go down there.
Yeah, Detroit is pretty far away, wouldn't be very cost effective to make a trip to pick up parts either. If you were closer, I'd be happy to lend a hand in the shop, it's hard to find Ford guys around here.
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MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
> CobraJoe
01/31/2014 at 16:08 |
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Damn now I wish we were closer, always good to have another set of hands! Let me know if you're out in the Detroit area!
BJohnson11
> No, I don't thank you for the fish at all
01/31/2014 at 16:52 |
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Any old truck. Seriously. I picked mine up for 2 grand, have maybe 5 grand into it (a lot of that was tires), and I now have a very muscley muscle truck.
You can get a well sorted, clean, 350/350 powered F100 or C10 for under 10 grand all day, any day.