Doing research for a build.

[coach]

Running in the nines doesn't take $30,000. I can think of 4 street cars there right now. None are anywhere near the amount.

Well...it can be done cheaper...but if you follow what most have done, it's $25,000 anyway. That's total driveline. Add it up...
$200 for 9 sec PLUG WIRES
$7500-9000 engine
$2000-3000 accessories
$1250 turbo
$900 intercooler
$2500 tranny
$950 Convertor
$750 driveshaft
$1500 gears, axles, u joints...etc
$2500 XFI and Harnesses
Then add tires, gauges, and stuff I know I'm missing.
If you do it with used parts...you might get by, but certain used parts can be a time bomb in my opinion.

 

[Pronto]

Don't forget your time and labor. Look at peoples signatures. How many show 9 or 10 seconds then see how many are 11s. The majority will be 12s. If 10s were easy everyone would be going 10s. Like Grumpy says: fast, cheap reliable, pick 2.

 

[turbotroy]

Poppa Lou (Turbolou) Czarnota had one of his stroker motors available installed and tuned for $13K. TurboTGuy has one in his car that's doing 10.6's-10.5's in the quarter. But, like everyone has pointed out, you need more then just an engine to run 9's.
In some ways, being a pilot (Cessna's) was a WAY cheaper hobby. The thing that's cool about the planes or the TR's, is that EVERYONE can't have one Happy Holidays and best of luck!
Troy

 

[coach]

Don't forget your time and labor. Look at peoples signatures. How many show 9 or 10 seconds then see how many are 11s. The majority will be 12s. If 10s were easy everyone would be going 10s. Like Grumpy says: fast, cheap reliable, pick 2.

My prices were lowball approx's of what I heard being invested by others.
I enlisted the help of Brian Lorenz. I wanted a 9 sec car and he knows how to get it there. He basically picked the combo of parts, Bobby at RPE built it, and Cal is tuning it.
I know those numbers are low for what I've put into my build.

Grumpy has great lines and that is def one of them.
Another favorite is..."do you know how to make a small fortune??? Start with a big fortune and buy a TurboBuick!!!"
That's a classic.

 

[TurboTGuy]

Running in the nines doesn't take $30,000. I can think of 4 street cars there right now. None are anywhere near the amount.

That's a pretty bold "I know a guy who knows a guy who says his car will....." statement.

Show me all the receipts for the entire builds on all of them, all of the build, not just the engine and trans combos. Then show me the 9 second time slips.

You'll be eating your words.

Though I have heard tell of a "9 second capable" V6 car out there in California............ I've also heard he paid a tidy sum for it........

Let me clarify my challenge. You won't build a nice 86-87 TR/GN to go 9's on the street for under 30 grand. Not and be able to say it will stay together for very long.

OP stated "daily driver".

 

[turbotroy]

do you know how to make a small fortune??? Start with a big fortune and buy a TurboBuick!!!"
That's a classic.

No truer words have been spoken!!

 

[blackgn1]

Clint, Patrick, JD, and Grumpy. I think they all did it under $30,000. They may chime in. I may be way off but we would need to hear from them.

 

[turbotroy]

Clint, Patrick, JD, and Grumpy. I think they all did it under $30,000. They may chime in. I may be way off but we would need to hear from them.

And if they would be forthcoming with those recipes? AWESOME!!!

I mean, think about it. These few guys in the 9's aren't really racing other TR's, right?

These guys could share some secrets, without giving away all their secrets, and make some money doing it. The vendors would be happy, and could also keep bringing us non race related trinkets for our cars, and we could bring a whole new generation into the TR world.

Merry Christmas, and thanks Shane for this board. And to all a good night

 

[Rell87]

9 sec car here.... WELL over 50k into my car.

I bought my car bone stock 8 years ago and 10k got me nowhere fast.

You should find some good used parts and a new alky kit and turn your boost up to 25psi with a good tune from someone who knows these cars then ask yourself if you want to keep going.

Bolt on's

 

[blackgn1]

I think one secret is boost and lots of it. North of 30psi.

 

[TurboTGuy]

I think one secret is boost and lots of it. North of 30psi.

You think the secret is?????

I knew it.

You know a guy who knew a guy who has a friend that has a cousin that .............

North of 30 lbs will definitely result in north of $30K to keep it running for any length of time. More so for a daily driver.

A less than $30K , nine second, daily driver is a pretty tough order to fill.

If it's so easy, why isn't it you that has one of these monsters?

I only ask because you've claimed it's practically effortless to accomplish.

 

[Pronto]

It's not difficult to find someone that put 30+ into a car and then sells it for 20 or less. That was just my point about building a low 10 second car. I'm sure those ones mentions with 9 second cars have tons of parts for repairs laying around as well as a good garage and lift to work on it themselves. It's not like they never had to pull the engine or the tranny.

 

[forcefed3.8's]

If I added up everything I ever did to may car, I have alot into it. If I add up what was done to it to go 8.94 with a 3 bolt turbo, I have less than $30,000 in it, but I do all my own work, and I buy some hand me down parts from a friend. Now with a cage, 4 bolt turbo, and AMS1000, I added over $10,000 over the last year.

 

[87turbot-type]

The money sure goes fast on these cars, especially if you want to do it right. They sure are head turning street cars when they work!

 

[coach]

Actually...most of us need to join
"TBA" or "TurboBuicksAnonymous"
We all need help...mentally!!!
If somebody starts the group...I'll join.
The amount we spend on these cars is insane. Every time I think I see the end of the tunnel...I build more tunnel.

 

[Phoneguy]

Actually...most of us need to join
"TBA" or "TurboBuicksAnonymous"
We all need help...mentally!!!
If somebody starts the group...I'll join.
The amount we spend on these cars is insane. Every time I think I see the end of the tunnel...I build more tunnel.

Coach, you have actually seen the end of the tunnel???? I thought the end of the tunnel was a myth......

Bryan

 

[coach]

Coach, you have actually seen the end of the tunnel???? I thought the end of the tunnel was a myth......

Bryan

Actually Bryan...yes I have. When I decide what I want in a car...I make a plan. Sorta like Chip Foose. Then I make progress until it finished.
I come up with ideas all the time, and could never fit them all in one car.
My next car is a 65' GTO...then my 65' Plymouth Super Stocker restoration. This Buick has about another year and a half to go.

 

[TurboTGuy]

I thought I saw the light at the end of the tunnel once.......

It turned out to be the train coming straight at me...........

 

[we4Mateo]

I grew up around a body shop and have seen six figure builds on $30k cars since I was little. We don't spend any more on our cars than any other car guys do who love what they drive. We all pretty much spend what we can. I know I'd have a $100k 7 second T/A powered monster GN if I could afford it, and I hope my current car turns into that one day. We should all be so happy to be able to spend money on these beasts! Just think, you could be driving a nice, used Camaro SS; boooooo.

 

[TexasT]

Pronto, thanks for the advice, but I already have another car, im not about to sell it because it has 44k original miles. And ive only had the car for a year and 9 months of that I was deployed. So thanks for restating what everyone else said about where to start.

Fair winds and following seas.

If you already have a daily whip, why the desire to take your theft magnet out to the mall or work parking lot as a daily?
If I were you and was rolling around with a 44k original, chopping it up to build a nine sec race car would not be at the top of the list of mods. Your car, your plan, I get that but you did come on asking for opinions. Maybe dial back to a nice low 12, with the boost knob to the low elevens with traction and good fuel. Some easily reversible bolt ons will get you there. While you are doing this you can learn what lifts heads and blows gaskets and what not to do, and even some drag racing techniques that will help you get the comp license needed to run the nine sec v6 you intend to create.