[RocktimusPryme]

I love the idea of a budget fast car and have been kicking it around. That said, when it comes to value for going fast, I don’t think I could avoid using a gen 3+ turbo setup.

I’ve been half ass shopping for a car that someone already put a cage and nice rear end in. You always save money when you pick up something that someone else spent money on.

[scott70]

Originally Posted by Mrp613

I really wish this had it's own section but hopefully it sticks here.

Don’t get me wrong I appreciate all the big dollar race cars, the correct restos, the pro touring types, and the car show crowd. But there doesn’t seem to be a forum for guys like me trying to get their beater going on a microscopic budget. Ask a question in the race forum and it turns to throwing money at it. Nothing against those guys but I’m looking for a cheap slow bracket car. Ask a question about modifying a part or fabbing something up in the 61-66 section and it’s crickets. The street section is ok but it’s still guys with a bunch more budget than I have building on stuff.

I know a user tried to get a bracket forum for his budget build but was told there were enough sections already so I’m hoping this thread can be the place where the low budget doing it at home in the driveway guys can share ideas and see what works and maybe get some real world input. My Catalina is a trashed, bashed, and zip tied mismatch of parts I had laying around, and unfortunately it’s the best I can do on my budget. I learned a few things like second gen F body headers will fit, 10.5 slicks can be stuffed under it, and soon I’ll have a better idea if a ‘66 Impala rear can be modified to fit so I’m not stuck waiting for over priced 3.55’s to be made available again.

I like bracket racing and did it steady from 86' to 2011. My first race only car was a 400$ 71 T-37 with a 400 ,auto and a 2.78 posi rear. Put on some used 26x 8 slicks, sawzalled off the exhaust, removed anything not needed , added some used gauges and the required radiator catch can , battery retention and that stuff required for a slow car. Had good luck racing it... consistent and cheap. The faster you go ,the more money you spend. So you can have a very successful cheap bracket car ...you just have to cut a light and run close to the dial.

[Ben M.]

Everything I do is on a budget. No nice cars in the fleet.

[redhawk44]

It kind of looks like there is some interest in the subject, I guess we just wait for a moderator to give it it's own designated area.

[Scott Roberts]

First, where is the OP?
I would like to organize a budget build with one car and everyone throwing in parts...
Anything you throw is considered gone and the car be run at the Pontiac Nationals next year.... that would be a fun project... pick one person to over see it and build it and see what we can all come up. With.... money or parts. I would be willing to throw in!
I would be willing to donate a set of eheads...

[64speed]

Originally Posted by 64speed

Mine started as a budget till the body came off the frame

I was just watching the disgustang episodes of roadkill garage tonight and kinda wish I had left the body alone. I now have a 10K motor sitting next to a hulk of a car with no front clip, no window, no wiring etc

[64speed]

Originally Posted by Scott Roberts

First, where is the OP?
I would like to organize a budget build with one car and everyone throwing in parts...
Anything you throw is considered gone and the car be run at the Pontiac Nationals next year.... that would be a fun project... pick one person to over see it and build it and see what we can all come up. With.... money or parts. I would be willing to throw in!
I would be willing to donate a set of eheads...

E heads is a big donation. I’d be good for any scraps needed from my build and boy I have a lot of them

[Mister Pontiac]

Originally Posted by Squidward

This is the end of the hobby spectrum I play in.

I have spent a few thousand on each engine in my 2 cars, and a few thousand more on other driveline parts (trans, rear end, etc). I have done all my own work, and my cars look like primered up beaters. But they run nice.

A good running ride gives me more satisfaction than a finely polished show car. And I don't have to panic about scratches, etc. It makes for a much less stressful hobby experience.

Perfectly said.

I would only add, don't worry for one second what others think. Build what you want, and feel free to ask honest questions. The real helper's here will chime in. Oh, and the cheaper you build it, the more impressed I will be!

[Will]

Originally Posted by shoebox1.1

I’m back into cars after a 7-8 year hiatus. Single income family with a 9 year old. Literally no budget for car habit but I did buy a clean rust free 76 ventura cheap, we’re doing a super budget 350, hyd cam 092 heads .free TH350, free 12 inch stall , hand me down 342s,, etc. it will be fun just to be back behind the wheel. Is it gonna run my high 10s I’ve dreamed of since high school? NO. Fun with my car buddies that I’ve been missing for years? YES!

Holy cow, I LOVE that car! One of my favorite cars was my '75 Nova. Always wished it had been a Ventura but the Novas were so much easier to find in good condition. Love that body style with the big side windows, not the ones with the halve vinyl top and little "colonnade" (I think that's what they were called) windows.

I expect you know that the front suspension is the same as '70 - '81 Camaro/Firebird? My Nova had a TA WS6 steering box, WS6 front springs with about 3/4 coil trimmed, a TA swaybar, Koni shocks and IROC wheels with 225/50-16 tires. Best handling Nova around.

I think some of the resistance to doing budget builds these days comes from the relative scarcity of Pontiac engines. Good block castings are nearly impossible to find around here now. no one wants to see you take a ridge reamer and ball hone to on of the few good blocks that are left, polish the crank with some emery cloth and reuse stock rods because if it blows up it's so hard to replace. Back in the "good old days" we'd just go down to the junk yard or take a look at the "Little Nickel" ads and buy another 400 block for cheap.

To be clear, I'm not saying don't do it. In fact, I say go for it. But, I can understand why some people don't want to see that happen.

[PONTIAC LARRY]

Its been fun helping Gus wrangle up leftover stuff amongst his buddies. His Ventura has the 260, 200metric and 7.5 rear so it all must go. I have a low mileage 74 350P and two different sets of 389 heads (one pocket ported set of 65 heads that have new guides and screw in studs I got for free or my pull off 54k mile 66 092 heads off our Starchief but they are stock.. and a AFB intake to donate. 65 AFB intake is going to get plenum mods and a spacer adapter to a 3310 Holley. The 389 heads should get it to 9.5:1 or so. Its a 20 cc reduction of the chamber. We got BOP Th350's that are running pull outs and high stall 3000-3500 converters , used headers and even already got the donor 8.5 rear to build and it was only $50. Hoping to get some 13's in the 1/4 out of junk 350 /389 parts , a 557 crap 400 is also available so it may get some inspection to see what it really needs if it is re-ring capable at home barring anything bad. 350 (or 400) will get a thumpy tight LSA cam too.