I think that a Pipe bender would be a good add. Besides being able to use it on the project car, we can build you some bumpers for the jeep.

I've got nice (expensive) rock crawlers on the Jeep. But a pipe bender is one of those "you're cool now" tools. Especially if you know how to use it. I don't think it'll be so necessarry for this project, unless we think we want to try and build our own cage, which might be fun and educational . . . But first things first. Get car. :smack:

A good mandrel bender is $$$$$$$$. I have buddies with those. Save your $$$$

Good to know. :)

See poll and please vote for basic direction of car. This has implications from engine setup (how aggressive, what can be tolerated) and electrical, etc.

I voted for vaguely streetable. I think it would be cool to be able to drive it to car shows or something occasionally.

With the drivetrain basically set and a tight budget in mind, I don't think that we have to worry about keeping streetable. I think we can go as crazy as we want and it will still cruise on the highway and put around at Sonic Burger.

This is sort of like when people ask me for workout advice with the preface "well, I don't wanna get too big." Hey, don't worry about it, aint gonna happen overnight!

Seeing as how this will be a track/ meet only car. I see no reason to hold back any, we will have plenty of limitations. We don't need to impose any of our own.

I don't see how the poll options are mutually exclusive. Unless we're talking about 5lbs for headlights and turn signals.

Purpose built cars don't have to account for side view mirrors, indicator lights, headlights, etc. Nor do they have to have more than a couple gallons of fuel. A street car needs these things and tune, plus cooling system, that will handle street driving. I think it's important to distinguish. Also the registration is totally different. Not something we have to decide so quick, but if I manage to get the car tomorrow or this weekend, we can begin stripping immediately. I don't want to put things back on. :smack:

Is a manul tranny cast in stone? Unless your gonna get a narrowed 9" rear with a spool, a highly modified C-4 might help keep you from grenading the rear. A good set up C-4 with a real high stall can be made to beat a manual tranny.