[BRUTAL64]

Originally Posted by BADDASSC6

Wow, Huge difference. I paid $450 for the 42lb/hr ford racing fuel injectors (green tops). Not only that, but the asshole at chuck hawk auto performance in Tucson, AZ gave me the 32 lb/hr frd racing injectors (blue top) and I had no idea until a year later when I upped the boost and started having fuel issues. The 32lbm/hr injectors go for $250.

And all the other cost associated with it:
Lightning 90mm MAF ~$200
Continous Dyno tunning $125/hr
replacing the plastic stock manifold $250
Countless serpentine belts $39 bor 8 rib per belt


The operating cost just exploded. This is why I went the HCI route witht he vette. I was debating on going wth a magnacharger because of the added power and torque, but was worried about the reliability after my last SC expierience.

True story.

I spun 2 rod bearings on my LT1 motor in the vette racing a 650 Ninga on the 22 FWY and had to jump on the brakes at 120+ because of traffic.

That was in 1988. Well got in a argument with some guys that said the 400 sb was no good. So instead of building the 350 LT1 motor I put together a 400 sb with 5.7 rods.
I put it together with ALL USED parts (laying around the shop) except for paint and freeze plugs. We are talking bearings, rings, gaskets...etc. I even cut the CAST pistons down (by hand) .135 for the long rod and balanced the engine with a UPS scale. Compression ended up 11 to 1. I had $12.00 in the whole motor with used parts. I figured I'd built the LT1 in a couple of months. Remember this was in 88.

Well, the motor ran so good that I kept running it until a year ago when the cast pistons finally broke.

Well, the BEST run with that motor was 11.93.


Not bad for a $12.00 dollar motor.

BTW; The LT1 motor (shortblock) I bought for $250 in 1974. This was a over the counter replacement shortblock for a 70 LT1.

[SeanPlunk]

Originally Posted by BRUTAL64

True story.

I spun 2 rod bearings on my LT1 motor in the vette racing a 650 Ninga on the 22 FWY and had to jump on the brakes at 120+ because of traffic.

That was in 1988. Well got in a argument with some guys that said the 400 sb was no good. So instead of building the 350 LT1 motor I put together a 400 sb
with 5.7 rods.
I put it together with ALL USED parts (laying around the shop) except for paint and freeze plugs. We are talking bearings, rings, gaskets...etc. I even cut the CAST pistons down (by hand) .135 for the long rod and balanced the engine with a UPS scale. Compression ended up 11 to 1. I had $12.00 in the whole motor with used parts. I figured I'd built the LT1 in a couple of months. Remember this was in 88.

Well, the motor ran so good that I kept running it until a year ago when the cast pistons finally broke.

Well, the BEST run with that motor was 11.93.


Not bad for a $12.00 dollar motor.

LOL, you're like the McGyver of engines or something. I think you could make an engine out of paperclips and it would run for at least a little while

[enkeivette]

Originally Posted by 94cobra69ss396

But because of the production number the Saleen will hold or increase in value. If he made the purchase as an investment I say he made the right choice. If he bought it to drive and make faster your friend needs some help.

There are few cars that are smart investments. A 2004 S281 is not one of them.

[SeanPlunk]

Originally Posted by enkeivette

There are few cars that are smart investments. A 2004 S281 is not one of them.

Agreed.

[enkeivette]

Originally Posted by SeanPlunk

LOL, you're like the McGyver of engines or something. I think you could make an engine out of paperclips and it would run for at least a little while

Haha, he didn't tell you about that time?

Cheers to you Glenn, my first thought was 5.7 rods on a 400? But f*ck! For $12... that ain't bad!

[BRUTAL64]

Originally Posted by enkeivette

Haha, he didn't tell you about that time?

Cheers to you Glenn, my first thought was 5.7 rods on a 400? But f*ck! For $12... that ain't bad!

Remember 400 sb rods are shorter than all other SB rods. By using the 5.7 rod you decrease piston side loading and move the torque curve up the rpm range some.

My current 400sb uses the same STD bore block as the 88 built 400 used (same 2 bolt block). But I went to a 6 inch Scat rod. Yep, it did improve the revs and torque some. But I used to rev the 88 built 400 to 7,200 rpm.

[94cobra69ss396]

Originally Posted by enkeivette

There are few cars that are smart investments. A 2004 S281 is not one of them.

So you think with only 187 produced the car is going to loose value? Then do you think my Cobra with a production number of just over 4900 was a bad investment too?

[SeanPlunk]

Originally Posted by 94cobra69ss396

So you think with only 187 produced the car is going to loose value? Then do you think my Cobra with a production number of just over 4900 was a bad investment too?

Honestly, as an INVESTMENT probably. Taking into account depreciation and everything else, I doubt you'll ever make money on it. I feel the same way on my Cobra. I LOVE my car. It's a rare color, so someday it could be worth something. I'm certainly not counting on it though. I have my car because I love it, not because I think it will be a collector's item someday or make me money. Just my opinion

[94cobra69ss396]

Originally Posted by SeanPlunk

Honestly, as an INVESTMENT probably. Taking into account depreciation and everything else, I doubt you'll ever make money on it. I feel the same way on my Cobra. I LOVE my car. It's a rare color, so someday it could be worth something. I'm certainly not counting on it though. I have my car because I love it, not because I think it will be a collector's item someday or make me money. Just my opinion

Agreed, but if you bought your car and then enjoyed it for 10 years then were able to sell it for the same amount you paid for it would you not consider that a good investment?

I bought a 1980 Corolla years ago for $1000 to use as a daily driver instead of driving the Chevelle all the time. A year later I sold it for the same amount that I paid for it. I consider that a good investment.

[SeanPlunk]

Originally Posted by 94cobra69ss396

Agreed, but if you bought your car and then enjoyed it for 10 years then were able to sell it for the same amount you paid for it would you not consider that a good investment?

I bought a 1980 Corolla years ago for $1000 to use as a daily driver instead of driving the Chevelle all the time. A year later I sold it for the same amount that I paid for it. I consider that a good investment.

I would agree, breaking even on any car you drive is pretty impressive.