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97snakedriver · 04-03-2001, 01:48 PM

You can do a lot for 12K on a GT, so let me muse on what I would do with $12K:

1. Rebuilt short block*
2. Big blower
3. Griggs or Maximum Motorsports suspension

The short block depends on how much power you want out of the blower (fuel economy since this is a street car). The stock short block will handle quite a bit of power, so you probably don't need to do this...

For the blower and installation, figure $4k total. Or $3500 plus your time if you install it yourself.

$8K left...

Are you planning on running slicks or drag radials? If so, some rear end work maybe a good idea. Bigger gear (3.73) $175 (plus installation), differential (TracTech) $385, 31 spline axles $385. Installation isn't too bad. So that's roughly $600-$700 out the door.

$7.3K left...

Suspension: Highly modified? Hee Hee. You can go NUTZ on suspension if you want to. First off, SUBFRAME CONNECTORS! I would suggest going with either Griggs or Maximum Motorsports and sticking with just that company for your suspension needs.

In the rear, go with their torque arm/panhard rod, and control arms. For MM, figure $250 for the lower control arms, $330 for the PHR, $650 for the heavy duty TA (You'll need the heavy duty if you drag race on slicks with the power you'll be making). For the front, K-member, A-arms, coil overs. Their K-member hasn't come out quite yet, but I would guess about $600. A-arms, $150, cc-plates $200, coil overs (depends on brand). Okay, so coil overs in the front, atleast new springs in the back, suspension wise rear coil overs would be the last thing I do, so that's: 250,330,650,600,150,220,X= 2200 + coil overs. Labor costs me $40/hr. For ALL of this, it would be... maybe $1000? Coil overs? $1000ish.

So we're down to $2.5K... I would upgrade to Cobra brakes. If you dig around enough you can find some for $4-$500 complete. Installation myself.

So, $2K... A good set of wheels and tires will eat that up.. Or just sticky tires:

$1.2K left. Do you need to pass emissions? If so, a H/X pipe with cats will run $5-600. If not, $2-$300. Cat back, $400. Shorty headers, $300..

So that pretty much does it. That would be a BAD *** car! Awsome on the strip, even better on the auto-cross or open road course. By good, I mean you would be destroying pretty much everything.

The other choice would be to tone down the suspension a bit and go for more power stuff. You could easily trim $1K+ off that and still have a bad *** car. Brace the stock k-member, rack bushings, A-arm bushings, instead of swapping it out.

Anyway, Cobra+$6K:

Plenty for a blower! Figure $4k for the blower out the door, installation and everything.

So $2k. Subframe connectors, axles, bushings for the rear, and a cross brace. So you end up with a car that handles pretty darn good thank you very much, and is making mid 400s RWHP and already has good brakes. Not too shabby.

Of course... If you did start with a 97,98 Cobra you could have all of the above...

Oh yeah. Screw the body kit. If you do half of either of the above, then there is no need for one. The car will be incredibly bad *** on its own.

[This message has been edited by 97snakedriver (edited 04-03-2001).]

04-03-2001, 01:48 PM	#6
97snakedriver Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Blacksburg, VA Posts: 1,526	You can do a lot for 12K on a GT, so let me muse on what I would do with $12K: 1. Rebuilt short block* 2. Big blower 3. Griggs or Maximum Motorsports suspension The short block depends on how much power you want out of the blower (fuel economy since this is a street car). The stock short block will handle quite a bit of power, so you probably don't need to do this... For the blower and installation, figure $4k total. Or $3500 plus your time if you install it yourself. $8K left... Are you planning on running slicks or drag radials? If so, some rear end work maybe a good idea. Bigger gear (3.73) $175 (plus installation), differential (TracTech) $385, 31 spline axles $385. Installation isn't too bad. So that's roughly $600-$700 out the door. $7.3K left... Suspension: Highly modified? Hee Hee. You can go NUTZ on suspension if you want to. First off, SUBFRAME CONNECTORS! I would suggest going with either Griggs or Maximum Motorsports and sticking with just that company for your suspension needs. In the rear, go with their torque arm/panhard rod, and control arms. For MM, figure $250 for the lower control arms, $330 for the PHR, $650 for the heavy duty TA (You'll need the heavy duty if you drag race on slicks with the power you'll be making). For the front, K-member, A-arms, coil overs. Their K-member hasn't come out quite yet, but I would guess about $600. A-arms, $150, cc-plates $200, coil overs (depends on brand). Okay, so coil overs in the front, atleast new springs in the back, suspension wise rear coil overs would be the last thing I do, so that's: 250,330,650,600,150,220,X= 2200 + coil overs. Labor costs me $40/hr. For ALL of this, it would be... maybe $1000? Coil overs? $1000ish. So we're down to $2.5K... I would upgrade to Cobra brakes. If you dig around enough you can find some for $4-$500 complete. Installation myself. So, $2K... A good set of wheels and tires will eat that up.. Or just sticky tires: $1.2K left. Do you need to pass emissions? If so, a H/X pipe with cats will run $5-600. If not, $2-$300. Cat back, $400. Shorty headers, $300.. So that pretty much does it. That would be a BAD * car! Awsome on the strip, even better on the auto-cross or open road course. By good, I mean you would be destroying pretty much everything. The other choice would be to tone down the suspension a bit and go for more power stuff. You could easily trim $1K+ off that and still have a bad * car. Brace the stock k-member, rack bushings, A-arm bushings, instead of swapping it out. Anyway, Cobra+$6K: Plenty for a blower! Figure $4k for the blower out the door, installation and everything. So $2k. Subframe connectors, axles, bushings for the rear, and a cross brace. So you end up with a car that handles pretty darn good thank you very much, and is making mid 400s RWHP and already has good brakes. Not too shabby. Of course... If you did start with a 97,98 Cobra you could have all of the above... Oh yeah. Screw the body kit. If you do half of either of the above, then there is no need for one. The car will be incredibly bad *** on its own. [This message has been edited by 97snakedriver (edited 04-03-2001).]