HB_SS/TC

iTrader: (1)

From what I'm reading I should have bought a base Lancer and "built" it like an Evo

Why didn't I thnk of that I would have been so much more proud of the car

You'll be happy with a SS/TC

Spanky's Monkey

iTrader: (6)

i can't speak for bolt-ons. i'm talking about tearing down and rebuilding an engine, which is what the op will have to do to boost his 150k 2.2.

never said an SS owner shouldn't be proud of his or her car build but i'm sure they would feel way different if they actually had a hand in building the very guts of the engine they intend on running. you just wont get that level of pride strapping on a few parts. that's the pride you get from knowing you built your engine and you are the one building up your car.

Rissa

That's probably not in his best interest at the moment...I still wouldn't feel comfortable starting off with a car with that high mileage, even if you built it.

springerdesigner

iTrader: (1)

this but I had tthe chance to trade for the ss/tc... even "owned" it for a couple days... so glad I have 6 more months to ownership rather than 6 more years...

StevoElSupremo

lol I get tired fast of working on my car, stupid bolts that never come off, missing bolts after re-installation, things not fitting right going back in, hours and hours of headaches lol, drives me nuts

07BoostedG5

iTrader: (12)

If your being a smart ass at my comment, Im talking about building a car you already own, not should I buy a base and mod vs buying the top tier.......

IonNinja

Im only talkin LS/LT...its going to require a full build to beat tune only SS/TC's lol

Price of the car itself aside, guys are making good power with basic mods. A guy down in Tucson hit 12s with an air box mod and E85 tune.

Even if you do build the motor...you still need to address suspension , brakes, wheels and badass seats lol

ECaulk

iTrader: (6)

But i wouldnt call E85 a "basic" mod

So most TC's are 15-18k plus tax (maybe get 4k for trade in if you're lucky) and then add 1k for the E85 injectors and tune (unless you go cheap on the tune...) and eventually a clutch (600-1200). So like 13k-16k for the TC on E85
Fully built and tuned turbo'd 2.2 6k, suspension 2k (or get FE5 shocks and peddlers 800), brakes 1k, seats 1k (its a little high i know). So 9k-10k, plus you get to see the surprised looks when you tell them its a base model not an SS.

I'm not sure what kind of times you'd run with that set up, but i'm sure it'd be in the 12s. Either way the car can be a hell of a beast, just depends on what you want to do with it, to each their own.

If you like making things, build it. If you dont like looking at something and saying I put the together, then buy it.

Rissa

You don't need different injectors to run E-85, so take that price down to about $200 for a tune.

07BoostedG5

iTrader: (12)

Thats it plain and simple ^

Random Note:
I just wanted to add and hopefully not jinx (lol) but this has so far been a great civilized discussion on .net

all_motor_mike

built not bought............ end thread.


mike

ECaulk

iTrader: (6)

Didnt know that, just figured stock wouldnt flow enough to support E85. And 200 for a tune? That sounds cheap and like a blown engine. But even at 200 for a tune, its still cheaper.

But like I said before, it all depends on what flavor of candy you like

IonNinja

yep so ~10K to build a comparable car...

I've spent around that much on my car over the years. Kind of annoying to see some SS/TC with a tune be loads faster than you

With all this said though...I'm still considering a bottom end build on mine

SmackinJuice

Seriously you guys are all on different levels.

First off, Does the OP even know how to build a car? is he talking about doing it himself? or will he have to have a garage do it. Yeah building a 2.2 might come up a tiny bit cheaper than a TC, for similar 260 hp. But that's if you do it yourself. If he doesn't have a garage, with all the tools already, or the knowledge. Bringing that 2.2 to a garage to put on everything to make it be the same level of a TC will end up being more expensive then just buying a TC in the first place.

You guys are also forgetting; a TC isn't just a better engine; just about EVERYTHING from the breaks, to the suspension, to the interior, sound system is an upgrade.

So yes, if you have all the tools already, and the knowledge to build a 2.2 (which I doubt he does, otherwise he would be just doing it instead of asking) then go for it.

Some of us instead of spending that time building that car, end up working or spending that time doing other hobbies. You can't say we don't enjoy buying a TC outright, and getting a tune is any less fufilling then what your feeling.

I have built, I have bought; yes I enjoy making my slow car into a fast car; but I also enjoy buying a fast car and making it into a monster.

Both are different highs, and honestly at this point I did have to just buy a fast car to begin with because I'm in apartments being poor.

Once I finish school though, and get rich...get back into a house with a big ass garage... The build is on...

all_motor_mike

i can help u with that


mike

Tundraboarder666

The L61 has more potential in the end. Buy a slow car and turn it into a monster!

But don't do it in the car you have... lol

It all depends what you want out of it and what your goals are in a car.

07BoostedG5

iTrader: (12)

sound system is mediocre, 200 bucks will bring you past a stock ss sound system.

Interior is only the seats unless you are a older balt with tan plastic, I picked up full ss tc seats for 430 bucks, and I have wrapped micro fiber pillars and black headliner, Which looks better then a stock ss.

Suspension 330 bucks for struts and shocks CED

60 for stock sstc springs used

60 bucks for the front sway and endlinks used.

and pick up a rear sway bar from powell and you are all ready handling better then most things you find on the street*

the only thing Ill give you is the brembo's, but the rear drums on a base perform better then rear ss brakes.

BUT

You are very correct about tools and I did not even consider it, not every one is fully equipped with tools and knowledge, BUT then again what a great time to start buying tools and learning new stuff.


All in all the way I look at it, if you have to ask others whether to build or buy, Your not ready to build.

Honestly I would not turbo your car, I would start small and supercharge it, its cheaper and coming from a NA to Boosted the m62 is going to make you happy, and you wont have to build up the motor as long as you play it safe with tuning and pullies.

Its on you man, if you have the cash and can buy up and dont feel like going in deep with mods, Buy the ss by all means its a GREAT car. Want to learn more about cars and have something unique? build it.

As like mentioned before do you really need 265+ HP.

No one can tell you want to do, every one has there own opinion and there is no right or wrong answer at the end.

IonNinja

good I'll keep that in mind

I need a 2nd form of transportation first though...don't want my gf driving me around during the downtime

Kolt

i say rebuild it and beef up the internals and go turbo. you can get more out of it than buying a stock tc. and you will know what it can handle since it will have strong internals

ryman416

iTrader: (1)

It really all depends on if you want to build up a car to go fast for the enjoyment of building, or just wanting to go fast for the enjoyment of going fast. Me being a mechanic, its an obvious answer but everyone is different. Personally, just knowing that its my work and my work only that makes my car go fast puts a smile on my face more than the speed itself.