Tell me what i should probably know for building a project car?
Posted by DeBounty_@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 66 comments
Hey, im a tech savvy guy, and really love computers. But what i love more are cars. The only problem, is that while im 21(22 in 2 days), I know barely anything about cars. I play a few car games, like forza horizon 5 and 6, and assetto corza competizione, but I dont know how accurate forza horizon is to car builds. My dad has been a mechanic for 20+ years, so i could ask him as well on anything, but im trying to get as much info as I can.
The point is that im trying to save up for a project car. Something I buy from a scrapyard and work on for a while. May take me a while, but thats why its a project right?
Anything helps.
Wooden-Pressure-3880@reddit
It is cool that you are getting into cars at your age. My biggest piece of advice is to start with a car that runs rather than pulling something from a scrapyard for your first project. Dealing with a non running shell is a great way to lose motivation before you even get to drive it. Since you have a dad with 20 years of experience, use that to your advantage but definitely try to do the research yourself first so you understand how things work. Games are fun for learning lines but real car building is mostly about troubleshooting and patience. If you eventually start a project that needs a fuel system overhaul, I have been using kits from Evil Energy and they are a solid way to save money while getting good performance compared to the expensive race brands. Good luck with the build.
Tall-Assignment-1679@reddit
thanks for this op
LankyJeep@reddit
Buy rust free, and if you aren’t willing to be “under water” financially on the project don’t even start. Project cars are labors of love you will loose money on it if you go to sell it, also you need to be prepared to either learn how to do mechanical electrical paint bodywork and welding, or understand what it will cost to have a shop do that for you
CarsandTunes@reddit
People that have never built a project car have a very romanticized vision of what it is like. I'm not going to tell you not to do it, and I won't tell you that you're not going to like it, because I really don't know that much about you. But I can tell you this for certain, it is going to be a lot more time, work, money, and stress than you currently imagine. Whatever you think it's going to take of those thanks, triple it at least. Also, you say your dad is a mechanic, but do you have a place you can work on the car? Do you have tools that you have access to? Do you have any skills and fabrication?
DeBounty_@reddit (OP)
Ive been planning on it being atleast 5 years to complete for just a simple project car. Nothing overly complicated for a start. As for the skills, I've never done any of the above. I was gonna browse around where im at which is Baumholder, Germany, where im not looking at project car ideas just yet until I save up a good chunk of money for a starting point.
Mainly I just want to learn more about cars and get hands on for this kind of stuff.
CarsandTunes@reddit
That's all awesome stuff! I love cars, engineering, and machines. And I love seeing young people like you get interested in it as well. My comment isn't trying to talk you out of trying, I just want you to understand it is a very long and involved process. If you currently think a project could take you 5 years, then be prepared for it to take 10 to 15 years instead. It might not take that long, but you need to be prepared for that possibility. Are you willing to hunt through websites and scrap yards for the next decade? Are you willing to be putting aside tons of money for parts the next 10 years? Do you have somewhere you can store a torn apart, non-functioning car for a decade? These are all things you need to seriously consider. The fact that your father is a mechanic is going to help immensely, but don't fall into the habit of relying on him for everything, because his patients will run out eventually. All that said, if you do decide to go forward with the project, I hope you have a great time, and end up with something you really love. Good luck!
DeBounty_@reddit (OP)
Currently im overseas and military, so sadly no I dont have that kind of storage unless I rent a storage lot. That being said, dont think they would let me work on a car in there.
I was looking less at a completely destroyed car and more into a car that still functions somewhat, and just is missing some parts. Something to start me off and get me into the feel of it. Its also why I say 5 years instead of 10 to 15 years. I know stuff like this doesnt just take a couple weeks(unless you are just loaded with money and have EVERY piece of equipment imaginable.
Im also someone who never drove manual, and want to do that with the project car if there is one. That way, I could practice in some spot with said manual and fix it if I come across problems.
Currently this is all for me to work my way up to owning my dream car, the MkIV Toyota Supra. Call me whatever you like for liking that, cus I know its a fan favorite amongst the fast and furious people. But the sheer fact that its a car which can fit 1000+hp into it is mind blowing to me. I also like the body design kind of lol
yottyboy@reddit
There’s a workshop on base where you can work on it. They have space to keep it. But you will have to roll it in and out to use the shop so be sure it can do that. You have to be done before you DEROS cz that’s one of the places where you have to clear. Germany doesn’t have much of an old car culture so finding a vintage one is hard. There should be plenty of cheap cars that have been handed around from people who were leaving. Do your learning on one of those. Years ago when I was there, I bought two non running VW beetles, a 67 and a 68, for $250 from a sergeant who was going back to the world. They needed only simple things to get them going and I sold one for $500 and drove the crap out of the other ( to Rome and back ) Wish I still had that cute bug. Had to sell it when my tour was over.
ReversEclipse1018@reddit
If you want a manual, and a project car, I have a suggestion. Grab an Altima with a fucked CVT out of a junkyard and manual swap it. That will give you the highest likelihood of a mostly working vehicle (most people sell these to yards because a transmission replacement is too expensive for them), while also giving you plenty of things to work on and replace. Then, you have a beater to learn manual on, and at that point you will have already installed every component that you could possibly break while learning manual, so it’s easier for you to fix if necessary.
CarsandTunes@reddit
That does sound like a more reasonable plan. I just automatically assume you meant more of a full restoration than just a fixer upper.
DeBounty_@reddit (OP)
I wish! Unfortunately even if I was to be even close to my dad still, he doesnt own a garage that doesnt already have a bunch of stuff inside of it for me to fix up a car, and my circumstances kind of prevent me from that kind of fun. But its something im working to, so anything I can receive as mechanical help or anything you have found difficult to work on would be helpful a ton!!
CarsandTunes@reddit
You said you are military. Is there any way you can transfer to some sort of mechanic or engineering position? I'm sure all those Humvees and tanks need someone to turn wrenches on them.
DeBounty_@reddit (OP)
There is a way, however im not one to want to do it as a career. More of a hobby kind of thing. With the work I do so far, im already set to leave the military and work a 6 figure job pretty much.
CarsandTunes@reddit
That makes sense. I'm just trying to brainstorm ways to help you get your hands dirty sooner ;-)
DeBounty_@reddit (OP)
And I greatly appreciate that. Trust me, I have those ambitions to tear my own car apart to understand it better. But considering it would more then likely decommissioned that said car for a while, I still need some form of transportation
DeBounty_@reddit (OP)
Currently im overseas and military, so sadly no I dont have that kind of storage unless I rent a storage lot. That being said, dont think they would let me work on a car in there.
I was looking less at a completely destroyed car and more into a car that still functions somewhat, and just is missing some parts. Something to start me off and get me into the feel of it. Its also why I say 5 years instead of 10 to 15 years. I know stuff like this doesnt just take a couple weeks(unless you are just loaded with money and have EVERY piece of equipment imaginable.
Im also someone who never drove manual, and want to do that with the project car if there is one. That way, I could practice in some spot with said manual and fix it if I come across problems.
Currently this is all for me to work my way up to owning my dream car, the MkIV Toyota Supra. Call me whatever you like for liking that, cus I know its a fan favorite amongst the fast and furious people. But the sheer fact that its a car which can fit 1000+hp into it is mind blowing to me. I also like the body design kind of lol
Euphoric-Pin3506@reddit
In my experience get something cheap and easy to work on ( lots of space and simple design) that runs when you buy it. Then work on making it into what you want. Whether that’s faster or quick around corners or just comfortable or a show car that is all cosmetic. Make it yours and have fun. It’s going to be frustrating and confusing and time consuming. Also try to scout out how available parts are. I live in America and most brands have tons of parts around used or new parts or from a junkyard
ratrodder49@reddit
The modification side of Forza is quite realistic in the way they use adjustments like caster, camber, toe, differential gears and gearbox ratios, etc., but what they don’t show you is how hard it can be to replace those parts.
I’m working on making a series on YouTube that’s an automotive 101 type situation, hopefully will help guys like you understand how cars work, and then you can get more into the ChrisFix type content and understand how to do the repairs and mods you want to do.
Check out my channel, Sutterby’s Streetrods. I hope to have videos uploaded on this within the next few weeks.
DeBounty_@reddit (OP)
I appreciate this and definitely will check that out!
jonnyt88@reddit
Tech guy here and had no experience wrenching on cars myself when I bought my MR2 at age of 26. (18 years ago).
My recommendation is to NOT buy from a scrap yard. It will likely become discouraging as there will be things that involve welding and specialized skills. My MR2 was someone else's project car. It ran, mostly, but needed a lot of little things. The suspension was toast, on cut springs etc and I have learned a LOT working on it over the years. The best part is I also got to drive it and enjoy it as I hit milestones. Some things I had to redo, overall it was usually a running car I could enjoy along the way.
Also
You are young. Do you own your house? Rent? Parents? there is a lot of challenges with having an immobile car and needing to move. Many places have a clause in leases that you can't have an unregistered vehicle.
DeBounty_@reddit (OP)
Im military currently, so housing isnt a concern as of now. That being said, I am working on just trying to have a hobby other than gaming in my freetime. I want something to do on hands with so that I am atleast somewhat interesting to look at or talk to lol
jonnyt88@reddit
I think I saw you were stationed in Germany? Do they have something similar to SCCA RallyX and AutoX?
RallyX is a load of run and where I am its very casual and the people are very easy to talk to and encouraging. Your car will likely eventually need some work (Suspension bits typically) and improvements but overall its a fairly inexpensive motorsport to get into.
xxInsanex@reddit
Sounds like you're looking for a fixer upper I suggest you take three things into consideration
Make sure the car has good bones, no severe rust, no crazy chassis damage and it isnt a basket case with electricals like a flood car
Get something thats beginner friendly and not overly complex, the same part thats easy to change on car a could be an actual nightmare on car b
Make sure the car you choose has readily available parts and they dont cost a ton
No_Scallion2923@reddit
I'm a tech guy like you and I learned about cars through poverty. Just having to fix my own things.
what I would do before fully committing to a complete build is to find a vehicle that has a ton of potential with the motor it comes with and is relatively reliable.
There are some options for that. GM 5.3L, GM 5.7L (350), Honda K series 2.4L, are some examples. These cars have a ton of aftermarket mods.
It doesn't even need to be capable it can be a Toyota Corolla or something.
So you'd buy a cheap one that is good in the rust department, has a working engine and transmission. No major issues.
And then you just learn the basics of maintenance. Change all the fluids, change the spark plugs, ignition coils, engine mounts, etc. This will teach you the maintenance part.
And while doing that you can also practice body work and things like that in the process of basically restoring this car and/upgrading.
When you do that, you'll likely have acquired a bunch of tools and shit to actually know how to use your hands. Getting into tight spots/etc.
And then you could sell that car and start your project. Or keep it as a reliable backup.
DeBounty_@reddit (OP)
This actually will be remembered. Thank you so much mate, im screenshotting
No_Scallion2923@reddit
No problem. The engines I mentioned to you are extremely common. So parts will be cheap. I don't know if you're in America but still I think these will have the most aftermarket options for you.
And the best part of these engines is they are easy to work on. This is important knowledge to have when looking at a car. One of the things I always check for is how difficult it is to do certain jobs.
For example, on the 3rd gen Toyota Prius changing spark plugs is like a 1-2 hour job because you have to remove a stupid cowl that covers everything. But for let's say honda k24 it's like right in your face. Just a few bolts and you're done. Everything on the Honda k24 is like that. And it is the same for Chevy 5.3/5.7.
DeBounty_@reddit (OP)
Im unfortunately in Germany. But im sure i can still find these
No_Scallion2923@reddit
Ok here's a pro tip. I don't hate Germany and I'm not like some kind of fanboy for a particular region ok. My advice to you is to not buy something German as your project lol.
It's not that they are all bad, it's that German manufacturers across the board like to over engineer simple shit. What you'll run into is trying to change something simple but there's 10 things in the way of that and when you remove the 10 things you'll find you broke half of the shit you took off and then you gotta replace the part and it's expensive AF.
That's how it is working on european cars tbh lol.
I don't know what's available in Germany, but just keep this stuff in mind when thinking about a project. What you really truly need is aftermarket options from a VERY common engine. An early gen volkswagen bug could fit that too if you're into it.
DeBounty_@reddit (OP)
Oh im fully aware of this lol. Entire engine is a puzzle on its own.
I was just gonna look around to see whats available for now. If anything, if I got a German car it would keep me preoccupied.
No_Scallion2923@reddit
If you're up for that headache go for it.
There's an engine that I like from Honda, the B series. It's not the easiest engine to work on but intermediate enough to really learn off of. I don't know if it's the b16 or b18 but the 1st gen CRVs had it. And I think some civics too but don't quite me. You could buy it in manual too. Just throwing it out there. It's old but that's perfect for learning.
DeBounty_@reddit (OP)
Thats actually really cool and I didnt know that
Due-Challenge9934@reddit
I'm from the US so unsure if you'll have the same things but rockauto and a chilton/Haynes manual to start, get a simple car, avoid something with a big bad engine or complicated suspension/trans. The 2000's where a great time for tuning but before that 80's and 90's cars varied with how complicated they are. I'd aim for a base model coupe/hatch or sedan and go from there. Always double check parts numbers and fitment for everything. Do not mess up on something small like bolt patterns for rims/wheels, it will be expensive to correct. Also, buy something you want to drive, keeps the dream going!
Hairy_Photograph1384@reddit
It's going to cost significantly more than you budgeted for
DeBounty_@reddit (OP)
Im already prepping for the long run. I know certain compartments are gonna be pretty cheap, and some will be HELLA expensive
jckipps@reddit
Start out with a simple flip vehicle. Look for something on marketplace that has a single serious thing wrong with it, such as a blown engine. Price out the replacement engine before you even buy the car, add in a reasonable amount for extras, and confirm that there will be a margin of profit before proceeding.
Do that two or three times, each time rolling the funds from one car sale into the purchase of the next one. That will give you a solid basis to consider a custom vehicle project of your own.
When you get to the stage of considering a project in a year or two, don't just buy anything and then try to figure out what to do with it. Rather, decide what you want, and figure out the best way to get there.
For example -- decide you want to assemble a 9-second drag car that's still possible to drive on the street. You really like the look of Mercedes w123 cars, and after a lot of research, have determined that the necessary powertrain swaps and upgrades are possible in that car to reach your goal. You'll then be looking for a car that fits your needs the best, such as one with good bodywork and paint, but a small or roached drivetrain since you'll be discarding that anyway.
That's in contrast to going to a salvage yard, paying for the first car that catches your fancy, taking it home, realizing you're missing a lot of expensive trim and suspension parts, and getting bogged down before you even start.
Or, buying a daily-driver that you think looks cool, then trying to morph it into a purpose that simply isn't possible in that platform.
DeBounty_@reddit (OP)
I get what you are saying. Of course research is always necessary before huge buys like this. Im not just gonna walk in willy nilly and buy the first thing on the lot, but more so something I know could be fixed easier. I was also thinking of bringing along a buddy who is a mechanic to get his info as well
jckipps@reddit
But still, I would advice you to start out with several simple flips, just to get your feet wet doing major mechanical work. Building custom stuff is a whole different ballgame, but you'll be in a better place to do that if you've done a few engine and transmission replacements on stock vehicles first.
DeBounty_@reddit (OP)
I agree most definitely.
Classic-Ad4403@reddit
Do you have large financial resources?
DeBounty_@reddit (OP)
Not necessarily no. But I also dont have that many bills to pay thanks for the army. Im looking on saving what I can for now and starting small
Bulocoo@reddit
I know nothing about the car market in Germany but ai did a quick google.
I would recommend a rolling refit of a British MGB. I's a fun car and through Moss in England parts are totally available and generally cheap.
There is a huge user forum at mgexp.com.
I have 2 of them. I restored one with my 16 y/o son as his first learning car.
DeBounty_@reddit (OP)
I appreciate this and will look into it
jrileyy229@reddit
Buying something from the scrapyard that is rolled up into a ball or has already been picked apart is not a good starting point.
Ultimately you need to determine your use case. What's your end goal for this project? Blindly saying project car will and blindly picking something that needs a ton of work will likely not end well... You'll quickly get to a point of asking yourself "why am I putting all this time and money into this crap car"
DeBounty_@reddit (OP)
Honestly the goal for the project car is to expand my knowledge about cars.
As for picking one out, it was only gonna be something to start with, like one that has many deficiencies but other than that is a working car. I dont want to blindly jump into a completely scrapped car just yet until I have some knowledge and a place to put/work on it.
jrileyy229@reddit
Then you don't want to go to a scrap yard... You want to find something neglected on FB... Preferably something that is worth the time and effort... Like an older Miata that needs wheel bearings, axles, tires, and the top redone... That you're adding value to as you're working on it and when it's done you can enjoy it or sell it for more than you paid.
If pops is a mechanic, he's going to know all of this
DeBounty_@reddit (OP)
Yeah you are right. I made the reference for a scrapyard car but realistically I meant something I could find that wouldnt be a "hit or miss" project just yet
DeBounty_@reddit (OP)
Yeah you are right. I made the reference for a scrapyard car but realistically I meant something I could find that wouldnt be a "hit or miss" project just yet
Livid-Pilot-1879@reddit
No junkyard cars! Find one someone else gave up on.. Remember this is going to take all your garage space for years.. Maybe find one that drives and needs small things fixed..
DeBounty_@reddit (OP)
I really appreciate that, thank you
beesandchurgers@reddit
Best three bits of advice I have are:
Every time you try to do the math and figure out a budget, double it, otherwise you wont account for all the little things like hardware and trips to the store.
Do it for the love of the game. Everything is going to take way longer and cost way more money than its probably worth. You wont save money, you wont get rich, your car will only ever be incrementally better than it was before, and it will never be “done” until you get tired of working on it, but we do it because its something we love to do.
Embrace the community, its the best part. Working on your car alone can be therapeutic. Working on your cat with friends even more so. My best friends in the world are the couple of guys I met at car meets back in the late 2000’s, just hanging out and bonding over the shared struggle of bad decisions.
DeBounty_@reddit (OP)
I understand. Third one especially. I came out of a breakup with someone I completely adored for her to choose not to be with me anymore, so therapeutic car work sounds nice lol
beesandchurgers@reddit
My best friends in the world are the couple guys I met standing around a parking lot 20 years ago talking about our shitty broken ass cars.
DeBounty_@reddit (OP)
Fair enough. My best of friends are people i met online for games I played. Still talk to them to this day. But I feel like I need more characteristic features than "im a gamer and military guy" lol. Been a fan of cars for a while, so why not get my hands dirty
EGGWURST@reddit
Hey man, as long as you have something else you can drive, go for it. It will be a very expensive but very fun and educational experience. Try to get something easy to work on like a civic or a miata
ProMasterBoy@reddit
You sound exactly like me, im 19 and I’m a programmer (C#, javascript, python, etc) but I love cars. I recently bought a 1992 honda prelude and fixed it up. Engine was running when I bought it. I recommend you buy something that runs (hondas and toyotas are great). But don’t buy something too old unless you want to do rust repairs. Just check over the car completely, get your dad to help you
JCDU@reddit
OK since I've built cars AND computers I'll try...
Owning a car is like owning a computer - not much knowledge needed and it can only go so wrong.
Modding a car is a lot like modding a computer - you need to know what bits fit and what they do but you're just playing advanced LEGO really. More serious mods that involve metalwork, welding, paint, etc. are into serious skills and you are making an assumption that you know better than a team of professional engineers who spent a million dollars developing & testing that part.
Building a car - bolting a project together - is like building a PC from parts but way more complicated and expensive. A lot of it is nuts & bolts stuff just putting parts together in the right order, as long as you're careful and methodical it's pretty easy. But, if you need to do welding, bodywork, paint, etc. that's into real skilled work that takes a load of practice to do well. Yes you can pay people to do some of those jobs but that gets expensive real quick.
Building a car as in actually designing and fabricating a chassis or stuff like that is like sitting down with a copy of KiCad and designing a computer motherboard from a blank sheet of paper - the level of knowledge and skill as well as the vast number of things you need to consider and trade off against each other / design around are huge and it's very hard to even get close to the standard of a regular car never mind actually better.
RoutineP0utine@reddit
Rust, dirt, grime, grease. It seems so goofy, but you got no idea how dirty shit is.
I have an old chef coat, good for managing heat but also has long sleeves that i like to throw on if i'm balls deep in brakes or reaching way into the engine bay. The grime is heavy.
That being said, cars online and cars in real life are massively different, but bridging that gap IS WORTH IT. Push yourself to learn, and dont be afraid to ask folks here for help!
Beard_Hero@reddit
Old school VW Beetle is a great start point if you have access to a reasonably priced option. They're simple, tons of support, everything you could want to do has already been done so you'll have a path to follow that's likely well documented. They're also very cool and arent' fast enough to kill you.
I say this as someone who's had a dozen projects or more over the last 30 years. I also work with project cars and their owners almost daily for a living. A project is a fair undertaking and many people a WAY underprepared in the knowledge/skill department, then make it everyone else's problem.
CaterpillarKey6288@reddit
Most who buy a project car never finish it. The cost and time and skill required to finish is more then most people think it will be it. You are better off saving up money a buying a car that is finished.
afraidofthe-dark@reddit
Start with a carbureted project. They’re super easy and build the fundamental knowledge about how typical drivetrains work. When you know the basics, you’ll understand and appreciate the later technology when you get to it
CarsandTunes@reddit
I'm not sure starting with a carbureted car versus a fuel injected car will really make very much difference. And if your advice is to start with one thing, in advance to another, that's not necessarily bad but we don't know if op wants to build project cars for his entire night, or just wants to do one. If the car he wants to build happens to be carbureted, great, but if the project car he wants to build isn't, that shouldn't stop him. If he wants to remain motivated, he should choose the car he wants to have, and not bass his decision on an arbitrary piece of technology
DeBounty_@reddit (OP)
I dont want to do it my entire life per say, as i still want to retire. But who knows that can change. I definitely want to work my way up through more than one project though
Minuuven@reddit
Best thing to do is watch pole barn garage on youtube. He "restores" cars on a budget.
Pimp_Daddy_Patty@reddit
In my opinion, start with something that is somewhat easy to work on. Meaning skip more recent Audi and BMWs amd stuff like that. Beyond that, start with realistic goals. I've benefitted from many parrots because the owner though he was building a 7 second car as their first project.
AstronomerDry7581@reddit
I'd say get a car that already works (engine running good and transmission working properly) but which is in need of some love. Then, just address things that need repairing and try to get the car to a great shape.
Once you got some experience and feel confident, you can do dumb shit like taking the engine out to clean/paint the bay and trying to get everything back to place.
Basically, take a car you like and work on it with whaever is not working. Then, if everything works perfectly, try new things that will (probably) give you a ton of new problems to solve and experience.
DeBounty_@reddit (OP)
This was pretty much the plan. I didnt want to do it either my car currently, since if I messes something up I will be down a car for travel for a little. That, and the said car is in storage because of some circumstances that prevented me from shipping it to germany with me. That being said, its a nice car imo and something I wanted to work on at some point.
2009 Mercury Milan Premium edition