Tell Us Your Money Pit Build!!!!

[OnyxRider]

Just curious how some of the members deal with your projects and what you did or failed to do to make your build into a money pit.

Right now I'm dealing with MSO...obviously not a Cobra project but going down that familiar road again.

With me I want options whether it's a screw or a screw a few dollars more manufactured to aircraft specs.

I guess many go with the bigger engine...then you need the better tranny...then the brakes need to be upgraded and some choices dramatically effect other choices.

I guess the killer for me is the asking "what if "

[CCRsAC]

Bodywork on an FFR and a goal of making it look a little more period correct... one thing leads to another, and another, and another...

[PSB]

Here's the two major "money pit" blunders on my Cobra build:

1) I bought a $3800 "racing" transmission from a shop who had a good reputation. Transmission had a one year warranty, but it was more than a year from when I bought it to when I had the car drivable. Transmission lasted 1 (yes ONE) mile before it lost reverse. Shop charged me $1500 for the rebuild, then it lasted another 5000 miles before it blew up again. Replaced it with a $300 used transmission that worked great and I never had trouble with . Lesson learned - don't buy ANYTHING from Lentech!

2) "Saved" some money by having a local engine builder build my 408W. Engine had lots of power and ran well until I took it to the drag strip on a hot day. Blew up several pistons on the second run down the strip. On the tear down I discovered the pistons he installed gave me a 12.5:1 CR. I asked for 10:1. How I got 1500 miles on the engine using pump gas, I don't know. Engine builder was out of business by the time this happened.

Pete

[Ken Oikawa]

Ford 427 Tunnel Port..

Went from dual 4 carbs to converting Hilborn mechanical fuel injection to SEFI and then forced induction with Hilborn SEFI. BigStuff 3 manages both fuel and ignition

[buddyg]

Originally Posted by PSB

Here's the two major "money pit" blunders on my Cobra build:

1) I bought a $3800 "racing" transmission from a shop who had a good reputation. Transmission had a one year warranty, but it was more than a year from when I bought it to when I had the car drivable. Transmission lasted 1 (yes ONE) mile before it lost reverse. Shop charged me $1500 for the rebuild, then it lasted another 5000 miles before it blew up again. Replaced it with a $300 used transmission that worked great and I never had trouble with . Lesson learned - don't buy ANYTHING from Lentech!

2) "Saved" some money by having a local engine builder build my 408W. Engine had lots of power and ran well until I took it to the drag strip on a hot day. Blew up several pistons on the second run down the strip. On the tear down I discovered the pistons he installed gave me a 12.5:1 CR. I asked for 10:1. How I got 1500 miles on the engine using pump gas, I don't know. Engine builder was out of business by the time this happened.

Pete

Ouch you win so far!

[mdross1]

Was quite uncomfortable once deciding to build the car up to handle a big block then handle road racing. Took the car back apart and had the frame modified for better control arms front and rear also belly exhaust. From there it was upgraded brakes, fuel system, radiator, custom headers, bell housing, Tremec, aluminum third member, all new leather interior etc. etc.
In the end so glad we sacrificed to have a car like this it has been so worth the pain.

[madmaxx]

Picked up a a second chance pet which supposedly was "checked" out. had heart worms and needed patella surgery? 3.5K later everything is wonderful.

[DanEC]

I never had a good, realistic budget to begin with. I've never tried to total up my receipts to date. And my wife doesn't want to know. So everything came out right on the mark - ignorance is bliss.

[OnyxRider]

Originally Posted by DanEC

I never had a good, realistic budget to begin with. I've never tried to total up my receipts to date. And my wife doesn't want to know. So everything came out right on the mark - ignorance is bliss.

Sounds like me but in my family a lot of stuff gets put toward business expenses. I stopped counting after 80,000 gallons of water was put into the pools.

[dallas_]

I'm surprised no one has said their kids are a money pit.

[Bill D]

My GT40 was a money pit. So glad it's gone

[Jamo]

The ultimate money pit! Three daughters in college at seaside campuses over the last decade.

Ultimately paying off though.

Car-wise, no really deep pits, but trying to make a solid roller cam work in an FE back in 2003-2005 did allow me to corner the market on bronze distributor gears until I went to a regular ol mucho muy goodo flat tappet. Boghosian, my engine builder who flat warned me against the solid roller cam, still has the last one we pulled from the motor sitting on his shelf by the front counter just to remind me never to doubt his advice.

Never will again.

[genolan]

My first wife cost me about 20 Cobras. Thank god that's over.