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what is hot rodding to you? another newbie, with a unique project

24K views 77 replies 32 participants last post by  67Mustang Al. 
#1 ·
hello! another new guy, and i can't wait to learn here. i'm an absolute noob to the rodding scene, and i've been crash coursing hot rods and american muscle cars for the past 3 months to try and see if this idea i have is feasible. i'm starting to lose hope simply due to lack of constructive input (and people trying to rob me on fab estimates). i'd like to ask this forum for help, but i'm afraid of more of the usual responses. so before i even try, i would like to ask what this forum's stance is on non-american hot rodding? what IS hot rodding to you?

i personally feel what i'm attempting is hot rodding at its heart and soul, but so far i've just been stonewalled with doubt and jest. i mean, isn't it all about shoving a big motor into a car that wasn't supposed to ever get it? the more difficult, outlandish, and insane, the better? fat motor, small car, low to the ground, mean growl? i used to think that's what it was way before i ever even looked into the scene, but exposure to it's given me a much different answer. please tell me i'm wrong and i've come to the right place. because walking the same road as everyone else alone is no fun :(
 
#53 ·
A del sol is a piece of junk to begin with and you want to spend thousands of dollars to make it a faster piece of junk. You need to find a real car. Like a 240sx, 300zx, e36 bmw, 80s supra, something along those lines. A car that has potential. The del sol will handle like absolute sh** with a v8 and will have no grip in the rear cause theres just no weight back there. You're starting with a horrible platform. You can continue to say how when you want to do something you are going to do it but that just makes you an idiot. You're going to waste so much money it will make you sick once you realize it.
Sell the piece of junk hoda and get a real car, step one.
 
#54 ·
bigdog7373 said:
A del sol is a piece of junk to begin with and
Generally speaking, most cars built a pieces of junk, we're not supposed to let our prejudice get
in the way of someone elses project.

In other words, keep you opinions to yourselves, just because you don't agree with what he wants
to do, doesn't mean you should bash him for it...
 
#55 ·
Canzus said:
Generally speaking, most cars built a pieces of junk, we're not supposed to let our prejudice get
in the way of someone elses project.

In other words, keep you opinions to yourselves, just because you don't agree with what he wants
to do, doesn't mean you should bash him for it...
I'm saying hes starting with a horrible platform and needs to pick a new car or he will be wasting his time and money on something that wont give him anything in return.
 
#56 ·
Bigdog.... name calling is frowned on here at hotrodders.Dont engage in activity like that. You know how much I disapprove.
Dont be callin someone an idiot for having aspirations that dont coincide with yours.
A honda del sol is a solid built car and can be built to run well.
Personnaly I would look to supercharge the 4 cylinder that is in it.
Sometimes it is better and much wiser to help the original poster by answering technical questions, and help them to come to his own conclusions, wether or not thy coincide with your goal is irrelevant.
Its not all about you here, its about helping others.
I am not a big audi fan either, but i wouldnt think of crushing your enthusiasm by calling it a piece of junk.If it makes you happy, that is what matters.
 
#60 ·
Speaking of guts and brains, I've been kicking around an idea. Some guy advertised a '63 Valiant convertible for sale.

I spent some time lusting after it. I dreamed of putting a couple of weber carbs, a cam, and headers on it.

I could spend a ton of money on it. Then it dawned on me. Instead of buying a 40 y.o. six cylinder convertible and spending big bucks so it can pump out maybe 200 ponies. I could just buy a 2000 and something Mustang that starts out with 200 and something ponies. And then spend whatever is left over on a procharger kit.

Cheap and available. That's how I like my cars. And, apparently, how the Secret Service likes its women. Just wondering why the cars at least aren't classics.
 
#61 ·
Sure, hotrodding is taking something less desirable and turning it into something more desirable. I dig hell outta the idea of transplanting a 'Vette drive train and suspension into something else. I dig hell outta sleepers. But it should also be said that just because something can be envisioned doesn't necessarily make it a good idea. And I honestly believe a Del Sol/'Vette for a first ever project by someone new to it all, w/o even garage space to work in, falls into that category.

I'd feel a lot better endorsing a less-ambitious project (V8/S10, for an example) as a first time project, than jumping well and truly into the deep end of car building w/a Honda/Corvette merger.
 
#63 ·
LATECH said:
Yes it is , Augusto... but no one is an IDIOT for doing it , or wanting too. Thats the point here.
I agree absolutely, if this was the case then Carol Shelby would of being the biggest idiot of them all.

and I also believe that the op has a bad idea of a first time project, this is something for a serious/pro fabricator, he should start with something that takes almost 100% bolt-ons to get the idea of hotrodding.
 
#64 ·
LATECH said:
A honda del sol is a solid built car and can be built to run well.
Personnaly I would look to supercharge the 4 cylinder that is in it.
this would be a very fun project, there are thousands of parts to upgrade the honda engines and they can reach near 1.000 hp (not very street friendly though) but very doable, less fabrication, much better handling, and way much less expensive, even a 100hp nitrous kit can be a blast in the del sol.
 
#65 ·
X2. Several years ago I got talked into going to Speed World on "Tuner" night. Thought all I'd see was a bunch of fart-can 4-poppers trying to hit 18's in the quarter.

Man, was I wrong!

There were cars there (Honda seemed to be the primary make) that were running 8s that sounded almost like a stocker w/a little louder exhaust when idling. Running turbos and a LOT of boost. Some of them were down right awesome.
 
#66 ·
cobalt327 said:
X2. Several years ago I got talked into going to Speed World on "Tuner" night. Thought all I'd see was a bunch of fart-can 4-poppers trying to hit 18's in the quarter.

Man, was I wrong!

There were cars there (Honda seemed to be the primary make) that were running 8s that sounded almost like a stocker w/a little louder exhaust when idling. Running turbos and a LOT of boost. Some of them were down right awesome.
I wasn't entirely being facetious when I joked about working for the Secret Service because I was on board with the idea of cheap and available.

I got into hotrodding musclecars because that's what people were selling cheap back in the '70s. Maybe it was different in your neck of the woods, but I could pick up Superbee or a 460 Gran Torino for next to nothing. If I had to do it all over again now, and use whatever was least expensive on the used market, it would probably be something Japanese.
 
#67 ·
truth is here the 4 banger rice burners dominate the races but only because good old american iron is very rare and most muscle-cars that are around are not modifyed for racing, just a few bolt on's from edelbrock, so we see some impresive subaru, honda and evo's running like bats out of hell, but me and some friends are determined to make things change, we have a club named CLUB V8, the name says it all, and we run american cars just because we love the sound the V8 engine makes, also because we dared to be different, some punk kid shows up with a opel corsa, chevy aveo or hyundai and thinks he's got a supercar and gets his door blown off by a camaro, that's just a great feeling.

but 4 bangers can be turned into great racing engines, I can't forget those fiat 131 racing, rally cars or the lancia delta integrale, wow..!! so the little del sol can be in fact become a corvette eater if done right.

but... I'll stick to V8's thanks.
 
#68 ·
Well said- especially the last line! You guys from way South and other places not well known for hotrodding like the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Africa, etc. have always had my admiration for overcoming long odds and having to fabricate almost everything because of the shortage of aftermarket parts. We here in the States have it easy- most everything can be bought. Still I applaud those who do their own work, though, whether they are here or somewhere else..
 
#69 ·
cobalt327 said:
Well said- especially the last line! You guys from way South and other places not well known for hotrodding like the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Africa, etc. have always had my admiration for overcoming long odds and having to fabricate almost everything because of the shortage of aftermarket parts. We here in the States have it easy- most everything can be bought. Still I applaud those who do their own work, though, whether they are here or somewhere else..

Speaking of Africa, I didn't know it was possible to mount a satellite dish on a thatched roof mud hut.

Then I saw it and I thought, why not?
 
#70 ·
A hotrodder will hotrod anything!

I love the DelSol idea. Yes it is insane. Yes its almost completely impossible. Yes its not practical. Yes it may not be the absolute best project for a newbie but everyone must start somewhere. One of my first was a 400 SBC in a 74 Dodge Colt. Fun in a straight line but curves made it want to rollover and play dead. This was in 1986 and I was a new driver and even newer hotrodder. The Vette driveline is a cool idea. Their are companies that specialize in wiring a harness that will make the little motor run just fine. My only concern with a new hotrodder taking on something like this is that they become overwhelmed and discouraged and it can make them throw in the hotrodding towel before they get started. I will stand and applaude anyone with a set big enough to tackle this and see it through. Good Luck.
 
#72 ·
i had a rather long post made, but i'd likely be speaking to the wall. i'm still here, and i'm still planning. lots of things going on in life, as well as a nice letter from the IRS forcing me to push things back for a while. a lot of the things said are right, but a lot of the stuff coming out is typical muscle car drivel regarding import chassis. i've got a sort of road map laid out so i can upgrade and reinforce the car without having to sell parts at a loss when i tear it out for a v8 later. i'm likely going to get the car framed and caged before year's end, if only to eliminate existing (and godawful) roof creak. i'm not really sure why people still think import cars are paper thin, but to each their own.


and when i'm an old fart, i'm going to tell my kids about the old days when people used to 'stick to their kind', and not even think about trying to cross families and platforms in pursuit of speed and a good rush :D
 
#73 ·
Hey man i like your ambition, and i too love imports. But i just dont think its worth the headache or money. You could sell the car and pick up an rx7, 240sx, 300zx, bmw, mercedes, audi, s2000 shell, miata, rx8 shell, lexus, mk3 supra, etc.... All of which would be a better investment and end up a better car. I'm not trying to tell you not to do it, just trying to show you theres a lot of options for what you want to do. Just make sure you make a decision that will work best for you money, time, and effort wise. I'd hate for you to end up out of money with a half finished project, seen it happen before.
 
#74 ·
i'm well aware of the options out there. i just don't feel like spending 15k+ on a car likely beat to hell that i have to fix up before i can build up. and they are ALL beat to hell if it's in an 'affordable' price range. i also live in nyc, and being a sleeper deters the average thief. del sol parked next to an s2k/supra/rx7/etc? if i were the thief i wouldn't bother with the dinky sol. whenever i park somewhere i'm not comfortable i make it a point to park near a nicer car, because i know it makes a more attractive target. i happen to have a soft spot for this chassis, and if and when i go through with it, it's because i want to make it happen (and have the cash in hand). i would've been up **** creek without a car months ago if i just dove into a project without thinking it through more.

i have a 240 with a motor that hasn't been turned over in 2 1/2 years that i'll be refreshing to use as a second car, and possibly also giving it the ls1 treatment. sadly i already know in my heart i'm not keeping that car. but i love driving this little car around and don't feel like selling it to buy another person's headache to get a 'better' 2-seater. i'd rather buy a wagon or sedan for a second car, and keep tooling around on my personal joy toy. that future better car can be a subaru, or a bagged b-body wagon. or i could go with luxury sedans, but one thing at a time. and right now that one thing is getting this project off the 'not gonna happen' board onto the 'it might actually work' board. i'm already on that board, but i'll need help from others if i'm to be successful and they're not there yet.
 
#75 ·
Hey man don't get me wrong i'm not hating on your project at all. i think its awesome that you're wanting to do something so out there! i'm just making sure you're aware of what you're getting into. all the cars i've listed can be had for around $1000 to $1500. and when you do a swap like you want to, you're going to have to go through everything anyway.
If you're dead set on the del sol then by all means do it! Just know there are better starting points for what you want to do. But if/when you do the del sol it will be awesome.
 
#76 ·
Believe me, I've thougt about other cars. I just don't care much about them. But I really am digging this idea, practicality be damned. And I can wait to get to it, so no biggie. Just lots of planning...it's not really something I should just cut and see how it goes if I'm looking to stay close to stock(ish) looking. Not really into the whole giant cowl look and all, lol.
 
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