86 'vert starting point

[badhorsie]

Hello all,
I am not sure where to start in my "resto" process. The car is fairly clean body-wise...a few rust spots and dings to deal with but not bad.
This is my first project car and I am not sure the best place to start. I already gutted the interior as it was crap and the convertible top has been in the local landfill since last year. I would appreciate some direction.

I have money to spend (roughly 10k) but would like to spend it wisely. I have no problem spending a little extra on quality parts. The things I know I want to do are as follows:

-refurbish the engine, luv to have a 331 or 347 stroker w/forged internals
-replace the speed density with mass air
-replace the interior carpet, seats, trim, dash, top, etc.
-5 lug conversion???
-The car originally had a 5 speed which the previous owner replaced w/ a C4..I want a nice manual tranny back (tremec anyone..)
-I would like to replace the hood with something a little "meaner"
-a blower would be cool but maybe sometime in the future
-obviously a paint job

I just don't know where to start. Do the body and interior and then the engine or vice versa? Any comments are welcome. I really want to finish this car as it is my "learning car".

Thanks,

Chris

 

[grey5.0beast]

The way I look at it, Why build the motor with nothing to put it in. Work on the cosmetics first then the motor. Good luck and welcome to :SNSign:

 

[tjmaxx]

I say do the interior then the engine and save the paint for last

 

[feifong]

Do the motor first why would u care about looks sounds like a ricer =Body kit and no engine...

 

[srothfuss]

At the top of the 5.0L tech section is a sticky with a list of basic mods to help you get started on your car.

 

[grey5.0beast]

Do the motor first why would u care about looks sounds like a ricer =Body kit and no engine...

B/c when you finish the motor you won't have a car until you put the top on and interior back together.

 

[Strype]

I miss my 86 GT Vert

Engine then Paint... screw the interior!!!

 

[grey5.0beast]

Yea riiide own a buuucket like me and hoooodstraap down yonder in alerbamer

 

[srothfuss]

I never do the body work first... Try working under the hood and not dropping a tool on fresh paint. Or pulling the engine and not trying to scratch something.

 

[grey5.0beast]

true that

 

[Strype]

Yea riiide own a buuucket like me and hoooodstraap down yonder in alerbamer

yeah! kickit!!!

 

[mike50sa]

10k can dissolve pretty quickly. Get the car running, functional, and safe. Fix all the missing/damaged body parts. See where that leaves you cash-wise. Decide what level paintjob you want, they can cost alot. There are alot of things you can do to make it faster that don't have to cost big $$.

If a paintjob is not that big of a deal, then fix the broken stuff and then start upgrading. Like was said before, nice paint can get messed up while you are doing extensive work under the hood. Myself, I was in an accident and had to get body work done so I went ahead and painted it. My engine was still good, even with 200k miles, so I didn't do the engine first like I wanted to. I'm still collecting parts for the engine. Meanwhile it looks good. Sometimes stuff just happens that way.

Good luck, and have fun.



Forget all the above. Just get a fart pipe, huge disfunctional aluminum rear spoiler/wing and alot of decals. Oh yeah, got to have neon underneath.

 

[grey5.0beast]

that be tight yo.

 

[badhorsie]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the input. Sounds like engine and driveline, body repair, interior then paint.

 

[Daggar]

At the top of the TECH section there is a useful link index. One of those links contains a checklist for suggested mods and suggested order of installation. It might help you out.