Budget six conversion builders, Please tell us how you do it! Options

[anthony]

I compiled the following list of conversion parts. This is just to put a six cylinder engine in the car and doesn't include a 5 lug conversion or suspension mods. So for you guys that throw out low total conversion prices please tell us how you did it and how you cut costs. Often I see references to exceptional deals on engines that can't be easily reproduced or incomplete parts lists that don't include all the parts or headers/exhaust.

[brant]

QUOTE (JOHNMAN @ Feb 23 2006, 11:32 AM)

Agreed. I see your point. I just wish the topic starter would help clarify what they were intending to find out here. A list of parts was posted with what I consider to be high prices for stuff that I can fabricate or source elsewhere. This list was missing one minor component (THE ENGINE). My post went through all the items I paid for as well as those that I made myself in my shop (or at work). Being a mechanical engineer helps me to design stuff I need and allows me to work closely with fabricators who help me out (by TIG welding for free, etc.). My conversion (less engine) is fairly inexpensive compared to the list originally provided, but each piece that I make is at least of equal quality to that on the list, and the prices on the list are more or less fair prices. I won't sell my engine sheet metal for less than $350/set because it takes me a whole weekend to fabricate. Sure it's about $10.00 material. I would rather do my hobby than someone elses. I know others on the site that can fab thier own parts cheaper than they can buy them and others can get these screamin deals that the rest of us can only wish we could get. I just don't know who comes up with the budget prices in the first place. Mine are actual costs.

John,

I think your list of your actual costs is GREAT!

I love these little bugger cars, and I love to spend my money on learning skills, buying tools, and then using that knowledge to play.

I think your list of costs very accurately answered the original thread question..

again... I don't know why I got so hung up on this thread. But I hate misrepresenting things and like all things in life, the cost of the conversion can be done on different budgets and in different ways.

p.s. I think you deserve to get $ for your tin work.
Just like Rich Johnson deserves to get his $ for an engine mount... good products are worth money! places like snap-on stay in business because of value