That, and a rainy day fund in cash of at least the cost of a built motor if going that route or a stock motor if staying that route.

What about gbrettin’s…oh wait it’s still technically vapor ware until it moves under its own power right? :p

I feel you about easing into the power. I don't do dragstrips, but we don't need to go further into that convo... 40 or 50 rolls are better for axels anyway... at least until I hit big power I'm going to leave them for now. Roll cage and such are something I'll look into after I need the frame rigidity, and again, we're just in the planning stages... but I do understand that problem solving and chasing down issues is part of the game. Just so you know, I'm a 20+ year machinist with a fairly good grasp of the complexity and expenses we're discussing here, and I'm not taking any of this flippant. This money I'm going to spend is earned the old fashioned way, not inherited or anything, so I'm looking towards the solid group of people here to guide me. In the end I hope to have a machine that's solid, and an experience that was a challenge and a blast to do. A guy with no kids or wife needs something to keep him occupied... why not set a lofty goal to work hard for. Lastly, if I'm going to build, I'm going to try to do it as prudently as I can, and doing it in small steps only to go bigger later and throw more money at it at that time to upgrade what I just installed 2 seasons ago isn't a route I wish to follow.

I’m going to go out on a limb that you’re a young guy, correct? Pls, pls if you hear nothing else, hear this, NEVER cash out equity, (home or investments, or retirement savings), to “invest” into a depreciating asset that will actually loose value the more $$ and mods you dump into it.

It’s no accident that the vast majority of us folks on here with heavily modded z’s or higher end fast cars and toys are middle aged or older. We took care of the student loans, the house, the cars etc and now have a bit of bit of disposable income to play.

I know that’s probably the last thing you want to hear but unless you’re a trust fund baby, (nothing wrong with that btw’), then you need to live in the real world.

Next topic, why a z?

If your goal is drag racing superstar, your way way better off looking at a different platform.

If it’s bc you love the z, and appreciate the heritage etc, I get that but just know this is the wrong tool for the task you’ve set out to conquer.

Unless your sponsored and getting paid, making a living to race then at the end of the day beating other people is just for your ego, and maybe a quick lay with a girl you definitely don’t wanna bring home to momma.

It’s easy to lose sigh5 of what really matters in life especially when you’re reading this forum and seeing all the IG hero builds etc, but you need to create a list of life goals and milestones you want to achieve both personally and professionally and I’m here to tell you, you’re 1/4 mile time and beating those stangs and camaros shouldn’t make the cut, that’s just entertainment and hobby. Making $$, becoming financially independent, owning your own house etc, that’s what makes a successful life and the playtime stuff will come naturally.

Alright, I know I sound like a old fuddyduddy killjoy but I’m not wrong. :tiphat:

I'm 43, have about 100k of equity, 23 years into the machining trade and making good money; no wife or kids to provide for, no debts, and a solid daily driver. Super appreciate what you're laying down here, but machines are my career and hobby. Yes, I know I'm going to piss money, and I'm ok with that... I don't go to drag strips though. Please also know that I'm not into the whole dying in a fiery wreck thing, so I'll be very respectful of the machine I'm trying to build... respecting powerful and dangerous machines has lead me to the success I have in this trade. Again, thank you for the wisdom.

That roll cage isn’t just for chassis rigidity, it’ll help there obviously, but it’s to keep you alive in the event of god forbid, the worst case scenario. If you’re roll racing in Mexico hypothetically, thats just as important as for the drag strip.

Congrats on 20+ years as a machinist, that’s awesome, we need more folks like that here. :tup:

Ok, I get wanting a fun hobby and not being tied down, just watch your spend cause builds like this tend to spiral outta control, all of use here have seen this movie many times over many years on this and other forums and in real life and some of us have even gone down this road. Bring a trailer is littered with 1/2 finished and 3/4 finished builds that the seller got too deep down the rabbit hole and then cut bait at a massive financial hit. Just wanted to try to help you not end up as that guy.

:tiphat:

Sounds like you’re doing well for yourself, that’s great. Best advise I can give then is spend a lot of time researching, making calls to shops, getting quotes for various parts, labor if you need help on something, and write it all down. Hen before you start, post that plan here so the guys who’ve already gone down this road can help fill in any blanks, get a ballpark $$ figure, and then let snowball start rolling down the hill. You’re gonna be building your car for about 2 years or so my best guess and that’s assuming a relatively smooth build.

Yeah, this is a very significant undertaking, and I'm taking a good hard look at what it's all going to entail. My assumption is probably 30k and a lot of nights swearing in my garage. Even after it's all finished, drivetrain-wise there's the big investment in a widebody kit and suspension work I'll need to accomodate wider tires than the 305's I'm running now. But the motor is the biggest bite to chew... the rest will be smaller bites in comparison. As I see it if I run 800-900whp on a motor capable of 1000+ I should be in a good position to have her be dependable. Please correct me if I'm wrong on that.

It's gonna cost more than that. Double it, that will put you in the ballpark if you get it right the first time. Starting with a high quality turbo kit will make your life easy. I would suggest you scrap whatever you have for a turbo kit and go with a Fast Intention kit. Do you want to fight to make 900whp or do you want to make it easy. What you do now will make it easy or harder for you to meet your goals.

You don't need a wide body kit to run a wider rear tire, you just need the correct wheel offset and suspension set up. One member on here is running 345's. I'm running 315's and I believe Spooler is running 325's

RIP wallet

Someone said 345's. :tup:

You can stuff so much tire in the fenders of our cars it is crazy.

Check out Rearden

NISSAN 370Z GTS | for sale | Rearden

Looks like they offer building motors on top of fully built racecars.

I was quoted $45k for a "reliable" 850whp - 900whp. That's with Mazworx providing the majority of what's needed.

Obviously, that's if everything goes perfect and I know the odds of that happening are slim.

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