What would you do with a $20k budget?

[DrkZide]

So I will be having a decent payday coming soon and the 3000GT is in DIRE need of some TLC. It's a 94 SL that I've had for the last 7 years (and I'm keeping due to sentiment) and I'm wondering what I can do with about $20k in funding.

The planned mods as of now are
AWD Conv
TT Conv
3.8 Conv
99 Bumper
18"-19" Rota Torque's
Megan Coilovers
Interior Update
Touchscreen stereo
2 seat conv w/2 10/12" subs

I've planned on using donor cars, used parts and part offs to mitigate cost.I'm open to suggestions/advice/comments as far as the "end goal" is concerned, which is to have something nice and can put up a decent fight. What do you guys think?

[TT4ME]

I'd save a buttload of work and find a TT car to buy.

You probably don't want to hear that, but it makes sense.

[DrkZide]

I'd save a buttload of work and find a TT car to buy.

You probably don't want to hear that, but it makes sense.

Yea, I already said the car was staying due to sentiment. I know it'd be easier to just buy a VR4 but that's not the point of the thread. I have the tools and space to do all of the work myself except for welding the AWD body pieces back on to the SL.

[stealthee]

There is nothing wrong with keeping the SL, but $20k can probably buy you a nice turnkey TT. You can still fix up the SL.

[IPD]

you won't even be REMOTELY able to get all of that done for 20k. i promise you. a 3.8L conversion will run you well over 10 grand alone...and that's just the longblock--if you're lucky. good set of ported heads is ~2500. you'll be lucky to swing a 3.8L shortblock for <6000. add in the 120k parts package & stuff to make it complete--and you're at 10k. then add in a turbo kit. and supporting mods.

you MIGHT be able to swing 3.8L on 20k with a little room to spare...but that's about it. don't count on extras.

p.s.
i did the awd conversion. and if i had to do it over again, i'd have atx converted a tt; rather than awd converting an atx.

[DrkZide]

you won't even be REMOTELY able to get all of that done for 20k. i promise you. a 3.8L conversion will run you well over 10 grand alone...and that's just the longblock--if you're lucky. good set of ported heads is ~2500. you'll be lucky to swing a 3.8L shortblock for <6000. add in the 120k parts package & stuff to make it complete--and you're at 10k. then add in a turbo kit. and supporting mods.

you MIGHT be able to swing 3.8L on 20k with a little room to spare...but that's about it. don't count on extras.

p.s.
i did the awd conversion. and if i had to do it over again, i'd have atx converted a tt; rather than awd converting an atx.

I should have probably mentioned the Montero MIVEC swap not one of Ray's longblocks.

[IPD]

I should have probably mentioned the Montero MIVEC swap not one of Ray's longblocks.

afaik, there's 2 ways to do 3.8L: 75 swap & 74 stroker. good luck swapping in a 75.

[Emilie@GZP]

you won't even be REMOTELY able to get all of that done for 20k. i promise you. a 3.8L conversion will run you well over 10 grand alone...and that's just the longblock--if you're lucky. good set of ported heads is ~2500. you'll be lucky to swing a 3.8L shortblock for <6000. add in the 120k parts package & stuff to make it complete--and you're at 10k. then add in a turbo kit. and supporting mods.

you MIGHT be able to swing 3.8L on 20k with a little room to spare...but that's about it. don't count on extras.

p.s.
i did the awd conversion. and if i had to do it over again, i'd have atx converted a tt; rather than awd converting an atx.

We could do all of that, and quite a bit more for $20k.

[IPD]

We could do all of that, and quite a bit more for $20k.

note that i said that piece of the project would run over 10 grand: not over 20 grand. i'm doing a 3.5L build: i'm well versed in the costs. 3.8L is even MORE expensive/time consuming/both.

[anyonebutme]

I'd sell the SL and buy something worth the effort with your $20K. ~$20K will get you a modded E39 M5. Or a turbo'd or LSx converted E36/46. Or a Modded C5 Vette. Or a base C6. Or any number of cars that will not cause you the heartache that 3S ownership is.