hi everyone im an 18 y.o apprentice glazier that loves toranas and this site, i dont post much because i dont have a torana... yet. i wanted to buy a cheap wreck and slowly create my dream car but was convinced otherwise by older and wiser influences, anyway ive work alot of over-time and have saved around 10 gs ready to be replaced by a torana, and was wondering what will i get for that kind of money, ive done heaps of research and visit this site and many others several times a day but still dont know what my money wil get me. im looking for a flare-less 4-door, pre-pollution, lh/x with a 9inch, auto and 308 (or bigger!) with abit of power (300hp?), am i dreamin or is that realistic is what im trying to say, any advice would b greatly appreciated.
its torana time!
Started by
_blown350_
, Jun 05 2006 07:03 PM
16 replies to this topic
#2
Heath
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Posted 05 June 2006 - 08:08 PM
For ten grand you can't build anything like that. I have a friend who is wishing to sell his 308 LX SL with a 9" Detroit Locker, Trimatic, 308, HQ brakes, near perfect paintjob etc.
- It will be going for less than ten grand
But I mean it's nothing that flash. Chrome air filter and rocker covers and a neat interior, but don't expect detailed engine bays, seamless headlining, moulded carbon fibre panelling, autometer guages and steel braided fuel hoses.
What is the purpose of this vehicle? If you want 300hp then you're gonna want a strong diff and a strong gearbox. Obviously a 308/308 Stroker/SBC is what you're going for.
How often will you drive this car? will it be put on show? you will need to spend money on any car to make it feel like yours and fix any little errors. All 30 year old vehicles have their own little glitches that need an "owner's touch"...
- It will be going for less than ten grand
But I mean it's nothing that flash. Chrome air filter and rocker covers and a neat interior, but don't expect detailed engine bays, seamless headlining, moulded carbon fibre panelling, autometer guages and steel braided fuel hoses.
What is the purpose of this vehicle? If you want 300hp then you're gonna want a strong diff and a strong gearbox. Obviously a 308/308 Stroker/SBC is what you're going for.
How often will you drive this car? will it be put on show? you will need to spend money on any car to make it feel like yours and fix any little errors. All 30 year old vehicles have their own little glitches that need an "owner's touch"...
#3
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Posted 05 June 2006 - 10:23 PM
You will be able to pick up a very nice 4 door torana with 10grand, what you want isn't far off what you will be able to pick up for around 10 grand. I wouldn't hold your hopes up about 300hp though (do you even know what 300hp feels like?) 300hp is pretty crazy for a street car and someone your age (no offence, I'm only 19). I've got a 195hp 308 that is plenty fast enough for me atm. I think you will be very happy with 200 - 250HP at the rears.
You will be able to get a nice paint job, good rims, 9" / bw diff, rebuilt suspension, redone interior, 308, trimatic. But dont expect anything too custom, or extras like thermo fans or guages, fancy interior pieces etc. You'll pick up a neat car that you can drive away in but you will probably find yourself making small modifications and additions
You will be able to get a nice paint job, good rims, 9" / bw diff, rebuilt suspension, redone interior, 308, trimatic. But dont expect anything too custom, or extras like thermo fans or guages, fancy interior pieces etc. You'll pick up a neat car that you can drive away in but you will probably find yourself making small modifications and additions
#4
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Posted 05 June 2006 - 10:33 PM
Hi Blown350,
Congratulations on all the hard work to put together a healthy amount of money for you dream car.
Your ambitions of an LH/LX is a good place to start, there is generally plenty of cars for sale in trading posts and online etc so if you shop wisely you'd pick up what you want eventually.
As Heath mention toranas are getting older and unfortunately a lot were abused and also rebuilt by amateurs in their backyards (which isnt a problem but you always uncover mindboggling repairs or mods with these cars when you rebuild them) So even if a car looks great and goes hard you always have to be prepared for the unexpected with old cars.
My advice would be to look to spend maybe 7-8000 buying the actual car, I'd try to buy something that you can verify has been looked after and not abused, and use the remainder of the money either fixing things that you arent happy with or more importantly getting it insured for its market value and fixing any issues regarding roadworthiness as the police will come down hard on an 18yr old driving a 25yr old 300+HP car.
Try and have a look at a variety of cars before making a decision and if you know of someone who can help you look at the car impartially that would be good. Maybe you could post whereabouts you live and another forum member might be able to have a look over a torana with you so you don't get caught up in the romance of buying it.
Owning a Torana is a wonderful life experience but I'd hate to see you blow your hard earned money on something that is a bucket. God I wish the apprentices at my work would understand the concept of hard work....
Well done and good luck!!!
Congratulations on all the hard work to put together a healthy amount of money for you dream car.
Your ambitions of an LH/LX is a good place to start, there is generally plenty of cars for sale in trading posts and online etc so if you shop wisely you'd pick up what you want eventually.
As Heath mention toranas are getting older and unfortunately a lot were abused and also rebuilt by amateurs in their backyards (which isnt a problem but you always uncover mindboggling repairs or mods with these cars when you rebuild them) So even if a car looks great and goes hard you always have to be prepared for the unexpected with old cars.
My advice would be to look to spend maybe 7-8000 buying the actual car, I'd try to buy something that you can verify has been looked after and not abused, and use the remainder of the money either fixing things that you arent happy with or more importantly getting it insured for its market value and fixing any issues regarding roadworthiness as the police will come down hard on an 18yr old driving a 25yr old 300+HP car.
Try and have a look at a variety of cars before making a decision and if you know of someone who can help you look at the car impartially that would be good. Maybe you could post whereabouts you live and another forum member might be able to have a look over a torana with you so you don't get caught up in the romance of buying it.
Owning a Torana is a wonderful life experience but I'd hate to see you blow your hard earned money on something that is a bucket. God I wish the apprentices at my work would understand the concept of hard work....
Well done and good luck!!!
#5
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Posted 06 June 2006 - 10:02 AM
Hey congrats mate - welcome to the Torana world!
As a couple of blokes have said here - you can and probably will pick up a nice pre-pollution sedan for under the 10k mark, but without the flash goodies! I was lucky to have mine handed down to me when i was 13, so i had plenty of time to learn how it works! First thing i learnt how to do was the ignition timing!!
Are you interested in working on the motor yourself? If so, i would suggest maybe getting yourself a 6cyl to practice on as they are almost everywhere and people are using them as paperweights these days! I have a 202 i cant get rid of, a mate has a 202 and a 186 waiting to be dumped... They are everywhere!
On the downside they are not as powerful as a 308, nor do they have the V8 sound, but thats not to say they dont haul - my 179HP is making 135 - 140HP at the wheels, and thats only running a small 350 Holley! So roughly 180HP at the flywheel... It runs 14.8 down the 1/4 mile too, not bad eh! And i built it myself!
I rekon you should get the phone number of the local Torana or Holden club, ask them what they think and if they can help you because from past experience with the Townsville Holden Club, these fellas have been in your (our - im only 21) shoes and know what works and what a rip-off is, they'll guide you in the right direction!
Anyway mate, good luck finding what your after!
Cheers
Keith
As a couple of blokes have said here - you can and probably will pick up a nice pre-pollution sedan for under the 10k mark, but without the flash goodies! I was lucky to have mine handed down to me when i was 13, so i had plenty of time to learn how it works! First thing i learnt how to do was the ignition timing!!
Are you interested in working on the motor yourself? If so, i would suggest maybe getting yourself a 6cyl to practice on as they are almost everywhere and people are using them as paperweights these days! I have a 202 i cant get rid of, a mate has a 202 and a 186 waiting to be dumped... They are everywhere!
On the downside they are not as powerful as a 308, nor do they have the V8 sound, but thats not to say they dont haul - my 179HP is making 135 - 140HP at the wheels, and thats only running a small 350 Holley! So roughly 180HP at the flywheel... It runs 14.8 down the 1/4 mile too, not bad eh! And i built it myself!
I rekon you should get the phone number of the local Torana or Holden club, ask them what they think and if they can help you because from past experience with the Townsville Holden Club, these fellas have been in your (our - im only 21) shoes and know what works and what a rip-off is, they'll guide you in the right direction!
Anyway mate, good luck finding what your after!
Cheers
Keith
Edited by Keithy's_UC, 06 June 2006 - 10:06 AM.
#6
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Posted 06 June 2006 - 10:18 AM
G'day blown350, your dreams and asperations are all to familiar, when I was an apprentice my first Torana was an LX 173, 3 on the tree, nothing special but my first transport. I bought my LH SL/R 5000 when I was 19, rebuilt the drive line and drove it like that for 7 years. The car has been off the road for 4 years now waiting for a full restoration.
I think as an apprentice you will find it hard to keep the car rego'd, insured and full of fuel. Why not buy an LC or LJ, small, light and can move out why few mods, for $10K you should be able to pick up something very neat, something worth thinking about, you can always buy the 308 later on. Just my thoughts.
I think as an apprentice you will find it hard to keep the car rego'd, insured and full of fuel. Why not buy an LC or LJ, small, light and can move out why few mods, for $10K you should be able to pick up something very neat, something worth thinking about, you can always buy the 308 later on. Just my thoughts.
Edited by LH SL/R 5000, 06 June 2006 - 10:19 AM.
#7
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Posted 06 June 2006 - 10:33 AM
Sam in our club was selling his 308 LX 4-dr, bit as you described, you'll have to ask what sort of diff is in it. Goes by Tyrekicker or BMXer on this site.
The car is on www.canberratoranaclub.com --> orange LX.
The car is on www.canberratoranaclub.com --> orange LX.
#8
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Posted 06 June 2006 - 10:49 AM
I agree with what has been said above.
Mine might be up for sale soon but i would like to get 15k, prob out of your reach but it does have 308, 270rwhp, 9', flareless, auto, themos, few gauges and some small goodies, straight LPG though so i don't know if this is a good or bad for selling. good becuaswe its cheap to run, bad because its LPG and not juice!
If you do get a torry with anywhere near this much power take it very slow, sure as soon as i got this car i just wanted to mash it, but i waited a long time before i was even getting close to WOT. It will get all pear shaped very quickly if you go beyond your limits. Not saying that you are a bad driver as we all think we are brocky untill we find out other wise, its just a whole knew world in the real hp game.
Mine might be up for sale soon but i would like to get 15k, prob out of your reach but it does have 308, 270rwhp, 9', flareless, auto, themos, few gauges and some small goodies, straight LPG though so i don't know if this is a good or bad for selling. good becuaswe its cheap to run, bad because its LPG and not juice!
If you do get a torry with anywhere near this much power take it very slow, sure as soon as i got this car i just wanted to mash it, but i waited a long time before i was even getting close to WOT. It will get all pear shaped very quickly if you go beyond your limits. Not saying that you are a bad driver as we all think we are brocky untill we find out other wise, its just a whole knew world in the real hp game.
#9
makka
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Posted 06 June 2006 - 11:24 AM
do you want to buy a built car or something to do up?
if you want something to do up, look for a car with a good body, the driveline is easy.
do you want to do the work your self or dont you think you would be up to it?
if you can do a lot of the work your self you can build a good car fairly cheap.
mine went from this:
to this:
and it owes me about 5-6 grand I reckon, because I did basically everything my self.
the best advice I can offer is get one with a good body!
if you want something to do up, look for a car with a good body, the driveline is easy.
do you want to do the work your self or dont you think you would be up to it?
if you can do a lot of the work your self you can build a good car fairly cheap.
mine went from this:
to this:
and it owes me about 5-6 grand I reckon, because I did basically everything my self.
the best advice I can offer is get one with a good body!
#10
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Posted 06 June 2006 - 11:40 AM
wish i was as talented as makka!
First where abouts are you form? It may help us point you in the right direction....
10Grand will get you a very nice car! Mine Owes me about 8-9grand.... And its still not how i want it, and yes i did all the work on mine myself.....
First where abouts are you form? It may help us point you in the right direction....
10Grand will get you a very nice car! Mine Owes me about 8-9grand.... And its still not how i want it, and yes i did all the work on mine myself.....
#11
_blown350_
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Posted 06 June 2006 - 04:51 PM
thanks for all the replies, just to answer some questions
-im not trying to be a smart ass but my dad has a 320rwhp vz ute that im fortunate enough to take any day of the week and i know its a sh#te load of power but i was jus looking around that mark, 250 sounds nice. i just want it to have abit of power, i know im young but i think i respect the power and dont drive stupid, il take it to the track for that. i want it to at least beat my mates little ricers (180sx etc.). its going to be a weekend cruiser/tuff streeter type. also im not looking for any thing too flash, i just want to basics there, i would like to paint it and do interior etc myself, i have family who have done builds before so i have help and i am very keen to learn it all!
-ive looked at a couple on trading post etc and though im not expecting something too clean, most are full of too much rust, something im not a big fan of! also id like to modify as much as i can myself.
-i like lc/js but theres something about a clean flareless lh that i love!
-i know i sound like a 18y.o hoon but i will take it easy, i like to treat cars with some respect (my dad does bigger burnouts than me!) mayb 300 is abit too much?...
-finally makka that car is awesome something clean and neat like yours is EXACTLY what im looking for! id be extremely happy if i could get something like that for around the money, all the ones ive seen have pretty bad bodies, rust wise!
-im from inner-western sydney. i dont xpect my dream car, jus a nice healthy base, also i would rather spend less on the actual car and more on my personal customisations. sorry if i repeated myself i just tried to reply to all the posts, thanks again for all the advice! any more would be appreciated!
-im not trying to be a smart ass but my dad has a 320rwhp vz ute that im fortunate enough to take any day of the week and i know its a sh#te load of power but i was jus looking around that mark, 250 sounds nice. i just want it to have abit of power, i know im young but i think i respect the power and dont drive stupid, il take it to the track for that. i want it to at least beat my mates little ricers (180sx etc.). its going to be a weekend cruiser/tuff streeter type. also im not looking for any thing too flash, i just want to basics there, i would like to paint it and do interior etc myself, i have family who have done builds before so i have help and i am very keen to learn it all!
-ive looked at a couple on trading post etc and though im not expecting something too clean, most are full of too much rust, something im not a big fan of! also id like to modify as much as i can myself.
-i like lc/js but theres something about a clean flareless lh that i love!
-i know i sound like a 18y.o hoon but i will take it easy, i like to treat cars with some respect (my dad does bigger burnouts than me!) mayb 300 is abit too much?...
-finally makka that car is awesome something clean and neat like yours is EXACTLY what im looking for! id be extremely happy if i could get something like that for around the money, all the ones ive seen have pretty bad bodies, rust wise!
-im from inner-western sydney. i dont xpect my dream car, jus a nice healthy base, also i would rather spend less on the actual car and more on my personal customisations. sorry if i repeated myself i just tried to reply to all the posts, thanks again for all the advice! any more would be appreciated!
#12
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Posted 06 June 2006 - 07:06 PM
If a forum member local to you could possibly take you for a spin in something similar it will give you an idea on what a 300HP 30yr old car feels like.
Not being a smart ass but there is a big difference in how a car feels when your comparing a VZ with an LH/LX, mainly the weight difference and the VZ having a more refined suspension and engine characteristics. You might be suprised on how violent 300HP is in a Torana. The ute sounds like a nice ride though;)
Good luck finding your dream car, hope it goes well
Not being a smart ass but there is a big difference in how a car feels when your comparing a VZ with an LH/LX, mainly the weight difference and the VZ having a more refined suspension and engine characteristics. You might be suprised on how violent 300HP is in a Torana. The ute sounds like a nice ride though;)
Good luck finding your dream car, hope it goes well
#13
Heath
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Posted 06 June 2006 - 08:20 PM
That's the most intellegent thing I've read today.You might be suprised on how violent 300HP is in a Torana.
At the end of the day you sound like you've got your head around things, you've sorted out a rough budget and know basically what you're looking for. I'd stick with a Holden motor rather than a Smallblock unless something ultra special comes up cheaply. If you want to see photos of my friend's LX with the new paintjob, HQ brakes, 9" and 308 I can pass some onto your e-mail address or something.
I'm not expecting you to be interested in that car but it gives you an idea, and if you do particularly like it then you might wanna have a chat to the owner. Go and start looking basically, try and get acquainted with a few Forum members in your local area and maybe one of them will be willing to check out a car for you
#14
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Posted 06 June 2006 - 11:06 PM
I'd agree with a few things said here, perhaps look at spending 8 grand and keep a couple up ur sleave to fix the things that will need immediate attention (there is ALWAYS something you think unsafe/not happy with). Also as LH SLR 500 said, don't forget about upkeep on a 308 hottie, its an issue for all of us.
Mind you, if the car is only a weekender then these two things really don't apply as much.
Just to add as well, I don't know what it is up in new south, but down here it is illegal to drive a 308 in a torana on your P's. If you were to ever get pulled up (should say when not if when you are in a a loud old car with P plates on) you might end up with hits to your licence and all that. Just something to consider.
My suggestion would be to buy a good platform for the 8-10 grand with some of the more expensive or bigger things added eg 9" and then just improve/customise it from there, cheaper in the long run. As you've already said, finding one with a good body etc. to begin with is the trying bit.
Good luck.
Liam.
Mind you, if the car is only a weekender then these two things really don't apply as much.
Just to add as well, I don't know what it is up in new south, but down here it is illegal to drive a 308 in a torana on your P's. If you were to ever get pulled up (should say when not if when you are in a a loud old car with P plates on) you might end up with hits to your licence and all that. Just something to consider.
My suggestion would be to buy a good platform for the 8-10 grand with some of the more expensive or bigger things added eg 9" and then just improve/customise it from there, cheaper in the long run. As you've already said, finding one with a good body etc. to begin with is the trying bit.
Good luck.
Liam.
#15
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Posted 07 June 2006 - 08:20 AM
The last couple of comments are solid GOLD!
Whichever way you go, you've come to the right place for advice! I would suggest chatting to Pete, maybe even going for a cruise with him! Every word he said is true!
Respect thy torry
Keith
Whichever way you go, you've come to the right place for advice! I would suggest chatting to Pete, maybe even going for a cruise with him! Every word he said is true!
Respect thy torry
Keith
#16
_blown350_
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Posted 07 June 2006 - 07:55 PM
yea i agree with you pete and i know what you mean. ok mayb not 300 i just liked the number but i dont want her to be a slug!
i luckily got my Ps before the laws came out here so im safe unless i lose my licence.
i know this is the place for advice there is so much usefull information and helpful people.
i luckily got my Ps before the laws came out here so im safe unless i lose my licence.
i know this is the place for advice there is so much usefull information and helpful people.
#17
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Posted 08 June 2006 - 05:43 PM
you sound like a good level headed torana owner to me! Welcome to the family!
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