Beginners rebuild/modification car

[Jake Wilson]

Hi all,

I’m new to the world of mods and DIY car-related tasks (beyond basic servicing and maintenance which I’m capable of and do already), but was just wondering if anyone had good suggestions on a Holden (preferably Commodore-platform based ute) that would be a good starting point to really learn my way around an engine etc.

Obviously being this young to it, I really wouldn’t be up to a ground up barn find type rebuild and would like to be able to keep a reasonable budget, but would love to get hands on experience with something I could tinker away with and learn over a bit of time without having to really know your stuff before I jump in.

Just looking for some suggestions at the moment on models/variants that are at a good price and aren’t overly complex to work on, source parts for, understand, or pay through the a**e for, etc.

Plus I’m assuming it might give me the possibility of up selling or continuously upgrading overtime as I gain experience etc.

Any suggestions are appreciated, even if it’s just to tell me I’m biting off way too much with this idea and should go in a totally different direction or abandon the idea.

Thanks

 

[losh1971]

VS ute and drop in an L67.

 

[vc commodore]

My suggestion is, choose what you thin you'd be able to work on.....Carbed engined cars are easier to work with in my books but you may feel confident in early injected models....You might even want to delve into an original carbed engine car fitted with an injected engine.

Parts....To find cheap parts, you need to be prepared to use your feet and actually get out and find places that sell them....If you want to just use the internet and believe Holden have closed down, so parts must be hard to get, you will get bent over.....

I live in Adelaide and am into older cars.....I have found 4 wreckers in the past 12 months by accident that stock parts for pre-VN commodores, just by driving around and keeping my eyes open....They also stock parts for post VN commodores too...

So it's your choice what your initial project will be and how you wish to tackle the parts hunt

 

[Jake Wilson]

My suggestion is, choose what you thin you'd be able to work on.....Carbed engined cars are easier to work with in my books but you may feel confident in early injected models....You might even want to delve into an original carbed engine car fitted with an injected engine.

Parts....To find cheap parts, you need to be prepared to use your feet and actually get out and find places that sell them....If you want to just use the internet and believe Holden have closed down, so parts must be hard to get, you will get bent over.....

I live in Adelaide and am into older cars.....I have found 4 wreckers in the past 12 months by accident that stock parts for pre-VN commodores, just by driving around and keeping my eyes open....They also stock parts for post VN commodores too...

So it's your choice what your initial project will be and how you wish to tackle the parts hunt

Thanks for the advice and help, it’s much appreciated. I’ve had a **** two years and thought I might as well develop some new skills and learn to build something I can be proud of.

I’m not worried about having to do leg work, time, haggle, etc. it’s more of knowing if I’m picking something that’s a good start point that I can at least start in and slowly develop over time.

In regards to interests, I wasn’t even born when carbys were the norm so injected is my mindset, and I’m pretty much keen on VK onwards.

If I were to start with, say, a $2k - $4k base car and go from there is it reasonable for a newbie? Starting straight up with engine swaps etc. seems like a huge jump for nothing to replacing major components.

Thanks for the help, much appreciated.

 

[Jake Wilson]

VS ute and drop in an L67.

I have a soft spot for the VS, and think the utes look great, plus read up on L67s so that seems overall like something that’d interest me - but isn’t an engine swap for a complete novice biting off way more than I could chew?

 

[losh1971]

I have a soft spot for the VS, and think the utes look great, plus read up on L67s so that seems overall like something that’d interest me - but isn’t an engine swap for a complete novice biting off way more than I could chew?

Using a manual you could probably work it out. Me, I just pay to have my engines fitted. I don't have the patience anymore for big jobs and when you have a reasonable income it does become a lot easier to just make the job someone else's problem.

 

[Sandman]

VR VS ute sounds like a good start for you with that budget. Also another thing to think about before you dive in, is what is the intended purpose of this car? Other than to be a learning experience. Are you wanting to have it as a street registered car you use occasionally, a track car for hillclimbs etc, or something in between? Just something else to think about before you dive in, as it may dictate how you approach both buying and modifying the car.

 

[Jake Wilson]

VR VS ute sounds like a good start for you with that budget. Also another thing to think about before you dive in, is what is the intended purpose of this car? Other than to be a learning experience. Are you wanting to have it as a street registered car you use occasionally, a track car for hillclimbs etc, or something in between? Just something else to think about before you dive in, as it may dictate how you approach both buying and modifying the car.

I just want to sort of learn as much as I can without going in so deep I’m just going to end up with it in pieces, or how deep to go with it. I want a powerful daily to start with, that I might later on tune up depending on skill level. Full learning experience.

As for style I like VS SS Ute, but I do an engine swap with a rebuild (or leave that?), then that starter basics in: headers, exhaust, tune, body work, interior work, make the cabin look how I end up deciding (but either totally stock, or appropriate additions; So do progressive upgrades in a struck order like a long term (but driveable early on) full basics project? Or is that going way too far? Is that too much.

as in honestly though possible (or as close to possible) LS 1, and do it up but not beyond home mechanic level and a transmission (bought assembled), then headers and exhaust, OTR, tune, brakes (probably also wheels and tyres here. Suspension after this

iThen paint and body work. (That might become first - it’s just expensive. Then interior (to normal or subtle stuff for me.
Then I’d have a totally done first project, that I could used throughout.

then continue to cams, stall converters, forced induction, ECU upgrades, specialised tune.

I have a garage and pit, and jacks, tools, etc. (would only have to buy specialist stuff if I had to, but always good quality parts over time - not immediate stuff)

Honest, is this dumb and overreaching (sorta staged plan, so I don’t HAVE to go any further if I don’t want to), or a good base idea and could go from here?

 

[gtrboyy]

2k-4k range you'll be looking at v6 utes...try to find cleanest example possible as in paint/panel...interior & mechanicals secondary especially if want something to learn on then probably flip & sell to move on to something better.

Keep it all simple & mostly stock untill learn enough to be dangerous.