Convince me to keep my car

[frijolee]

Growing up is a strange process.  It's so weird to watch my priorities shifting before my eyes, and yet at the same time, they're MY priorities.  I still love going fast, and building cool stuff, but these days I'm barely keeping head above water between throwing myself in to the new job (as of April), building Ronin stuff, and spending investing time with my wife and two little girls.

My rx7 hasn't moved since April when the fan blade sheered off at the hub (a week before I took the new job and we moved).  I already had a "heavy hitter" radiator setup in works so I didn't want to just replace the volvo fan.  Since I had that apart anyways I ended up digging into it, the motor came out and at this point it has zero drive line and a big stack of parts waiting in the wings.

I'm kind of having a crisis of faith.  I love so many things about SoCal but they do make it quite difficult to be a car guy if you want to play with modern vehicles.  The risk of getting pinched for illegal mods is making my car habit less fun.  The new setup should be pretty serious and the exhaust planned will be plenty loud too...

-Ronin 8.8 rear (all welded in but not installed).
-Howe double pass radiator and spal fans (w/ rubber flappers), done and as trick of a setup as I've ever seen done.
-Ronin mounting
-Ronin vented hood

The power plant is something I've hinted at but haven't admitted on here yet...

-I now own one of the original MTI Z07 motors (same motor won overall at One Lap of America a couple years back).
-LS2 sleeved block, it has 0 miles and sits at 429 ci after an full HKE build (top shelf builder with a huge wait), fresh pistons, all forged internals, arp everything
-Heavily ported 243 heads flow almost as well as anything modern (per Hot Rod ultimate cylinder head testing), jessel rockers, etc etc etc
-Mamo ported Fast 102 (from Tony's personal 454)
-All the supporting fuel stuff (about a grand worth), new stainless hardline waiting to get bent
-Burns merge collectors with the intent to become a full custom header back exhaust.

That said, I'm seriously debating whether I should jump ship on my plans, put the rx7 back together with a simple setup (hell I could even let the buyer pick the motor) and then move into a pre-1976 chassis (Cali smog exempt).  I've had a few close calls with the law that easily could have resulted in a hood pop.  With all the shiny bits above the potential for "do not pass go, do not collect $200" is high.  Hell a few folks have even had cars crushed.

The most likely candidate would be a 1958-1961 Austin Healey Bugeye Sprite.  You can get fiberglass widebodies.  I'm already set up with traction control and to be blunt, I could easily kill myself in either.  550rwhp in a 1600 lb car should be interesting. It'd be a whole new challenge but one I think I could do.  At least this way I could enjoy my damn car, at any time, and it presents itself as a lot more classic and a lot less boy racer.  Picture of a clean one is attached (wider than normal already).

[attachimg=1]

[attachimg=2]

As I mentioned up top, I just see priorities actively shifting and unilaterally the trend of my thinking has been moving toward  the cool, fast, yet quasi respectable end of the spectrum.  From a resale perspective, if I ever do need to get out of the fast cars entirely it makes a lot more sense to drop a $10k motor into a classic rather than an FC.

We're not leaving Cali so the obvious solution is off the table...  Too many ties to family and a great job.  The weather is awesome all the time.  You have access to any kind of food, any kind of culture, in general people car about fitness and education etc.

I'm also not particularly interested in turning my FC into a dedicated race-car (though I could see someone else doing that).  I want to be able to enjoy it on the street out cruising around.  That's 2/3rd of the fun of owning a car like this.

Thoughts?  Am I going crazy or does this all make a spooky sort of sense?

-Joel

PS Anyone looking for a widebody FC with a top shelf suspension setup, big brakes, A/C, and 3k in wheels and tires?  It's definitely not your typical build.  Contact me if you're serious.

[Ruler_Mark]

  quitter.

[Rayminator]

Joel, your thoughts are fine, you are looking forward, but not forward enough.

Build something that will fit the entire family, and shows off your Engineering skills at the same time.

As you said, 1976 or older....the possibilies are endless.

[danzan]

it makes a lot of sense to me.

it is time to reduce your all around risk.  plenty of time after your kids are grown, to become a kid again.

ask me how I know? .

anyway, the Pre 73 classic, is what I have decided to do, after I get my garage space back.  Austin Healy 100, or triumph spitfire appeal to me.  I think I have a line on a spitfire.

[frijolee]

Dan FYI, I spoke with my father in law...  He tipped me off that even some "no smog" years still have limits on what you can do.  What you actually need is an "uncontrolled" vehicle so you don't even have to smog at title transfer.

From here:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aftermkt/replace.htm

Exemptions for Uncontrolled Vehicles
Vehicles that were manufactured before emission control regulations took effect are called uncontrolled vehicles. Aftermarket parts regulations and anti-tampering laws do not apply to these vehicles.
Uncontrolled vehicles may have any aftermarket add-on or modified part installed as long as the vehicle can still meet the tailpipe emission standards for the year of the vehicle. Uncontrolled vehicles must retain any original or retrofit crankcase control (PCV) devices and NOx device required for the year of the vehicle.
The following vehicles are considered uncontrolled vehicles:

        1965 and Older : U.S. Manufactured California Certified Vehicles

        1967 and Older: U.S. Manufactured Federally Certified Vehicles

        1967 and Older: Foreign Manufactured Vehicles

[digitalsolo]

Building that thing won't help your lack of time issues any, but it's damn cool.    I have no predilection to any chassis really, I build these cars because they look good and fit the bill nicely, so I say build whatever you like.

If you can get enough from your car to make it worth while and want to start something new, I say go for it, just don't stop hanging around here.

[Cman]

I don't know about the Bugeye. I owned one for many years and they are really small. I like small but the wheelbase is 83 inches. Not sure there is even room behind the engine and T56 for a driveshaft. They change direction really fast...the steering ratio is 2.3 turns L/L. Sneeze and you have changed lanes at freeway speeds. With 550 hp the propensity for super quick direction change might not be a good thing. These things came from the factory with 48.5 hp

Steve

[WannaBeFast]

Don't do it - we need you here.

[NOROTOR]

I'm in the same boat, Joel. Minus the smog issues.

Good luck and, if you decide the RX7 needs to go, please stick around norotors. I always enjoy your posts.

Jesse

[Cman]

These projects are for our satisfaction/fun. You need to make sure the investment in $, time, energy give you what you want. If not do something that does.

Steve

[nofxrxmxpx]

Lol, move to Florida. On the roads down here you can see anything from a bog truck on 60+inch tires, to a 10.50 outlaw car with a plate on it. It's kind of like the Wild West for cars.

I've seen the videos online of the cops crushing cars to set an example, and it makes me sick.  Also, with the cash for clunkers catastrophe. I am currenly in the same position as you, though. Spending more time and energy on making money and building a business has left the hobby on the back burner, car in 1000 peices, ect. Dan said it perfectly, there will be time later in life to be a kid again, but at the same time everyone needs some type of toy. With a motor that sweet, I would find a chasis to match! I just dont think an FC will do it justice... No offense to you die hard FC guys, but when I think of an FC, I think junkyard 5.3 and a bottle.

[Sabre002]

Man screw CA really.  I could not do it it’s just not worth all the trouble..

That being said I’m with Blake.  Changing the car is not going to change your situation.  You still need time and money for a hobby no matter what it is.  I had to stop looking at the FD for a little and work on my MG.  Now I'm flipped back to the FD because the MG has kicked my ass for a little.  It’s always good to take a break and relook at a project.  I also like to see things through, I have had in my mind from day one I wanted a 402 in my car and now I have it.  Now it’s just a matter of finishing it. 

[frijolee]

Went and looked at a sprite today. Had a miata drive train with a blown motor, internally caged, and as rust free as any car from 50 years ago as I've ever seen. Guy just wants out of it.

The wheel base does give me some pause though. 80 inches is no joke on the smallness scale. For Josh and Steve (and anyone else who's played with the truly small stuff) is there a limit to the big engine small car philosophy when you still like track days? I already have traction control waiting in the wings.

[frijolee]

PS anyone have thoughts about the mgb gt? You can get widebodies for those as well...

[Ruler_Mark]

looks soo much like a datsun