I keep records of all the money I spend (hemorage) on the Camaro, and hit a milestone today. Looking at my tally makes me cry inside most of the time, and sometimes I think of all the neat things I could have purchased for what I have spent. I could have bought a fully sorted racecar, ready to go out of the back of SportsCar magazine for all that I have spent.

The worst part, is after all I have spent, my car is sub-par at everything it does. It is sloppy at the drag strip, auto-x track, and on the road course, and is now getting more and more useless as a daily driver. Anyway, enough of my babbling let's see the bling! I know some of you keep up with things like this, if not make a guesstimate.

My Idiocy

You just made me feel better. I havent spent hear that much.

Nope, don't know, don't wanna know. My total is less than yours, mostly because the engine is still basically stock, but it's still a lot.

Right now I'm still clinging to keeping the car fun to drive as a daily driver and local autocrosser - but I review those racecar ads in every issue for some daydreamin'.

You haven't spent very much yet. It looks like about half of the money you've spent has been on the engine. I'd say over the past year I've averaged about $500 a month on the car including everything. My wife originally recommended I stay at $300 a month, but that just hasn't happened very often. When I was just autoxing and daily driving the car my budget was miniscule compared to today.

For instance, while doing my cam change I replaced rockers, valve springs, retainers, guideplates, pushrods, valve locks, new spark plug wires, BeCool radiator, 2 new O2 sensors, Jet-Hot coated SLP headers, etc. I just bought an oil cooler and spent about $200 on only the AN hoses and fittings and fire sleeves.

Racing is a money pit. That's for sure. You just have to make the decision whether it's still good value for your money. I'm at my limit for thinking it's worth it. Now for the weather to improve and to get a little more relaxed schedule at work so I can get the car on track.

I've spent about $8k on the car, but I started with a cheap Z28...only $23k, not a a $30k SS. But, I just recently spent about $12k between a truck/trailer/toolbox/miscellaneous stuff for the combo. I feel that for the money, the car is well rounded. I'm not at the least disappointed. I do wish I had started with one that had some miles on it and was cheaper since I replaced half of the parts anyway.

Oh man, I'm glad that the wife doesn't have such a tally for the AI car. A co-worker jokingly said today that I should give im the wife's Camaro, and I jokingly siad tha we would actually make money if we gave the car away, since we wouldn't be spending all that coin every month.

Bottom line is that we don't really want to know. I think that this thread should be permanently closed!

Jason

I think Mike just about nailed it. I've only been in the car hobby for a little over 2 years, but exposure to guys like the LG Motorsports crew (Louis, Anthony, et al) and having buddies with built-up f-bodies and C5's definately made me realize that performance isn't about retaining resale value. I've dumped about $8K in the car, and I don't even want to think of how bad the damage is going to be once I'm out of school and getting a real salary.

When I look at the numbers, it kills me to think how much I could have saved for a down payment on a condo for when I graduate... but when I sit down and turn on the ignition, all I can do is smile. And that feeling is worth every penny.

Well, so far I've spent about $5000 on the car in total expenses. However, I've also sold the old parts off the car, plus stuff I didn't need (12 disc changer, etc.). My gross margin (profit-expenses) is about $1000-$1500. Not bad, considering that I always run 3rd to 5th in overall PAX (Viper and one of 2 Z06's always has my number, dammit!).

5+ years of road racing my Z28

Car 20k
body shop 12k
motors (5 of 'em, need to do a 6th) 10k
clutches, diffs, tranny rebuild 3k
cage/safety stuff 3k
wheels 2k
tires - way too many
brake pads/rotors - 5k at least (1k/season)
suspension - 2k
entry fees/towing expenses/hotels....etc.



Maybe I should take up quilting with Mitch

When I built my 1989 Formula (street car run amok) I was into the "whole bunch" catagory.

$1100 for Baer brakes
$1340 for machine work
$2000 (roughly) for 5 speed swap (1LE DS and all).
All the parts for a 353 chevy with splayed mains, billet front cap, steel crank, lunati rods, solid roller, an line front to rear and a return, EFI fuel pump, regulator, 22 gallon cell, cage, koni's, Ground Control kit for all corners, Harwood lift off hood, Underdrive pulleys, Griffen radiator, hooker super comp headers, MSD, Moroso road race oil pan and the list runs on for a long time. I had about $5,000 to $7,000 in the motor, fully dressed, top to bottom (and headers), as far as I could tell. It was alot of money, then, I got mad and sold it (as it was nearly done).

Don't forget, I had to buy the car as well ($5600).

Anyway...I've got a new money pit now.

I have spent too much on my car and probably don't want to add it up.

Wheels - $1500
heads/cam - $800
suspension - $900
C5 brakes - $400
exhaust - $300
shifter - $125
rear end parts - $200
clutch - $250
misc. - $750
Total - $5200

I am sure I am missing some stuff and understated the cost of some of this stuff too.

I didn't even include the consumable cost of TIRES, BRAKES, etc.

Well, so far over twelve grand.

I wish I had gotten into racing motorcycles........

I don't like to do the math, but it was about $10K before I blew the motor. So figure a rebuilt short block balanced with forged pistons and good bolts, LS6 heads, cam, etc. plus an LG radiator and tuning, and well it hurts to think about it.

I too should have bought a Z06....

For myself:
Car 14,000
Brakes 1,000
Tires 1,000(In one week tires Are Junk)
Tires 1,000
Exhaust 800
Driving school Wk 400
One Lap Entry Fee 2,100
Gas for the wk 1,000(If car averages 20MPG track time Incluede)
Hotels 400
I'll think of More
John

5000 for the car
1000 in general repairs to make the car race worthy
2500 in mods(headers, a few different exhausts, camber plates, shocks, panhard rod, miscelaneous bushings.. and some other small stuff i'm sure)
1800 on wheels

and that's all i've spent to date...

but i just blew the motor... so..
1500 for a new motor

just bought a new rear end... so..
1250 for the 10 bolt, T2R and new Ring/Pinion


so 13,000 by the time i go to nationals this year just on the car...


$14.5k for a 2002 GMC Sierra w/ 17k miles(tow vehicle)

and probably about $3k for a traler&accessories

about $30k after it's all said and done.. but i have a race car and a daily driver.... that's still less money than what i would've paid for my 2000 Z28 after interest


i guess i can't forget all the tools i've bought over the past 3 or 4 years... ~$3000

For my SCCA Solo2 AS legal SS:

(Just last year and this year so far)

1. 35mm ST bar & Koni / Bilstien combo $800 or so
2. M2000 helmet $60 ?
3. Entry fees $too many
4. Street tires & wheels $920 (thank you SLP)
5. Mounting tires $75
6. Brake Pads $160
7. Blackwing Air Lid $120
8. Donaldson Filter + Cleaner $45
9. Mobil1 & Filter $25 (Although I got alot of free Mobil1 )
10. Hotels $180 (last year)
11. Evolution School $225
12. Used Hoosiers & C4 rims $400
13. Z06 Fuel Rail Covers $80
14. Mobil1 Oil Filler Cap $8
15. SCCA membership $80
16. G-Tech Pro/Competition $250

Total (not including entry fees) $~3,350

Plus I need brake fluid....

Plus probably $500 in gasoline

Plus car was $29,XXX brand new + tax (7%) + title + tags
Although under 30 isn't bad for a 33k+2500 (Anniversary Package) loaded SS (minus traction control) from the dealer.

I agree with the sentiment... "I shoulda got a Z06" which is why I am trying to save $$$ up for one.

<Accepting donations for Z06 fund>

But, it is worth it, I will OWN PAX in my home region. It'd probably win at Nationals if Sam drove it (with a fresh set of Hoosiers).

Aaron

I spend on average about 2000-2500 a year on mods and upgrades, and I haven't even started lapping in a serious way yet. Six years I've had it. You do the Math. It hurts!

lost count... maybe too much.
I should've gotten the Vette in the 1st place.

Autox Wheels/Tires: $400
New autox tires: $780
Street Tires: $400
Koni SAs: $500
Catback/Install: $200
Pro 5.0 Shifter: $120
SLP Lid: $75
Alignment: $60
Harness: $40
Subframes/Install: $330

$2905, but $1580 of that was on tires...no wonder I occasionally ponder getting a car that uses smaller tires!!

Don't want to remember dealing with my old '99 Z28 (but not as much as the "money pit" I have now)

'00 T/A WS6 M6
Mods: in excess of $7000
.....and I still don't have a shift light or race seat

Should have gone with a Bavarian Motor Works vehicle

Well I'm glad to see I'm not the only one dumping odd amounts of money into a chassis that's pretty much from 1982. Every time I am under the car and look at that rusty 10 bolt rear end leaking diff fluid all over the place, I start to wonder wtf I am thinking. I'm sure being under a Z06 looks a little bit more technically advanced.

But like someone else said, once you get in and turn the key it's a little better!

I love throwing all my money into my car but for some reason it hurts reading through all this haha. Last summer I spent half of what I paid for my car($4300 CAN) in suspension parts and a catback. This year I will spend close to twice as much as I paid for my car in just a motor alone. God I'm excited for this new motor! Then we can add emergency line of credit for new tranny a month after I drop the new motor in

And yes, of course, as soon as you turn that key... it's all so easily worth it.

True, for the pure driving enjoyment, I'd like to have a Vette. I plan on getting one as my next car, in fact. That said, the Vette will be street duty only. Yes, I could make it faster than the T/A, but I love beating guys in my car. See, when I show up and beat a couple Z06's in SM (both straight time and PAX) and the odd Viper and Ferarri that show up, I get some pretty big "thumbs up" from other drivers.

To quote what someone else has said before, "When you beat everyone in a Vette (Viper, Ferarri, Porsche, etc.), it's the car. When you beat everyone in an F-body, it's the driver."

Then again, in real competition all that matters is that you won, not what weapon you used.

Damm Wife Just read what I Wrote. Never put figures down so they can see. John

I see a new bedroom set (dining room set, or whatever furniture she wants) in your future. lol

A very good friend, who has posted in this thread, told me one time ...

"There are things I just don't want to know."

The questions Kyle asked fall directly into that category.

I have spent a TON of money on my car. On the flip side, I've bartered, bought and sold a TON of parts to help offset the cost. They call me Fred Sanford ...

I did the math on mine last night and I'm over 10 grand in mods/parts. It'll be over 12 by the end of the summer and there is still the new engine and trans that I want.

Hmm some highlights:

Bilstein HD's + revalving =$490 had them revalved after 3k miles use so cost was higher
Springs=$225
Brake pads=$180 Full set of HPS pads and front set of HP+ pads
Rotors turned=$22
Brake lines=$105X2 b/c I broke one and had to buy the entire kit again!
LG poly rod LCA's $165-120 bought and later sold used.
LG double rod ended phb=$199-20 sold metal bar switched to aluminum
6061-T6 phb + left hand rod end=$20+$30
Short stick=$25
Torsen T2 take-off= $115 + $40 carrier bearings + races self-installed
Torsen T2R + gear install kit+ factory gear reinstall=$500+$100+$300-$100 for trading in old torsen
16x8 Trans am wheel set=$135
265 Victoracers= $600
alignment=$55+40 mounting and balancing
4 17x9.5 vette wheels = $200
275 Victoracers = $585 (discount)
Mount + balance = $60
3" lap belt = $40
Autozone reman ps pump + Turn One mod= $50+$50
PS cooler=$35
LS1 brakes as backup=$150
ARP wheel studs=$55
lug nuts=$35
GC rear coilovers bought used=$100
Magnaflow catback=$310
Magnecor wires and plugs=$130
Backup clutch disk=$125 I think
Total=~$5135 +440 for phase I & II evolution school not to mention fluids and gas.

D@mn that is scary! My engine is stock!

I've got that intro song in my head now.

If there is a deal to be had.... you can bet Mitch was/is first in line.

Yeah, I agree with you there. I just mean people's perceptions. I do know that I get a lot of people coming up to me (Newbies) asking things like, "You beat that Z06 with THAT?" I try not to be insulted, and then tell them that it is the driver, not the car, yada, yada, yada. Plus, we're talking autocross - some people (me included, some days) are astounded that I can throw a 3600lb car with 322hp around a course faster than a 2800lb RX-7 with about 280hp.

Unfortunately the Z06 driver we have in our region is badarse. He runs SS and regularly owns the PAX. Our Vette drivers are pretty darn good. Heck our fastest CS miata driver is a really good driver.

One More item. Seeing that I raced OLOA last yr too!! The wife is totaling up all the time away and saying that she's going to get 21 days away from myself and daughter. It going to cost me alot. I forgot to get mothers day card last yr. Freeking 3 dollar card is costing me thousands!!!!!! Later. John