How to buy a shell and what to loook for?

[tylersmith2014]

okay so im looking to buy a gst or gsx 2g shell with standard trans, what shiuld i look for in the price range and how much should be included. Im 17 it would be my 2nd eclipse. I want to build it up on a budget. I have a part time job at papa johns pizza and only make about $350 every 2 week and $350 a week in the summer so im on a tight budget. But what should i look for when buying the shell? Full interior, engine, trans? or should i buy one that is completely gutted? And if anyone is selling one then PM me and send me pics details and price thanks!! and what should the price range of a 400-450hp build be!>?

 

[Jesse2012]

okay so im looking to buy a gst or gsx 2g shell with standard trans, what shiuld i look for in the price range and how much should be included. Im 17 it would be my 2nd eclipse. I want to build it up on a budget. I have a part time job at papa johns pizza and only make about $350 every 2 week and $350 a week in the summer so im on a tight budget. But what should i look for when buying the shell? Full interior, engine, trans? or should i buy one that is completely gutted? And if anyone is selling one then PM me and send me pics details and price thanks!! and what should the price range of a 400-450hp build be!>?

If its a full interior and engine and transmission, it's another car not a shell but I would check the wiring, hard lines for fuel and the brakes, what suspension is included, and underbody/structure rust is the main thing. I wouldn't bother touching a shell unless it was rust free. You don't want to start from scratch and put time and money into a rusted car

 

[SIMGSX]

What would the price be around to get 400-450hp?

Well hard to say, your on a budget. So it looks like you'll doing bolt on mods. Unless you can get some sweet deals on parts. You can do it with a stock block, saves a little bit of money there. But you got injectors, fuel pump, exhuast manifold, turbo, maybe a wastegate, ect.

But maybe looking at my profile, you can get a idea of what you need to have 400HP+. All brand new set up for me, but i know for sure it will make over 400HP. And I work at SIM (Strictly Import Motorsports) but I have around $2500 in parts my cost. Maybe more. Just super hard to calculate a price when there are so many options to go with.

 

[tylersmith2014]

i know its gonna cost me a couple of grand and its not gonna be no weekend project

 

[n0de]

First, how much money do you have to purchase the shell?

Because I know how it is to have a car/shell and want to be able to drive it, sometimes it can cloud your judgment and rush the build, this can be a very bad thing.

Here is how I would do it.

I would save up about $1500 for a shell. Keep an eye out on the classifieds section for a shell w/everything except a motor. NO RUST, and a somewhat cleanish under-body. But in the mean time I would find a bare block, have it honed (whatever it requires to get it back to spec) then build my motor while keeping an eye out for the shell that you want. Doing it this way will give you time to wait for the shell that you really want and not be rushed because you're still building your motor anyway.

I cant really say what will get you into the 400-450whp range for certain, but I can make a suggestion.

-Stock block
-1000cc injectors
-AFPR
-Walbro 255 FP
-FMIC (I dont think you can get away with this on the stock sidemount)
-ecmlink or eprom ecu w/someone to chip and tune it (cheaper alternative)
-ACT2100 Clutch (probably get away with this)

As for the Turbo I cant make a recommendation because I honestly don't know.

i know its gonna cost me a couple of grand and its not gonna be no weekend project

Try 4-7 grand depending on what parts you go with. (Cost is including rolling chassis, if you get it for under $2k)

 

[tylersmith2014]

at the max ill spend about 5k

 

[501_Tuner]

Got to look for rust! Thats a big factor.

 

[n0de]

at the max ill spend about 5k

Well if you want to spend 5k then this could work but you need to make absolutely sure that you get a car that is (other than the engine) mechanically sound. Wheel Bearings, suspension, wiring (this is a big one to look for, especially the ecu harness). If you do for some reason stick with the SMIC and it was a midwestern car, check for holes around the ic neck where its welded to the ic unit itself. Its been known that snow/salt to get caked in that area and eat its way through the pipe (happened to my last dsm)

 

[tylersmith2014]

yeah definitely gonna get a fmic, and everything else you listed and probably more if i can manage it. I hope I find alot of good bargins as im doing this build. I am keeping my eyes open but i need to save up some money first !! Thanks man! any other suggests welcome!