Piece together old car or buy a shell?

[GSX26]

I have an automatic GSX from when I was 15. Long story but engine blew, got a new one put it, and tranny went out. So it sat there for 2 years now or so. I have been selling of pieces, but I want to get back in the DSM game. I was looking at manual shells that need an engine, seems to be around like 1700-2000. I am wondering, would it be cheaper to buy part by part what I need for the manual swap or just start with a shell that's already manual? I know to piece back my interior it'll be like 500-700. What do you guys think? Buy a manual shell or start piecing the gsx back together?

 

[kronus]

Well if you're wanting a manual, then obviously just find a clean manual shell. If you like automatic, then just stick with what you've got and piece it back together. However, I'm cleaning my interior right now, and I kinda like driving around with nothing but an metal shell around me=)

 

[architechnik]

Piecing always costs more but you'll usually get all the correct pieces without finding some are busted. The shell will get you everything you need but they might not be in top shape.

In your case, it will really depend on the condition of the vehicle you currently have. If you have a really nice shell with only a few pieces missing then starting out with your GSX and swapping in a tranny would be your best bet. What is your proficiency with transmissions and welding?

If your current vehicle is pretty far down the road then maybe getting the shell would save you a lot of headaches. Just grab anything not on the shell and start equipping. The shell does help in a complete tear-down situation if you want to do some engine bay modifications, but then again it depends on what's included in the shell.

 

[GSX26]

Yeah, I think I'll opt for the shell and if anything use the best pieces from both cars to make one good car. I might have a shell lined up for 1500 with everything but a motor and tcase, so all I'll need to buy is a tcase since I have a brand new motor.

 

[dsmzoom]

Plus piecing together a car takes alot longer. Shell is a one shot deal.

 

[GSX26]

Well after like a year and half of being DSMless, I decided I need to get back in it. I had an auto gsx that I had been parting out. I wanted to make it m/t. The engine is brand new in it, put in by a shop a couple years back, only 800 miles I put on it. Well, most of the interior was missing as well.

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I started looking for shells and found one really close to home. It's a 1996 Eagle Talon TSi AWD. It has a dent in the rear quarter panel on the drivers side and some chipped paint on the hood, but other than that, the body's in great shape. There's a full interior, too. It came with a short shifter, I believe it's a knock off from what I've been reading, I don't know for sure though. It's missing, engine, tranny, and transfercase. I didn't get a great deal on it, but it was better than nothing and better than driving a thousand miles to find a good deal on a awesome shell!

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So now this engine

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Is going in here:

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Well, basically I'm just excited to have some sort of DSM to work on. I don't have any big plans for it. I want to clean the engine bay real good before I swap the motor and also relocate and eliminate as much as possible for a clean look (no a/c, no cruise control, relocate battery, etc) I'm going to go with a 50 trim variant with supporting mods. I'm not doing internals this year, but I have a spare block and a couple spare heads that I might build over next winter. So I'll slowly be building this as I get money for parts. Anyways, that's my excitement as of lately

 

[cruisintalonawd]

not bad you dont happen to have an extra left axle or are you going to use bot.LMK.........i think that S/S is a B&m if I'm not missteaken

 

[Project2G]

i think that S/S is a B&m if I'm not missteaken

Mines blue.

I would say part it out

 

[ob420aboosted]

i have the same exact shifter b&m. looks like a good project good luck