TestPoint
06-05-2012, 10:34 AM
Close enough to finished to publish the financial situation and will update in the future as you really never get through with a project like this. The only significant future expense that I see at the moment is the permanent exhaust system including the O2 sensors. I am not using cats. That will probably add $300.
This car did not require major restoration in paint and interior which could add significantly to the total cost. Also, because I started with a diesel car I had significant expense on fuel system additions. On the other hand there were lots of things that I did not have to spend money on such as a radiator, electric fans, sway bar, etc. All that was probably a wash.
Other than maybe a few bucks for installing tires, making up hoses and turning rotors, etc. all the labor was my own. I did not keep a record of the expense of the cold, golden Budweiser's over 3 years.
While I tried to be conservative by shopping for prices there was really not a budget limitation on the project. Several significant things could have been done for some or much less such as the headers. Rather than $300 for a correct new set a wreaking yard set could have been obtained for $50 or less. I choose an engine and transmission with only 11k miles which was probably $800 or so more than you could buy 80k mile ones for. With some careful planning and selection you can avoid a $400 custom tune but I think that is money well spent. I probably spent $200+ in do overs and finding better ways.
So . . . here it is!
http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy4/tporterellijaycom/VolvosThatRunFinancials.jpg
I am sure that many will have views on the high and low numbers. If you are interested in the fine detail send me a PM with your off-forum email address and I will forward the 250 line spreadsheet of specific expenses.
I must add that my wife has no reason to have access to this information.
The parent document to this thread can be found here: http://forums.turbobricks.com/showthread.php?t=250257
This car did not require major restoration in paint and interior which could add significantly to the total cost. Also, because I started with a diesel car I had significant expense on fuel system additions. On the other hand there were lots of things that I did not have to spend money on such as a radiator, electric fans, sway bar, etc. All that was probably a wash.
Other than maybe a few bucks for installing tires, making up hoses and turning rotors, etc. all the labor was my own. I did not keep a record of the expense of the cold, golden Budweiser's over 3 years.
While I tried to be conservative by shopping for prices there was really not a budget limitation on the project. Several significant things could have been done for some or much less such as the headers. Rather than $300 for a correct new set a wreaking yard set could have been obtained for $50 or less. I choose an engine and transmission with only 11k miles which was probably $800 or so more than you could buy 80k mile ones for. With some careful planning and selection you can avoid a $400 custom tune but I think that is money well spent. I probably spent $200+ in do overs and finding better ways.
So . . . here it is!
http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/yy4/tporterellijaycom/VolvosThatRunFinancials.jpg
I am sure that many will have views on the high and low numbers. If you are interested in the fine detail send me a PM with your off-forum email address and I will forward the 250 line spreadsheet of specific expenses.
I must add that my wife has no reason to have access to this information.
The parent document to this thread can be found here: http://forums.turbobricks.com/showthread.php?t=250257