Laser's $100 Project Thread

[Kracka]

I have gotten bored with the slow and none too exciting stock '92 Laser AWD. It does have a Southbend DXD clutch in it and Redline fluids in the tranny, xfer case, and rear diff, but otherwise its bone-stock down to a paper air filter. I decided to make a $100 budget for making the Laser a quicker and more fun car.

So far here is what I have gotten:

eBay MBC = $13
OBX 30-0-30 boost gauge = $5
Autometer A/F gauge = $5
Carbon fiber dual gauge pod = $10 (this and both gauges came as a package for $20)
K&N filter = $15
Hacked 1G MAS with removed silencer= $10 (the screws holding mine in are rusted so I can't take it out to hack it and remove the silencer)
3" metal intake = the cost of lunch ~$10

This leaves me at a total cost of $68, so I have $32 left over to spare. I'm hoping to not have to go buy any vacuum line, couplers, or clamps to get all this together, but I may have to spend a few dollars on those once I start installing all this stuff. I have also removed the weather seal above the passenger headlight and will be removing some little bolt-on plates behind the passenger headlight in hopes to increase air-flow the the air filter ever so slightly. If I can sell any of the removed stock parts I will add that money to my fund giving me more to play with, I have also thought about trading my stock EPROM ECU for a non-EPROM ECU + cash to give me a bit more to play with (any takers?).

I have a few ideas what to do with my remaining money such as shifter bushings, put it towards dynoing at the next event, or just pocket it. I am open to suggestions from everyone though so feel free to chime in! If I could get enough money from all the stuff to be able to get a cheap turboback exhaust that would be great, but I don't think it will happen. I would also like a testpipe since thats more reasonable considering the given budget, but even then I'd need a shop to "sponsor" the car (good free publicity, sticker's on the car if you want, etc.) if you will and give me some free/cheap labor since my fund will only cover the cost of actual parts. I have a line on a larger turbo outlet elbow for the cost of Applebee's so that will probably be another $5-10 subtracted from the fund.

I will take and post pics as the actual work is done and parts are installed. My MBC should be here by Friday so I'll probably start the job that night and try and get it all done in one shot!

[TkrPerformance]

I know some one who would give you cash and a non-eprom for the eprom he will be over on sunday also. he also has a 2.5in hi flow cat

[scheides]

Woot! We need before/after pics man! I still think a walbro pump should fit into this puzzle, can you say 20psi on stock exhaust? oh yea!!!

[scheides]

So this thing is turning into a dedicated track car now, right?

[JET]

I would say homemade UICP, that is a huge restriction on a 1g. The one in my red car couldn't have cost more than $30 :P JCwhitney has the bends for cheap.

[xveganxcowboyx]

I have some 3" exhaust bends and piping that could be worked into an ecu deal if we do trade up. If you just do one piece back it can be really cheap to do.

Probably have some old skateboard bearings you can have if you want them. (or snag some from some $1 thrift store rollerblades)

$25 for some carbide bits might be worth while as well.

*edit* Also, evo 8 fuel pumps go for cheap. ~$25

[Kracka]

I know some one who would give you cash and a non-eprom for the eprom he will be over on sunday also.

Please put me in contact with this fellow :)

[Kracka]

So this thing is turning into a dedicated track car now, right?

OH YEAH! It'll be at RockFalls for MAP's July 8th event! More than likely it'll be on race gas, hopefully leaded if I can get that damn cat out ;)

[Kracka]

I would say homemade UICP, that is a huge restriction on a 1g. The one in my red car couldn't have cost more than $30 :P JCwhitney has the bends for cheap.

Get on it JET's Customs! It needs to fit around the ABS box though, that'll make it more expensive I bet.

[Kracka]

Probably have some old skateboard bearings you can have if you want them. (or snag some from some $1 thrift store rollerblades)

$25 for some carbide bits might be worth while as well.

*edit* Also, evo 8 fuel pumps go for cheap. ~$25

Nice thought on the skateboard bearings, thats a lot cheaper than the premade metal bushings; and I can do some cheap hardware store washers for the shifter base! Are all skateboard bearings the same size? I was just checking on eBay and I can get 10 for less than the price of 2 when they are labeled as DSM shifter bushings.

What do I need carbide bits for?

Do EVO pumps bolt into 1G's without too much hassle?