Thread: Help Hoon Design His El Camino!

Originally Posted by Hoon, Esq.

As for a budget...I would say around $1k for wheels and tires...seems cheap but those cragars are less then $100 each, torque thrusts are only $150.

About $1k for paint...I'll strip it myself, which should save some labor.

The mechanicals are well sorted for now. Future mods would include proper suspension upgrades, not just lowering springs and a 4:10 or higher rear end (3:73 now)

Im not going overboard because its JUST an el Camino ...it's not matching numbers or an SS, so ill keep it reasonable and fun!

I'm not going to paint it myself because I don't want to invest in all that gear right now, plus I doubt I would do a good job

I agree with everything you said, except the 1k for paint. I'm not sure what kind of paint you're purchasing but I know for my car the paint alone is 2900$. ALthough I am getting paint/and many coats of clear. Wheels shouldn't be an issue, especially that you live in Cali parts are so easy and cheap to get.

Crappy paint for sure...just something to keep clean and look decent for about 5 years.

I'm also gonna do a big brake upgrade in a year or so. I might do sway bars and a steering wheel this time around though. Like Johnny Cash...one piece at a time!

I think you have a general plan to work with. Now would be the time to go and get some quotes from local paint shops on what you want. Talk to them about the project and what you are considering doing. If you are willing to do the body work, a friendly painter will be willing to give you pointers so that he doesn't have to fix anything. The good and friendly painters love it when all they have to do is spray the car. I know of a few good ones in Cali that are used to painting custom rides where the owner is very hands on. Their paint jobs range in price from $1-2K all the way up to $10k and they do lots of work on Cobra replicas where the paint job is everything. Seriously, people that build replica Cobras often plan a $10K budget for paint. I believe when all is said and done, the average paint job is around $7K.

Originally Posted by Hoon, Esq.

Crappy paint for sure...just something to keep clean and look decent for about 5 years.

I'm also gonna do a big brake upgrade in a year or so. I might do sway bars and a steering wheel this time around though. Like Johnny Cash...one piece at a time!

If by big brake you mean converting to a disc brake system than that will set you back quite a bit. The whole mechanism for it is quite pricy.

One piece at a time for sure! If you start bouncing around and doing half here and half there it will never get done. Any HD pics you can post?

I'll post some pics soon. I have discs upfront already....drums in the back

Originally Posted by Hoon, Esq.

I have discs upfront already....drums in the back

That's what Mazza is talking about. Conversion from drum to disk for the rear can cost a few grand. You have rotors, calipers and hardware, if you do the front end to match you're looking at a pretty penny. But this is a long term project so taking it one piece at a time is best. Focusing on paint would be a good place to start.

Originally Posted by FastFords

That's what Mazza is talking about. Conversion from drum to disk for the rear can cost a few grand. You have rotors, calipers and hardware, if you do the front end to match you're looking at a pretty penny. But this is a long term project so taking it one piece at a time is best. Focusing on paint would be a good place to start.

Yup that's what I mean. You said you're looking at an 8 year project though so it shouldn't be an issue.


ALTHOUGH I DO WARN YOU... an el camino isn't like other classics, what you put in it MAY NOT be exactly what it's worth...

Originally Posted by MazzaFiveOneFour

ALTHOUGH I DO WARN YOU... an el camino isn't like other classics, what you put in it MAY NOT be exactly what it's worth...

Yessir...this 1,000%!!! Like I said, its not a matching #'s car, not a Chevelle or Camaro, etc. I don't plan on ever selling it, but that dosn't mean I should just do everything at a 10/10.

Originally Posted by Hoon, Esq.

Yessir...this 1,000%!!! Like I said, its not a matching #'s car, not a Chevelle or Camaro, etc. I don't plan on ever selling it, but that dosn't mean I should just do everything at a 10/10.

Then I definitely like the passion you have towards this car! Keep us updated!

Motor came in from Blueprint yesterday afternoon...elkie towed to the shop this morning...Headman headers w/Flowmasters ordered....video of this trashy beast fired up again by early next week (Hopefully!!!)