Project Extreme Frugality

[Brian Baskin]

While staying up til 3AM, waiting on an ebay auction to end, I came up with a name for my truck project: Extreme Frugality

Let's see:
Truck purchase: $5000 (+400 tax/transfer and +500 for brake/misc repairs for MD inspection)
custom catback: bought used for $250 from Chuck (lightngsvt)
flex-a-lite 210 e-fans: $125 used from StruckBy
Downs Upper intake: $225 used from StruckBy
ASP Underdrive pulleys: on sale for $65
K&N FIPK: $50 from another NLOC member (fordfan19)

That doesn't count in the repair work/labor done (power steering died, window motor died, etc) just performance parts.

I sat up all night watching an eBay auction for JBA Ceramic coated headers, I put in a bid for $190 ($500 brand new), but two low-lifes snipered me, by bidding in the last 30 seconds of the auction, sigh.

Anyways, just seeing where I'm going to go now with this. I've made an oath not to pay full/retail price on any go-fast part, and see how fast I can make her So far, so good.

 

[lightngsvt]

Best of luck! So how is my old cat-back holding up? I always liked the sound of the system, but it wouldnt work with my cal-tracs. So whats your goal with your truck?:tu:

 

[Brian Baskin]

Well, the next thing is the engine, and this is where I'll make the plunge on ... gasp ... buying new parts I want to hit mid-high 13s, N/A, and keep the truck under $10k total investment. I doubt that'd happen, but it'll be very close.

I still like the exhaust, but I'm very soon going to get some b-quiet insulation. I think my stressful job, and the exhaust don't go well together headaches upon headaches. It still turns heads, and I always crack the window in the apartment to hear my wife drive off in it.

 

[Litl Sam]

Bassani headers are on clearence at truckperformance.com right now and they have free shipping! Their clearence price is $283.04! This is UNcoated but still a good deal.

 

[Brian Baskin]

Thanks for the heads-up Sam. Still a little too rich for me, but I hope others can get a hold of it.

 

[Brian Baskin]

OK, an update on P:EF.

Picking up Lightning Ralph (Voorhees) old 75K mile '93 block to throw in, for the price of $1300
A brand new B351 cam for $190
A bedliner for $40
and picked up those Bassani's for $283 ($60 off their normal price).
A total investment, so far, of $8430 now. Now to find a used set of slicks and Ranchos

It'll be awhile before everything goes on, as the truck is in need of a few repairs, and tax time just ate all my left over money.

I'm anxiously awaiting what kind of times I'll be having. My bests are in my sig, with just the e-fans, pulleys, timing, catback. Now I have a K&N filtercharger, and Downs Ford upper. After the cam/headers, maybe I'll see a 14.3? Can't wait to find out. :tu:

 

[lightngsvt]

I have some MT ET Streets (28x11.50) that I might be talked into selling. I was thinking of some new tires or new slicks this spring. These tires probably have 30-50 passes left on them ( my best guess).

Do you think that box upper is helping? I would think it might actually hurt on a stock NA motor, as it would hurt some of your torque. Arent the box uppers made for making hp in the upper RPM ranges? Either way, I hope you hit your 14.3 goal really soon!

 

[Brian Baskin]

Oh geez, don't tempt me on the slicks I do need a set, I bought wheels about ... 6 months ago, never used them. Money won't be coming in until at least June though.

As far as the Downs Ford, I like it. It does transfer the powerband up, and there are quite a few dead points below 2500 rpm. But, it has a more civilized ride now (IMO), and above 2500-3000 rpm, it pulls like never before. I haven't had any good chance to get results at the track, and probably won't, but I do feel a lot better with it. Highway passing has become a breeze now (pardon the pun). But, I did purchase it knowing that I have a lot of plans for this motor. It may hurt me a little now, but eventually everything will go together in harmony

Now, I just need to wait til June, when my work decides to settle pay issues (before I bring in the six letter L-word), maybe after that it won't be as frugal