What to do about my SL1 and life in general *long*

jolt · 07-13-2004, 04:00 AM

Okay this is a bit long...

Story thus far...

I've saved up a bit of money to put towards my stock 2001 SL1 w 50k'ish miles (13k is mine over the last 5 months). Its been running pretty good and running great after I replaced my intake manifold gasket ( i did it myself! yay me ). But, after jumping on this site, and reading about Saturns and performance in general, I would really like to do something about my car in the performance department. For awhile, my goal was an engine swap from a SOHC to DOHC after I built up the engine. The reason behind this was to learn HOW to break down, and build an engine.I didn't just want to do bolt ons. Also, slap some nice 17in. rims on there. Once I got the engine in, i'd focus on college and then once that was good, I'd start budgeting for my turbo ( or other forms of major HP )

As of now...

Well, I've got about a grand available to me and I've kind of stalled out. I've decided to move from Colorado to a more warmer climate ( Arizona is what I'm thinking ). This last winter has really made me bitter and I need to make a change. I'm thinking around October, which gives me four months or so.. maybe more. Nothing is certain at this point. This move will defenatly increase my expenses which makes me think about the money i've got and what I will have to spend. I've got a good sum so far and not wishing to part with it unless I can make a decision.
There is also the issue of , is it worth putting that money into my Saturn? Should I just hold on until I have more money to get something else. A new SC2? Maybe something else. Not sure. I've got 4 years or so until I have my car is payed off and not really eager to switch vehicles which will increase my monthly expense and insurance.
If I do go ahead with the engine swap. I'm having trouble finding one. And will I have the time to learn how to tear it down and build it back up. Also, will I have the money to do it.

So I'm faced with quite a few questions that I can't seem to come up with answers for. I can easily put an exaust and some rims, but that would be kinda silly to me if I don't have an engine to back it up. Would it be worth it if I just found a used DOHC 1.9L and just swap it and deal with a build up later? Would I be happy and would the money be well spent?

What other options do I have?

I'm really going in circles and there is quite a few issues and responsibilities that I haven't really given much thought into that I should.

I guess what I'm asking for is advice. If you were faced with moving, college, a burning desire for Saturn performance , and life's responsibilities ( as I'm sure most here already are ), what choices would you make. What path would you take.

I'll add more later, I just wanted to get this up and see what kind of response I get. I'm hoping that I can get a little direction on my current situation

Thanks for your help

-- jolt

jeep45238 · 07-13-2004, 11:27 AM

My opinion having beend own your road before:

Focus on your education first. Always.

WIth the engine....get a junk one and tear it apart on your spare time and chump change, and then rebuild it to stock specs. You'll learn more than you ever knew you could by taking apart a puzzle of bolts.

Revolver · 07-13-2004, 01:49 PM

Have you ever been in Arizona in August before? Be prepared for 90 degree weather when you walk out the door at 6 A.M. :P

CAmos · 07-13-2004, 01:58 PM

Quote:

I've got 4 years or so until I have my car is payed off and not really eager to switch vehicles which will increase my monthly expense and insurance.

If I were you, I would either get out from under the debt, or (if you are 'upside down') hold on to the car as is and drive it.

If you can get out of the debt, use the grand to go to an older SC2, if not put it to the principal on the loan.

Having 4 years of car payments hanging over your head and trying to go to school is a bad combination.

IMHO

BlueSatty · 07-13-2004, 02:22 PM

go with jeep's idea...education first. but if you have some time....buy a junk car and re-build it to be a racecar. I have learned the hard way that when you mess around with your toy that is also your daily driver and you break something that you just don't have laying around...you are screwed. so try not to mix your daily driver with your toy.

ausgeflippt13 · 07-13-2004, 06:19 PM

education should always come first. Then, w/ the extra money you're earning as a result of your education, spend it on your saturn/living/etc.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revolver

Have you ever been in Arizona in August before? Be prepared for 90 degree weather when you walk out the door at 6 A.M. :P

that's if you're lucky

. In August tho we have "monsoons." We get a "hard rain" about every week that lasts about three minutes and then tones down to a drizzle. Then we get mediocre showers the rest of the week.

I love AZ; no tornados, hurricanes, floods (except the occasional flash flood), blizzards, etc. Up north AZ is gorgeous, and down south like Tucson it's pleasant in its own right. Only state with saguaros (except for the very southern tip of CA).

sl2fast · 07-13-2004, 10:41 PM

if i were you i would get a twin cam motor and work on it when you can and with what money you have to put towards it. yes put your education first, i am going into the same situation as you. if you need to save for parts and what not while you are pulling the motor apart cleaning it and stuff. thats what i want to do for my car get a spare motor and build the **** out of it, but with the lack of $$$ its tough.

just make the right decision, you dont wanna screw yourself from the beginning you still have a ways to go

jolt · 07-13-2004, 11:39 PM

I used to live in Sunny San Diego ... Southern California can get hot.. so it won't be a big shock to me. Just something to get used to again. I'm super white atm.. 4 years of working overnight shift will do that to yah. Oh and having a 1/2 Scottish, 1/2 German background doesn't help with tanning.. belive me. On the flip side, the heat isn't a major problem. I feel comfratable in almost any weather, including cold climates. I'm just sick of being locked down when it snows around here. If you try and go anywhere it takes for bloody ever. Thanks for the warning though. Weather isn't the only reason for the move... its just time to get the !@#$ outta here.

I do agree on the education part. Having it as a primary focus, but the money I've got together isn't all that I have. The 1k I put aside slowly, I saved for the car. It was ment for the car... I'm just doubting if I have enough time to put this together. I wasn't looking to put together a 12 sec car. It is a daily driver, I just wish to get a bit more out of it. And my thought process was if I'm going to do an engine swap, then I might as well build out the engine a bit first while I have it out. Since I might wish to do a forced induction setup later.

Would you guys think I could find a used 1.9L DOHC engine and some decent rims within a grand. I'm getting a ton of overtime at the moment, so I'm flexable in how much I spend towards this. I'm just debating if it is worth it. Or, should I put off the purchase of rims and sink it stright into an engine? The grand I don't mind spending towards the car, thats what its there for. Just with all the different things I can do to the car, I can't come to a conclution on what changes to make.

I can skip the build for later. A friend of mine can do the swap for me inexpensivly. Its just finding a reliable used engine that I won't have to rebuild.

Hmmm...

-- jolt

Zorminster · 07-14-2004, 02:03 AM

well, you need to decide exactly what your doin w/ your car-- personally heres what id do--

pick up a 1.9 block- just the block-- prolly like 150-500$ in a juinkyard-- get JUST the block. Then, get it bored, get your rods and pistons and DOHC head with cams and crank. This will take like 2500$ or so to buildup your engine (if you dont know people) then you gotta invest in an intake manifold (youve already got one, dunno if it lines up on a DOHC head though) and you need a turbo and turbo manifold.

jeep45238 · 07-14-2004, 02:16 AM

Sounds like you've got your mind set spending money and getting in debt.