bang for your buck$$$$$$$$

[redbaronrace]

is it me or are the builders raking us consumers over the coals ? a 1600 motor for 5000$ a chassis for 8000 . now some of the unlimited stuff seems inline like a SPD turnkey TT is 385,000.00 to me that seems ok . just trying to get some input on this so gimme yur thoughts from cl 11 to tt on costs and why , thanks

[Kartman]

Last I heard SPD turnkey trucks were 700.

[Steve_Sourapas]

I got a quote on a SPD and the base price is $ 450,000 with no motor and transmission. If you want Bembo brakes and any other changes that will be extra. I've got two Class 1's for sale,each are priced at 200K and one is a brand new HMS and the other is a RPS with 5 races on it. Both have Patton engines with Motec injection. You can get one cheaper but the quality of the cars and the parts that were used won't compare.

[fashionbiff]

Its gotta be hard to rate. An example is building a chopper, parts alone are going to cost you dang near what you will spend to buy the bike all built. This is not getting bro deals on stuff. Just getting a paycheck and ordering parts here and there.
Material alone has gotten out of hand. I work as an electrician prices several years ago just trippled.(9/11) Copper is even worse with quotes only good for the "DAY"(don't know if its still that bad), you can not get three supply houses to get you a quote on the same day. Look at lumber too.
A lot of this is because material is going overseas to build up other countries who are willing to pay. We also have an ever tightening on industries here in the US and they are forcing companys to move their production out of America or just close all together. The country is getting choked out by its own law makers.

[johnnyweb]

I guess they are worth what people will pay for them. I am not happy what it is costing me to build up my 8100 truck but its still alot cheaper then any kind of class1 or TT other for that matter. I can complain all I want but the vendors I need to buy parts from have to make a living also. Good luck with your build.

[Samco Fab]

I think if an SPD or Gieser is expensive because it is good.

Look at one of these above mentioned Trophy Truck. Lets say it takes about 2200 hours to build one. At $80 an hour that is $176,000 . The raw parts in one of those trucks are easily $140,000. Add that up, and you get $316,000.

I bet early in the career of a Trophy Truck builder, they gave away quite a bit of $$ just to get their name out there.

If they were building a trailer, fixing a backhoe, making a fence or a gate, or any other more standard fabrication, nobody would complain about the $80 an hour.

If you build something as complex as a Trophy Truck, mabye they should charge $120 an hour due to the skill and design of the beautiful pieces of craftsmanship that they produce.

Sometimes people see something like a Trophy Truck and think that it is cool, that it must have been all fun for the persons that made it, but it is still a job. I think the two mentioned builders deserve every red cent that they make.

Volkswagen engines on the other hand, whats the deal:D

[NicksTrix]

steve, why are you selling the cars off so soon?

bottom line is materials and operating expenses are high.

[nimrod]

I don't think Geisers are anywhere near as expensive as SPD....I'm pretty sure you can get a fully loaded Geiser for under 500K

[Rory]

>>If you build something as complex as a Trophy Truck, mabye they should charge $120 an hour due to the skill and design of the beautiful pieces of craftsmanship that they produce.<<

I think I speak for all RACE CAR OWNERS that this quote should be erased from the thread and never be spoken again!! (please note sarcazm).

[Samco Fab]

>>If you build something as complex as a Trophy Truck, mabye they should charge $120 an hour due to the skill and design of the beautiful pieces of craftsmanship that they produce.<<

I think I speak for all RACE CAR OWNERS that this quote should be erased from the thread and never be spoken again!! (please note sarcazm).

Lets re word this:

If you make something as cool as a Racers Only t shirt or hat, mabye you should pay twice as much for it as other stuff due to the skill and design of those cool drawings that Rory guy does;)

As a side note, I posted my post before noticing that a turn key SPD truck was 700K:eek: That seems like a lot for anyone, but they are nice trucks, and people will pay for them. And think how easy it will be to get that Score inspection done when you pay that 700K, you wont even have to worry if Savage will give it the thumbs up:p

[Kartman]

Lets re word this:

If you make something as cool as a Racers Only t shirt or hat, mabye you should pay twice as much for it as other stuff due to the skill and design of those cool drawings that Rory guy does;)

As a side note, I posted my post before noticing that a turn key SPD truck was 700K:eek: That seems like a lot for anyone, but they are nice trucks, and people will pay for them. And think how easy it will be to get that Score inspection done when you pay that 700K, you wont even have to worry if Savage will give it the thumbs up:p

That is an unconfirmed number, just what I had heard a couple months ago. Might be totally false.

[D-rek]

I think if an SPD or Gieser is expensive because it is good.

Look at one of these above mentioned Trophy Truck. Lets say it takes about 2200 hours to build one. At $80 an hour that is $176,000 . The raw parts in one of those trucks are easily $140,000. Add that up, and you get $316,000.

I bet early in the career of a Trophy Truck builder, they gave away quite a bit of $$ just to get their name out there.

If they were building a trailer, fixing a backhoe, making a fence or a gate, or any other more standard fabrication, nobody would complain about the $80 an hour.

If you build something as complex as a Trophy Truck, mabye they should charge $120 an hour due to the skill and design of the beautiful pieces of craftsmanship that they produce.

Sometimes people see something like a Trophy Truck and think that it is cool, that it must have been all fun for the persons that made it, but it is still a job. I think the two mentioned builders deserve every red cent that they make.

Volkswagen engines on the other hand, whats the deal:D


That seems like a lot of money for the fabricator. 2200 hrs that is essentially one man year of labor (42 hrs a week 52 weeks or however you divide it out with more work force). Take $70k out for shop costs and the fabricator is making 100k profit on the truck. These guys are talented but that seems high to me. Again just my opinion.

[TauMau]

Really 2200 hours of labor for one of these cookie cutter TTs? Sure they're nice work but that number alone seems too high, let alone the fit and finish price.

I don't think these numbers are correct...I know back in the day when everything was state of the art (ie the Land Shark) you could spend upwards of $1 mil, but that's when there weren't nearly as many around. Now you've got 100 TTs and class 1s to a race...there is a reason they're called "cookie cutter" vehicles. If you can build a TL for $70,000, why couldn't you build a TT for < $250,000...? There is no reason something should cost nearly 3 times that...

[Andy McMillin]

Really 2200 hours of labor for one of these cookie cutter TTs? Sure they're nice work but that number alone seems too high, let alone the fit and finish price.

I don't think these numbers are correct...I know back in the day when everything was state of the art (ie the Land Shark) you could spend upwards of $1 mil, but that's when there weren't nearly as many around. Now you've got 100 TTs and class 1s to a race...there is a reason they're called "cookie cutter" vehicles. If you can build a TL for $70,000, why couldn't you build a TT for < $250,000...? There is no reason something should cost nearly 3 times that...

Unless you have a fab shop and have built a legit Trophy Truck that wins races for $250 grand, I think you are wrong about being able to build one for $250k. The motor and tranny are going to be $50k at least! Then you have 8 shocks at about $30k, it starts to add up! If you are building one on your own and don't have to pay any labor prices, then yeah $250k could be achieved. But when you are paying a shop that has 5 people working on it, it is going to cost more.

[TauMau]

Yeah I suppose...how long does it take to build a TT from day 1 until it rolls out the door? I was thinking labor was (significantly) less then components...guess I was wrong, huh?

[fathead]

Yeah I suppose...how long does it take to build a TT from day 1 until it rolls out the door? I was thinking labor was (significantly) less then components...guess I was wrong, huh?

Just for reference, I have a friend that will have right around 100k in to a toyota truck when it is done. That is just parts alone, not labor.

[philofab]

As a fabricator 2200 seems low. It takes more than one person to build, wire, and plumb a truck. Where is dump at?... I think he'd laugh at that amount of hours. In my shop 3 people working 8 hours = 24 billable hours. Adds up quick... I think 5000 would be closer. Maybe I'm just slow. I think with that investment you get some support too. How much is that worth?

[Kartman]

This message has been deleted by Andy McMillin. Reason: Daniel likes little boys.

LOL, that makes me wonder what was there.

[johnnyweb]

I believe a number like 2200 hours is not out of line at all. I have been rebuilding a truck i bought that was a together previously raced truck and i have hundreds of hours in it. I can only imagine how many hours i would have in it if i started from scratch. I have like 100 hours in to the wiring alone. I am amazed at what little progress i make in an 8 hour day. Of course thats working on it alone. Some friends have put in a little time but mostly all my self. As for the $80 per hour? I personally would not charge any less then that. You walk into any mechanic shop in my town and have some less gifted mechanic charge me $100 an hour to repair my car. Any car dealer would be atleast $100 per hour.

[hammer down racing]

$5000 for a 1600 motor? Maybe a few years ago, they aren't that cheap anymore.

[racer_dude]

$5000 for a 1600 motor? Maybe a few years ago, they aren't that cheap anymore.

shoot, i have a 1600 sittin on the floor right in front of me right now, ill sell to you for the low low low cost of $2200.. throw your restrictor plate in and race 'er.


it aint gonna make the power, but you can run it for about 6 seasons without touching a thing =)

[NIKAL]

$5000 for a 1600 motor? Maybe a few years ago, they aren't that cheap anymore.

No there not, add 2 grand to that price. And what really stinks is when you take a brand new motor and finish in the top 3 at The Mint 400 race. And Post Tech makes the top 3 cars in 1600, 5/1600 and 9 tear one side of the motor down so they can look at the rods and crankshaft. Oh yeah the Tech area was in the dirt at the start / finish line in 20 mph winds. Can you say sand in the motor! Any money won will not even pay to get the motor re-done.

[JRomans]

$5000 for a 1600 motor? Maybe a few years ago, they aren't that cheap anymore.

So does this mean a 1600 motor cost more per horsepower than a nascar motor????:eek:

[redbaronrace]

i guess . a brand new imca mod motor making 600hp only costs 6300.00 and will go all year . but this is why i put up this post , to get everyones input. thanks.

[redbaronrace]

hey racer dude ill tell my freind about yur motor if yur serious , he tryin to scrap together a 2/16

[Rocket 450]

RedBaron funny you bring up IMCA My last Imca made 550hp and cost me about 3500.00
and lasted most of a year.(ate a valve fixed it and sold it 2500.00).I ran the same block and most the same internals and heads in 3 differnet classes in 5 years.

Ive been thinking about this same subject for months, just never had the nuts to post a thread about it.

To me it boils down to a lack of demand. Off Road racers dont buy new chassis every couple of years,they dont buy new trailing arms once a year and dont tear stuff up like us circle track racers do. So theres not a huge supply of used equipment like the type of racing Im used to doing. It blows my mind that a mid 80's 10/12 raceco with old style shocks and bus tranny can go over 10k.

[5racer]

you also have to remember that the tools we use are not cheap also ,and rent ,weld supplys insurance,utility's,maintenance .you add all these up are there,s realy not alot of profit left over.the labor is what cost the most and il bet that not one builder charges for every hour they put into a build.

[Baja Fool]

Off road racing has now begun to come of age. The more sponsors that inject money into our sport, the higher their expectations become. Hence the growth in the fabrication business, parts availability, quality control, etc. The whole supply chain has now grown to meet the demand.....along with the cost.

Also the uniformity of the sport's rules regarding the integrity and oversight of the safety equipment in the race car and demands that these manfacuturers now provide equipment that conforms to the regs. Back in the day, it was virtually run whatya brung.

And the cost of some of the entry fees! For those of us who are sole sponsor this just makes it harder.

So you pretty much either have to suck it up and pay, race a quad or a motorcycle (way cheaper), or quit (no way).

Good Question!

[JRomans]

....... And what really stinks is when you take a brand new motor and finish in the top 3 at The Mint 400 race. And Post Tech makes the top 3 cars in 1600, 5/1600 and 9 tear one side of the motor down so they can look at the rods and crankshaft. Oh yeah the Tech area was in the dirt at the start / finish line in 20 mph winds. Can you say sand in the motor! Any money won will not even pay to get the motor re-done.

I know a few guys that where not happy about tearing down there motors in a sand storm. Seems like they picked a bad race for a complete tear down.


No there not, add 2 grand to that price.......

I'm curious to find out how much more horsepower you get for an extra $5000, considering you can get a stock 1600 with 60 hp for under $2000.
Anyone willing to give out some numbers?:rolleyes:

[Brock_Beeson]

i would venture to guess it is about 400-600 hours just designing a TT that would be competitive. then the actual truck, then having about 3 race trucks worth of spares, then the trucks to carry the spares, then the people to drive the trucks full of spares, then the shop to store/ maintain everything. then the prerunners to drive, ect..

in TT racing, the truck is the cheapest part.

[Dezertpilot]

I'm curious to find out how much more horsepower you get for an extra $5000, considering you can get a stock 1600 with 60 hp for under $2000.
Anyone willing to give out some numbers?:rolleyes:

I bet the 1600 motors run about 80 HP, up to maybe 85. The ability to run at a high RPM all day is why they cost alot. You see with FAT they have been in the VW game id say since the 60's. That is also knowledge you are paying for along with any and all trade secrets they have picked up along the way.

[hammer down racing]

I bet the 1600 motors run about 80 HP, up to maybe 85. The ability to run at a high RPM all day is why they cost alot. You see with FAT they have been in the VW game id say since the 60's. That is also knowledge you are paying for along with any and all trade secrets they have picked up along the way.

Our singel port motor was almost 80 hp. Our new dual port motor is well over 85 hp.

[TexasRacing]

I bet the 1600 motors run about 80 HP, up to maybe 85. The ability to run at a high RPM all day is why they cost alot. You see with FAT they have been in the VW game id say since the 60's. That is also knowledge you are paying for along with any and all trade secrets they have picked up along the way.

GREG AT FAT MOTORS IS A GREAT GUY AND HIS MOTORS ARE TOP NOTCH. THE ABILITY TO RUN AT FULL THROTLE IS A MUST IN A 1600 CAR,AND FOR THE MONEY YOU GET A MOTOR THAT IS LITERALLY PLUG AND PLAY THEY HAVE ALL THE LATEST MODS AND COME DYNO TUNED FOR THE ABILITY TO PLUG IT IN AND IMMEDIATLY RUN AT FULL THROTTLE.I HAVE RUN A FAT MOTOR FOR THREE YEARS NOW AND YET HAVE A FAILURE. FOR A FACT I DON'T EVEN OPEN THE MOTOR TO ADJUST VALVES AT ALL. JUST SEND IT BACK FOR MAINTAINACE EVERY TWO RACES.THAT'S WHAT YOU GET FOR YOUR MONEY,THE PEACE OF MIND THAT YOU DO NOT WORRY ABOUT THE MOTOR FAILING IN A RACE. JUST MY .02

[NIKAL]

GREG AT FAT MOTORS IS A GREAT GUY AND HIS MOTORS ARE TOP NOTCH. THE ABILITY TO RUN AT FULL THROTLE IS A MUST IN A 1600 CAR,AND FOR THE MONEY YOU GET A MOTOR THAT IS LITERALLY PLUG AND PLAY THEY HAVE ALL THE LATEST MODS AND COME DYNO TUNED FOR THE ABILITY TO PLUG IT IN AND IMMEDIATLY RUN AT FULL THROTTLE.I HAVE RUN A FAT MOTOR FOR THREE YEARS NOW AND YET HAVE A FAILURE. FOR A FACT I DON'T EVEN OPEN THE MOTOR TO ADJUST VALVES AT ALL. JUST SEND IT BACK FOR MAINTAINACE EVERY TWO RACES.THAT'S WHAT YOU GET FOR YOUR MONEY,THE PEACE OF MIND THAT YOU DO NOT WORRY ABOUT THE MOTOR FAILING IN A RACE. JUST MY .02

That is exactly how we feel about our Kenny Major Motor. We know once we pick it up from the shop that it's ready to win. I cant speak about other builders but I know when running a Major motor at the Score races Kenny is their supporting his customers. And if you place and if Tech wants to look at your motor, Kenny is there to do the tear down for you. Its nice knowing your engine builder is at the track incase you need help or if you have a question. Also its nice knowing once you finish a race and your tired, your not the one pulling tools out and pulling push rods and spark plugs for the P&G test. The fact that Kenny has always given us the best HP's we can get, and the customer service we have got at the shop and track is why we feel Kenny Major is the best for us.

[1wayne]

If you want to be competive you have to spend the money. When you spend 5,000.00 for a engine you are paying for ALOT of R&D work trial and error. These engine builders spent a lot of time trying different things. Sometimes it works sometimes it does not. They find that little tweek here and there that what your paying for. Just my thoughts!

[kenaroo]

I really dought that $80/per hour would even cover the overhead to keep the shop doors open. These manufactures need to make as much as possible just to keep going. I would have to think $250 to $300 or more per hour would be more like it

In Auto Manufacturing... making a 100 units is pretty tiny number.. definately not cookie cutter. the TT manufactures would need to Make thousands to greatly reduce the cost of the build. I haven't even tried to figure out what the magic number is but I'm pretty sure it would be more than the demand.


now can someone tell me why in S. Cali you pay $600K for a 1700 sq/ft bungelow house? now that's a rip off:cool:

[Dezertpilot]

now can someone tell me why in S. Cali you pay $600K for a 1700 sq/ft bungelow house? now that's a rip off:cool:

Ummm, who wants to live in Texas? Remember what R.Lee Ermy said in Full Metal Jacket?:D Juuuusssss kiddin'! Everyone wants to live here though, especially in the coastal cities like San Clemente, Newport,Etc.

[YZBrad]

Leonard with Mailman Motors built the engine for our class 9 and it was far less than the $5000 that everyone is saying for the 1600 engine. The only difference between a 9 and a 16 is a few case modifications, and the machining of the heads, correct? Leonard was a great guy to deal with and knows his stuff. If anyone is interested, PM me for his number.

[Beat98TJ]

now can someone tell me why in S. Cali you pay $600K for a 1700 sq/ft bungelow house? now that's a rip off:cool:

Where? That is 50% more square feet than I have and $100k less expensive. I need to move :rolleyes:

[deleted]

Really 2200 hours of labor for one of these cookie cutter TTs? Sure they're nice work but that number alone seems too high, let alone the fit and finish price.

I don't think these numbers are correct...I know back in the day when everything was state of the art (ie the Land Shark) you could spend upwards of $1 mil, but that's when there weren't nearly as many around. Now you've got 100 TTs and class 1s to a race...there is a reason they're called "cookie cutter" vehicles. If you can build a TL for $70,000, why couldn't you build a TT for < $250,000...? There is no reason something should cost nearly 3 times that...

If you are going to be build a new Trophy Truck and want to run somewhere near the front, plan on spending at least 400k. A decent(B Level) Trophy Truck motor with Motec is $65,000. The motors that the top guys are running cost a lot more. I think Andy is being really nice on his numbers. Dont quote me but I think the Kroyer package that BJ, Andy and others run is 85k. As cookie cutter as a lot of Trophy Trucks look, there is still a lot of time putting together all of the one off pieces.

A lot of people would call a $400k Trophy Truck a complete waste of money however. On the contrary, I am not really sure what can mow through 6 ft ditches at 120mph like a Trophy Truck can, you must be getting what you pay for. To me, a nice working Trophy Truck running through the ditches at PRIMM well over 100 mph is the sweetest thing on the face of the earth.

[Stimpy]

[ . To me, a nice working Trophy Truck running through the ditches at PRIMM well over 100 mph is the sweetest thing on the face of the earth.[/QUOTE]

Well said Matt!..... The juice is worth the squeeze!

[racer951]

Leonard with Mailman Motors built the engine for our class 9 and it was far less than the $5000 that everyone is saying for the 1600 engine. The only difference between a 9 and a 16 is a few case modifications, and the machining of the heads, correct? Leonard was a great guy to deal with and knows his stuff. If anyone is interested, PM me for his number.

Compression, compression, compression for 1600 vs. 9. Pistons are different along with other things. A 9 motor should always be under $5K. A whole car on the other hand is getting more expensive along with the other classes if you want it to be top of the line. My next 9 car (whenever that is) will be 25K+.

[la2baja]

is it me or are the builders raking us consumers over the coals ? a 1600 motor for 5000$ a chassis for 8000 . now some of the unlimited stuff seems inline like a SPD turnkey TT is 385,000.00 to me that seems ok . just trying to get some input on this so gimme yur thoughts from cl 11 to tt on costs and why , thanks

That is way low for an SPD.

[younggunracer]

Where? That is 50% more square feet than I have and $100k less expensive. I need to move :rolleyes:


Man you guys in Cali have it Rough! Thats why I love good ol New Mexico plenty of desert and about 500k less for the same house!

[redbaronrace]

That is way low for an SPD.

just what i was told when iwas workin at collins , and the motor package from kroyer i was told is 38,000 with the motec , trans 8000, rear gear 3000,

[YZBrad]

Compression, compression, compression for 1600 vs. 9. Pistons are different along with other things. A 9 motor should always be under $5K. A whole car on the other hand is getting more expensive along with the other classes if you want it to be top of the line. My next 9 car (whenever that is) will be 25K+.

Yeah definitely, but I dont see how it can be a $3000 difference, even with the pistons, head work, oil squirters, ect. An yes the cars are expensive, when we bought the chassis we were looking at complete cars for what our chassis was and questioning if it was the right way to go, now on the other hand, our car is almost done (its new) and for what we have into it we could barely afford a used 2 seater for what they are going for now.

[Rocket 450]

My next 9 car (whenever that is) will be 25K+.

Please forgive my ignorance. But how do you spend 25,000 on a 9 car?? 25k for just the car race ready right.No spares?

[redbaronrace]

Please forgive my ignorance. But how do you spend 25,000 on a 9 car?? 25k for just the car race ready right.No spares?

yes i dont mean to judge but if u even thinkk that 25k is ok yur an idiot ............ u need to shop around .............. and if u do think its ok i hope they dont even use vasaline............ CHRIST help these people, PLEASE. i pulled my old 2 seater out of a rolloff box , took it home made some repairs and raced the next year in snore (the old days when the fast guys were racing)for 8000.00 the whole year and that included the new motor /trans at the begining and a new trans after the 5th race(let the peices out) i ended up 2nd in class and 4th overall points for the year ...........so learn how to do some work your self to save some serious coin.

[doug969]

yes i dont mean to judge but if u even thinkk that 25k is ok yur an idiot ............ u need to shop around .............. and if u do think its ok i hope they dont even use vasaline............ CHRIST help these people, PLEASE. i pulled my old 2 seater out of a rolloff box , took it home made some repairs and raced the next year in snore (the old days when the fast guys were racing)for 8000.00 the whole year and that included the new motor /trans at the begining and a new trans after the 5th race(let the peices out) i ended up 2nd in class and 4th overall points for the year ...........so learn how to do some work your self to save some serious coin.

I'm sure Cory was talking about it being built mostly by a shop and only a tad done by himself. You can spend 25k on a new 9 car easy if you have a turnkey car built. When I built my Lothringer I spent almost 7k just in the chassis,body and some fab work. Then I finished tabbing, plumbing, elec. I did my own motor had shocks and had the trans built for parts only and still had over 13k in a 9 car. A few years ago (maybe 6) I got a quote from a shop at 26k turnkey and that was mild steel. Im sure its way up now with the cost of steel.

[racer951]

yes i dont mean to judge but if u even thinkk that 25k is ok yur an idiot ............ u need to shop around .............. and if u do think its ok i hope they dont even use vasaline............ CHRIST help these people, PLEASE. i pulled my old 2 seater out of a rolloff box , took it home made some repairs and raced the next year in snore (the old days when the fast guys were racing)for 8000.00 the whole year and that included the new motor /trans at the begining and a new trans after the 5th race(let the peices out) i ended up 2nd in class and 4th overall points for the year ...........so learn how to do some work your self to save some serious coin.

I won't call you names like you did to him, but let's just say racing isn't what it was 15, 10, or even 5 years ago. People are stepping up their game in all classes. A couple years ago a lot of people slammed guys for spending 50-60K on a new 1600 car, now look what so many are doing. Sure you can get one for 30K, but do you want the BEST? We aren't talking about a good car, a nice car, or a competitive car, we are talking about the top of the line. And to have the best, you will spend a lot of money in ANY class.

To answer Rocket 450's question, it's not hard to get to 20K in a 9 car no matter how you look at it. In my case I would want to furnish it with soft parts more like a class 1 than a class 9 such as a Sparco Seat, Racepak Dash, and Kenwood Radio to name a few. I'd also like to experiment on the hard part side and prototype or one-off's are always expensive. Doing that I could spend 25K without even having a shop build it like Doug mentioned. In fact I can get the chassis done for free, which it would be, and still have it be 25K by using those type of parts. Even using "standard" parts, having it built turn key by nearly any brand name shop will most likely cost upwards of 20K these days which Doug alluded to.

The bottom line is that all classes are changing, becoming both more competitive and expensive. The looming economic crunch may slow the process down, but the days of being able to build a new race car on the cheap and truly have it be just as fast and reliable as the next guy are dwindling, even in a driver's class like 9.

[la2baja]

just what i was told when iwas workin at collins , and the motor package from kroyer i was told is 38,000 with the motec , trans 8000, rear gear 3000,


Price has gone up since the first Collins trucks were purchased. McBeath TT is in the Collins stable and that is a new SPD. Likely priced accordingly.

[Tim_Price]

On the cost of a 9 car, the Raceco Class 9 that Penhall Fabrication built for me in 1996 was $21,000 if I remember right. And Penhall has always been one of the "more affordable" of the top tier fab shops.

[redbaronrace]

I won't call you names like you did to him, but let's just say racing isn't what it was 15, 10, or even 5 years ago. People are stepping up their game in all classes. A couple years ago a lot of people slammed guys for spending 50-60K on a new 1600 car, now look what so many are doing. Sure you can get one for 30K, but do you want the BEST? We aren't talking about a good car, a nice car, or a competitive car, we are talking about the top of the line. And to have the best, you will spend a lot of money in ANY class.

To answer Rocket 450's question, it's not hard to get to 20K in a 9 car no matter how you look at it. In my case I would want to furnish it with soft parts more like a class 1 than a class 9 such as a Sparco Seat, Racepak Dash, and Kenwood Radio to name a few. I'd also like to experiment on the hard part side and prototype or one-off's are always expensive. Doing that I could spend 25K without even having a shop build it like Doug mentioned. In fact I can get the chassis done for free, which it would be, and still have it be 25K by using those type of parts. Even using "standard" parts, having it built turn key by nearly any brand name shop will most likely cost upwards of 20K these days which Doug alluded to.

The bottom line is that all classes are changing, becoming both more competitive and expensive. The looming economic crunch may slow the process down, but the days of being able to build a new race car on the cheap and truly have it be just as fast and reliable as the next guy are dwindling, even in a driver's class like 9.

sorry for the name , ill build a turn key car right now for 15,000 . no racepak,kenwood,etc . just basic,good looking gofast 9 car . sparcos were a lil ruff on my back , so beards for me.

[redbaronrace]

hey ti we built dave petrillo`s single seat nine all brand new w 1 spare tire for 10,000 in 95 , oh yeah he was the champ that year and ran well the following year. LA yeah im shure the price has gone up some , but i still dont think its @ 700,000 .

[redbaronrace]

oh yeah id put rob mc chacren in a 5/10 year old 16 w/drum brakes no micro stubs and no bypass shocks, betcha hed still win !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[WALSHMOTORSPORTS]

Man! $25,000 for a 9 car? WOW! If you wanted to give racing a try did you comb the classified section on RDC? Right now I am selling an older SCORE race car 5/1600 for $3300 minus motor and trans! Not trying to sel my car here but if you do your homework on stuff, look for deals, I use the Mailman for my 1600's "0" problems at the 1000. They told me a 002 trans wouldbreak, Kevin at transwest built my used 002 bus trans on a budget, no problems. The deals are out there....just be a little paitent.

[WALSHMOTORSPORTS]

hello?:(

[racer951]

Not trying to start an argument about the cost of 9 cars here, but I am talking about new cars, trying new things, etc. A used car with really good parts is always half the price of building a new car with great parts. I think Tim's example was great; I didn't realize anyone paid that much back then but it doesn't really surprise me.

And the question is not about Rob Mac winning with an old car, but whether or not he (or anyone else) would be faster with a better, newer car. I think the answer is yes.

[WALSHMOTORSPORTS]

I do agree with you Racer951 We did build a new 5/1600 and I was surprised the $$$$ it took!

[JMS]

Best Bang For You Buck Is A Trophy Lite......hands Down!

[philofab]

The best bang for the buck is not to race at all... and none of us want to do that. The only way to have small fortune after racing is start with a big one.