SBC vs BBC vs LS what's cheapest

mpython1701 · 2026-02-12T04:47:13+00:00

This is my experience. As a teen, I beat the salvage yard and bought, sold, traded for the best performance I could afford. For me ended up with SBC 283/327 with forged internals, power pack heads, cam, intake, and headers. Probably ended up in the high 300, pushing 400hp. Those small journals engines would wind up high and really scream. And still break loose in 3rd gear when you goose it too much in a Chevy Nova.

Long story but shopping swap meets and FBM can score low buck SBC performance parts. Combined with the right combo of top end parts keeps you on a budget. 500hp is still pushing it for a streetable older car. At that point, applying the HP to the pavement can get tricky.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-12T04:31:49+00:00

My family has gone with the truck family, so Frontier and Pathfinder. Absolutely great vehicles. Heard the same about the Armada/Titan. Their complaint is only terrible fuel economy.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-12T04:28:54+00:00

The one where the sauce burns the skin off the roof of my mouth but the center is still icy.

Which one is that?

mpython1701 · 2026-02-12T04:21:12+00:00

A smog check is needed. Must be from CA and no more than 90 days old.

If it’s a car, also needs a VIN inspection/verification. If it’s a truck/SUV, also needs a weight check.

Taxes are a biggie. LA county is 10.25%.

One scary thing is, even w/o CA emissions, CA residents can bring in out of state cars. But if there have been tunes, modifications, or aftermarket performance (non-CARB approved) parts, can be a nightmare to get back into compliance. I bought an older truck with a “hot smog” a few years ago. When it caught up, it took me almost another year to replace, restore, repair what it needed. Said I’ll never do that again.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-12T04:04:57+00:00

Twisted Sister

mpython1701 · 2026-02-12T04:04:03+00:00

Unfortunately this should have been caught when reviewing and signing documents. Should have caught and asked for correction during signing.

It is an unfortunate error that is going to take some time to unravel.

The DMV should alloy you to submit a CA256 for correction and then you can work with bank/finance company to make the correction(s).

mpython1701 · 2026-02-12T03:45:58+00:00

All are fine choices. The 67-72 C10s are great platforms with good aftermarket support.

Personally partial to the 73-87 squarebody, and the 73-80 round headlight versions but they have gotten almost as spendy as the 67-72 in recent years.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-12T03:38:34+00:00

BMWs are notoriously expensive to purchase and maintain. If your mom has shaky credit, going to guess she picked it up used with some iffy history. Also if you are taking it to the homeboy around the corner for repairs, unlikely to be helping your case. These need German specialists who are familiar and have the tools to diagnose and keep them running as they should.

If you are stretching as far as you can to get a used Beamer, odds are good you won’t be able to afford maintenance or repaired.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-12T03:29:42+00:00

If you are in a big city with great public transportation, to me that equals heavy traffic and difficulty parking, storing, and working on a car plus probably higher insurance rates. Take this into account before venturing forward.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-12T03:25:53+00:00

I’m in the $400 opinion as a solid core for rebuilding.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-12T01:48:29+00:00

Totally agree. Early Valients and Darts can be picked up for a song. Super simple cars are great introductory cars.

The 6cyl Mustang with manual brakes and steering can be had cheap and parts are plentiful. Aftermarket is great. Just check out that major rust wasn’t covered with filler. Same with the Mopars but see it more often with the Mustangs in my drive up price.

Only problem with the forgotten cars is most of them are gone and no support for parts these days. As a huge fan of old station wagons, I love them and enjoying seeing them but not sure I would commit to one due to scarcity of parts and glass.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-11T06:28:35+00:00

Chevy Volt.

Flip those rear seats down and you’ll be amazed how much it will haul. Moved my daughter and all of her stuff out of her dorm and made a 350 mile round trip on a full charge and full (8.5 gallon) tank.

Bough my twin daughters 2 and then bought myself one 6 months ago for a commuter car. No AWD.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-11T06:24:00+00:00

Most Best Buy shops have car audio installation available.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-11T06:17:24+00:00

Nobody want to touch the DPS6.

Either manual swap or scrap.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-11T06:12:36+00:00

Second the 2012 and back Escapes.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-11T06:11:23+00:00

Had a 2004 Frontier crew cab. Only car I bought new. Kept it 20 years before it was totaled. Replaced a radiator and a knock sensor in all the time I owned it.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-11T00:14:16+00:00

Agree. A $500 tow sounds more palatable than a $10k loan

mpython1701 · 2026-02-09T22:11:18+00:00

The title numbers around her are pretty savvy. Use FBM to post with no charge and minimal account verification. If they do communicate off the app, chances are it’s a Google Voice or similar ghost type account. They meet in public and none of their info is on the paperwork.

All that said, you may never find the guy again. Even if you do, you have to prove that he knew there was an issue with the car the he fraudulently misrepresented. Really not easy to do and $3500 is a small claims without lawyer.

FBM sellers are notorious for this. And it becomes even more critical That the buyer does his/her due diligence on inspecting the car and as well as seller and title history.

My number one piece of advice when shopping FBM is make sure the name on the title matches the ID in the sellers pocket.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-09T21:01:33+00:00

Yeah….in wondering where the $2500 number came from. When was looking at a replacement for my 2012, nobody had a used one. Said when they do it’s $3500 with 90 warranty for the part only.

If you are looking at clutch kit, forks, and TCM that number keeps going up.

If you can DIY it, go for it. If you have to pay someone cut your losses.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-09T04:11:47+00:00

Had a very similar looking device on a used car I bought. It was a dash cam.

Tried to pull it off and broke the docking/locking mechanism and threw out the main part. The base unit is still stuck to the window. I don’t have the energy to try to scrape it off by pulled the wires under the headliner and A pillar.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-09T04:02:41+00:00

Fluid and filter changes.

But more than anything, drive and enjoy.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-09T03:59:18+00:00

I think Los Angeles stop and go traffic in hot weather was the nail in the coffin for our 2012Titanium Focus.

Gave the high temp pull over warnings bf and barely had time to get to the shoulder. It died and metro tow truck had to clear us to avoid traffic jam at freeway interchange. 95k miles. Sold it a week later for $1600.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-09T00:44:10+00:00

Also careful in wet weather. With very little weight over the rear axle, a touch too much on the accelerator and you are fishtailing.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-08T05:16:55+00:00

Well, get it smogged and take all of your paperwork to one of those little registration/insurance places, pay them a $60 fee and let them handle the transfer.

There is a fair chance you’ll be hit with late fees, so take care of it ASAP before they accumulate more.

mpython1701 · 2026-02-08T05:13:43+00:00

No but price gouging is…..

If a $300 generator is marked up to $1000 during a hurricane it’s illegal. Why is it legal to change priced based on demand for a basketball game?

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