kalgra

At some point I plan on getting into another pretty serious project car but am running into a clash of emotions on which way I want to go. I have been talking to a few of you about wanting to build a factory five GTM, but on the other hand I'm still in love with the B5 S4.

This seems to be my rough price breakdown if I do another S4.

average mileage good contion S4 $16000
complete stg 3+ kit complete
including suspention, ICs, exhaust,etc $10000
widebody, wheels, etc $15000
everything else I'm not thinking of $2000

rough estimated total for my dream S4 $43,000-45,000

If I go with an FFR GTM:
Kit $19000
Vette C5 Donor car with LS1/LS2 avaerage cost $13,000
porsche 911 G50 transaxle and assembly $5000
major assembly and body prep done by me $0
final fit finish and prep of body and paint $5000
Unforseen costs $2000

Total cost for a completly custom 500hp exotic that weighs a mear 2300lbs $44,000-45,000

As you can see the complete over cost by my estimate is about the same. Which one would you choose? Do you think my S4 estimate is acurate?I realize many if not most of you are not familiar with a FFR GTM so here are a few pics from some guys I have been chatting with on the FFR forum. These cars has cost between 38K and 50k to build depending on the LSx engine chosen and cost of donor car/parts used in the build.

Another thing to consider is while this kit includes AC/heat, power windows, and a complete setup for installing a very nice car stereo, being that it is a kit car it will be tough if not impossible to get the refinment and finish of an Audi. Really they are two completely different animals. So I guess what I'm trying to say is dont base your oppinion on an apples to apples comparison.



<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/63172/dsc_01787.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/63172/gtm_red.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/63172/lightergunmetalstriped.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/63172/dscn3523.jpg">

Reggie

Talk to Josh (Docwyte) - he's planning the same thing for his car

ar design

There are a number of modified B5 S4s out there.... Not to say I dont like them... but if you want to do something unique, that kit looks really awesome!

I tend to think.... since you've already built one sweet S4, why not try your hand at something new?

And, an LS7 instead of an LS1 would make it *really* sweet.

Trango

Only reason I ask is that if the donor only provides engine and tranny, you can put together von schtupid 5.7 for only like 6 grand or so.

IMO, they are totally seperate cars.
B5 = practical, AWD all weather car, 4 seats, relatively low maint cost, OEM reliability and part schedules.

DIY hybrid high-HP RWD 2 seater = writes itself.

kalgra

The audi comunity around here is just so awsome and supportive its hard to not want to be a part of that as well. Plus I know my way around the B5 and there is some comfort in that.

I certainly would not use the LS7 in this kit. The kit will take it no problem but at that point your tourqe power to weight ratio starts getting a little ridiculous and starts just becoming unusable and dangerous in my oppinion. Not to mention the kit is designed to use the G50 tranny and I know that some of the guys that have used the LS7 have had serious issues with the G50 holding up to that kind of tourqe.

I think 450-500hp and 2300lbs would just be sick by itself. These cars running a bone stock 350hp LS1 are pulling 11s in the qtr with a 0-60 in the 3s. the Modified LS2 guys pushing between 500-550hp are running low 10's

ar design

But..... who says you have to leave the Audi community? Not all of us own nothing but Audis.... many are the plain/generic version of car freak.

parkpy

i'd probably pick the factory five.

However, it LOOKS like a kit car, and not the exotic car they keep dubbing it.

KatanaPrana

you know you want another B5S4 so just do it... How would the mainentance be on the GTM? Would imagine it to be pretty rough... Summer Weekend exotic? If you went B5 would you do another sedan or make the switch to avant? Do sedan and have SVE go WIDE that way when Im ready to do the same they will have done two sedans and an avant...lol. Im thinking the Stage 3 deal will run you more than 10K, since you'll probably want to go nuts and do all preventive maintenance and what have you... And you know your gonna want it in the same state as your silver beast. I would put a clean $15K aside for Stage3 haul and suspension, dps, exhaust, dv's, co's, BBK's, etc.

Two completely different cars. What's your main goal with it? Just build, enjoy, then sell? What about driving it out for dinner or something... Are you gonna want to be crazy paranoid about a who's breathing on your GTM exotic (I know I would be Paranoid, look at the thing). Even though a WIDE S4 isn't an everyday sight...I think it will be much more forgiving on the mind when its sitting in parking lot.

Just my .02 cents

kalgra

Well aside from the chassis, body, transmission and interior. You basically need the who damn thing.

Think of it this way. Its a C5 vette with a custome frame and body and a porsche tranny that weighs considerably less than a production C5.

The kit comes with everything you need to build the car except for the parts listed below. All of these parts are GM parts and can be found in 1997-2004 C5 Corvette production (any model/transmission).

The only exception is the transaxle, which is a Porsche unit. The major Corvette parts include the engine, front and rear control arms, suspension/brakes, and fuel tanks. Below is a generalized list of non-kit parts you would need to obtain from the donor to complete the car.


Complete front and rear suspension (minus leaf springs and shocks)

Front and rear hubs, calipers and rotors (outer CV joints on rear)

Tilt steering column w/stalks

E-brake handle/cables

Fuel tanks with pump(s) and lines

Radiator w/fans and plastic shroud

Engine and computer

Exhaust manifolds

Wiring harness w/engine, throttle control, &amp; ignition

Wheels and tires

Oxygen sensors (4)

Ignition switch

Radiator fill tank

Wiper motor

Side and rear view mirrors

Exterior door handles

Vehicle speed sensor

Door window mechanisms

Seat belts

Gas pedal

Flexible brake lines- calipers

Hood latches w/ cable actuator



Porsche Transaxle Parts from 1987-1998 2-wheel drive 911 models

Porsche G50 or G50 variant transmission

Transmission must include the clutch disk, pressure plate and throwout bearing, inner CV joints and starter.

DUBITUP

For a project car...GTM