I Have A Dilemma

[Polygon]

As some of you know my GTC has some rust issues in the usual areas. I have a rust free car to get any sheet metal I need off of. So, I went to a body shop today to ask about cost so all of the things I know are bad. It came to a mere $5,500, more or less.

Now this leaves me with two options.

1. Swap metal from the rust free 87' coupe to my 89' GTC.

2. Swap all mechanical bits, electronics, suspension, and exhaust from my 89' GTC to the rust free 87' coupe.

Now, there are some pros and cons to both. I could be looking at more rust than I think. However, it wouldn't be much more to repaint the entire car. Swapping parts would be less expensive but I have no idea if the 87' chassis is the same as the 89' GTC chassis and what I would need to swap over. Also, I like the fact that I have a GTC and I want my car to be a true GTC. Plus I would have to repaint the car either way.

So, which do you think I should do?

[Screamin4banger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polygon I like the fact that I have a GTC and I want my car to be a true GTC.

you have already made up your mind

[Polygon]

Not necessarily.

That would be nice but if I'm looking at something that's borderline unrealistic then I'd reconsider. I just want other's opinions before I make up my mind.

[BeZerK2112]

Having seen both cars, I would keep with the original plan. Swapping everything may not work out like you want it to. Real GTC and you'll never have that nagging feeling in the back of your mind that you should have done it this way to begin with.

The last option is to just look for another car to start with.

[BAKES]

take the the 89 and strip to the bone and send it to the strippers and see what you realy have left of the 89 for metal then make up your mind , if it is a go take all the best pieces from both cars and rebuild the 89 if its more rotten the you thought use the body from the 87 . a car is realy only as good as the unibody is solid.

[turbokid]

I agree!
Strip the car and see where you are with rust and all!
I would try to keep the GTC but eh if it comes down to the money part and its unrealistic for your budget.... 5,500 dollars can find you a DAMN nice gtc coupe!
But eh its what you wanna do!
Try to save her if you can!

[newmember]

Post some pictures of the situation.

[Polygon]

Those are some pictures of the rust. It has gotten a little worse since I took those last year. Another hole has appeared on the extension and the passenger rocker is barely starting to show signs of internal rust. The floor boards look fine and feel solid from the outside. Also, I forgot to mention that the 87' would need to have the front bumper replaced as well as the passenger fender and door.

[BeZerK2112]

Thats typical of a car from back east. Looking at the body of the 87, it's really not all that bad but you would need to use the both cars to complete one. Both will cost money but I agree with what is said above. Have the thing striped and blasted and see what you ahve to work with. Oh and I'll get the same pictures of the other car tonight.

[turbomini]

if thats al the more rusty that car is i'd keep the GTC and fix it..my GTS is far worse than that and i'm doing a hybrid convertion in that lol

[Polygon]

Well, I'm going to take the interior out of the 87' and use most of it in the GTC so I'll have to strip them both down on the inside. I'm having them check on the cost of some new panels if they can even find them since they said it would be about half. Granted they were just estimating on time removing material from the 87' and cleaning it up and then putting it on the GTC plus paint. So I didn't think it was all that bad either considering we're talking about the driver quarter and rocker and the passenger rocker. I just want it replaced to be sure since it's a trouble area. painting the rest should be no more than $1,000 I would guess.

If I used the 87' I'd have to take the GTC bumpers, passenger fender, passenger door, and all the moldings. That paired with swapping over all the GTC specific stuff and paint it really isn't that much cheaper plus all the time I'd have to spend on the car and end up with a car that isn't a GTC.

So, I guess I've made up my mind. That leaves me with one question. For them to paint the engine bay do I need to get engine out?

[turbokid]

^ glad your gonna save the GTC!
Some will want you to remove the motor and tranny to paint the engine bay
However (depending on who is painting it for you)you can remove all the wiring sensors and stuff on the firewall and fenders and on the front (rad prolly included and they will paint it.
Matters on how well you want the paint job and if its THAT much of a pain in the ass to remove the motor. Plus while the motors out its always nice to give it a refresher
Not necessarily diassemble it but clean it up, maybe paint it, detail it, make it look as good as the rest of the will =)

[Polygon]

Well, I just wanted to wait and pull the engine when I have everything I want to spruce up the engine.

I already killed one GTC, I don't want to have to kill another.

[turbokid]

^baron KILLER!
Jk I love my baron GTC convertible.
It needs more help than I can afford to give it right now...

[Polygon]

LOL

It wasn't my fault. I was hit head on by a Nissan Pathfinder. I was going 50 MPH and I must say I can attest to the strength of these cars. She took the Pathfinder out with her. I left the accident with minor cuts and scrapes.

I will always miss that car.