Hey guys i know this has been asked a trillion times but i just wanted to clarify some things.

I dont own a 1200 yet and i am currently saving up for one, now i am only 18 and am only on about $400 a week. i plan to buy a $5000 (roughly) ute and then get a $10000 loan if possible. i also know f**k all about the workings and intenals of cars.

Now the first of my questions is can i get a basic CA18DET engine put into my car by a professional for about $10000? by basic i mean the engine and anything else that needs to be added eg. suspension, brakes all that shiz.

Now the second of my questions, is it legal to get one and what is the registration, insurance, petrol costs etc. for this upgrade.

And finally is it worth it to get one in or does it cost to much time and money further down the track to upgrade, repair and constantly add to the car? I am willing to do this further down the line but at the moment i just want the engine in.

Thankyou for your time if u read down this far, and if u dont want to reply feel free to pm me or just ask for my email address. thanks guys

Not trying to shoot you down in flames but I wish my ca conversion only costed $10 000.

I guess u could find a private mechanic who would tackle the task. And to keep the cost down you could look at stanza brakes and struts, 180B booster/master cylinder etc. Plus using as may of the half cut parts as possible.

With the popularity of ca conversions a half cut could be upto $3000 not sure of prices on east coast.

Dont forget to consider fuel tank mods, tail shaft, computer or ecu, rims and tyres etc.

Good Luck

look m8 if you dont no #### all about cars then you should start with something simple and cost effective like an a14 or a15 these engines can have simple mods to increase the power e.g extractors,cam,webers(carbouretters) and then l8ter down the track do the ca conversion when you have more money thats what i was planning to do but i decided to keep my a14 and build it it has heaps of power any ways wouldnt mind a ca18 tho but its a wepon

How about get the $10,000 loan first and then you can go and buy one that is already done. and drive it now. with the ca in it.

buy some one elses money pit, don't make your own money pit.

yerr the trading post always seem to have at least 1 a week, done with the CA conversion

There was a sr20 turbo 1200 sedan for $8000.

Buy some thing like this if you have the cash straight up.

Don't waste all your money on a car. Especially if you plan to spend all of it, and $10,000 of someone elses on a conversion. If it's taken you approximately 18 years to save up for $5000, how long will it take to pay off $10,000? It's easy to get a loan ..REAL EASY. The hard part is paying it back.

Things break, accidents happen, EVERYTHING in life costs money. You need food, clothes and shelter first

Will you have $600 for a secondhand turbo if yours breaks?
Will you have $1000 for a new bottom end when the lack of $60 oil changes seems too expensive, so you skip a few?
How do you feel about paying $1.60/Litre for premium grade fuel?
How about $800-$2500 / year insurance for being 18?

So lets do the sums after you've got this engineered and registered.

Paying back the loan est. 3 years: ~$300/month

12 month costs:
$3600 - Loan repayments
$3500 - Estimated $67 / week (daily driver)
$1600 - Insurance (even only 3rd party damage)
$700 - Registration and Insurance
$170 - 2 oil changes and filters.
$250 - prorata'd cost of tyres. (replace every 3 years)
$80 - Coolant and radiator flush
---------
over $9600 per year.

Some years, you might need to buy a new engine, or replace turbos. If you can't do it yourself that could be a surprise loss of another $2000-$3000.

I'm not a parent, nor am I a financial advisor, but unless you live at home until you turn 30, this is not a good idea. I have always had a good job, and I've had to wait until my 30s to realise the things I wanted when I was 17.

Go out and have fun, enjoy being a young person, go out and party all night, don't condemn yourself to quiet nights at home eating bake beans on toast, just so you can have this car that you don't even understand how it works.

Trust your uncle Chris

Oh yeah...now I have a nice datto...do you know what I value the most?

I value the experience and the many skills I've learned building it. The car itself is mostly just a HUGE liability and responsibility. It may become a legacy of my efforts if it lasts longer than I do. But truely, it's things I've learned, the people I've met along the way that are what's important.

Excuse my philosophical ramblings.

Learn to drive first....youre 18 and still a boy and have no idea about mechanicals....
tuff love mate but its the truth...Id rather have you as a long term member than get halfway through it and realise you have already spent 15k and then rubbish dattos for the rest of your holden driving life

Dont listen 2 all thes oldies i started mine when i was 18, and i learnt as i went along and im buildn a whole custom 1200 ute ca18det and all. . .and im hopin 2 hav it done by my 21st which is in late november. . if u eva wana ask questions champ add me on msn Boostin10flat@hotmail.com
cheers bud