Tell me I'm crazy

[E.Murray]

4 months ago, a syty was just an old dream from when I was in high school. Then I bought one. Then I bought a second one. Now, my 13 year old son is trying to sell his ATV and I had a guy contact me last night wanting to trade a decent '91 Blazer 4WD with a 4.3 for it. And the wheels started turning...
I have spare intake and exhaust manifolds, a complete a/a intercooler, spare ECM with code 59 stuff and a parts truck to pull stuff from. For almost no cash, we could build a mild turbo (8-10 psi) Blazer with stock Typhoon parts. It would also be the perfect opportunity to initiate him into the joys of internal combustion.
The biggest obstacle would be telling my wife we really *need* a third S10/S15... which would have to sit in the driveway because the garage is full. Please tell me this wouldn't work so I can continue to sleep indoors.

 

[GM TURBO]

Re: Tell me I'm crazy

It seems like the perfect time to get your son interested in cars. Build it up over the next couple years and he's got something to drive when he's 16.

 

[E.Murray]

Re: Tell me I'm crazy

You're not helping...

That's the toughest part, though. He takes after me in that he's loved cars since he was old enough to talk. Except he only loves fantasy cars. What I mean by that is he'll sit and play Forza on Xbox and drool over all the bizarre exotics. He considers himself a car expert because he can identify all the logos of esoteric brands nobody has ever heard of. He's all about fantasy "upgrades" like putting a supercharged Ferrari V12 in his VW on a video game. But he has zero interest in sitting down with a car magazine or place where he could learn how real cars work. Only 2 million dollar exotics are real cars... So the question is whether or not a Blazer is "cool" enough to make him want to go out and turn wrenches. Plus our vehicles aren't exactly simple, so there's the possibility of overwhelming him with complexity. I have enough projects of my own (like the 2 Typhoons...) and don't need another. But if there's a chance of getting another real car guy in the family with the love of wrenching, it's hard to turn down the opportunity...

 

[blackty]

Re: Tell me I'm crazy

When it comes time to drive, it could be a '78 Chevette and he would love it. Or tell him to save his allowance and buy that Ferarri when he has enough. Put the game down and pick up a wrench...Jim

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: Tell me I'm crazy

You are crazy.

 

[Baythan]

Re: Tell me I'm crazy

4 months ago, a syty was just an old dream from when I was in high school. .

How does a recent graduate of high school have two trucks and a 13 year-old kid??

 

[E.Murray]

Re: Tell me I'm crazy

It was an *old* dream from my high school days. I'm *old*... is that what you want to hear?
I got my license in '91 and a Syclone was at the top of my wish list. Twenty-something years later, here we are. Maybe that Meg Ryan date isn't far behind :lol:

 

[GM TURBO]

Re: Tell me I'm crazy

Explain how much a Ferrari cost and how many hours he'll have to work @ $10/hour to afford one.

 

[RealFastV6]

Re: Tell me I'm crazy

You know what they say...

"Turbo S trucks are like hookers. You can never have too many."

Or something like that?

 

[Logan]

Re: Tell me I'm crazy

I think it is a solid idea. I wouldn't be too worried about impressing him though, at the end of the day he is 13 and the concept of money has to be learned the hard way. It could be a really fun way to teach him and for you guys to build something together.

 

[james#2274]

Re: Tell me I'm crazy

This is a great opportunity to bond with your son. I wish my dad had done this with me. Being able to work on a car is a great skill to have. And it's something to keep him out of trouble and spend his money on instead of out partying or getting into trouble. You found something that he can get into, it's at the house were he's supervised and gives him a goal to work towards. What more can you ask for.

 

[E.Murray]

Re: Tell me I'm crazy

My thinking exactly. It's surprising how often my thinking doesn't correspond to reality, though... I'm going to gauge his interest and see if this is exciting enough to sustain him for the long hours it would take to get it solid.

 

[NCTyphoonKid]

Re: Tell me I'm crazy

All these kids with games now a days geez I never had any of this gaming stuff and I'm 19 now, all my friends did and they've turned out to be weirdo's I started wrenching when I was like 9 or 10. I plan to raise my daughter the same way I was raised and she won't have a video game when I have others it'll be the same way. I say go for it we need more kids interested in stuff like this instead of these little fart can cars, and exotic junk imo :tup:

 

[NOJIMMY]

Re: Tell me I'm crazy

4 months ago, a syty was just an old dream from when I was in high school. Then I bought one. Then I bought a second one. Now, my 13 year old son is trying to sell his ATV and I had a guy contact me last night wanting to trade a decent '91 Blazer 4WD with a 4.3 for it. And the wheels started turning...
I have spare intake and exhaust manifolds, a complete a/a intercooler, spare ECM with code 59 stuff and a parts truck to pull stuff from. For almost no cash, we could build a mild turbo (8-10 psi) Blazer with stock Typhoon parts. It would also be the perfect opportunity to initiate him into the joys of internal combustion.
The biggest obstacle would be telling my wife we really *need* a third S10/S15... which would have to sit in the driveway because the garage is full. Please tell me this wouldn't work so I can continue to sleep indoors.

Kudo's for wanting to spend time with your 13 year old son and develop memories/bonding...but:

• It sound like the lessons could be performed on the SyTy's (without a further purchase)
• It sounds like the ATV was sold for a reason (either yours or his), and deciding the next stage should be "joint" decision
• It sounds like your son has other passions, which could be explored through car shows, car museum visits, facility tours, and whatever (for memories)
• It sounds like options like sports, hiking, biking, motorcycling, water sports, camping, graphic design, model building etc might appeal as well
• It sounds like your passion doesnt exactly align with your son's, which brings me to recommending finding overlapping interests.

Not saying you havent thought this through, but I would caution restraint in "pushing" hobbies you like (but your son may not). He obviously has friends, so what non-TV/Game interests do they talk about?


-Larry

 

[ChiPhoon]

Re: Tell me I'm crazy

at 13, if he is that into watching you work on it i say move forward, a kid is interested if he hangs around and asks a ton of questions, if he sits there with his ipad he is just keeping you company, i go through this with my son he is 9 but a very smart 9 year old he asks questions loves syty's but not enough that f i gave him a choice for longer xbox or working in garage with me i know he would pick xbox lol
either way it sounds like you want to do it regardless so i say go for it! i know my wife doesn't mind me home working on my cars mostly because she knows i am infact home and not running around lol

 

[TurboSBC]

Re: Tell me I'm crazy

You're not helping...

That's the toughest part, though. He takes after me in that he's loved cars since he was old enough to talk. Except he only loves fantasy cars. What I mean by that is he'll sit and play Forza on Xbox and drool over all the bizarre exotics. He considers himself a car expert because he can identify all the logos of esoteric brands nobody has ever heard of. He's all about fantasy "upgrades" like putting a supercharged Ferrari V12 in his VW on a video game. But he has zero interest in sitting down with a car magazine or place where he could learn how real cars work. Only 2 million dollar exotics are real cars... So the question is whether or not a Blazer is "cool" enough to make him want to go out and turn wrenches. Plus our vehicles aren't exactly simple, so there's the possibility of overwhelming him with complexity. I have enough projects of my own (like the 2 Typhoons...) and don't need another. But if there's a chance of getting another real car guy in the family with the love of wrenching, it's hard to turn down the opportunity...

Then right now is the perfect time to show him just how exotic and rare Syclones and Typhoons are. Show him the facts. Show him the video and stats on the Syclone beating the 91 Ferrari. Isn't there a video of it? "Less than 3000 made" and "0-60 in 4.6 seconds...in the RAIN" should get anyone's attention.

 

[Jimmy]

Re: Tell me I'm crazy

4 months ago, a syty was just an old dream from when I was in high school. Then I bought one. Then I bought a second one. Now, my 13 year old son is trying to sell his ATV and I had a guy contact me last night wanting to trade a decent '91 Blazer 4WD with a 4.3 for it. And the wheels started turning...
I have spare intake and exhaust manifolds, a complete a/a intercooler, spare ECM with code 59 stuff and a parts truck to pull stuff from. For almost no cash, we could build a mild turbo (8-10 psi) Blazer with stock Typhoon parts. It would also be the perfect opportunity to initiate him into the joys of internal combustion.
The biggest obstacle would be telling my wife we really *need* a third S10/S15... which would have to sit in the driveway because the garage is full. Please tell me this wouldn't work so I can continue to sleep indoors.

What exactly is the question here? You've got all those parts AND A FREE TRUCK,so obviously you should do it. Your son will always remember it,and he will have a badass truck that he helped build.

Are you asking us if you should ask your wife for permission?

Funk dat.Its a lot easier to ask for forgiveness.

 

[E.Murray]

Re: Tell me I'm crazy

The guy sold the Blazer, so all this is for nothing... :roll: My boy does come out and tinker in the garage. He's getting pretty good at basic "what to check if it cranks but doesn't start" stuff on his ATV and can handle things like brakes and throttle adjustment by himself. But there's nothing to light a fire under somebody like working on their own car, ya know? In another year or so, I'll start looking for a fun project for us to do some serious schooling. For now, it's just Dad's toys... :lol: