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Building With No Budget, What would you build? With Max show 63

Building With No Budget, What would you build? With Max show 63

Untitled Car Project Podcast Jul 20, 2025 116 min
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About this episode

Max Essig returns to discuss dream builds and project cars with the hosts. The conversation dives into what they'd build if money were no object, including unique ideas like a fully custom Mustang and a 4BT Cummins swap for a Ford Ranger. They also share updates on their current builds, weigh the pros and cons of cutting costs on parts, and debate the merits of OEM versus aftermarket components. The episode is filled with humor, anecdotes, and insights into the automotive world, making it a fun listen for anyone interested in car projects.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Ford Mustang

"...then are we going to do a touch up on the Antonio Mustang? And we can touch on Antonio's Mustang, somethin..."

The Ford Mustang is a famous sports car that started being made in the 1960s. It's known for being fast and stylish, and many people love it for its fun driving experience. When people talk about Mustangs, they often mention how cool they look and how exciting they are to drive.

Part

LS motor

"...Grant had taken a perfectly good LS motor out of a vehicle and replaced it with a less perfect Ford vehicle..."

An LS motor is a type of engine made by General Motors. It's popular for its power and is often used in modified cars and racing.

Car

Ford Model T

"...is new project build, ground up and you've got a Model T, I'm kicking you in the cubes. That was actually..."

The Ford Model T is one of the first cars that many people could afford, made between 1908 and 1927. It changed how cars were made and helped more people own cars. When people talk about the Model T, they usually mention how important it was in making cars popular.

Car

Ford Thunderbirds

"Late model Thunderbirds are very cool."

The Thunderbird is a car made by Ford that was popular for being a comfortable and stylish vehicle. It has a long history and has gone through many changes over the years.

Car

Ford Explorer

"...ob would have killed me if I would have gotten an Explorer. Absolutely."

The Ford Explorer is a large vehicle that can carry many people and their stuff, making it great for families. It's been around since the early '90s and is known for being comfortable and good for driving on different types of roads. People often talk about it because it's a popular choice for those who need space and versatility.

Car

Ford Bronco

"What about a Ford Bronco?"

The Ford Bronco is a popular SUV known for its off-road capabilities. It was first made in the 1960s and has a strong fan base, especially for outdoor adventures.

Car

Ford Fseries

"Yeah, do the Mustang. As a Ranger guy, the mid-70s, the Ford F-Series, the Ranger started to make its first appearance and it was as a trim model, not necessarily a truck."

The Ford F Series is a group of pickup trucks that are really popular in America. They're known for being tough and able to carry heavy loads, which makes them great for work or outdoor activities. People often talk about them because they are reliable and come in many different styles.

Car

Ford Ranger

"Yeah, do the Mustang. As a Ranger guy, the mid-70s, the Ford F-Series, the Ranger s..."
Car

Ford F150

"F-150. F-150 and F-250 was offered as a Ranger and then I believe it was 78, you had the option"

The Ford F-150 is a popular truck that can be used for many things, like carrying heavy loads or driving on rough roads. It's known for being tough and reliable.

Car

Ford F-250

"F-150 and F-250 was offered as a Ranger and then I believe it was 78, you had the option to bump all the way up to a Ranger Lariat trim model."

The Ford F-250 is a bigger and stronger version of the F-150, made for heavy-duty jobs like towing trailers or carrying heavy equipment. It's built to handle tougher work.

Term

Ranger Lariat

"to bump all the way up to a Ranger Lariat trim model. Yeah."

The Ranger Lariat is a fancier version of the Ford Ranger truck. It has more comfortable seats and better technology than the basic models.

Term

full-time four-wheel drive

"a full-time four-wheel drive, an additional trim pack that wasn't offered on anything else..."

Full-time four-wheel drive means that the truck can use all four wheels to move all the time. This helps it drive better on rough or slippery roads.

Term

460 big block

"the difference kind of between the trim levels here meant that he could option this with a 460 big block..."

The 460 big block is a powerful engine made by Ford. It's known for being strong and is often used in big trucks to help them carry heavy loads.

Term

two-tone paint

"had the two-tone paint, it was kind of that dark chocolate brown with like a coffee cream two-tone down the middle..."

Two-tone paint means the truck has two different colors on its outside. This makes it look more stylish and unique.

Term

tow pack

"the big plush interior, the full tow pack, the additional tie-downs on the exterior of the bed..."

A tow pack is a set of tools and features that helps a truck pull heavy things like trailers. It usually includes a special hook and wiring for lights.

Concept

barn find

"...This is the barn find. These kids are going to lose their mind over..."

A 'barn find' is when someone finds an old car that has been hidden away for a long time, usually in a barn. These cars can be special and worth a lot because they are often rare or have interesting stories.

Term

LS engine

"where you took a perfectly good LS and stuffed an underpowered Ford motor into it to make it unreliable and not run."

The LS engine is a powerful V8 engine made by General Motors. It's often used in cars like the Camaro and is popular for people who want to make their cars faster.

Car

Chevrolet Camaro

"Is that a Camaro? That was a 2015 Camaro. That was this Camaro."

The Chevrolet Camaro is a well-known sports car that many people like for its speed and style. The 2015 version has strong engines and cool features, making it fun to drive.

Car

Dodge Challenger

"And Rob had the Challenger. 2015."

The Dodge Challenger is a big, powerful car that many people enjoy driving. It's known for its strong engines and classic look, making it a favorite among muscle car fans.

Term

ECU

"Hope your ECU ain't tucked under the seat somewhere."

The ECU is like the brain of the car's engine. It helps control how the engine works to make sure it runs smoothly and efficiently.

Car

Oldsmobile 88

"It was either a Lincoln or what the Oldsmobile 88. That's a big old boat. I like an Oldsmobile 88."

The Oldsmobile 88 is a large car that was made for many years. It's known for being comfortable and good for long drives, which is why people like to use it for cruising around.

Term

LS swap

"On that LS swap that he did, were you super excited about it up until he went, okay."

An LS swap is when you take out a car's old engine and put in a new one from a GM car, which is known for being powerful and reliable.

Brand

Subaru

"and the Subaru you were probably excited about. I actually didn't hate the Audi."

Subaru is a car brand from Japan that makes vehicles known for their all-wheel drive, which helps with driving in tough conditions like snow or mud.

Term

front clip

"The body comes with everything except the front. Fenders. It's a front clip."

The front clip is the front part of a car that includes the hood and the sides around the front wheels. Sometimes, people replace this part if it's damaged.

Term

unibody

"Now, correct me, is this a unibody? Correct."

A unibody means the car's body and frame are made as one piece instead of being separate. This makes the car lighter and often safer.

Concept

aftermarket

"So this is an official Ford licensed product, but it is built by an aftermarket company."

Aftermarket means parts or products made by other companies, not the original car maker. These can be upgrades or replacements for your car.

Part

front fenders

"just missing the front fenders. And it does come with the doors."

Front fenders are the parts of a car that cover the front wheels. They help protect the car and make it look good.

Company

CJ Pony Parts

"...he's bought it all from the same place. CJ Pony parts. He's bought it all from the same place."

CJ Pony Parts is a store that sells parts for Mustangs, which are a type of car made by Ford. They have many different items to help fix or improve these cars.

Term

billet mirrors

"...billet mirrors, exterior billet. Oh, that's the driver side passenger side mirror."

Billet mirrors are special side mirrors made from metal that look nicer and can be better than the regular ones that come with the car.

Term

body kit

"...Here's a body kit."

A body kit is a set of parts you can add to your car's outside to make it look cooler and sometimes help it go faster.

Car

Shelby Cobra

"...d we've talked about this before, a factory five Cobra base for 15 grand starting. You're still missing..."

The Shelby Cobra is a fast sports car made in the 1960s, famous for being very powerful and lightweight. It's considered a classic and is loved by car enthusiasts for its speed and cool design. When people talk about the Cobra, they often mention how it changed the world of sports cars.

Car

Factory Five Cobra

"...the fact that you can get a, and we've talked about this before, a factory five Cobra base for 15 grand starting. You're still missing the motor..."

The Factory Five Cobra is a type of car that you can build yourself, based on the classic AC Cobra. It's popular among car enthusiasts because you can customize it as you like.

Car

Ford Ranchero

"Great. Please tell me it's a first generation Ranchero because of reasons. No, I'm going to do the 69 M..."

The Ford Ranchero is a special vehicle that looks like a car but has a truck bed in the back, made from the late '50s to the late '70s. It's known for being useful for carrying things while still being fun to drive. People talk about the Ranchero because it's a unique mix of a car and a truck.

Car

Ford GT40

"...Superformance had their other builds there and they told us on their paper and stuff that the GT40 they build has so many official parts from Ford..."

The Ford GT40 is a famous race car that won many races in the 1960s. It's known for its unique shape and speed, and it was built to beat Ferrari in racing.

Car

Dodge Hellcat

"my first thought is you need a Hellcat, big supercharger, something like that. My first thought is for the year it is, it's exempt."

The Dodge Hellcat is a very powerful car that has a big engine, making it one of the fastest cars you can buy. It's built for speed and performance, often used in racing.

Car

Volkswagen Rabbit

"...hinges for that. And then you go down this other rabbit hole. Now I need hinges for the doors."

The Volkswagen Rabbit is a small car that was made in the late '70s and early '80s, known for being easy to drive and good on gas. It's popular for its simple design and practicality, which made it a great choice for many people. When people talk about the Rabbit, they often mention how reliable and affordable it was.

Car

Mercedes-Benz Clk Gtr

"Going. No, no, the CLK GTR. There's a guy building one of those online."

The Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR is a super rare and super fast car made in the late '90s, originally designed for racing. It's known for its unique look and amazing performance, making it a dream car for many collectors. When people talk about the CLK GTR, they often mention how special and hard to find it is.

Car

Audi S7

"... I would imagine it's very comparable to a Saline S7. The first time you lay eyes on it, you're like,"

The Audi S7 is a fancy car that looks sleek and is designed for both comfort and speed. It's part of Audi's sportier lineup and is known for being fun to drive while still having a lot of luxury features. People often talk about the S7 because it combines a sporty feel with everyday usability.

Car

Ferrari 1985 Ferrari

"I guess not. 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO. Good choice."

The Ferrari 195 S is a beautiful sports car made in the early 1950s, famous for being fast and stylish. It's considered a classic and is loved by collectors for its history and design. When people talk about the 195 S, they often mention how special it is in the world of racing.

Car

Ferrari 288

"I guess not. 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO. Good choice."
Car

Chrysler PT Cruiser

"or performance or anything. You say PT Cruiser. But that's not what it's about."

The Chrysler PT Cruiser is a small car that became popular in the early 2000s because of its old-fashioned look. It's known for being able to carry a lot of stuff, which made it appealing to many people. When people mention the PT Cruiser, they often talk about how different it looks compared to other cars.

Car

Chevrolet Corvette

"available now. Shoot, my Corvette probably handles better than that. Yeah."

The Chevrolet Corvette is a fast and stylish sports car that has been around for a long time, starting in the 1950s. It's famous for being fun to drive and looking really cool, which is why many car lovers admire it. When people mention Corvettes, they often talk about how powerful and exciting they are.

Car

Lamborghini Mira

"Yeah. Lamborghini Mira would be the other. I love a Mira."

The Lamborghini Miura is a very famous sports car made between 1966 and 1973, known for its beautiful design and powerful engine. It's considered one of the first supercars and has influenced many cars that came after it. People talk about the Miura because it's a classic and represents the best of car design.

Car

Porsche 928

"Let's go further back. If you still had the 928, that's a 4. I don't think we'd still have it."

The Porsche 928 is a special car that was made from the late '70s to the mid-'90s. It's different from other Porsches because its engine is in the front, and it was built to be both fast and comfortable for long drives. People talk about the 928 because it has a unique look and was a big change for Porsche at the time.

Car

Genesis G90

"...ce and handling and reliability. Go to a Porsche G90 transmission. I'm surprised they don't do the Su..."

The Genesis G90 is a fancy car that's part of a newer brand called Genesis. It's known for being very comfortable and having a lot of high-tech features. People talk about the G90 because it offers luxury at a good price compared to other expensive cars.

Car

Audi Rs3

"You saw it at the 1000 horse. Was it a RS3 or GT3 RS or GT2 I think? GT2?"

The Audi RS 3 is a small but very fast car that combines luxury features with sporty performance. It's known for being fun to drive and has a powerful engine, which makes it exciting on the road. People talk about the RS 3 because it offers a great mix of comfort and speed.

Car

Audi Etron

"He was in the Audi. The e-tron. Yes, the e-tron sport I think it was the same kind of thing they've been running lately for."

The Audi e-tron is a fancy SUV that runs on electricity instead of gas, making it better for the environment. It came out in 2018 and is known for being comfortable and high-tech. People talk about the e-tron because it's part of the growing trend of electric cars.

Car

Porsche 911

".... So the HunaPeg is a I don't know GT3 what it's 911 based custom built 1400 horsepower. Yeah, it's a..."

The Porsche 911 is a famous sports car that has been around since the 1960s. It's known for its unique shape and great performance, making it a favorite among car enthusiasts. People often talk about the 911 because it's considered one of the best sports cars in the world.

Car

Mazda Rx7

"...ll be in the garage forever. It's the late model RX7 FD Schenke type R. Something about the high end ..."

The Mazda RX-7 is a sporty car made from the late '70s to the early 2000s, famous for its special engine that works differently than most cars. It's loved by many car fans for being fun to drive and having a unique look. When people talk about the RX-7, they often mention how special it is compared to other cars.

Car

Land Rover Defender

"Cool. Did that look a lot like the Defender 90? Looked like the G wagon Mercedes used for 20..."

The Land Rover Defender is a tough vehicle made for driving off-road and exploring wild places. It has been around since the late 1940s and is known for being very strong and reliable. People often talk about the Defender because it's great for adventures and has a classic look.

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