OK. From my other post...I'm all over the place with my project car idea. So I've come up with several possibles but I really can't narrow it down at all. Part of my problem is I think I'll enjoy the work more than the vehicle, I already have a DD, and I'm desperate for something FUN.
So here's the vehicles. I'll add in a short with each one.
Mustang GT:
Cheap fun. I can get a decent one for my budget. I won't have to do anything to it right away because they're kinda fun on their own. Downsides to me...they handle poorly. Also, I enjoy the hum of a 4 cylinder more than a v8.
240sx:
RWD, 4 cylinder, motor swap, turbo. This would be ideal for me. However, they're expensive for what you get. 2K for a rusted body, no motor, and a chewed up interior. I could buy twice the vehicle going with something different. It'd need a lot of work right when I got it before I'd even be close to content with it.
300zx:
I love the body on these, but I don't know much about them. I would probably look for an older one as they're easier to find. Really no downsides to this pick..if I could find one in good shape and there were options for a N/A version to have some fun I'd hop on it.
Trans Am(LT1):
Pretty much same as Mustang to me. About the same price but I'd have to get something slightly older than what I could get in a GT. They're good looking cars, supposedly harder to work on..
Civic:
Cheap cheap cheap. Cheapest initial puchase out of all of them. They're easy to find so I can really shop around. They look OK to me. Problems would be similar to 240..I'd want to swap the motor out very quickly to keep myself satisfied..that + initial purchase puts it up there in price.
OK. Almost all the 8 cylinder cars handle like crap...BUT, after my initial spending I'd be satisfied with the car for awhile because it'd be quick..allowing me to start saving up for mods. All the 4 cylinder cars would need extensive work to be what I'd consider fun, but initially as a general rule they'd be cheaper...leaving more money for fun stuff.
There are a couple others in the "list," but these are the most likely choices. I'm also not real interested in going with a larger motor than what's stock..so the LSX in the xyz won't really be an option for me. Other motor swaps I'm looking forward to. Like KA to SR, etc. I'm OK with.
Your advice would be greatly appreciated!
this could probably have went into the other thread, but meh...
what kinda fun are you looking for? you mention handling, so I'm guessing a drag monster isnt your goal... are you wanting an autocross weekender? a slider?
R.I.P. JessE Gerard 7.11.87 - 1.25.08
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there is MINT 240sx here in ar for 1750 rebuilt motor. great exterior and interior
Evan the Undead (Black Pearl) wrote:this could probably have went into the other thread, but meh...
what kinda fun are you looking for? you mention handling, so I'm guessing a drag monster isnt your goal... are you wanting an autocross weekender? a slider?
Sorry. I ranted too much in the other thread..thus the necessity of starting a new one.
I don't necessarily have a designated use for the vehicle. I won't be doing any of the activities you listed regularly..I guess I'm looking for something nimble and quick. The car I loved the most was a Miata, but it was just too small.
If I could have a good mix of speed and handling it'd be perfect. If it comes to it, I want speed>handling if it comes to it though.
dude, thats some cash for an SC430.. he'd blow his entire budget on one thats in piss shape
I assumed that you wouldnt be using it regularly.. but if you're looking for a well-rounded car, I'd stick with the 240 then.. or maybe a mid-80s Corolla GT-S
R.I.P. JessE Gerard 7.11.87 - 1.25.08
The Radiation Nation Facebook Twitter Twisted Metal Alliance
What is your budget?
I wouldn't touch an lt1 with a 10 ft pole. Been there done that never again. An ls1 is a different story though....
5.0's are one of the best bang for the buck cars out there
240's and 300's are great cars. I prefer the 240's
I wouldn't bother with a civic or any fwd car if you're looking for fun, performance, and cheap, and this is coming from someone with a motor swapped accord.
I'd go drive a few cars and decide what you want and just wait for the right deal to come along
240s are always a good option but Ive still had the same problem you are. I cant find anythign that isnt rotting out or torn up.
Anything Honda Ive looked at is rotting out on the quarters and the ones that arent are going to cost you some coin and they eventually start rotting anyways. If you plan on motor swapping a Honda make sure you plan ahead what motor you want, what car you want, and what your mechanical and fabrication abilities are. Theres kits to swap just about any motor into anything but they can get expensive and a good Honda motor (B18C, B16A, K20) will cost some money too. So Hondas are cheap to mod but you need to plan ahead so you dont end up in over your head.
I was looking at getting an EG Civic and B18C or B16A swapping it. I could get a clean car for 4k around here. And the motor would cost me about $1200. The trans was around $500. And there was like another $750 in miscellanious in half shafts mounts shift cables PCMs harnesses. Give most stuff can be found cheaper in different areas but motor swapping ends up being one of those things thatll nickel and dime you to death in just about any car unless you have a donor car to work with.
Well if you can find it, go for the 300zx twin turbo. As long as it's a good deal.
If not, then I suggest Mustang GT, late 80's. 5.0 ftw.
G-body. Clean shell $1000. Ls1+tranny $4k. Upgrade your suspension. = "cheap", fun, fast
“Poor Al Gore. Global warming completely debunked via the very Internet you invented. Oh, oh, the irony!” -Jon Stewart
CIVIC... says the 240sx driver.
OK. After thinking a little bit about it. I think I'm going to buy something with a V8..for original reasons...I just think if I buy a civic or something similar, it's going to be a long, expensive amount of time before I have something that's going to be what I want.
So out of my original list...in my price range and going off your recommendations..
That means Mustang territory.
So what's the difference between a 4.6 vs a 5.0(as far as build potential and expense). I'm not sure if I'm going to go all motor or some form of forced induction. If I wanted to go with a Fox stang, is there anything wrong with the older ones? There's an 82 for sale locally...there's also a 98 for sale in great shape for a good price(it's cheaper than the 82).
I'm still keeping my eyes open for the other cars..but right now this makes the most sense.
I'd look for a 86-93 5.0 mustang to build because they're already fuel injected. They're light, parts are cheap and very plentiful. Lots of used parts out there too for a low buck build. The older carb models are cheaper but it depends what you want to do. If you want to be different you could also pick up a capri which is pretty much a mustang. Most of the cheaper cars will be beat, but the main thing is to watch out for rust.
I''ve been contemplating getting an 5.0 5 spd lx convertible if I can find a nice one for a decent price. Most are either trashed or people think they have a gold mine....
96-98 gt's were pathetically slow when the 4.6 came out and I would avoid them
If your going to go for a fox body I would suggest sticking to a mass air 89-94 fuel injected mustangs. I believe 86 was the first year for fuel injected mustang but they used speed density. Speed density cars are harder to mod and usually require you to swap it out for mass air system. If you wanted a carb set up buy that 82 and swap the 302 for a 351 and have some real fun. First thing I would do is weld in some frame connectors before you start doing doughnuts in the parking lot if you want your car to remain straight. With a 5spd add some 3.73 gears, headers off road h pipe, flowmasters, cold air, bump the timming to +12, underdrive pulleys, and you have a really fun car for super cheap!! Just my 2 cents.
I saw this car and fell in love with it.. I've always loved the early-mid 90's 300zx's
http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/1604243009.html
Fox body mustangs can be had for fairly cheap and they are very easy to make fast. Good luck with your endeavors sir.
OhForKavy wrote:I saw this car and fell in love with it.. I've always loved the early-mid 90's 300zx's
http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/1604243009.html
Fox body mustangs can be had for fairly cheap and they are very easy to make fast. Good luck with your endeavors sir.
If I wasnt a 2 day drive away I would buy that..that's a hell of a nice car
I've been looking on craigslist everyday now for about a month or so and have yet to find a solid Fox for a good price. The closest I can find is an 89 with 130K miles, asking like 4200 and it has some rust. There's also that 82 I mentioned earlier, they're asking 3800, but the listing says the body is in excellent shape(2nd owner car).
I need to buy an autotrader but I can't find one..apparently the gas stations stopped carrying magazines.....
Buick Reatta 3.8 superswap
“Poor Al Gore. Global warming completely debunked via the very Internet you invented. Oh, oh, the irony!” -Jon Stewart
I appreciate you guys offering me cars, especially looking through craigs and stuff..but I'm in way, way South Tx....so there's just no way.
I've called on 4 88-93 Mustangs..from lx-gt, 1 vert.
All had a lot of rust and all were 4K+. All had hatch rust(which I guess is really common), some had rust on the floorpans, and one had rust holes in the engine bay area
I'm really worried about that. I live about 40 minutes from the ocean. San Antonio is 4 hours away, but finding one..planning a trip there, etc. is not something I can easily do...next nearest places get to be a good distance away.
How difficult is it to convert from speed density to MAF?
If your looking for the lightest fox go with a 5spd lx notch back (flat trunk) mustang. I did a little digging and this is what i found LX notchback: 3035 lbs , LX hatchback: 3100 lbs,GT hatchback: 3190 lbs, LX convertible: 3240 lbs, GT convertible: 3330 lbs. I would steer away from the verts and the t-tops, they twist the easiest if not frame connected.
Also keep a keen eye on the bodylines. If the doors and trunks don't close properly you know its had the crap beaten out of it
Another common place for them to rust is on the firewall on the driverside.
This link outlines what is needed to do the conversion.
Speed density to Mass Air conversion
If your buying a computer for this conversion it doesn't really matter if you run a manual or auto computer (the auto computer runs a little richer)
Your best bet it to look in northern texas for one so it won't have any rust, plus it will be the same price.
I live in ohio and I'm tired of working on rust buckets. A few hour drive to get a rust free car is well worth it.....
