Hi everyone!
Back after a while, even though I’m pretty new here. I’m looking at a few cars that would serve as my project car/restomod/oddball/showcar, while driving it a bit on weekdays if possible (assuming it’s not broken again). I have pretty good experience with cars, and can do repairs with a service manual and/or a tutorial video.
Budget? $10k for the car and repairs if need be. Upgrades not included.
I’ve narrowed it down to these.
- Mazda RX-7 SA22C (drop in GSL-SE parts)
- Nissan Skyline R31 GTS coupe (Google it)
- Ford Mustang II hatchback (yes, I did)
- Chevrolet S10 (LS-swap should be pretty easy)
Show me if any of these are a bad idea, or tell me about your personal favorites if you have any recommendations. Honest opinions, constructive criticism, and flowing discussion. Thank you!
~ RS8
Buddy in Houston has a R31 GTS. It's pretty cool.
I'd vote for that or the RX-7 over any of the others.
Come get my e39 wagon and turbo ls swap it with a t56. That would be awesome.
My first car was a 1974 Mustang II Mach1 with the 2.8 V6 and a 4 speed. Not a great car though a lot of great high school memories. My Dad and I did the body work, painted it and did some custom mods (blacked out metal mesh grille and smoked headlight covers. It was crusty in 1982. Are there many left?
@spacecadet where will I find parts? I love the R31 too, but I mostly dropped the idea since there isn’t too much info about it, and even less in the USA.
@wawazat there are quite a few in decent shape I found online for about $10k. Since you have personal experiences, can you tell me a few pros and cons?
stan
UltraDork
12/20/18 9:09 a.m.
I would love to see someone do a MII. I've been looking at these for years, but just can't pull the trigger (is that PC these days??). 2 door, V8, RWD, light. Looks like a good enough reason to me regardless of the deficiencies and lack of support.
Stan
I had a 1976 Mustang II notch with a 302 4 spd. They are heavier than you think.
nothing much there to recommend as a project car. (302 ran out of breath above 3500 rom, overly close ratio and weak 4 sp is annoying, uncomfortable seats, weak 7.5 rear)
what are you looking for in a car?
-performance
-wow factor
-handling/autoX events?
--there's a ton of aftermarket and cheap C/L parts for the Fox bodies, get a stripped out 4-eye 1985 notch and drop a JY LS1 or 5.3 in it. easy to work on.---in contrast: The mustang II required battery and battery box removal just to change the spark plugs, it's a nose heavy car on 13 in tires.
--I'd even recommend a 1965 notchback and drop a newer 302 roller in that, much better use of your $10,000.
--for pure performance, consider a 1998-2002 F Body --LS1 already in it, for $5000 you can find a nice one and use the rest of the dough for mods. You could have a great looking , 12 sec car for $10,000.
RS8_TTW12 said:
Hi everyone!
Back after a while, even though I’m pretty new here. I’m looking at a few cars that would serve as my project car/restomod/oddball/showcar, while driving it a bit on weekdays if possible (assuming it’s not broken again). I have pretty good experience with cars, and can do repairs with a service manual and/or a tutorial video.
Budget? $10-15k on a nice car, just for the car (add major repairs to that price if need be)
I’ve narrowed it down to these.
- Mazda RX-7 SA22C (preferably a GSL-SE)
- Nissan Skyline R31 GTS coupe (google it)
- Ford Mustang II hatchback (yes, I did)
- Chevrolet S10 (LS-swap should be pretty easy)
- Classic BMW 5- or 6-series (2JZ-swap, maybe, but custom ain’t cheap)
Show me if any of these are a bad idea, or tell me about your personal favorites if you have any recommendations. Honest opinions, constructive criticism, and flowing discussion. Thank you!
~ RS8
I believe SA22C would refer to only the 1979 and 1980 model year RX7s. The GSL SE is only the 1984 and 1985 model years and are FB chassis cars.
The GSL SE has some rare and harder to find parts than a regular GSL. If you are planning on modding the car, you may be better off with a regular GSL.
@wvumtnbkr Didn’t know that. I am looking at an SA22C, that is for sure. Any way I can get some of the benefits of a GSL-SE (rear dishes, etc.) on those?
@Agent98 My car will probably see a track day once or twice a year. I prioritize it standing out, not just another Miata, BRZ, Honda, etc. I haven’t been able to find a Foxbody in my price range. However, I would gladly take one over the ‘Stang II. Also, I looked at F-bodies, and I personally am not too big of a fan.
Also, everyone, I said $10k for the car and repairs. Upgrades will come after I get more money and experience with the car and what it needs.
In reply to RS8_TTW12 :
Why, specifically, an SA and not an FB? They look damn near identical and most of the parts swap over.
This looks like the yellow car is an SA. The marker lights are different, rear hatch and tail lights are different, bumpers are different, ETC. BUT, the 2 cars are damn near identical in most ways except the SA is harder to find parts for (fenders, etc are slightly different).
In other words, it SEEMS like you are maybe interested in a 1st gen rx7 (most likely an FB... There were a metric crapload of FB made versus SA. Both are referred to as 1st gen rx7).
The differences between the GSL SE and GSL (more common) are bigger bearing rear axle, an EFI specific fuel tank, the larger (fuel injected) 13B engine. I am not sure if the brakes were the same or not and if the bolt pattern is the same or not. The GSL already had a disc brake rear axle.
In reply to wvumtnbkr :
I... like the taillights and wing mirrors?
In all honesty, I am going to engine swap it with an FC Turbo II. Would starting with a GSL-SE and then swapping a few body parts be easier?
RS8_TTW12 said:
@wawazat there are quite a few in decent shape I found online for about $10k. Since you have personal experiences, can you tell me a few pros and cons?
It was a LONG time ago but RUST was a major issue on my car. The V6 carb and I battled with floats that seemed to regularly absorb fuel and sink. Driving was OK but nothing spectacular and the car was a bit tight for me (6'3", 230 lbs-at the time). The 2.8l V6 made good sounds with the rear mufflers removed especially when downshifting and nailing it.
