yupididit wrote: Whatever is left from the cars you already elimanated. You basically eliminated 89% of probables.
WWBJ do?
yupididit wrote: Whatever is left from the cars you already elimanated. You basically eliminated 89% of probables.
WWBJ do?
Yeah they are but check out that torque curve (http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/2691162-post27.html). It'd be worth it to hunt around if it fits your wants. That's some good power coming from a nerdy looking zx4. Making it handle seems easy enough too-some SVT suspension bits swap in. I'd check craiglist pretty often (like the rest of us). There are usually a couple for sale around me (tri-state). You can get the chinese knock off manifold for 200 bucks if you don't want to shell out for the cosworth one.
I'm assuming you want a relatively modern-unsuspecting "sleeper" of an Auto/x-HPDE car thats DD-able right?
The matrix xrs/vibe gt is another "easy" option, torque curve won't be as good without an expensive manifold or expensive tuning but standard bolt-ons intake/header/exhaust+early knock sensor/ecu swap should get you ~170whp and an 8350 rpm redline. Guess what the c60 is geared more aggressively than the Type-R. Big rear sway bar, motor mount bushings, and standard shocks/springs upgrade would get it 95% where it needs to be. Then I'd do some stealth weight reduction to get the weight down close to 2600lbs as possible based on what you can tolerate.
In reply to lnlds:
I like that!
'03 Mazdaspeed Protege. Very nice chassis, great suspension, factory LSD. Turbo system isn't too sophisticated it basically just throws fuel at the problem but it does use a ball bearing turbo. I had one new and turned up the boost a bit and ran low-mid 14s. Here's a nice looking one for $2500.
In the same vein as the msp protege, but more reliable, the early supercharged cobalt ss and saturn ion redline are starting to dip into the low 3ks. Might be too high profile for you though but they are forgotten sport compacts.
fortee9er wrote:Lugnut wrote: I'm not trying to make fun of your exercise, but... I don't get it. I can spend $2,500 and get a car that simply does all these things (C4, Miata, 328i, Saab 9-3, Porsche 944, Mustang, etc) and not have to futz with it, or I can spend $2,500 on a car and parts to buy a car that *doesn't* do these things by design and have to spend money plus work on building a car that still won't be as good at these activities as an actual sports car would be? What am I missing here?You're absolutely correct. This is an exercise in creativity. Think of old hot rodders when there wasn't much of an aftermarket or factory hot rods to provide better parts to swap in. AS on example one of my project cars is a 1994 Suzuki Swift GT. I've owned the car for 15 years and I love it. In these past years I was able to do the entire suspension, lowering springs, Koni shocks, polyurethane bushings, bigger sway bars, shock tower braces (front and rear) bigger sticky tires...etc. But the car sorely needs a LSD differential, and a close ratio gear box. There are a couple of vendors offering LSD for this car and one vendor that offers better gears for the transmission. Problem is cost. As of right now looks like I have reached a dead end. But maybe there is someone out there who faced the same issues and came up with a reasonable solution.
The old hotrodder would find a better transaxle (probably from a Honda) and make it fit, your answer probably lies somewhere on Japanese ebay if any close ratio limited slip Suzuki transaxle that bolts up to the engine exists.
I think your whole premise is kinda killed by historical context. Automakers no longer make what are more or less the same three cars and engines in a bazillion different configurations from mild to wild for decades like they did during the 60s 70s and 80s. Rapidly changing standards of efficiency, safety, public demand for NVH reduction, etc. killed that. So there is no more wandering around the pick and pull and collecting all the best parts of the platform from random common cars like you used to be able to do with Fox bodies, air cooled VWs, A/G bodies, all the stuff that interchanged between the 1st and 2nd Camaro/Firebird and later Novas, etc.
In reply to BrokenYugo:
True! Another problem is that the aftermarket stops making parts for a car after a while because of lack of demand. People move on to the next best thing and cars, such as my Suzuki, which had aftermarket and manufacturer support fade away.
I want to thank everyone who took time and participated in my exercise. Thanks Guys
By some miracle The Duratec Focus is way under the radar of the tuner crowd. I am currently talking my self out of a 5 hour round trip for a questionable manual zx5.
1st gen dakota shortbed with a 5.2 and 5 speed. If I am allowed boost from junkyard options one with a 2.5 and a manual is also a choice.
Chadeux wrote: Why are superchargers not allowed if the supercharger is a junkyard bolt on?
My son has a 2000 Chevy Impala 9C1 3800 V6. This is a good choice.
I would also recommend a P71 Crown Vic
And a 3800 V6 Camaro or Firebird. They are out there for $2500.
On the 3800 GM V6 subject, I would look for
Non aspirated:
Chevy Camaro or Pontiac Firebird. Will have either a 4speed auto or 5 speed manual
Pontiac Grand Prix GT 2dr or 4dr
Chevy Impala (especially the 9C1's). Some have the 3400, some have the 3800
Buick Regal
Chevy Monte Carlo (some have the 3800)
don't mind full size? Pontiac Bonneville, Buick LeSabre or Buick Park Ave
Factory Supercharged:
Buick Regal GS Pontiac Grand Prix GTP 2dr or 4dr
Pontiac Bonneville SSEi
Buick Park Avenue Ultra
The supercharged factory cars generally bring more money unless they are high mileage. The Regals leather interior seemed to not last as long, brings the price down on some. The Regal and Park Ave both had optional 10 speaker Monsoon stereo systems.
All 3800's are durable, and will go 300-400k on mileage. I've seen as high as close to 500K.
Regardless of model, the typical: Cold Air Intake, Exhaust, Tune, colder T-stat, good plugs/wires, good rotors/pads (Hawk) are good bang for the buck.
Aftermarket support is out there from: Intense Racing, ZZPerformance, 3800 Performance, Hypertech, K&N, SLP.
Many come with four wheel disc brakes. The 9C1 Impalas have larger brakes and different suspension.
The supercharged models and the 9C1 Impalas have a heavy duty auto trans factory.
The Buicks tend to be owned by older folks, taken care of better, etc. SSEi Bonnevilles are getting hard to find that are not trashed out. The Monte Carlos tend to be owned by younger folks.
The Camaro or Firebird is rear wheel drive. Depending on where you live, if you have heavy snow and have to drive in the winter, you may not want that option.
These would answer your quest for $2500 purchase price, universal daily driver - track car - A/C requirements with aftermarket bolt on support
The LeSabre and Park will be the last handling wise. The Ultra for a big car is not bad. The base LeSabre is a little couchy like. There is a gentleman on the board under A Clockwork Garage that can help you with handling.
See Warshrike on the board for his V6 Firebird build.
Here is the build thread on the 2000 Impala 9C1 "rebuild"
Being driven on a regular basis again, I believe he has around 160K on it
Being on the police car options, Ford Crown Vic P71 is a $2500 option. White is the most plentiful, so the cheapest. Not all of them have cruise control, but all of A/C and power options. 2003 and up are more sought after. For a larger car, these handle very well.
I'd prefer an all black one, with a pushbar in the front and some LED driving and fog lights. Add a Hypertech Programmer, K&N Cold Air Intake, and either a custom 2 1/2 inch exhaust or more expensive if Magnaflow still makes a bolt on cat back system.
Since junkyard wheels should be easy to find, I'd have a set of 4 all season/winter tires, a set of 4 track tires, and a set of drag tires.
I'd go 4.10 gear swap in the rear
Everyone including myself, would like to swap a V8 into an old squarebody S10 and go fry tires.
Another $2500 option would be a S10 with the factory 4.3 V6. Later model Vortec 4.3 preferably, in auto trans or 5 speed stick. The aftermarket support for exhaust/air intake/tuning etc is there. You'll see regular cab and extended cabs available. Regular cab short box and long box. 4.3 runs forever.
Factory ZQ8 suspension models sport suspension available.
The aftermarket suspension and brake pieces are available.
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