good cheap v8 car

volvoclearinghouse wrote: I'm being serious. Something from the Dart/ Valiant/ Duster family would be perfect. An under 3000 lb platform with double wishbone front suspension, front disc brakes, and good aftermarket support, that can be had for Challenge money.

Ok... find me one that doesn't need a crap-ton of rust repair for Challenge money.

My two choice now (after pricing out stuff around here) ate either a foxbody 'stang or rx7 with a swap...leaning more towards the foxbody simply because it seems like itll be cheaper in the long run.

Here's the free engine mounts diagram for my Ford 302 powered FC RX7:

http://www.freewebs.com/adesso/mounts.htm

This is the end result:

my V8 RX7 built for under $2500 total, including car, engine, transmission, driveshaft, mounts, and electronics.

Ian F wrote:

volvoclearinghouse wrote: I'm being serious. Something from the Dart/ Valiant/ Duster family would be perfect. An under 3000 lb platform with double wishbone front suspension, front disc brakes, and good aftermarket support, that can be had for Challenge money.

Ok... find me one that doesn't need a crap-ton of rust repair for Challenge money.

Surf craigslist in any non-salt using state.

5spd 530i with a cheap turbo setup.

volvoclearinghouse wrote: Surf craigslist in any non-salt using state.

Right... I'm sorry, but that is a B.S. answer.

Seriously... Find me ONE early 70's Demon (or hell... I'd take a Duster) in running condition with minimal rust anywhere in the effin' country for under $2000 and I'll do a fly n' buy.

In reply to Ian F:

Darts. Bottom one is a 318.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/cto/4078254472.html

$2600

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/wat/cto/3995404135.html

$1500

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/4038225584.html

$1400

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/4006239583.html

$1200

In reply to 93EXCivic:

...and you've proved my point. None of those I'd drive back to PA in.

Ian F wrote: In reply to 93EXCivic: ...and you've proved my point. None of those I'd drive back to PA in.

How about this one?

http://macon.craigslist.org/cto/4028846008.html

Might need a new passenger side door or it might be patchable, but didn't see any other rust on it.

This one looks like it needs a little bodywork, but didn't see any rust, and it is a factory V8 car:

http://athensga.craigslist.org/cto/4062521747.html

In reply to MadScientistMatt:

Ok. The '76 has potential, but isn't a V8 car. I wouldn't bother with the 66.

Ian F wrote: Ok... find me anything that doesn't need a crap-ton of rust repair for Challenge money.

This is how I feel the sentence should have read.

http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/cto/4083510670.html

http://nh.craigslist.org/cto/4003192561.html

Well any cheap foxbody here is auto or a 4 cylinder. Looks like a swap is my best bet...also i really like the idea of a swap for some reason

In reply to JacktheRiffer:

A swap would definately let you pick and choose the parts that you actually want in the car, at least as far as driveline. And suspension if you really want to do this right. I'd still go SN-95 over a Fox, even if you start with a V-6 SN-95 I think you're at a better starting point.

Since it hasen"t been brought up yet...... get an 87 or later 944 turbo or S model that someone is tired of dumping money into or has a broken timing belt. Then get an ls, or even more economical a roller 383 and you have a potent street machine without touching the suspension sans front springs. Take a look at 944hybrids, there's lots of support and you can buy and or fab everything you'll need.

Buy a 4cyl fox dirt cheap then spend the rest on turbo and trans. Run it till it pops and rebuild it better.

On a side note: I hate fox bodies. It's the only car that makes me nauseated by looks alone.

Why not a turbo-coupe t-bird or v8 cougar.... Talk about a sleeper that will walk the dog.

the V8 Tbirds and cougars are basically bigger and more luxurious Foxbodies...

Ian F wrote:

volvoclearinghouse wrote: Surf craigslist in any non-salt using state.

Right... I'm sorry, but that is a B.S. answer. Seriously... Find me ONE early 70's Demon (or hell... I'd take a Duster) in running condition with minimal rust anywhere in the effin' country for under $2000 and I'll do a fly n' buy.

I'll pick you up at the airport.

http://bend.craigslist.org/cto/4057363216.html

VGS30 wrote: For a cheap v8 car infinity q45's are very cheap and have 276hp stock I believe. For a cheap swap there is always a datsun Z car with an sbc.

I agree on Q45! I picked one up that cost me $400. Cut enough weight out of it and run 240sx or 300zx adjustable aftermarket suspension parts. A manual trans swap can get a little pricey but not bad when you consider the original purchase price.

Lincoln Mk VII LSC, with a 5 speed swap.

For my swap options i would really like to be able to race it before i swap so in addition to the rx7 i was considering a 240sx

novaderrik wrote: what is "non GRM" about a GM 7.5 rear end? any F body rear made from 82-02 is a bolt in swap, and 99% of the G bodies and S series trucks (the 1% being the oddballs with 8.5 rears) and every Astro van that you see in the junkyards are potential differential and/or gear donors..

Sorry... what I should have said is,

Keep 20-30 spare 7.5" rear axles around if you plan on more than stock power levels or more than stock traction.

With the exception of the rare-as-hen's-teeth 8.5" G-body rear, there are no bolt-in upgrades. It either takes some pretty extensive modification or big money. The 7.5" (or 7.625" variation) is not a strong axle. They survive forever in a stock G-body because the most HP you could get was about 200. They survive forever in a stock F-body because regardless of a 345 hp LSx under the hood they are very traction-limited. A good set of sticky tires and you can pretty much kiss it goodbye. My buddy's 84 Firebird blew the posi into the trunk after swapping to a T56 and some sticky Toyo RA-1s.

I don't mean to say there aren't GRM parts and interchange possibilities, I just mean that there aren't any GRM upgrades

In reply to Javelin:

I'd need a hell of a lot more info than those sh1tty pictures... what the hell is up with CL posters? I wonder why they berkeleying bother...

Plus... not interested in a Dart or Valiant. Demon (preferred) or Duster. Pre-emissions only ('73 or older).

I'm just too old to be effing around with cars I don't want ... The E30 taught me that.

Ian F wrote: In reply to 93EXCivic: ...and you've proved my point. None of those I'd drive back to PA in.

yeah, sure.. change the rules in the middle of the game...

I don't waste my time trying to find cars for people. So, "go surf CL" wasn't a BS answer. It's just exactly what I'd do if I were actually in the market for said car. And no, I might not find one TODAY but I can guarantee you, with some persistence, inside of 3 months I'd be rocking pretty close to what I was looking for.

I said 2k for a reasonable, running, not rotted out V8 A body. I didn't say "A 72 Demon with a 340 and a 4 speed with mint paint and an interior still covered in plastic."

People are so picky these days.