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JoshParsons84

I'm in need of a car to have as a side project. Something I can invest like 2 or 3 years of my time just building up. I mean going deep....taking it all the way down to the block and porting and balancing it out real nice and everything. Then taking the head and port and polishing it up real nice. I wanna do the works on something that looks real good and that is "user bolt-on friendly". Anybody have any suggestions? Plus in the end after all the wrenchs are turned and bolts are screwed on it'll have the fully decked out Polk system. OH YEAH!!!!

heiney9

What's your level of expertise? Budget is a BIGGIE? What tools do you have access too? Doing ALL the work yourself or farming it out?

Probably a big block Ford or Chevy is doable, like maybe an older Mustang.

H9

JoshParsons84

Well I'd like to re-do an import if you have any in mind. But I'll think about the V8's also. Thanks! Please more posts!!!!

And the reason I say the import is because I know WAY MORE about working on them than I do an American Muscle V8. But I will definately look at the American Muscle though!

Systems

Theres a guy over on the S2000's boards throwing a LS1 V8 into his S2000. That sounds like fun and has gotten a LOT of press in the real world.

ledhed

C4 or C5 'vette cheap for what you get and TONS of information and (cheap) parts for them.

edbert

Older Miata with a Ford V8. Very doable, fairly inexpensive, and would be a blast to drive when you get done.

venomclan

ledhed wrote: »

C4 or C5 'vette cheap for what you get and TONS of information and (cheap) parts for them.

I have a white C4 I may part with if you are interested. It has a few custom parts (Borla, ground effects, wing etc..) but mostly stock.
Venom

Bill Ayotte

MKIII GTI, Maybe a MKIV R32 or GTI......There is a whole lot of fun to be had with these.....I wish I had the $$ to get into that...The Jetta is getting a makeover once I can get a winter beater....

BaggedLancer

Older 240sx with a skyline swap would be my choice. Drift king!

JoshParsons84

I think you guys are missing the point I'm trying to make here. I appreciate all the comments and suggestions, but I'd kinda like to take something and leave the original motor in but take the original motor down to the block. Then pulling the block out and taking it to a machine shop and boring it out and polishing it up real nice. Install the block back in and take the head and port and polish it up real nice. Then follow up with putting the head back on and installing new higher duration cams and pistons and all that good junk too. Pretty much taking a stock motor down to it's stock block and then building it back up using all new performance parts.

BaggedLancer

JoshParsons84 wrote: »

I think you guys are missing the point I'm trying to make here. I appreciate all the comments and suggestions, but I'd kinda like to take something and leave the original motor in but take the original motor down to the block. Then pulling the block out and taking it to a machine shop and boring it out and polishing it up real nice. Install the block back in and take the head and port and polish it up real nice. Then follow up with putting the head back on and installing new higher duration cams and pistons and all that good junk too. Pretty much taking a stock motor down to it's stock block and then building it back up using all new performance parts.

Sounds like you need a Supra, or what about importing a banged up skyline?

Face

LS1 f-body.

JoshParsons84

Ya know BaggedLancer I've thought about something like that Supra. I've actually thought about a Supra, Mitsubishi 3000 GT VR-4 AWD, or a Nissan 300ZX also. Wouldn't it cost quite a bit to import a skyline? I dunno nothing about Skyline's. I'd definately have to read up on them.

Face I like the idea about the LS1, but what years of an F-Body are you talking about?

Face

The LS1 came in the 98-02 F-body. That route would be MUCH cheaper than any of the cars you just mentioned.

audiobliss

LS1 for the win, no doubt.

What you're talking about doing just SOUNDS like a V8.

BaggedLancer

JoshParsons84 wrote: »

Ya know BaggedLancer I've thought about something like that Supra. I've actually thought about a Supra, Mitsubishi 3000 GT VR-4 AWD, or a Nissan 300ZX also. Wouldn't it cost quite a bit to import a skyline? I dunno nothing about Skyline's. I'd definately have to read up on them.

Face I like the idea about the LS1, but what years of an F-Body are you talking about?

I think Motorex out in cali does skyline imports. Definately costs more than a few pennies, possibly an arm and a leg and maybe some other body parts but should be doable. The 3000 gt vr-4 is nice, but they are tanks weighing in at just under 4k pounds(from what i remember). 300zx but id rather the 240sx or skyline.

What about a Galant VR-4? I have a friend that has an insanely fast one he built for really short change. They have the same 4g63 motor as the first evolutions stateside, so I imagine finding aftermarket parts for them is easy as can be. Not to mention the coolness factor of a 4 door sedan hauling **** and blowing the doors off other "sports cars"

Face

audiobliss wrote: »

LS1 for the win, no doubt.

With the stock heads and cam, no spray or supercharger, I was able to get my C5 to run 11.64 @ 114. As long as they're set up correctly, they're very potent motors.

JoshParsons84

Aw man!! I don't know whether to look for a 1998 Camaro SS or a Mitsusbishi Galant VR-4! LOL I really appreciate y'alls help. I guess it's all up to me as to what I wanna "play" with, huh?

BaggedLancer

JoshParsons84 wrote: »

Aw man!! I don't know whether to look for a 1998 Camaro SS or a Mitsusbishi Galant VR-4! LOL I really appreciate y'alls help. I guess it's all up to me as to what I wanna "play" with, huh?

Definately the galant, cause if you get pulled over you can tell the officer he was mistaken, you were just going to the supermarket to get your groceries and pick the kids up from practice Try doing that in a Camaro.

audiobliss

No contest. Camaro!

Of course, it is all personal preferrence.

JoshParsons84

Hey probably a dumb question, any difference between the Camaro and Trans Am besides looks? But any handling or motor difference at all?

Face

I believe the TA is a little heavier, that's all.

MSALLA

JoshParsons84 wrote: »

Hey probably a dumb question, any difference between the Camaro and Trans Am besides looks? But any handling or motor difference at all?

Same car in almost everyway. I've done a 93' with the LT-1 6 speed and a 98' with the LS-1 auto. Both respond very well to mods but take some knowledge to work on.As far as ported heads, your better off buying a set from someone like MTI. If you think this hobby cost alot, you are in for a shock. If I was going to do an import I would go with a supra, RX-7 (rotory motor) or a 289 swap in to an older miata.
I'm selling my bike now to raise money to restore a first generation f-body. I found a few for sale but they all require a road trip. I should make a move in a month or 2.

BAD ASP

I have done a few cars over the years. I have found that the big block fords are the easiest to work on as parts are readily available. The GM LS1 is also easy to find high performance parts for. My preferences have been the ford 429 scj, the 428 fe and the 351w.

The ford 351 windsor can be built up to 427 cu. in. yielding about 500 rwhp. I have a 408 in my cobra with a 500 hp garrett 93 mm intercooled turbo and on 25 lbs of boost it makes over 1000 rwhp.

The 429 can be taken out to over 600 cu. in. My 71 torino cobra has a 577 NA making 915 flywheel hp and 745 rwhp in my torino cobra.

I have a 66 galaxie with a 428 fe slightly warmed up but the car is basically a stocker.
94 mustang svt cobra with a supercharged 351w making 568 rwhp turning consistant 10:80's at 136mph.

I have a 68 buick wildcat convertible with the 430 cu in. Finding high po parts for it is far more difficult than the chevy LS1. Great car though if you like driving an air craft carrier around. In my day this car was considered a full size and the torino was a midsize. Today the torino is bigger than a Taurus or Malibu of today's vintage.
My best advice is to choose the style of car your interested in and set your goals, stick to em and add about 35% to your budget.... at least

Polk addict

Those pictures look really awesome...

Face

Nice Buick!

audiobliss

*droooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooool* @ BAD ASP

I'm assuming that Cobra's a kit car. Which company did you decide to go with?

That's soooo my dream project! A Factory Five Cobra with a 500HP big block that's somewhat streetable, until I turn up the turbo (or turbo's!)!!!

Tell me you've taken that to the track with some drag radials!!

You've certainly had some awesome rides! Do you still have them all?

BAD ASP

I still own all of the cars I mentioned. The cobra is a Superformance and it has been to the strip with drag radials. I have found that the car is driveable up to about 20 lbs of boost after that there isn't enough tire. As it is with 295 rears if you stand on it in 3rd at 65 or so they break loose. Throttle management is key since the wheel wells won't allow more then 315's. Also the rear half shafts and diff are suspect and traction would only make that worse. It has run 9:90's but it isn't rated for faster than 11's so it is deemed unsafe by track officials.
My twenty year old son's favorite is the buick and I have to admit I am partial to it and the torino. The cobra is an absolute E ticket but it's not an all day cruiser, but it is eye candy and a total thrill. My son's and I built the motor and did all of the work as well as any of the mechanicals for the other cars as well. It's great for father son bonding.
Attachent shows the engine bay just as we were about to crank it up for the first time.

shack

You might want to consider a Fox Bodied Mustang from '79 -'93. There are thousands of them out there and there are lots of parts now being reproduced and new. My favorite is the '89 - '93 LX 5.0 Coupe (notchback). It's a couple hundred pounds lighter than a fastback and they are a lot of fun to drive.

BAD ASP

Shack is absolutely correct. The fox Mustang is a great driving car with literally thousands of upgrades available from hi performance drive train to body kits and interior kits. My son has a 90 Gt and loves it.

incidentally the engine is a 577 cu. in. with all the good stuff making 900+ flywheel h.p. this will find a home in a torino.

Bill Ayotte

BaggedLancer wrote: »

I think Motorex out in cali does skyline imports. Definately costs more than a few pennies, possibly an arm and a leg and maybe some other body parts but should be doable. The 3000 gt vr-4 is nice, but they are tanks weighing in at just under 4k pounds(from what i remember). 300zx but id rather the 240sx or skyline.

What about a Galant VR-4? I have a friend that has an insanely fast one he built for really short change. They have the same 4g63 motor as the first evolutions stateside, so I imagine finding aftermarket parts for them is easy as can be. Not to mention the coolness factor of a 4 door sedan hauling **** and blowing the doors off other "sports cars"

Motorex went out of business after the founder was killed for pissing off some less than desirable people, and the EPA found out that they bribed their way into certifying the R34. You can actually find a R32 or R33 pretty cheap, and I think there is another company in Cali that does the imports now....Motorex brought a lot of R32s and 33s across the pond, and they are kinda expensive to maintain/repair if you can't do it yourself....Most people sell them at the first sign of trouble.