[Chad82]

What do you plan on doing? 1/4? Drift? Street racing? Are you wanting RWD, AWD, FWD? Would you be doing an engine swap or building up existing engine? How much do you have to spend? Will this also have to be a daily driver?

What I am thinking of doing now is getting a 87-91 RX7 and dropping in a built LS1. The weight increase shouldn't be too bad and would actually give a better weight distribution if I did it right. I think a reliable 500 HP car would be quite attainable doing that, and I believe I could get out for under $12k.

The most common tuner now seems to be a 240sx with the SR20DET. It will be peppy and can run well with newer cars, but you won't be blowing anyone's doors off.