Which would be the better project car:

[Layla's Keeper]

The whole reason I suggest the LT-5 was in the interests of handling. A small block is lighter than a big block, yes. But the 415hp stock quad-cam all aluminum Lotus designed ZR-1 engine is lightest of them all. Plus I believe it was shorter in length than either of the pushrod Chevy V-8's, thus giving better weight distribution by moving being able to move the engine back in the chassis.

As for the S15, where are you at? Stateside we never got the 15. It's a shame too, since the Ichi-Go is probably the most dead sexy car ever on a Silvia platform. I'd put the Sil-Eighty second. An RB26 would, in opinion, destroy the car's balance because of the added weight and length of the RB26 over the SR20DET. Another option to investigate which is lighter and could be tuned for the same power would be the Twin-Turbo 300ZX V-6. Just a thought.

[DSMJim]

Originally posted by RedNeck383



what are you talking about? theres plenty of aftermarket parts to make 1st and 2nd Generation camaros handle as good as anything. And a 502 isnt much heavier than a normal 327 or 350 engine you'd find in a Camaro and dont forget Those camaros came with a Big block option the 396. Remember a SBC engine is about 600lbs a BBC is about 800lbs.. Oh wow such a huge difference. Not only that but you've got a big bitch between the fenders.. dont care what anybody says, a big bitch demands respect. Especially if you tune the suspension so the car can pull .80+G on the Skid pad Which CAN be done.

oh, R1-Rider, 67 was the first year of the Camaro not 65 like you mentioned. its ok i think we knew what you ment!

.80G? your kidding right? A k-car can pull .80G. A 3rd Gen RX-7 can pull .93 from the factory. Some of them have pulled 1.1G with real coilovers like Tein and sway bars, proven.

Besides a 13B can make 500hp 400ft/lbs no problem all day and night and will do it for less than 8K would cost for a crate 502. Plus a 502 is way heavier than a 13B. A 3rd gen RX7 can not be beat for handeling and power. Doesn't matter what people say about a Camero etc, you can do it in an RX7 for less money, look better and handle better all at the same time. If your really nutz 13B's have propelled cars into 8's and the 20B into low 7's so you can go as fast as you want in a 2 or 3 rotor engine.

[MadZ]

I guess it all depends on taste. I personally would rather have a classic camAro (not camero) with a big block rumbling under the hood. It's one thing to sit at a stop light in your super lightweight (and super small) rx7 that you know is extremely quick as you listen to your high reving little engine, but it's quite another to sit at a light with your classic camaro while your cam lopes and your car shakes and the exhaust note from your 502 deafens nearby pedestrians. I don't care how fast the rx7 is, there is just nothing like the sound and feel of a big-block. Oh, and the ZR-1 idea is quite nice too. very expensive though

[R1-rider]

Originally posted by MadZ
I guess it all depends on taste. I personally would rather have a classic camAro (not camero) with a big block rumbling under the hood. It's one thing to sit at a stop light in your super lightweight (and super small) rx7 that you know is extremely quick as you listen to your high reving little engine, but it's quite another to sit at a light with your classic camaro while your cam lopes and your car shakes and the exhaust note from your 502 deafens nearby pedestrians. I don't care how fast the rx7 is, there is just nothing like the sound and feel of a big-block. Oh, and the ZR-1 idea is quite nice too. very expensive though

Yea, nothing like having a big block under the hood rumbling away. No other sound in the world is as sexy as that.

[Cbass]

I disagree. A properly tuned stroker smallblock sounds just as sweet!

Hey Jim, how much is a 3rd gen Rex? Somewhere in the neighbourhood of $40-$50K. That's Corvette territory. Fine, get your 500hp 13B. It'll only cost $5000 to build it. Do your suspension tuning. Another $3000. Now take that $50-$60K you have now dropped, and take your Camaro/Firebird to Lingenfelter, and have him tune your car, with a twin turbo 427LS1. Have a nice day...

[R1-rider]

Originally posted by Cbass
I disagree. A properly tuned stroker smallblock sounds just as sweet!

Hey Jim, how much is a 3rd gen Rex? Somewhere in the neighbourhood of $40-$50K. That's Corvette territory. Fine, get your 500hp 13B. It'll only cost $5000 to build it. Do your suspension tuning. Another $3000. Now take that $50-$60K you have now dropped, and take your Camaro/Firebird to Lingenfelter, and have him tune your car, with a twin turbo 427LS1. Have a nice day...

Negative, you can pick them up mint for like 20-25K. And if you are like me, looking for a blown engine rex, then you can get them low as 10K. Now the 20b conversion would be quite expensive, however well worth it.

[Marc-OS]

I like the S15 option, but since the US didn't get the S15 I say you buy an S14 and buy a front clip off of an S15. My second choice would have to be the RX-7 just because rotary engines are so damned cool except for those damn apex seals.

BTW, while it's true that the low rumble of a big ass v8 is one of the sweetest sounds ever, the sound of a rotary engine is completely unique and totally awsome.

[Cbass]

Ah, but a similar condition Z28 or Transam goes for a lot less... even the basic 383 job on an LT1 will have that Firebird doing 12s... It also has suspension tweaks to match the hp... The basic package is $10K, I don't have a price for the TT 7 liter, but it's pretty pricey... However, you can have them build one for whatever SBC car you have.

[LjasonL]

Originally posted by Cbass
Hey Jim, how much is a 3rd gen Rex? Somewhere in the neighbourhood of $40-$50K.

no way man. i was considering buying one not long ago, and i had NO problems finding 3rd gen turbos for less than $15,000 in good condition. i even found a few r1's and r2' for that.

[Cbass]

You're kidding me! Hmm, I may have to re evaluate my future plans...

[LjasonL]

yeah, im still considering too

damn insurance, if it wasnt for the damn insurance rates... why must they punish us for owning cool cars?

damn insurance... :hehehe:

[LjasonL]

it could have something to do with location too, i can see how an rx7 would go for less here in arkansas than in other places.

[-The Stig-]

Originally posted by DSMJim


.80G? your kidding right? A k-car can pull .80G. A 3rd Gen RX-7 can pull .93 from the factory. Some of them have pulled 1.1G with real coilovers like Tein and sway bars, proven.

Besides a 13B can make 500hp 400ft/lbs no problem all day and night and will do it for less than 8K would cost for a crate 502. Plus a 502 is way heavier than a 13B. A 3rd gen RX7 can not be beat for handeling and power. Doesn't matter what people say about a Camero etc, you can do it in an RX7 for less money, look better and handle better all at the same time. If your really nutz 13B's have propelled cars into 8's and the 20B into low 7's so you can go as fast as you want in a 2 or 3 rotor engine.

*sigh* i said .80+Gs not just .80Gs...

And YES it can be done, i've seen video of a '69 Nova, YES A NOVA, doing over a 1.0Gs on the skid pad with the proper suspension built by this shop up in Glendale, Ca. .... BENCH seat and ALL!

If you want a canyon carver Camaro, then a SBC would be the ticket, a 383 would propel it just fine, help keep the weight down as much as possible, and the CG as low as possible as well.

If you tally up the entire cost it takes to take a 1st or 2nd Gen Camaro into a G-Machine it should be near 15k after you're done. That should include Motor,trans,rear end, suspension work, body work, interior work, and paint... and maybe a six pack of beer to celebrate the completion of your ride.

[Cbass]

Yeah, but the RX7 is lighter... Guess we have to add more power!

I think I like the best of both worlds. A 1981 RX7, with a widebody kit for big tires (245 front 275 rear), a suspension kit from Racing Beat or Ground Control, transmission from a Porsche 931, and a huge honkin 6.6 liter Ford smallblock, twin turbocharged, EFI with a MAF sensor, and running on propane! It'll go like stink...

BTW, thats my project this winter