first track car options

[mason_RsX]

Hey guys I have a scenario and needed some info, estimates, and advice on the plan

A friend of mine is gonna build a track/still road car and we have a few options were looking at...If you guys can either recommend 1 or give other ideas...I don't have a cost estimate of what we can afford yet but we will be able to put a good chunk of money in progressively

1) basically what Civracers gonna do...buy 91 Civic, swap an H22 in add bolt-ons, chip and boost it eventually

2) Buy a mid 90's Camaro and either work on the LS1 or buy the V6 and swap an LT1 into it...

3) buy a Porsche 944 or 928... were really not sure how much potential we could have out of this...

4) buy E36 M3 boost it and continue to modify it as money comes in

basic essentials are that we want a track car that can still drag when needed and still be a legal driving car...I know thats demanding and takes away from what can be done, but thats the plan.....1 final note...the Civic option is being seriously considered already cause its so cheap

any suggestions would be greatly appreciated....thx guys

[-The Stig-]

Well, the Porsche and M3 are probably out of the question due to just the buy in costs of the vehicles. Not including any modifications.

What kinda track stuff you plan on doing? Autox? Road Racing with clubs?

Can't go wrong with a Mx-5 Mazda... throw on a Jackson racing supercharger and some suspension mods. And you've got a car that'll do anything... AutoX, Road Race, Drag, Drift... whatever!

And still be streetable.


Mmmm S/C'd Miata... or swap in a 13b turbo motor, put on a hardtop and call it a baby FD Rx-7.

[clawhammer]

Civic w/H22 = for track. Will not handle, because of the way it sits in the engine bay.

Miata sounds good, don't forget 240sx and MR2

[drdisque]

the 928 is also a very expensive machine to own and race, very complex and difficult to work on V8. For a circuit civic, you definitely want to go with a B-series, the balance on an H series would be poor. Mid 90's Camaros came with LT1's, not LS1's and handle alright, they kind of have a steep learning curve to driving well, the 944 also has a steep learning curve to driving competetively.

Also, in most people's opinion, the Flyin' Miata supercharger is way better than the JR one.

[RedLightning]

One cool way to go is do a 5.0l v8 swap into a miata, a company called monster miata did that, don't know how much it could cost.

[-The Stig-]

Well, I don't care who makes the supercharger... the thought of a S/C Miata is kewl to me. Not sure why... little car... S/C whine... weeeeee.

[King Of Crunk]

MR2's are very good track cars....as are miatas....i def. wouldn't go with the civic though...what's fun about front wheel drive??? ......no offense to any civic or fwd owners but you can't get sideways very easily in a civic.....

[drdisque]

Monster Miata is out of business and its easy to see why, the swap kit cost over $10000, they didn't have many takers.

[-The Stig-]

FC Rx-7 anybody?

hehe

[clawhammer]

Someone entered a V8 miata in the Grassroots $2004 or $2005 challenge, so if you do it yourself, it can't cost that much.

[speedthrill]

Go with the Miata as Red suggested. The handling is already awesome in it stock form so with some engine work (Hmmm, S/C doesn't sound bad at all. Never came across such a miata) you already could have a fast car. Again i'll refer to Ben's site about his trips to the Nurbürgring where he raced the first years with a miata. Read his trip reports and you'll know that this car is fast, even stock.
http://www.nurburgring.org.uk/

Good luck with the project.

[CassiesMan]

Originally Posted by mason_RsX

4) buy E36 M3 boost it and continue to modify it as money comes in

You were actually considering something else? Contrary to popular beliefs, if you do it smart, the E36s are not all that expensive to mod up and make hella fast, and they already handle damn well, so suspension/handling mods are only gonna boost ya the extra mile. Plus a turboed S52 sounds so damned sexy. And smart shopping can get you one for (around here) as low as 14k, with a fair miliage and well taken care of. The only other option I would consider is a B5 S4.

[mason_RsX]

Thanks for the advice and info so far and the Miata was discussed briefly but my buddys not a fan of mazda or Miatas but I'll talk to him...so the Porsche ideas junked, we werent a big fan of it anyways, we were originally talking about the B18C1 but we didn't think we could get a good one available at good cost compared to a prelude motor...M3 idea we really liked but we might have to wait a good 2 years to afford it...

and how come I can find lists of all engines made past and current by Honda, Nissan, and Toyota but nothing from GM...the LS 1,2,6,7 LT1 Series III are all getting a bit confusing

and we are looking at autox, and some track & drag stuff set up through a friends subaru club....but keep in mind this is long term were still pretty poor

the last thing he was talking about was buying a Holden or a Triumph and working on something very small...but to be honest I have no idea about those cars...

[drdisque]

british cars are a nightmare if you're poor, the electrical systems are junk and you can't afford to fix them right. I'm pretty sure they never sold Holdens in North America, they aren't very small anyway.

[tha_new_guy]

Well, contrary to popular belief, the 944 could be had for as little as $3000 for a smooth runner. My friend got his for $2000. Yah you might as well scrap the 928 idea, I heard those V8's are impossible. Perhaps you meant 924, which would be the predecessor to the 944, good handling so it would make a track car. Also, if you could get an '81 924, its over 25 years old, no more emissions nazis to worry about. Only thing with those Porsches, parts may be a little pricey, and making a drag car of it will be expensive, the NA versions run high 15's/low 16's i believe. A 944 turbo could be had for $7000 and up probably, that would solve both problems.

If you are money limited, no way you can work on an E36 M3. Too expensive. German tuning is already expensive, and if you're paying >$10,000 just for the car in stock form, you're gonna be eating ramen noodles for a looong time.

Dunno how well a Camaro will handle a road course or AutoX course....not to be biased, but they REALLY aren't known for their pristine handling...

I agree with Redneck383, FC RX-7. Get the TII since you want power, you get great handling since the motor is mounted farther back in the chassis, and it would be unique and fun.