Car: What would you build?
#1
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (11)
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Overland Park, Kansas
Posts: 5,360
Total Cats: 43
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Running some ideas around for a new project and I'm curious what MT.net would do. Have some simple personal ground rules for the vehicle choice to keep it smart, this will be a daily driven (except snow):
Engine: Simple V8, already selected. Chassis should easily accept a V8.
Transmission: Depends on the vehicle choice, either T56 or 4L80E
Drive axle: Rear wheel drive. Axle depends on vehicle, would prefer to retain factory unit.
Body: Something Elegant, no convert but moon roof okay. Does not have to be sports car, but doesn't have to be boring. Must be classified as a car, no truck.
Seating: Prefer 4, 2 acceptable.
Storage: Fair to average amount.
Cost: Has to be cheap.
Vintage: See Above. Should be affordable, something I could obtain and not spend a fortune to 'restore.'
Modus Operandi: Keep It Simple Stupid.
The rules still leave too many vehicles to choose just one, so what would MT choose? Looking mainly for something that would easily accommodate grocery shopping, my golf clubs, rifle cases, camping gear, whatever..
Engine: Simple V8, already selected. Chassis should easily accept a V8.
Transmission: Depends on the vehicle choice, either T56 or 4L80E
Drive axle: Rear wheel drive. Axle depends on vehicle, would prefer to retain factory unit.
Body: Something Elegant, no convert but moon roof okay. Does not have to be sports car, but doesn't have to be boring. Must be classified as a car, no truck.
Seating: Prefer 4, 2 acceptable.
Storage: Fair to average amount.
Cost: Has to be cheap.
Vintage: See Above. Should be affordable, something I could obtain and not spend a fortune to 'restore.'
Modus Operandi: Keep It Simple Stupid.
The rules still leave too many vehicles to choose just one, so what would MT choose? Looking mainly for something that would easily accommodate grocery shopping, my golf clubs, rifle cases, camping gear, whatever..
![The Brain](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/the_brain.gif)
#2
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I shudder to even say this word...but a Mustang ticks a lot of those boxes.
Mainly for the cheap factor.
We dyno'd my buddie's 347ci turbo'd and MegaSquirted SN95 Saturday and he was pushing close to 500whp on a conservative timing map.
IF you don't plan on going over 500whp (limits of stock block) then the price of entry and price of parts are going to be lower than anything LSx based. Cheap early '90s Mustangs abound, and the 5.0 parts market (check local forums) is unreal. I'm literally having parts -thrown- at me for my swap.
Plus you have your pick of two body styles with the same drivetrain.
And...they make a MSPnP for it.
Mainly for the cheap factor.
We dyno'd my buddie's 347ci turbo'd and MegaSquirted SN95 Saturday and he was pushing close to 500whp on a conservative timing map.
IF you don't plan on going over 500whp (limits of stock block) then the price of entry and price of parts are going to be lower than anything LSx based. Cheap early '90s Mustangs abound, and the 5.0 parts market (check local forums) is unreal. I'm literally having parts -thrown- at me for my swap.
Plus you have your pick of two body styles with the same drivetrain.
And...they make a MSPnP for it.
#3
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
If I was going to start another project car and it was going to meet your criteria (V8, RWD, no drop top, affordable, etc) it would be a Datsun 240Z.
I've always loved them and always wanted one. They are the perfect candidate for a nice project V8 and can be had for pretty cheap. Lots of aftermarket availability and potential.
Here's a few pics that tickle my fancy.
![Name: 1971_datsun_240z_import_car_wallpaper_Classic_1024x768.jpg
Views: 157
Size: 51.8 KB](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/insert-bs-here-4/186888d1501215348-car-what-would-you-build-1971_datsun_240z_import_car_wallpaper_classic_1024x768.jpg)
I've always loved them and always wanted one. They are the perfect candidate for a nice project V8 and can be had for pretty cheap. Lots of aftermarket availability and potential.
Here's a few pics that tickle my fancy.
![Name: 1971_datsun_240z_import_car_wallpaper_Classic_1024x768.jpg
Views: 157
Size: 51.8 KB](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/insert-bs-here-4/186888d1501215348-car-what-would-you-build-1971_datsun_240z_import_car_wallpaper_classic_1024x768.jpg)
![Name: s302.jpg
Views: 180
Size: 65.6 KB](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/insert-bs-here-4/186889d1501215348-car-what-would-you-build-s302.jpg)
#4
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I'm a little confused, is this gonna be a V8 swap, I'll assume so. Also assume it's a LS swap unless otherwise indicated.
3rd gen Camaro/Firebird
E30/E36 BMW 3
E34/E39 BMW 5
Datsun 240Z
Datsun 510/610, with a Ford 302
Ford Maverick with a 302 or 351
RX7
Porsche 944
I know you don't want a truck, but a second gen Dakota R/T (maybe clone) with a T56 swap and some suspension/brake work would be pretty cool and more then capable of hauling around you stuff or small - medium sized children.
3rd gen Camaro/Firebird
E30/E36 BMW 3
E34/E39 BMW 5
Datsun 240Z
Datsun 510/610, with a Ford 302
Ford Maverick with a 302 or 351
RX7
Porsche 944
I know you don't want a truck, but a second gen Dakota R/T (maybe clone) with a T56 swap and some suspension/brake work would be pretty cool and more then capable of hauling around you stuff or small - medium sized children.
![](http://www.motortopia.com/files/8192/journal/484d56ca129e6/99_dakota_rt_001.jpg)
#5
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Falls Church, VA
Posts: 1,361
Total Cats: 17
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
E39 5 series. A couple LS swaps have been done with them so it's not totally uncharted territory. Elegant looks IMO, not a cop magnet but not totally boring, comfy seating for 4, good storage space in trunk, and they are fairly cheap. I have a pretty serious hard-on for an E39 M5 since I need a 4-door daily pretty soon and if I have to get a 4-door car it might as well have ~400 hp. M5s ain't cheap but I haven't got time for a swap project. You could swap your V8 of choice into a non-M car and make more power than the M5 for less money. For bonus points you can then throw an M5 badge on the trunk of what was originally a 525 to really **** off the snooty types. Win.
#7
Boost Pope
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/smod.png)
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
Posts: 33,339
Total Cats: 6,793
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
elesjuan, how involved of a build are you looking for here? I mean, you can put a V8 into a VW Karmann Ghia (I have seen it done) and that's easily the simplest and most elegant car in the known universe, but you'll need access to Williams Racing's F1 construction shop to make it happen cleanly.
#8
Elite Member
iTrader: (14)
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 2,101
Total Cats: 180
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Factory Five GTM Supercar with a 4 rotor... body/chassis starts at 20K (cheap if you're a baller) - you add motor/trans
![](http://image.kitcarmag.com/f/9769364+w750+st0/0807kc_07_z+factory_five_racing_gtm+.jpg)
Depending on your definition of cheap, I'd have to go with an E class as well... or an old school 80's regal
![](http://image.kitcarmag.com/f/9769364+w750+st0/0807kc_07_z+factory_five_racing_gtm+.jpg)
Depending on your definition of cheap, I'd have to go with an E class as well... or an old school 80's regal
Last edited by GeneSplicer; 10-05-2011 at 01:59 PM.
#10
Boost Pope
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/smod.png)
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
Posts: 33,339
Total Cats: 6,793
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
The only downside I can see is that the 944 has the transmission in the rear. You could obviously come up with a bellhousing adapter to accommodate this in a V8 design (maybe just steal one from a C6) but who knows whether this gearbox would tolerate 400 ft/lbs.
Plenty of room for golf clubs in the estate version, though:
![Name: yF64l.jpg
Views: 14
Size: 38.8 KB](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/insert-bs-here-4/240440d1683056485-car-what-would-you-build-yf64l.jpg)
#14
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (11)
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Overland Park, Kansas
Posts: 5,360
Total Cats: 43
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Oh this isn't going to be easy, I've liked every idea so far.. The Z car would be awesome but might be hard on a budget..
Couple of the choices I've bounced around:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Nice-...b8236d3f#v4-56
I've always had a place for the style of these, the color does nothing for me but the newer wheels look great on that series. Interior is pretty boring, though looks in very very good shape for this specific model. Aftermarket audio would be very limited in that configuration, this type of car I'd like a double din if possible.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1996-...ht_32275wt_896
I've actually seen several in this body style for this price or lower typically with bad motors.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1989-...#ht_500wt_1182
By far my favorite of my search thus far. Only has 50k miles on it, would be a great driver until the rest of the package was ready to swap in but I'd be mad at myself for taking such a beautiful functional machine apart. Gauge cluster would be an absolute nightmare and goes against KISS- I had a 1984 300zx with the digital dash. Started out the fuel gauge malfunctioned which was an easy fix, then the coolant temp, trip odometer, odometer, oil pressure guages all stopped displaying over the course of a month. No ******* digital dashes.
Other cars I've pondered include 1980s Merc 300S series, 1990s Merc 190, 1990s Merc S500..
The ideal candidate would literally accept new mounts and a V8 with room to spare so that leaves the F1 built VW out, and while I like that factory five kit it would be very far over budget.
Couple of the choices I've bounced around:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Nice-...b8236d3f#v4-56
I've always had a place for the style of these, the color does nothing for me but the newer wheels look great on that series. Interior is pretty boring, though looks in very very good shape for this specific model. Aftermarket audio would be very limited in that configuration, this type of car I'd like a double din if possible.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1996-...ht_32275wt_896
I've actually seen several in this body style for this price or lower typically with bad motors.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1989-...#ht_500wt_1182
By far my favorite of my search thus far. Only has 50k miles on it, would be a great driver until the rest of the package was ready to swap in but I'd be mad at myself for taking such a beautiful functional machine apart. Gauge cluster would be an absolute nightmare and goes against KISS- I had a 1984 300zx with the digital dash. Started out the fuel gauge malfunctioned which was an easy fix, then the coolant temp, trip odometer, odometer, oil pressure guages all stopped displaying over the course of a month. No ******* digital dashes.
Other cars I've pondered include 1980s Merc 300S series, 1990s Merc 190, 1990s Merc S500..
The ideal candidate would literally accept new mounts and a V8 with room to spare so that leaves the F1 built VW out, and while I like that factory five kit it would be very far over budget.
#17
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Lexus something. I know I'm going to catch a lot of **** for this but this meets everything I think.
Comfortable, gets groceries, looks good.
Doesn't need to be hellaflush super low stancemax mexipoke because I know it isn't everyones style but lowered with some good looking wheels and a good amount of power would be awesome.
![](http://seychellesmodifiedcars.net/groundzero/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/aristo-vip.jpg)
![](http://www.canibeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Brothers_GS_27.jpg)
Comfortable, gets groceries, looks good.
Doesn't need to be hellaflush super low stancemax mexipoke because I know it isn't everyones style but lowered with some good looking wheels and a good amount of power would be awesome.
![](http://seychellesmodifiedcars.net/groundzero/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/aristo-vip.jpg)
![](http://www.canibeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Brothers_GS_27.jpg)
![](http://i45.tinypic.com/zl3iux.jpg)
#18
Tour de Franzia
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
iTrader: (6)
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Republic of Dallas
Posts: 29,085
Total Cats: 375
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I know of a guy who runs with NASATX who has an LS2 swapped 944 and we joke that its the most reliable Porsche on the track...it's also blisteringly fast. I think that is an excellent idea.
I really, really like the idea of an SBC E34 5-series. Eventually I want to build a car like that to use as a daily driver.
I really, really like the idea of an SBC E34 5-series. Eventually I want to build a car like that to use as a daily driver.
#20
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Falls Church, VA
Posts: 1,361
Total Cats: 17
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Last year I met someone at Summit Point who was tracking a Jag XJ... XK... whatever has a V12 in it, for HPDE. He said he bought it for about $3K and spent a few days replacing head gaskets and some other leaking seals. He found some Hawk pads for it and was hustling it around pretty good considering it was heavy as ****, on T1Rs, and he left the A/C running so his instructor would be comfy.