Best car to mod?

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Atticus, because you are willing to consider used, I heavily recommend the Corvette route.

Here's a 2001 Corvette with 6Spd Manual and only 28k miles for $23k. http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/...ice=24000&cardist=1356

Stock they're 350hp and 350tq, on a very light platform that's wide and stable, only 3100lbs. Stock, the upgraded for 2001 C5 Vette busted out 0-60 runs of 4.5s, and blisters on to a 1/4 time in the low 13s on stock runflats. They're ridiculously easy to work on and upgrade, and the tuner market for Vettes is a LARGE one.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/ <--- plenty of info.

You won't find a better all-around performer than the Vette in that price range. If you really want to get crazy, you could go for a slightly higher-mileage C5 Z06, but they're more likely to have been driven hard for their miles. Regular Vettes are rarely abused or neglected.

$5k worth of parts and sweat on a C5 and you're talking sub-4-second 0-60 runs, and at the very least, 11s in the 1/4.

Bad economy makes it great time to buy toys.

'01 Z06, 11k miles, $23k

'02 Z06, 44k miles, $21.5k I'm going to see if my cousin wants to buy this as his daily driver

'05 loaded C6, 30k miles, $26k

I've never seen so many good deals for cars. Porsche, BMW, Ferrari, etc. You name it and there are plenty of deals out there. I'm looking and not trying to get in trouble but it's getting hard to resist.

 

[BlackTigers]

Originally posted by: Naustica

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Atticus, because you are willing to consider used, I heavily recommend the Corvette route.

Here's a 2001 Corvette with 6Spd Manual and only 28k miles for $23k. http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/...ice=24000&cardist=1356

Stock they're 350hp and 350tq, on a very light platform that's wide and stable, only 3100lbs. Stock, the upgraded for 2001 C5 Vette busted out 0-60 runs of 4.5s, and blisters on to a 1/4 time in the low 13s on stock runflats. They're ridiculously easy to work on and upgrade, and the tuner market for Vettes is a LARGE one.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/ <--- plenty of info.

You won't find a better all-around performer than the Vette in that price range. If you really want to get crazy, you could go for a slightly higher-mileage C5 Z06, but they're more likely to have been driven hard for their miles. Regular Vettes are rarely abused or neglected.

$5k worth of parts and sweat on a C5 and you're talking sub-4-second 0-60 runs, and at the very least, 11s in the 1/4.

Bad economy makes it great time to buy toys.

'01 Z06, 11k miles, $23k

'02 Z06, 44k miles, $21.5k I'm going to see if my cousin wants to buy this as his daily driver

'05 loaded C6, 30k miles, $26k

I've never seen so many good deals for cars. Porsche, BMW, Ferrari, etc. You name it and there are plenty of deals out there. I'm looking and not trying to get in trouble but it's getting hard to resist.

Jesus Christ at that last one.

DO WANT.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: Quixfire
Well based on your prefernces I would recommend either a 2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT or Pontiac G5 GT. Both are 2.4L 4 cyl engine with a 5 spd manual transmission. Both cars have performance parts available, both simple and complex. And since they are newer cars you can choose the base color you would want. Now if a 4 cyl engine isn't what you wanted then get a larger engine first. It would be too expensive to install a larger engine later. (I.E. Spending 20K on a V6 Mustang now and then adding a 8K 4.6L V8 engine later than buying a Mustang GT with the V8 for 26K up front.) Also if you plan on installing a turbo charger in you car down the road a 4 cyl is easier than a V6 or V8. But blowers are easier on Vee engine in general since most 4 cylinders require a custom intake.

First of all, both of those cars are slow as hell. Second, if you want to install a turbo on those cars, you would have to beef up the engine. It's easier to buy a car that is already turbo'd, and to mod that, then it is to turbo a n/a.

 

[TehMac]

Originally posted by: iAtticus
If and when Mustang releases a new body style I like, lol.

Wait for the 2010 model, see how that looks. I'm personally very excited for it, but I am a bit wary, I just hope it looks nice.


I have a 1999 Mustang, its a modded car, in fact very modded, I purchased it used from a German gentleman who went racing with it.

Its not just some shitty compilation of mods, but was worked on by an aftermarket racing company on a slightly lesser known status known as Steeda.

Tightened Suspension, intake, dual exhaust, chipped engine, Steeda Manual Tranny, Steeda slicks.


Very nice.

Originally posted by: melchoir
98-2002 Trans Am, or Camaro Z28/SS. 5.7 Liters, power everything on the interior. Responds better to mods, and is quicker/faster stock than anything else mentioned yet. (Exception of c5).

Can be had for $7-12k

Camaro SS
Camaro SS

Trans Am
Trans Am
WS6 Trans Am

Where would you mod it? The 5.7 engine would sound beaautiful with a cold air intake though. :Q

 

[Kadarin]

Another vote here for an 05 or 06 GTO. Nice looking car that's cheap and easy to mod. I had one that had JBA shorty headers and a Corsa Sport exhaust, and it sounded fantastic. You can get suspension and engine upgrades that go anywhere from mild to insane, depending on your budget and local emissions laws.

My only complaints: No iPod hookup, no space in trunk.

 

[Tbirdkid]

I have to tell ya, hard to beat a 1996 - 1997 cobra. That motor is almost bullet proof, and ready to take a sc without even blinking. The stock 373 gear in it is solid, and if you want mean, just throw a 411 in it and tear it up. If it were my money, thats where it would go...

 

[melchoir]

Originally posted by: TehMac

Originally posted by: melchoir
98-2002 Trans Am, or Camaro Z28/SS. 5.7 Liters, power everything on the interior. Responds better to mods, and is quicker/faster stock than anything else mentioned yet. (Exception of c5).

Can be had for $7-12k

Camaro SS
Camaro SS

Trans Am
Trans Am
WS6 Trans Am

Where would you mod it? The 5.7 engine would sound beaautiful with a cold air intake though. :Q

Lid, Longtubes, ORY + catback, or true duals, an intake (LS6 or FAST), ported/polished heads (LS6 based or 5.3 based), different cam shaft, and tuning. Lots of mods. Blower, turbo, whatever you want.

 

[TehMac]

Originally posted by: melchoir
Where would you mod it? The 5.7 engine would sound beaautiful with a cold air intake though. :Q

Lid, Longtubes, ORY + catback, or true duals, an intake (LS6 or FAST), ported/polished heads (LS6 based or 5.3 based), different cam shaft, and tuning. Lots of mods. Blower, turbo, whatever you want.
[/quote]

How much do you think it'd be, and this is a random question, but how much to change a V6 to a V8, with transmission swapping costs included as well?

 

[melchoir]

Originally posted by: TehMac

Originally posted by: melchoir
Where would you mod it? The 5.7 engine would sound beaautiful with a cold air intake though. :Q

Lid, Longtubes, ORY + catback, or true duals, an intake (LS6 or FAST), ported/polished heads (LS6 based or 5.3 based), different cam shaft, and tuning. Lots of mods. Blower, turbo, whatever you want.

How much do you think it'd be, and this is a random question, but how much to change a V6 to a V8, with transmission swapping costs included as well?[/quote]

The mods very wildly in price. As far as a swap, I've seen LS1+Tranny combos being sold for $3-5k, you'd probably need an ECU and a wireharness as well, and I don't know the pricing on those.

 

[TehMac]

Originally posted by: melchoir

Originally posted by: TehMac

Originally posted by: melchoir
Where would you mod it? The 5.7 engine would sound beaautiful with a cold air intake though. :Q

Lid, Longtubes, ORY + catback, or true duals, an intake (LS6 or FAST), ported/polished heads (LS6 based or 5.3 based), different cam shaft, and tuning. Lots of mods. Blower, turbo, whatever you want.

How much do you think it'd be, and this is a random question, but how much to change a V6 to a V8, with transmission swapping costs included as well?

The mods very wildly in price. As far as a swap, I've seen LS1+Tranny combos being sold for $3-5k, you'd probably need an ECU and a wireharness as well, and I don't know the pricing on those.

[/quote]

Hrmm, well I was thinking 10k, 2-3k for the engine/tranny swap isn't too bad compared, but I think I'd swap at a shop or something.

 

[bobross419]

Originally posted by: TehMac

Originally posted by: melchoir

Originally posted by: TehMac

Originally posted by: melchoir
Where would you mod it? The 5.7 engine would sound beaautiful with a cold air intake though. :Q

Lid, Longtubes, ORY + catback, or true duals, an intake (LS6 or FAST), ported/polished heads (LS6 based or 5.3 based), different cam shaft, and tuning. Lots of mods. Blower, turbo, whatever you want.

How much do you think it'd be, and this is a random question, but how much to change a V6 to a V8, with transmission swapping costs included as well?

The mods very wildly in price. As far as a swap, I've seen LS1+Tranny combos being sold for $3-5k, you'd probably need an ECU and a wireharness as well, and I don't know the pricing on those.

Hrmm, well I was thinking 10k, 2-3k for the engine/tranny swap isn't too bad compared, but I think I'd swap at a shop or something.[/quote]

If OP really wants to learn about cars then he should really do the swap himself. I know that he indicates that he'd rather have a shop do the more intense stuff, but that is really the best way to learn. All the research that goes into an engine swap provides a massive amount of information and helps better understand your vehicle.

 

[TehMac]

Originally posted by: bobross419
If OP really wants to learn about cars then he should really do the swap himself. I know that he indicates that he'd rather have a shop do the more intense stuff, but that is really the best way to learn. All the research that goes into an engine swap provides a massive amount of information and helps better understand your vehicle.

I agree, however, I have been researching the more techinical aspects of engines and if my vehicle could handle it, etc., but I just don't want to fuck things up, and I wouldn't have any support from friends, etc.

 

[alkemyst]

doing one's own swap is best for those that don't use shops already and have the technical ability. There are tons of unfinished projects by those running out of money/ability.

 

[cheesehead]

Hmm.

-Corvette (ideally the C6 above) - Unlike the 'vettes before them, the C5 and C6 'Vettes are very fast and very powerful cars. Why bother modifying when you can get something this fast factory stock?

-Ye Olde Fiero. Yes, this sounds a bit daft, but the Fiero - if given a new suspension, a new gearbox, and your choice of pretty much any GM V8 from the last 20 years - can be a very fast car indeed.

-Mazda Miata. If you want something small, light, and fun, you can't go wrong with a Miata. It's a little-known fact that the 240HP Renesis rotary engine is a bolt-in replacement for the MZR inline four in the latest revision of the Miata ('06 and later) which will both decrease the weight and move the center of gravity further back.

-Subaru Impreza WRX (or WRX STi if you can afford one.) The Subaru flat-four engines are generally regarded as some of the easiest to upgrade and modify you can find anywhere.

 

[exdeath]

Performance per $?

Mod potential on a stock car?

...

2003 Cobra

/thread

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: exdeath
Performance per $?

Mod potential on a stock car?

...

2003 Cobra

/thread

You won't get any argument from me that the Terminators are brutal, cheap to mod, and just a damn nice package.

But how would you compare that against C5/C6 Vettes? I know the Cobra is cheaper to get into, but somehow I think the performance ceiling is lower with the Cobra. I've seen C5s with the LS2 and a Turbo on stock suspension in the sub-9s quarters, and the car still handles like a dream.

Apples and oranges, as the Vettes are definitely more expensive to get into, and doing the plumbing for SC or Turbo is a lot more work than just swapping pulleys on a Terminator.

 

[alkemyst]

the 2004 Cobra was the same.

 

[bananapeel42]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: exdeath
Performance per $?

Mod potential on a stock car?

...

2003 Cobra

/thread

You won't get any argument from me that the Terminators are brutal, cheap to mod, and just a damn nice package.

But how would you compare that against C5/C6 Vettes? I know the Cobra is cheaper to get into, but somehow I think the performance ceiling is lower with the Cobra. I've seen C5s with the LS2 and a Turbo on stock suspension in the sub-9s quarters, and the car still handles like a dream.

Apples and oranges, as the Vettes are definitely more expensive to get into, and doing the plumbing for SC or Turbo is a lot more work than just swapping pulleys on a Terminator.

a C5 vette with an LS2 swap? How weird, why would anyone do that. Most normal people would H/C/I that LS1 and maybe decide on a blower cam to run if you want to go forced induction. The only C5 you would ever find with an LS2 would maybe be one with a blown original motor. You must of seen some weird freak car that a guy went insane on, he must of forged the motor too.

You said you see vette's with STOCK suspension running 8's in the 1/4? what the fuck are you smoking? that's a load of fucking bullshit. That vette would need 700-800 to the wheels to get in the 8's on stock suspension, and even then it'd be a fucking dangerous gamble.

That vette would have to trap 150mph+, please show me the timeslip + video of the run.

 

[Arkaign]

^^ Wow. What an asshole.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...I9g5KY&feature=related

This is the the Worlds Fastest Independent Rear Suspension Corvette. It ran a 8.60@163.95 in the 1/4 mile. The car was built by The Vette Doctors in Amityville, NY.

It is a LS2 402ci C5 Coupe with a rear mounted 96M Turbo. It uses a TH400 Tranny bolted to the stock rear suspension. All the custom exhaust and plumbing was done by American Racing Headers in Amityville, NY.

^^ Stock suspension layout (IRS), C5, Turbo

 

[bananapeel42]

Title of the thread is best card to mod, the above car would be the same thing for any car you throw 100k into.

What is the mod list on the car? With slicks it seems that car would need something to beef up the rear end or you'll start breaking shit.

That is a nice car, but it is what I said it is, it's an insane one of a kind vette, Most C6 LS3 blown vettes could only dream of 8's in the 1/4 as they are lucky to run high 9's even with slicks!, so saying that vette's have a higher ceiling is retarded.


I personally watched an 03 cobra run high 7's in the 1/4 with a TT setup, but i definitely wouldn't say that car is normal at all, and use that car to define how easy / best the car is to mod to compare to others.

 

[melchoir]

If you're getting into extreme mods (7-8-9 second cars) it's all a matter of who has more money to spend will go faster.

03/04 Cobras are able to make a lot of power easily, but really are not any cheaper to get into than a C5 z06 at this point. Stock for Stock the C5 z06 is quicker than the 03/04 cobra. From what I understand, generally it takes a CAI, Pulley, exhaust, and a tune for a 03 cobra to put a car length or so onto a stock C5 z06.

I like the Cobras a lot, but if you're going to spend the money (roughly equal cost at this point) would you rather pull up in a Mustang, or a Corvette? Keeping in mind to most non car people that a cobra is just another Mustang on the road.

 

[Arkaign]

^^ Well, this post is a lot more sane, thanks.

Yes, I bet that 8 second Vette buildup was $$$. But the facts are these :

You can run 13s with a stock C5 on stock runflats.

You can run 12s with a stock C5 Z06 on stock runflats.

You can run 12s with a stock C5 on slicks

You can run 11s with a stock C5 Z06 on slicks.

Add some minor bolt-ons, tuning, and 10s are easily in reach on C5s.

Add some boost + good tires + driver mod, and you're talking 9s.

Vettes are a GREAT platform to make serious power on. They're wide, stable, and hungry for more power.

'03/'04 Cobras are fantastic, and probably a better bargain $ for $, but I don't think they're quite as well rounded a performance package as Vettes. I think with the Terminators you can end up with amazing drag cars pretty easy, but from what I can tell, to get really quick, you have to drop the IRS, and end up with a car that's not as set for circuits and twisties to the same level.

There are gobs of sub-10 Vettes out there, from old ones to C6's. There are also plenty of 1000+HP Vettes. AFAIK, only the Viper has a higher HP ceiling with multiple notable examples in the 1400+HP range. That's why I said that Vettes have a higher power ceiling, the simple wealth of mods out there for the 5.7s and 6.0s is nutty, far beyond what's out there for the 4.6. Only the 5.0 for the Ford has the sizable aftermarket support that can be called comparable.

 

[Kirby]

Old VW Beetle. A short RR car with lot of power = fun with wheelies.

 

[cheesehead]

Y'know, there's more to life than going fast in a straight line.

One unexplored option is an RX-7 with an LS1 swap.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Cheesehead
Y'know, there's more to life than going fast in a straight line.

One unexplored option is an RX-7 with an LS1 swap.

True but most people would benefit more from raw stoplight power as they never really push their cars outside this despite thinking they do.

I am seriously thinking LSx for my 240SX this next year, they have perfected the install methods and it's a better fit than the stock engine.

Thing that sucks is outside of what ever the engine/trans cost I am looking at $5k in just parts.

The SR20DET would put me at $7-8k, the LSx probably closer to $10k.