Matthias

Hello everyone,

I am Matthias from Germany.

I intend buying a vehicle and equipping it with an LS1/T56-combo.

It's kind of hard to decide for the right vehicle to begin the project with.

Since here in Germany and generally in Europe, we have narrow streets with many curves and since I am not into drag racing at all but more into track racing, I try to figure out the best vehicle as a basis for a really well handling car. The Nürburgring Nordschleife nearby will be my proving ground ;-)

Of course, modifying a car is part of the intention doing this project ;-)
So I am not in search for the best handling car in stock condition but in modified condition.

As always....there are limiting factors :-)

Cars like Corvettes, 4th gen Camaros or BMW M5 are out of range because:
- I am operating on a tight budget (around 25000$ for car, LS1/T56, suspension mods, big brakes, good wheels, full cage, racing seats....whereas building the thing as a "rolling" project....means all in all spending more money than 25k in the end.....is part of the plan.)
- I do not like plastic. I like steel. Means: a genuine American muscle car would be preferred. (60s/70s)


So what would be your suggestions?

Thanks
Matthias

rockytopper

I'd vote 65 cutlass but I'm a bit bias.




Your question would be better served over at www.pro-touring.com. They are all about turning and burning over there. You could consider any of the A-bodies or F-bodies. They have much after market support. There is also handling equipment for the Mustangs and the support is growing for the Fords.

Cobra4B

iTrader: (9)

A properly setup C5/C6 Corvette is nearly unbeatable on track and no project required. If you're looking to do a project/swap then a FD RX-7 is a good candidate for a swap. Properly setup they're very fast and very light. However, they have a short wheelbase which can make the car less stable vs. a C5/C6 on certain tracks.

1BadBlkB1tch

iTrader: (1)

<---M3 cant go wrong in germany a e30 or e36 easy swap and great handling and 2 door or 4 door your choice

cnichols

iTrader: (23)

Tough to beat a Nissan 240SX (S13 or S14) due to low price and vast aftermarket for suspension, etc.

attilahooper

iTrader: (4)

Tough to beat a Nissan 240SX (S13 or S14) due to low price and vast aftermarket for suspension, etc.

In the spirit of the thread I'm curious, knowing absolutely zero about the Nissans or BMWs for that matter, is the aftermarket support for the 240s that much better than the E36 ?? I always thought that the e36 had great mod/update potential and prices.

merim123

iTrader: (11)

Being in Germany, and having a 20,000 euro budget is not a lot for all things you want to do and all the importing you will have to pay for to ship things. You'll probably spend that just getting the engine/trans combo and a rough car. To make a 60s/70s car handle, you'll spend 7-10k in real suspension upgrades (look at all the global west options).

sierrac3_s2000

iTrader: (6)

Hey Chris, good to see you are still around. Yeah the 240 is a beast with some LS power and there are several companies that offer bolt in kits to drop the LS motor in. They can generally be picked up fairly cheap as well. I sure do miss mine!

Project GatTagO

iTrader: (7)

Agreed! I just happen to know of a really clean one for sale:

https://ls1tech.com/forums/vehicle-c...-survivor.html



I'll even work with you on shipping it to you...

Andrew

ss454327

iTrader: (10)

Here are a few I would look into for a fun track/road car that would be fast...In no particular order...

RX-7 (I like the round body style myself)
Mazda Miata
Honda S2000
BMW Z-3 (probably my favorite choice)
Nissan 300ZX

RADEoN

iTrader: (12)

240sx

Snkebait95

iTrader: (16)

Ive always wanted to do an old 911 ls1 swap but there would obviously be no t56. This goes against the 60's theme but a pontiac solstice ls1/t56 would be the ****.

66 chevy II?

Matthias

Thanks. But japanese cars are not really my favorite ;-)
Than, I'd rather go BMW E36.
Yes, there is a vast variety of aftermarket parts available for BMW E30 and E36. Especially E36 vehicles are at the moment VERY cheap in Germany. They are at the bottom of the used-car-price-range, whereas the E30's prices are already rising again due to it's age and becoming a collector's / enthusiast's car.
And....yes...E36 is a very good car, good handling and all....but it has no soul!

Corvette is not an option, too much plastik for my taste. ;-)

What about G-bodies? 79 Malibu coupes seem to be quite affordable. Are they any good in becoming a corner carver? Full frame and all?

rockytopper

YES that is a great option in your budget range. Call these guys http://scandc.com/new/catalog/1 ask for Marcus he is the guru of A & G body handling.

garys 68

iTrader: (1)

About the only 60s early 70s American car that was built to turn were corvettes and camaros (sticking to GM for the swap). Neither of these are any kind of budget build. A later 2nd or any 3rd gen camaro might be a good choice for handling and performance. 3rd gens are pretty cheap here in the states, 2nd gen are starting to get expensive.
Although I was in Germany in the late 70s, camaros were noticed by the locals then, a 930 porsche, not so much...go figure.
As for G body, you'll need some suspension work to make them turn. Parts are not too bad here, not sure on availability in Germany.

SUPERBOOST

iTrader: (11)

You could pick up a mid to late 70's 911 porshe,you should be able to find one of those in your area pretty cheap and install an ls1 on your budget if you are going to do the majority of the work.The standard transaxel will hold 500hp and if you could find a turbo car those transaxles are good to 700 hp.The axel shafts wont take a lot of bonzi starts but it would be great for what you want to do.Obviously it would handle great,the aluminum ls1 woud be a little lighter tha the original motor.All the stuff you need is availible for this swap.I have a 79 911 with a 430 hp small block.It is great but would be even better with an ls1.If I were building it today it would get an ls1. You should be able to build a supercar on your budget like this.You should be able to find a deal in one with a blown engine if you look around,it happens quite often with those porshe engines.

1bigoldman

What about a Sunbeam Alpine, mid to late 60's? Those are cool little cars. You could build a Tiger clone, but with a real set of nuts on it. It would involve building all your own mounts, headers, etc. But it would be cool!
I saw one on the Sunbeam of America forum that was less motor and trans setup for road racing for under $3000. When I get done with my Nova I would like to build one myself.

garys 68

iTrader: (1)

We have a winner!!!!!!!!!!!

gnx7

iTrader: (28)

If you are SERIOUS about getting a car that handles than you need to look at weight. My buddies 440ci LSx powered e36 M3 was 3200lbs with a/c and p/s. They can only fit a 255 under stock body panels.

I'm biased..... but a 1993-95 Mazda RX-7 pulled .99-1.01g's on the skidpad from the factory on 225/45/16 All season radials. With an LS1/T56 conversion they still weigh 2800lb or less with a/c and p/s. You can fit a 285/30/18 at all corners under stock body panels. Mine pulled 1.13g's with an LS setup running those size STREET tires.

The car absolutely destroys just about ANY street car on the road course with basic coilovers, big brake kit, LS1/T56 combo.

Mine had a 49/51% front/rear weight distribution as well. My race car weighs 2400lbs with no fuel..... so you can get them VERY light.

Any Fbody, Abody, GBody will cost you more than your budget to make it a formidable track car and simply weigh too much.

1bigoldman

Thanks garys 68.

When I build mine I am thinking 12 bolt 3.73 with a posi with a torque arm and coilover rear suspension. Probably a 4.8L in a L33 block with aftermarket heads and either LS6 or GM hot cam. LS6 intake and DBW. Either a 5 or 6 speed close ratio. Probably a hand built MustangII style front suspension.

That should be a somkin' fast road car.

But that's a few years down the road.

OP good luck with whatever you decide to do and keep us posted!