JoeNova

I'm torn between a few choices on my next project.
I have my Nova which is an awesome street car.
I have my Vette which is going to be a big time attention grabber.
Next is either going to be a car built for the road course/autocross or a drag-only car.

If I build a car for a road course, I'm going to need a very lightweight rwd chassis that I can pick up for cheap. Not looking to spend $5k on a car just to rip it apart and replace everything. I would like race weight with me in it to be sub-2500 lbs. Car will be completely gutted. Zero interior other than shifter, wheel, seat, and pedals. Looking for something I can buy as a roller for $1500.

Everywhere I go suggests Miata or 240sx. I was trying to think outside the box a little more. I found an early 70s BMW 2002. Curb weight on them was supposedly only 2000-2100 with full interior. The guy originally wanted $1200, but now he keep second guessing and is most likely not going to sell. I found a Datsun 510, but he won't come down from $2500 and its not in the best shape. My only real problem with those is suspension and maximum tire size. I don't want to start off with something that handles really poor just because I wanted something light. I also don't want something with a junk rear end.

I've already started gathering parts for an engine, but haven't decided on trans. I'm way too cheap for a T56. If all else fails, the corvette project will get the full road racing treatment, and I'll either buy a tube chasiss roller or a 235-245" top dragster.

Sube

iTrader: (14)

You could also look into the 2nd gen Mazda RX-7's. They can be found for pretty cheap. Buy the RX7 Turbo II, comes with a stronger rear end that can handle some decent power. Very light car, mine weighed 2400~ or so with a LS1 and a T56.

JoeNova

I also found this list. There is a reply with a couple of dozen good suggestions, but I'm looking for more.

https://www.reddit.com/r/cars/commen...able_rwd_cars/

truckdoug

iTrader: (25)

e36. most people will never have the chops to take that car to the edge of it's stock handling capabilities. they are pretty cheap right now too.

JoeNova

I've been looking at the E30 and E36 a lot today.
They're both in my top 5 right now, along with a Miata, Nissan Z car (haven't decided which), and 80s celica.

The Z cars have an R200 or R230 rear, both of which can be insanely strong, and great suspension. Weight is an issue for some of them like the 300zx.
Miata is the best candidate other than the rear end.

I'm still doing research on the E30 and E36.

BMR Sales2

iTrader: (40)

I've always had a soft spot for the Mistubishi Starion/Chrysler Conquest. good looking, small, super light and balanced. Fair amount of engine bay room for activities as well. I had one for a little bit I was going to LS swap until family stuff happened and priorities took over :/

JoeNova

I've been looking at the starions.
Apparently the 6 bolt rear diffs in the turbo cars is plenty strong for what I plan to do.

hokeplaya05

iTrader: (3)

I second the rx7 idea, I've been wanting to do an FC for a drifting/honing car for a while just don't have room for another vehicle at the moment.

e30/e36 would also be a very good candidate as said above

JoeNova

The plan is to build a destroked 6.0 (4.8 crank) with ~13:1 pistons and LS3 heads. 1 7/8" headers with 3.5" collectors. Either LLSR or custom VVT camshaft depending on which 6.0 I find the cheapest. Long runner ITB setup based around 60mm throttle bodies. E85 and MS3-Pro.

I think I can finish the entire car for less than $10k, which will all be paid for by the 3 cars I'm building now and one I've bought to flip. My biggest hold-up will likely be transmission. I've had a ton of luck chasing down supercars at Mid-Ohio with an auto trans before, so I'm not ruling it out. It just seems impractical to spend $2500 swapping in a T56 when I can build and tune a paddle shifted 6L80e for half of that.

1964SS

iTrader: (1)

You can get nice RX8 rollers all over the place here. No idea on how the rears are in them. I also like the bmw Z3 roadsters.

JoeNova

I'm swapping an RX8 to flip. They're $1500 for rollers around here and they are everywhere.
A mild cammed aluminum 5.3 RX8 with a 4L60e just sold locally for $11,000.
I plan on having it done for around $3000.

If they weren't so cheap with such a high profit to flip, I'd go ahead and strip one clean and swap it. But there just seems to be many more cheap options out there that might be better suited in the long run.

There are 3 E30 BMW rollers within an hour of me for $600 on craigslist.

bigdaddy350

Not sure how budget friendly it would be, but i love the late 60's Triumph Spitfires. My dad had a 68 MKIII. Was such a cool little car.

BMR Sales2

iTrader: (40)

They are pretty stout units. I also ran across a couple of places where people swapped in the 8.8 IRS center sections relatively easily

JoeNova

I just seen this article.

Time Attack LS3 Starion.
Car is beautiful!

http://www.turnology.com/features/ca...packs-a-punch/

truckdoug

iTrader: (25)

T56's without a lot of work ($$$) are crap. even after work they still shift like a truck tranny.

Use a $1000 nissan cd009 and a Collins adapter.

kingtal0n

iTrader: (1)

A great thing about a 240sx is the value of the chassis will increase, if you happen to find a nice one and keep it nice, you might profit from the vehicle once finished.

JoeNova

The cheapest 240 roller in my area is a $2000 P.O.S.

ss454327

iTrader: (10)

outside the box? Early '80s Mazda 626...

truckdoug

iTrader: (25)

gotta be a coupe? the first gen lexus IS is a really stout platform

Outlaw 911

I have two lexus sc400's forsale, 2000 for both...........just sayin