Laxx76

Hey I've been reading the forum now for awhile and thought I would finally post up. Now just so i don't get flamed on I have used search and come up empty handed. My question is what are the good light cars (2700 or under) to use for the swaps? I know about rx7's and 240's as well as the 944 porsches but I was curious if anyone else could make a recommendation? I know a fiero could be used but I do not trust the transmissions at all. I'm lookin to build a fun unique car that will be dependable and see plenty of duty in the texas sun. Miata's are out as well as I am 6'4 and I have fitment issues. My goal is to do a fairly clean swap for 10,000 or less doing most of the work myself except for fabrication.

67pete

Get some car magazines and find a style that jumps out at you. There are plenty of small light weight cars to chose from...mustangs,chevettes,vegas,cobras,mgs,sprites ,probes.... a venerable plethra to select from, it just depends upon your personal preference of taste. You're going to spend time and money make it worth it!

fastlt1

iTrader: (4)

I vote LS1 Chevette

67RSCamaroVette

iTrader: (63)

There's gotta be something illegal about making a car drop 10 seconds in the quarter mile.

Nemesis9

iTrader: (3)

Do an LS1 Mini Cooper. You can take out the front seats and sit in the back like Hightower from Police Academy.

RynoDyno312

iTrader: (2)

240z?

A 2nd gen MR2 would be sweet if the engine fits (which it might, since people have done OHC V6 swaps).

Laxx76

I've considered a 240z but it's been done. An MR2 would be interesting. Is it a transverse mount? And if so are there any transverse mount transaxles that can hold up to the power numbers?

Sabre002

iTrader: (7)

what about some british sports car MGB's, TR8, TR7, spitfire, TVR, Austin 3000. Right now I have a V8 MGB GT and I'm planing on putting a blower on the Rover V8 I got in it now or doing a LS1 swap to it but witch ever I do a T56 is going in it I'm tired of breaking the Rover 5 speed with the bottle now.

Oscar Will

Oh come on, do a fenderless 1928-30 Ford Model A roadster.....with a stock LS1 and a six speed, maybe an 8" or 9" rear end. The thing will weigh under 2000 lbs., handle like a go-cart and run 11's in the 1/4 all day long..........on pump gas and over 25 mpg!!

fastlt1

iTrader: (4)

I've always wanted a model T truck rodded out for a daily driver.

Laxx76

An austin 3000 would be a bad *** car. Does anybody know if they offer SBC V8 mounts for austin 3000's? And how much fab work would it take to except the T56? I've always loved austin healey's I was just uncertain if the LSX engines could fit?

mramay

iTrader: (4)

The big Healey would be great, a gorgeous body that people have put small-block engines in for years. I found these in a few minutes search, but these are not particularly good looking examples. You should be able to do better. At least you know the LS1 should fit.

http://www.vintagemotorssarasota.com...ustinhealy.htm
http://www.hemmings.com/index.cfm/fu...cle_id/226523/

Sabre002

iTrader: (7)

If I can fit a V8 in my MGB and I have seen them in MGA's you can get one in that big Austin 3000

Laxx76

The only thing that scares me a little is how much fab work the frame would require. I have to source out all the welding and I've never done chasis work before so those are the two areas that worry me the most. Do any of you guys know where I could get a chasis done at a decent price?

manman

iTrader: (3)

You could do something really crazy if your going to do the work yourself. Turn a fwd car into a rear wheel drive car kinda like im doing now with my prelude.

NoFive0

Do a 1st gen Rx7.

owen v8litew8

you could build a beautiful sportscar with an LS1 and a 2nd gen RX7 for under 10 grand. I did
the installs are relatively easy, the chassis dynamics are wonderful, the handling and potential is top-notch, the swaps are well documented and the chassis are easy to find and quick to replace if you meet a wall at the strip or at a roadracing school.

you could also swap some older BMW's that might be 2500 pounds and under, how funny would it be to smoke people with a sleeper sedan!

RynoDyno312

iTrader: (2)

The stock turbo tranny should be strong enough for a mild LSx engine, as people get big numbers out of the stock turbo motor. IDK if the N/A tranny would be up to it, though.

DaleMX

iTrader: (4)

How about one of these babies, looks like an LS would fit in there.

http://domain516789.sites.fasthosts.com/gallery/mk1/

Oscar Will

I'm waiting for my wife to finish her rat rod and then complain that the flathead Ford has no power (she drives my 1935 Ford sedan LS1 all the time). Then you'll see a nice stout LS1 in this piece! It only weighs 1800 lbs.