Import Driver (NOT A TROLL!)
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Import Driver (NOT A TROLL!) Hey everyone, just thought I'd introduce myself and clear it up that I DO drive an import but I'm not a "ricer". I have a love for all kinds of cars/trucks and I respect vehicles of all makes. I understand that the majority of import drivers (5" fart cannons w/ bench seat spoilers and graphics who drive like ********) have givin other import drivers like myself a bad name, but I'd like to avoid being labeled as one of them. My Prelude was my second car (first was a 95 Mitsu Eclipse GSX (turbo AWD) but the motor went bad within the second day of owning the car). I was able to sell that and buy the Prelude which has treated me well for the 3 months I've owned it. No, its no 13 second car and I don't drive it like it is. I think its plenty quick for me (17 years old) and first car. It's great on gas and the insurance is considerably less than for most F-Bodies. I am however in the market for an F-Body or Mustang 
and I'd like to hear some suggestions on what model/year you would all consider for me and my budget ($6,800-$7,000). I'm also really leaning on a manual transmission (like my Prelude) because personally I think it's a lot funner to drive. Any suggestions?
and I'd like to hear some suggestions on what model/year you would all consider for me and my budget ($6,800-$7,000). I'm also really leaning on a manual transmission (like my Prelude) because personally I think it's a lot funner to drive. Any suggestions? 
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 588
Likes: 1
From: Palm Harbor,Tampa
with that budget a LT1 or a 5.0 can be had and modded , You can get a foxbody(5.0) for like 2500 and up, tack on H/C/I for about 3grand and you can get anything from high 11's to mid 12's out of them.
TECH Veteran
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,012
Likes: 1
From: Beaumont, TX
Yep, take a look at LT1s 
(That is the engine used in the first part of the fourth generation of the F-body cars, 1993 to 1997. LS1s are 1998 to 2002.)
(That is the engine used in the first part of the fourth generation of the F-body cars, 1993 to 1997. LS1s are 1998 to 2002.) Last edited by ACW; Apr 25, 2005 at 09:18 PM.
TECH Regular
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
From: Davidson, NC
Welcome, I would take these guys advise and get the LT1 or save for the LS1. My girl friend has a 95 cobra 5.0 and it runs good and fun to drive,but stock for stock the LT1 will smack it around 
.
. Trending Topics
TECH Junkie
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,427
Likes: 0
From: Fresno/Chico
Bang for buck an LS1 is probably the most mod friendly motor out. It is really hard to NOT make power with an LS1. but you will be hard pressed to find a LS1 car within your budget
The LT1 is a really good motor but dose not respond as well to mods as the LS1, but there are lots of parts for them and they are cheaper to come by.
The 5.0 has the most mods out there. Probably more then the LS1 and LT1 together. That is not necessarily a good thing. You can kill a power curve on a 5.0 fairly easy with the wrong mods. However Fox bodies can be had cheaply and are cheap to modify. Superchargers start at less then 2 grand.
You can also pic up and older F-body and swap in a LS1 or LT1. But that may put you over budget
But then again your prelude does have a H22 if you put a turbo on that you could have a very quick import
The LT1 is a really good motor but dose not respond as well to mods as the LS1, but there are lots of parts for them and they are cheaper to come by.
The 5.0 has the most mods out there. Probably more then the LS1 and LT1 together. That is not necessarily a good thing. You can kill a power curve on a 5.0 fairly easy with the wrong mods. However Fox bodies can be had cheaply and are cheap to modify. Superchargers start at less then 2 grand.
You can also pic up and older F-body and swap in a LS1 or LT1. But that may put you over budget
But then again your prelude does have a H22 if you put a turbo on that you could have a very quick import
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Thanks for all of the input guys, I was also leaning towards the LT1 or an older 5.0 like most of you suggested. I think the LS1 would be out of my price range and I'll consider that when I'm a little older.
GoldenVelvet, I was considering boosting my Prelude but I'd like to own an American car because first of all it's American... and second no one can deny that a V8 sounds better than any import. I think American cars have some type of superiority over imports even when just sitting at a stop light
, none the less racing one. I want the muscle 
GoldenVelvet, I was considering boosting my Prelude but I'd like to own an American car because first of all it's American... and second no one can deny that a V8 sounds better than any import. I think American cars have some type of superiority over imports even when just sitting at a stop light
, none the less racing one. I want the muscle 
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 588
Likes: 1
From: Palm Harbor,Tampa
Originally Posted by Ceen87
Thanks for all of the input guys, I was also leaning towards the LT1 or an older 5.0 like most of you suggested. I think the LS1 would be out of my price range and I'll consider that when I'm a little older.
GoldenVelvet, I was considering boosting my Prelude but I'd like to own an American car because first of all it's American... and second no one can deny that a V8 sounds better than any import. I think American cars have some type of superiority over imports even when just sitting at a stop light , none the less racing one. I want the muscle
GoldenVelvet, I was considering boosting my Prelude but I'd like to own an American car because first of all it's American... and second no one can deny that a V8 sounds better than any import. I think American cars have some type of superiority over imports even when just sitting at a stop light
, none the less racing one. I want the muscle your on the right track , kind of rare havin people my age that like muscle cars,... I never would have thot that imports would be more popular to youth then muscle
im 17 and i went with the big bag muscle 231 c.i. v6 firebird 
i know i know, i should of got the v8, but my car was only 6 grand, and up here in michigan there aint a v8 98+ fbody for less than 14 grand.
i know i know, i should of got the v8, but my car was only 6 grand, and up here in michigan there aint a v8 98+ fbody for less than 14 grand.
Originally Posted by 00firebird
im 17 and i went with the big bag muscle 231 c.i. v6 firebird
i know i know, i should of got the v8, but my car was only 6 grand, and up here in michigan there aint a v8 98+ fbody for less than 14 grand.
i know i know, i should of got the v8, but my car was only 6 grand, and up here in michigan there aint a v8 98+ fbody for less than 14 grand.
I agree with the majority of people here, I think the LS1 would be worth saving for. Otherwise the LT1 is still not a bad choice. Insurance will probably be a bit of a jump between the 2 as well. Eiether way I understand where you are coming with the import hting. I owned an Integra for about 1.5 years and loved it, but my heart was always with the V8 power. I now drive an 04 GTO and never plan on looking back. I will probably own American made cars for the rest of my life!
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Davison Michigan
Originally Posted by 00firebird
im 17 and i went with the big bag muscle 231 c.i. v6 firebird
i know i know, i should of got the v8, but my car was only 6 grand, and up here in michigan there aint a v8 98+ fbody for less than 14 grand.
i know i know, i should of got the v8, but my car was only 6 grand, and up here in michigan there aint a v8 98+ fbody for less than 14 grand.
Wierd
I live in michigan and got my 99 SS with 30,000 miles for 13,000. And it WAS all stock. you can find em, ya just gotta have the time and patience to find the right seller. 
LS1s are pretty darn close to your range. Take a look here. Another few hundred dollars and she could be yours.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/vehicles-sale-lsx-powered-only/297439-1998-formula-firebird-sale-8100-a.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/vehicles-sale-lsx-powered-only/297439-1998-formula-firebird-sale-8100-a.html