Need help converting
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Need help converting First I'd like to say hello to all. I'm new to this site obviously. So here's a bit of background on myself. I'm a 25, and I'm an absolute automotive enthusiast. I just sold my last car that was a project of 3 years, and too much money. It was however an import... I've heard all the comments. The car was a nice toy, and eventually I did transform it into a very quick vehicle close to 300whp on a fwd makes for an interesting ride. I swapped out the motor with a Japanese spec turbo unit. The car was fun, but towards the end everytime I drove it hard something broke. 3 transmissions, 2 top ends. And countless front tires 
So here's why I'm posting here. I have always liked the look, sound, and performance of 98+ WS6's. I found a local dealer who has a 99 M6 WS6. Took it for a test drive and I'm in love. Only thing is most domestic owners I know tend to be pretty stereotypical. All seem to be overcompensating for something. Not saying all are like that, just the majority of one's that I've known. So basically I'm just looking to get a nice looking car with good performance. I know how the game goes if I say I want a 12 second car now, in a year I'll want a 10 second car. With over $25k dumped into the last project the performance that I did get was not nearly enough. But the car looked pretty.
So to sum up my novel. I just wanted to hear some of your opinions on these cars. I definately want a LS1. But my budget is right around $16k. $10k of which will have to be financed, and my credit.. Well that's another story. So I look forward to reading everyone's input. And hopefully being a valued member.
So here's why I'm posting here. I have always liked the look, sound, and performance of 98+ WS6's. I found a local dealer who has a 99 M6 WS6. Took it for a test drive and I'm in love. Only thing is most domestic owners I know tend to be pretty stereotypical. All seem to be overcompensating for something. Not saying all are like that, just the majority of one's that I've known. So basically I'm just looking to get a nice looking car with good performance. I know how the game goes if I say I want a 12 second car now, in a year I'll want a 10 second car. With over $25k dumped into the last project the performance that I did get was not nearly enough. But the car looked pretty.
So to sum up my novel. I just wanted to hear some of your opinions on these cars. I definately want a LS1. But my budget is right around $16k. $10k of which will have to be financed, and my credit.. Well that's another story. So I look forward to reading everyone's input. And hopefully being a valued member.
Re: Need help converting WS6 is an excellent choice, that body style will still look great 50 years down the road or more. I consider the 98+ Pontiac front end design an instant classic. The first time I saw a photo of one back in late 97 in Motor Trend I fell in love with it.
If you test drove one, you already are aware of how the torque of a V8 is addicting. As you probably know, all of them put down 300 rwhp or more bone stock. My 2002 SS dynoed at 321 rwhp stock, and jumped to 337 rwhp with just a $99 airbox lid from MTI.
For $16K, you should be able to find what you want. If you can't find a clean WS6 for that price, you could always buy a Formula or TransAm and put the hood on it. Several of our sponsors carry them. The WS6 is basically an apperance package for the Pontiacs, only about 5 rwhp difference in performance due to the slightly better catback. Since you seem to like customizing your cars, you probably won't keep the stock wheels/tires for long. Just another reason to avoid the WS6 package if that is your plan.
Feel free to post up some links to prospective cars you've found on the net, and we can always give opinions on if it is a good deal or not.
Tony
If you test drove one, you already are aware of how the torque of a V8 is addicting. As you probably know, all of them put down 300 rwhp or more bone stock. My 2002 SS dynoed at 321 rwhp stock, and jumped to 337 rwhp with just a $99 airbox lid from MTI.
For $16K, you should be able to find what you want. If you can't find a clean WS6 for that price, you could always buy a Formula or TransAm and put the hood on it. Several of our sponsors carry them. The WS6 is basically an apperance package for the Pontiacs, only about 5 rwhp difference in performance due to the slightly better catback. Since you seem to like customizing your cars, you probably won't keep the stock wheels/tires for long. Just another reason to avoid the WS6 package if that is your plan.
Feel free to post up some links to prospective cars you've found on the net, and we can always give opinions on if it is a good deal or not.
Tony
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Re: Need help converting Well here's the car that I drove. Fortunately it looked stock, and otherwise unmolested. If my current car sells this week, I will be going to take a better look at it this weekend. The dealer is asking $15,995. But the car is at a Nissan dealership, and has been there for a little while. Hopefully I can get a better deal.
http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/v...amp;cardist=58
http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/v...amp;cardist=58
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Re: Need help converting Also here's a link to my old car for those that might be interested.
http://www.floridasr20s.com/cars/matt/matt.html
http://www.floridasr20s.com/cars/matt/matt.html
Re: Need help converting i just made a switch over from a s2000.. i am very happy to have a z28 now that is as fast stock as the s2000 would of been with a supercharger.. and with very little $ will walk away froma turbo s2000 (mid 12).. handling wise my new car needs some work..
i've been told springs n' shocks will fix that.. but if u're getting a ws6 the handling should already be pretty good.
as far as f-body owners i have noticed the same thing but there are alot of cool owners as well.. same goes for the import world.. there are kids w/ no idea what they are doing putting on hideous graphics, boeing wings and 4" canister exhuast on N/A stock civics.. both sides have there black sheep. don't let that keep u from getting the car u want.
i've heard plenty of mullet jokes since getting the z28 but i don't care i like the car.. and the mullet is growing in just fine
haha j/k
i've been told springs n' shocks will fix that.. but if u're getting a ws6 the handling should already be pretty good.
as far as f-body owners i have noticed the same thing but there are alot of cool owners as well.. same goes for the import world.. there are kids w/ no idea what they are doing putting on hideous graphics, boeing wings and 4" canister exhuast on N/A stock civics.. both sides have there black sheep. don't let that keep u from getting the car u want.
i've heard plenty of mullet jokes since getting the z28 but i don't care i like the car.. and the mullet is growing in just fine
haha j/k Re: Need help converting Ya know, the regular Formula and Trans Am are not that far below the WS6 in terms of performance, and you can easily make one equally fast.
They're also more plentiful, and cheaper. I just got my '98 Formula, and I paid under 10K. You could easily get a totally clean LS1 Formula or Trans Am for less than 16K. There's tons of them out there.
Then just buy the hood and the wheels & tires, snag the $99 takeoff exhaust from SLP, all said and done you're looking at about $2500, and you've got pretty much the same look and performance.
Besides, if you're gonna mod it... why pay for parts you're just gonna take off?
They're also more plentiful, and cheaper. I just got my '98 Formula, and I paid under 10K. You could easily get a totally clean LS1 Formula or Trans Am for less than 16K. There's tons of them out there.
Then just buy the hood and the wheels & tires, snag the $99 takeoff exhaust from SLP, all said and done you're looking at about $2500, and you've got pretty much the same look and performance.
Besides, if you're gonna mod it... why pay for parts you're just gonna take off?
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Re: Need help converting You sound like a real ricer that's trying to pull away from his dark past. Funniest thing how blown away ricers are when they feel torque. They don't even know what hit them.
Now what do you mean about stereotypes. Please explain. If your talking about ignorance, then I'll tell you ignorance is putting 25K into a 4 cylinder economy car just to run 13's. Then spend another 10K replacing axles, transmissions, etc. just to be smoked by a stock LS1. Now that's ignorance with too much damn money if you ask me.
Now what do you mean about stereotypes. Please explain. If your talking about ignorance, then I'll tell you ignorance is putting 25K into a 4 cylinder economy car just to run 13's. Then spend another 10K replacing axles, transmissions, etc. just to be smoked by a stock LS1. Now that's ignorance with too much damn money if you ask me.
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Re: Need help converting
You sound like a real ricer that's trying to pull away from his dark past. Funniest thing how blown away ricers are when they feel torque. They don't even know what hit them.
Now what do you mean about stereotypes. Please explain. If your talking about ignorance, then I'll tell you ignorance is putting 25K into a 4 cylinder economy car just to run 13's. Then spend another 10K replacing axles, transmissions, etc. just to be smoked by a stock LS1. Now that's ignorance with too much damn money if you ask me.
Now what do you mean about stereotypes. Please explain. If your talking about ignorance, then I'll tell you ignorance is putting 25K into a 4 cylinder economy car just to run 13's. Then spend another 10K replacing axles, transmissions, etc. just to be smoked by a stock LS1. Now that's ignorance with too much damn money if you ask me.
I know what Torque is. I have a close friend with a daily driven WS6, and a built Z-06 for the weekend. For giggles he and his father built a 68 SS, with a 50? Stroker motor. And I've heard all the sayings HP sells cars, TQ wins races.. Etc. My very first car was a 55 ford custom. Nice 302 in it IIRC.
I did very well with my car. But alas it wasn't made for those kind of power levels. No car is. Take a LS1 and throw double the HP through it. In a 6speed like the one I'm looking at, you're going to kill your rear end.
The ignorance that I'm talking about is not giving respect to other types of cars. The my car is far superior to any other aspect that I see in the stereotypical domestic owner. I love all aspects of motor sports. My father has always built domestics. But I can tell you this much. When I took him for a ride in my "econobox" at 15psi. He was VERY impressed. Traction is a myth
Imports can be made fast. For large sums of money. But that's the way it goes. Pay to play right?
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Re: Need help converting Your right, you are no ricer. I assumed you were just for the sake of argument. I have a friend very similar to you that built an 11 second Nissan SE-R that was well thought out and very tastefully done. All for one hell of a pretty penny though. I don't consider people like this to be ricers. Too much money...maybe, wrong influences...maybe, but not ricers. However this is an exception. You also seem to be an exception to this stereotype that is usually proven true time and time again. So enjoy your LS1, I know I do. It's modern conveniences with the muscle to really move it.
Re: Need help converting Matt,
Welcome to the board! Your 200SX SE-R is tastefully done, I'm not into imports for the most part, but car looks pretty decent.
You can find a good LS1 car for ~$16,000 as someone else mentioned T/A or Formulas look similar to a WS6 and have the same performance potential. Not sure what your take on Z28's is but usually they can be found for less than a similar T/A.
Go for it! These cars are a lot of fun...just remeber once the first mod goes on the car...there is no telling where it will stop...
BTW There are a few folks that type before they think...
Welcome to the board! Your 200SX SE-R is tastefully done, I'm not into imports for the most part, but car looks pretty decent.
You can find a good LS1 car for ~$16,000 as someone else mentioned T/A or Formulas look similar to a WS6 and have the same performance potential. Not sure what your take on Z28's is but usually they can be found for less than a similar T/A.
Go for it! These cars are a lot of fun...just remeber once the first mod goes on the car...there is no telling where it will stop...
BTW There are a few folks that type before they think...
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Re: Need help converting Well, thanks for clarifying 30th. I think I was just misled in attempting to make my Nissan into something it couldn't be. For the WS6 I would just like to make it a 12 second car (for now.. lol) and still retain COMPLETE reliability. I have friends who are Mustang guys. But I've always LOVED the look of a 98+ WS6. I understand the lower priced T/A's. But why settle? I'd like to get the car that I want right from the start.
So does anyone have links to bodykits for T/A's??
So does anyone have links to bodykits for T/A's??
Re: Need help converting Making a LS1 run 12's is a cakewalk, doesn't take much at all. You can make one of these cars run 12's without even cracking the motor. You probably wouldn't notice any difference from stock in reliability.
There are plenty of people on this site with cars that you couldn't distinguish from any old F-body, but they run 11's.
There are plenty of people on this site with cars that you couldn't distinguish from any old F-body, but they run 11's.
Re: Need help converting How many miles on that silver WS6 Matt? Keep in mind what DrEvyl suggested, I've seen ultra-clean 99 Trans Ams sell for $11-13K. A painted WS6 hood will cost you under a grand. A set of WS6 wheels with tires sells for less than a grand brand new. Just things to consider.
Tony
Tony
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Re: Need help converting 65k on it. If the car is still around by the time I sell my 240sx, I'll pursue it. Otherwise I'll probably look for a regular T/A. I really wish my credit was good enough to get a loan and purchase from a private buyer. 
Re: Need help converting Woah, thats not a good deal if it has 65K miles on it. A 99 WS6 with 65K miles, I'd offer $14K max for it. If it is ultra-clean inside/out, I might consider $14,500 for that 99.
Tony
Tony
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Re: Need help converting Yeah they have $15,995 advertised, but I'm sure with the lack of sales going on I can probably get it for a good deal less. Add to that it's sitting at a Nissan lot. Who knows...