Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » What Car Thread (Lunatic Edition) 1 2

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  Nov. 13, 2011 11:11 a.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork

  I am looking for a car that is:
  - cheap
  - small
  - has many reusable components
  - has a decent track width (of the body) and wheelbase for racing
  - has enough room for a competent, powerful FWD drivetrain behind the driver area.
  - exceptionally good looking as a tube chassis race car. Thoughts thus far are 2002, MGB-GT, 510, etc... maybe even an old VW Rabbit. It needs headroom for a motor/trans in the back but maybe there are options with a 2.5 boxer motor that might allow a lower deck?

  I am looking to skin off the body, build a mid-engined tube chassis with a light 4cyl that revs to the sky, and then set the body back on it. When I am done, I would like it to be less than 1600lbs, ~300 wHP, and capable of revving to the sky. (modded Honda Civic Si powertrain?)

  Discuss where one might race a creation like this as well since a racecar with out a place to race is just a car. I can only think of NASA's open classes but surely SCCA has a home too?

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  Nov. 13, 2011 11:26 a.m. jimbob_racing Dork

  I vote for something unexpected, like a 5.0 Mustang or a GM econobox.

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  Nov. 13, 2011 11:42 a.m. corytate HalfDork

  why not an n600 or something like that? my vote engine-wise is definitely k20/24 or maybe an h22, but ruining a fr car with that makes me kinda sad. if you did it to a fwd car or a car that was already rr or mid rear then it seems more proper.
  a FUNNY idea I just had would be a tdi in the back of a rabbit or golf =]
  not good for your application though. lol
  maybe a vw 1.8t in a rabbit? or VR6!
  need more revs though.. so honda's obviously it for you, with a 2zz as a different option..
  you can put a 2zz in the back of a celica!

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  Nov. 13, 2011 11:42 a.m. corytate HalfDork

  sorry it said lunatic edition so I went crazy too.

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  Nov. 13, 2011 11:52 a.m. oldtin Dork

  Maserati biturbo - about e30 sized, decent handling, good looking car. Giveaway pricing - you're replacing the stuff that breaks. No one expects a biturbo to make it to a track, much less around a track.

  NASA is about the only road race venue I can think of - then again there may be some hill climb TT kind of things (which circles back to NASA).

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  Nov. 13, 2011 12:00 p.m. ditchdigger Dork

  Fiesta!

  Rabbit

  Both capable of hitting your weight target without cutting anything.

  This era civic is sadly dissapearing from the roads

  Charade?

  I will think of more

  "Sweat is what makes it rock and roll, otherwise it is just folk music with drums"

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  Nov. 13, 2011 12:01 p.m. 93EXCivic SuperDork

  YUGO!

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  Nov. 13, 2011 12:06 p.m. MG_Bryan Reader

  Step one: Buy an Alfa Step two: money/time Step three:

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  Nov. 13, 2011 1:49 p.m. Volksrodden Dork

  ACVW, the body will unbolt from the chassis/floor pan, and I know its well under weight for you too.

  Cheap thrills at low speeds

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  Nov. 13, 2011 2:43 p.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork

  Fiesta! Forgot about those... that looks sick with the flares.

  Keep 'em coming. I love the Alfas but the best part is the motor... I'd hate to have to stick something else in there or a GTV would be right up at the top of the list.

  Lord of drivel and harbinger of Floundering

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  Nov. 13, 2011 3:32 p.m. Toyman01 SuperDork

  Fiero?

  

  I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.

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  Nov. 13, 2011 7:16 p.m. Gearheadotaku Dork

  Drooooooooooooooooooooool over the Fiero. Mine will never look that good, be that cool, or go that fast.

  Old enough to know better, too young too care!

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  Nov. 13, 2011 7:27 p.m. Streetwiseguy Dork

  http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/shogun-recipe/41780/page1/

  You want me to ask this guy what he's doing with his Festiva? I got waaaaay too many projects already.

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  Nov. 13, 2011 8:15 p.m. pinchvalve SuperDork

  

  "Don't Sweat the Petty Things." Yes, and Don't Pet the Sweaty Things.

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  Nov. 14, 2011 3:11 p.m. GTwannaB Reader

  Starlet

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  Nov. 14, 2011 3:32 p.m. fasted58 SuperDork

  Toyman01 wrote: Fiero?

  +1 for the Fiero

  there may be some tube frame Fiero's lurking in barns somewhere, leftovers from SCCA GT(?) classes.

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  Nov. 14, 2011 3:34 p.m. MG_Bryan Reader

  Sonett?

  
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  Nov. 14, 2011 3:36 p.m. imirk Reader

  X1/9

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  Nov. 14, 2011 5:32 p.m. Slyp_Dawg HalfDork

  smart car!
  

  in all seriousness though, Honda CRX. already some kind of light, they look good and would look better with an engine under that rear glass, and if you want you can grab the rear trailing arms from a RT4WD EF civic (I swear late '80s small hondas are like legos, a bunch of crap from one will more than likely fit another so it would probably work and is set up to accept drive anyway) and use Miata front suspension (or at least the spindles) to keep it cheapish, let you use the same wheels front to rear, off-the-shelf brake components, and spares are probably everywhere, given the number of Miatas and late '80s small Hondas running around. plus, your K20/K24 engine idea would keep it in the family so you could conceivably license it for the street and have a killer sleeper. another plus: you know the highest point of a CRX hood is only as high as the bottom of the window opening on the doors, which stays about the same height all the way back to the back of the car, and the top of the valve covers is about 6" below the highest point of the hood.

  "We are on the cutting edge of cocking about" Richard Hammond

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  Nov. 14, 2011 5:38 p.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork

  Toyman01 wrote: Fiero?

  Holy hell. Now that is what I'm talkin' about right there. The underpinnings look like my mind's eye sees this project. I can see my way clear to building all of it until I have to make those sweet looking bulges in the body. Bodywork is not my forte.

  Lord of drivel and harbinger of Floundering

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  Nov. 14, 2011 5:55 p.m. alex SuperDork

  MG_Bryan wrote: Sonett?

  This is the sexiest Sonnet I've ever seen. Until I saw your text, I was trying to pin down what obscure 70s Lambo that was. What widebody kit is this?

  This thing would be unimaginably awesome with a nasty turbo 4 behind the seats.

  The only two things in life that make it worth livin' are guitars that tune good and firm feelin' women.

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  Nov. 14, 2011 5:58 p.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork

  In reply to alex: +1. That really is the sexiest Sonnet I've seen. I've not really cared for them but that one looks great.

  Lord of drivel and harbinger of Floundering

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  Nov. 14, 2011 7:29 p.m. irish44j Dork

  early impreza wagon. then trop a turbo 2.5 boxer back there (its already oriented to sit right over the drive wheels, except now you'll be just running axles to the REAR drive wheels directly from the tranny...and the engine is lightweight and compact so you'll still have interior space.

  RWD turbo impreza with no understeer. epic win.

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  Nov. 14, 2011 8:13 p.m. mmosbey Reader

  
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  Nov. 15, 2011 8:20 a.m. MadScientistMatt SuperDork

  A couple little fastbacks...

  VW Scirocco

  

  L-body Charger

  

  Fiat 850

  

  "Mad Scientist" Matt Cramer

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