Car Project Ideas

RedArmy

Platinum Member
Mar 1, 2005
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So I just recently finished my first engine swap and complete rebuild of my CRX. I plan to take it to the track this Summer and go some places with it and all that. However, just like anything else, it will get old after a while.

Therefore, I'm wondering what I should pursue for my next car project. I've been looking into older muscle cars like Camaros or Challengers but most of the shells for them cost a boatload of money.

A more practical approach would be something like a 1970's Datsun and putting an LS1 in it. I'm still looking for more information on doing that, but working on a V8 sounds a lot more fun then with a 4 cylinder with wires everywhere.

My third option was to go the route of getting an older Subaru RS and building the engine/swapping it out for another, however those engines are a lot more complex then what I feel like dealing with (having worked with 2 of them).

Therefore, I come before the infinite wisdom of ATOT and ask, what kind of project car would you like to work on? I'm open to pretty much anything as researching many times takes longer then the actual build.

The one thing to keep in mind is that I'm aiming for RWD or AWD this time around as FWD just isn't as great anymore. It would only be a summer car anyways so no worries about weather really.
 

thetxstang

Senior member
Sep 30, 2004
542
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I'd always thought it would be neat if someone could take a Fiero and shoehorn a Grand National V6 turbo into it.
 

TheoPetro

Banned
Nov 30, 2004
3,499
1
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I always wanted to see a get metro with a station wagon engine smashed into it. Allong with a few thousand lbs of lead
 

RedArmy

Platinum Member
Mar 1, 2005
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The one thing I'm not too sure of for anything yet is oversteer/understeer problems due to the weight of the engine. Putting a huge engine in the front of a light car does not make for fun times when you drive it. I need a good weight balance in the car, or at least a way to offset it
 

Imported

Lifer
Sep 2, 2000
14,679
23
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I saw a Datsun with an LS1 (I presume since it hauled ass) yesterday.. was pretty sweet. What about a 2nd gen RX-7 with an LS1?
 

RedArmy

Platinum Member
Mar 1, 2005
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Originally posted by: Imported
I saw a Datsun with an LS1 (I presume since it hauled ass) yesterday.. was pretty sweet. What about a 2nd gen RX-7 with an LS1?

Yeah I've seen RX-7's around here with LS1's swapped into them. My dad likes the old school RX-7 look too, so that's a possibility. I wonder how the handling is...
 

thedarkwolf

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 1999
9,034
127
106
I think the ls1 engine weighs LESS then the original iron striaght 6 nissan used. I've seen several rx7s with LS1s in them that the people claimed still had a 50/50 weight distribution.
 

Sluggo

Lifer
Jun 12, 2000
15,488
5
81
One of my favorites is the V8 Miata.

You can get some of the original Miatas so cheap these days, and Ford 5.0 motors are just as easy to come across in older pickups and Mustangs.
 

zerocool84

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
36,041
472
126
Get an old bug and swap a rotory in it or a recent subaru engine/waterboxer engine in it.