YACT: What is a cheap/fast 1/4 mile car?

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

N8Magic

Lifer
Dec 12, 2000
11,624
1
81
My price range is as cheap as possible. (< $2,000CDN)

As for the bracket racing, well, I really don't want to take my new car and thrash it at a drag strip. The car I am buying is going to be a hobby car for me to screw around with in my spare time, and take to the strip every once in a while.

It doesn't matter if it looks like a POS, it just has to get me to the track and back. :D (and I am going to be doing all of the work on it myself.) More than anything, I was asking just to make sure I wasn't overlooking some obscure fast/cheap car.
 

b0mbrman

Lifer
Jun 1, 2001
29,470
1
81


<< But if you can't run back to back consistent runs...then you don't know how to drive or deserve that sweet car :D
Plus you get to race against semis, bikes, and cars way faster than yourself
>>


Heh heh...That actually *does* sound pretty fun :)
 

Migroo

Diamond Member
Jul 14, 2001
4,488
9
81
OK guys forget inhibitions and bias.

Honda Civic 4th Gen. CRX - Light, not bad engine, plenty of aftermarket support, plenty around (I think..)
Mazda RX7 (FC) - 13b engine
Any Nissan with an FR setup and a 2 litre turbo.

Not sure about prices for any of these, as I dont live in the US. They are oldish though - so they should be at the right end of 'affordable' :)
 

shabby

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
5,782
45
91
You might find a 90 talon tsi awd for 2000 cdn, i said might :)
You can pull the entire exhaust, do free mods, increase the boost to 20-25 psi, add race gas, let her slip at 7000 grand, shift like you stole it and run 12's.
The tranny wont like it and the clutch will slip soon but its doable.
 

thedarkwolf

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 1999
9,037
132
106
http://www.thedodgegarage.com/index.html

I think with your price range one of those would do well.

all the early 80s 5.0 fox fords would work too mustang, capri, LTD II, fairmonts, but would need engine work before you could get any real power out of them.

Hell there are lots of 70-80s v8 rwd domestics that would work but all would need engine crap to get any power out of them. They were all smogged down during those years.
 

Iron Woode

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 10, 1999
31,396
12,872
136
As seen in several HOT ROD issues:

early 70's Ford Pinto. Drop in the mid 80's turbo 4 and tranny from Merkur, SVO Mustang, Capri, etc... Without nitrous and with some fine tuning and maybe an axle upgrade it should be capable of low 13's to high 12's. Some major tuning and mods should be able to do low 11's or high 10's.


As for insurance: if the car is not driven on the street then all you need is fire and theft. You void your insurance policy on the race track. In other words no insurance is needed at the track because you will have no coverage by your insurance company there. The track's insurance will cover you in a limited way.

 

geno

Lifer
Dec 26, 1999
25,074
4
0
Under 2000k? Gotta go for a Turbo Dodge :D A simple, 10 dollar Grainer valve can get you up past 200HP, beat that ;) You can get yourself a Turbo II Daytona (175HP, 2800-2900lbs) will run the 1/4 in 15.2. I recently picked up a 16V/DOHC Daytona R/T for $2850 and it does the 1/4 in 14.5...stock :) Cons: hard to find...