Track Cars.. On a Budget.

[fumanchu1]

Originally Posted by caliprep

There are only two cars I'll never be caught dead in...That is a Miata and a Beetle.

I would doing nothing less than a E36 M3 and a S2K. Possibly an e36 325i

What about a old beetle based dune buggy with a Porsche flat 6, some of the most fun and awesome looking buggies.

[mn_ca]

FX16 GTS? My friend's friend has one and it's one fun car! Lightweight too!

[rice_classic]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

@rice_classic What's the budget for a reliable tow vehicle and trailer to get the racecar to the track?

I'm a cheapskate. I bought a 20' enclosed trailer from a fellow racer for $3800! Then I turned around and bought a 2003 Ford Expedition with the Big-Tow package that was somewhat neglected from a co-worker for $3800 (but needed $2k worth of love) and I was set! I wanted an Excursion but finding a good one was going to stretch my budget and finding a good condition Expedition for $3800 was something I couldn't pass up (it has a 8600lb towing capacity).

But I used to tow on the super cheap with a 1996 E150 Conversion van.. Yes, with the folding bed and TV and all. I could only tow an open deck trailer but I saved money at the track because I would sleep in the van.

But used V8 'Murican is your "tow-for-cheap" solution, just make sure whatever you choose has a tow-package such as better gearing, wired for trailer brakes and has engine/trans oil coolers.

[Carlysh]

So after some research on the miata , i found that with 8k or less you can put a k motor on that miata and you retain you drive line and everything else, i must say for a weekend warrior and street car this is very interesting given the fact that the K motors from honda are really reliable and high revving what you guys think?

[MisterSheep]

Originally Posted by Carlysh

So after some research on the miata , i found that with 8k or less you can put a k motor on that miata and you retain you drive line and everything else, i must say for a weekend warrior and street car this is very interesting given the fact that the K motors from honda are really reliable and high revving what you guys think?

K motors are from the s2000 correct? I dont know much about hondas....

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Carlysh

So after some research on the miata , i found that with 8k or less you can put a k motor on that miata and you retain you drive line and everything else, i must say for a weekend warrior and street car this is very interesting given the fact that the K motors from honda are really reliable and high revving what you guys think?

Many many many hours of effort (maybe fabrication work?) and troubleshooting to get everything harmoniously working, Florida is super lax on motoring laws so that shouldn't be an issue.

After seeing project cars do unexpected things and owners scrambling for hours and missing runs and sessions, it's a labor of love with small reward. My money is on reliability, keep it simple stupid and maximize seat time, keep it stock.

While a Civic Si or TSX motor would be awesome, (~200hp @ 7k rpm) and reliable, the potential issues won't be the block itself but rather all your wiring, sensors, everything mating up well mechanically (no rubs or unforeseen stresses), and ECM. Custom dashboard or a bunch of stick on gauges? Custom exhaust setup? This is not a summer project unless it's your full time job and you have access to a good shop, most people spend years on these kinds of setups before everything is dialed in.

I'd spend the $8k on setting up the Miata real nice, good chassis to start spending up to $5k, nice set of revalved koni/bilsteins with quality springs from any of the half dozen companies that offer them off the shelf, go through all the bushings, roll bar, quality tires and brakes, full fluid flush. Assuming this is a casual track/autox car I'd say maintain DD-ability so you can drive it to the track without stressing yourself out and avoid the costs of a tow vehicle because you've gone full stipped and caged.

For me the name of the game is seat time, you want zero excuses to not go out and flog the car.

Originally Posted by MisterSheep

K motors are from the s2000 correct? I dont know much about hondas....

No, S2k uses an F20C

Wiki is a fantastic resource for stuff like this, the K Series is primarily used for higher trim Integra/RSX/Civic, and Accord/TSX/ILX with a few larger cars/cuv using it as a base engine from the early 00's onwards. Good for 160-220 hp depending on what model which should be a solid upgrade for an NA/NB

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_K_engine

[MisterSheep]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

No, S2k uses an F20C

Wiki is a fantastic resource for stuff like this, the K Series is primarily used for higher trim Integra/RSX/Civic, and Accord/TSX/ILX with a few larger cars/cuv using it as a base engine from the early 00's onwards. Good for 160-220 hp depending on what model which should be a solid upgrade for an NA/NB

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_K_engine

What about putting the F20C in a miata?.... 240hp. and a 9k redline depending if you get the ap1 over the ap2.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by MisterSheep

What about putting the F20C in a miata?.... 240hp. and a 9k redline depending if you get the ap1 over the ap2.

Is that really worth the effort over just getting an S2000?

[MisterSheep]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

Is that really worth the effort over just getting an S2000?

depends on the price. Maybe you have a miata. That has too much money in it to sell it for a reasonable price and you're looking for a lightweight enigne swap for a little more power but not much. instead of loosing money to sell the miata and buy a s2000 one may consider just swapping the engine.

Or maybe we should be on the topic of swapping a flat 4 in a miata.

Or maybe..... MAYBE. a F20C in a frs.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by MisterSheep

Or maybe..... MAYBE. a F20C in a frs.

That's the dream right there

[MisterSheep]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

That's the dream right there

I was waiting for a

"get out of here! a Honda engine in the FRS???" @finch1750

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by MisterSheep

depends on the price. Maybe you have a miata. That has too much money in it to sell it for a reasonable price and you're looking for a lightweight enigne swap for a little more power but not much. instead of loosing money to sell the miata and buy a s2000 one may consider just swapping the engine.

Or maybe we should be on the topic of swapping a flat 4 in a miata.

Or maybe..... MAYBE. a F20C in a frs.

Lets see hours of fab work, wiring, troubleshooting OR forced induction copying the hundreds of builds already documented for similar money.

Cheapest F20C on ebay right now is $3k, $4k with tranny.

I get it, Miata with F20C can save a good what 500-600 lbs over an S2k, certainly a potent combo if well setup, S2k killer for under $10k if performance is the only requirement and you start with a cheap chassis.

Same deal with an 86, $4k on F20C+Tranny plus unknown labor, fab, wiring, troubleshooting, and for me emissions laws makes it unstreetable. Or $6k on a supercharger that puts ~240hp to the wheels instead of the crank that's emissions legal...

[MisterSheep]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

Lets see hours of fab work, wiring, troubleshooting OR forced induction copying the hundreds of builds already documented for similar money.

Cheapest F20C on ebay right now is $3k, $4k with tranny.

I get it, Miata with F20C can save a good what 500-600 lbs over an S2k, certainly a potent combo if well setup, S2k killer for under $10k if performance is the only requirement and you start with a cheap chassis.

Same deal with an 86, $4k on F20C+Tranny plus unknown labor, fab, wiring, troubleshooting, and for me emissions laws makes it unstreetable. Or $6k on a supercharger that puts ~240hp to the wheels instead of the crank that's emissions legal...

I have emissions in my state as well. I'm not saying I'm willing to do it but you got to realize we live in a world of what if's and people wanting to try new things. Maybe people have the skills of custom fabbing equipment and skills for any engine their heart desires.

Ever seen the 2jz mustang?
2jz frs? 2jz s2k? 2jz r34 skyline? 2jz 240z? porsche powered bug? sti powered bug? v8 powered miata?

People do crazy shit if they want. Why you always gota bring em down man?

And i do know you're just being realistic.

[53Driver]

AP1 and AP2 in Honda speak refers to the chassis. In the North American market, the AP2 chassis received the F22C engine, whereas the rest of the world continued to get the original F20C engine (Japan did start getting the F22 in 2006). If it were me, I wouldn't put forth the effort to drop a F20/22 into a Miata, I'd just buy a freakin' S2K! Just my humble opinion.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_S2000