Random Thoughts - Part III The Search for Spark (No Politics)

[Lantanafrs2]

If I were looking for a project car, I'd buy a twin with forced induction. I don't think there's a better everyday fun car and I'd save a lot of money compared to building my own. I drive lots of cars and while I could use something higher and larger, nothing really speaks to me like my frs.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by Lantanafrs2

If I were looking for a project car, I'd buy a twin with forced induction. I don't think there's a better everyday fun car and I'd save a lot of money compared to building my own. I drive lots of cars and while I could use something higher and larger, nothing really speaks to me like my frs.

What I did. New short block just showed up this week while I’m out of town. Still need to order head gaskets and timing set.

[Teseo]

Originally Posted by Lantanafrs2

If I were looking for a project car, I'd buy a twin with forced induction. I don't think there's a better everyday fun car and I'd save a lot of money compared to building my own. I drive lots of cars and while I could use something higher and larger, nothing really speaks to me like my frs.

Turbo or supercharger? And which kit?

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by Teseo

Turbo or supercharger? And which kit?

I went with a car that had a JRSC. Less under hood temps then a turbo and boost builds more linearly then a positive displacement blower so a bit gentler on rods.

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by ichitaka05

Randomly thinking in my head. Which cars are 4 banger, (fairly) lightweight, stock parts aren’t crazy expensive & doesn’t cost arm & leg to buy? Literally only ones I thought of were the twins, Miata & Civic.

MR2? Depends on which gen you get, they’re not cheap. Especially 2nd gen turbo still cost arm. 240SX? Those went through more owner than prostitutes & god knows wtf is done to it. Friend said I4 turbo Mustang. Honestly don’t know too much… but I’m assuming it weight over 3,400lbs.

Any other cars I missed?

Like, is that the only criteria? I've got a long list of econoboxes that fit in there.

[NoHaveMSG]

I was looking at the Focus ST or the Fiesta ST but they go for 12k+ in my area. The eco boost does okay as long as you don’t crank the boost too hard or tune them too much.

Fits are a good option and you can get them for a decent price. Lots of parts available to suit one’s modification itch. Power wise will always be lacking.

I looked into the Yaris after some suggestions but they are expensive for what they are. Like the fit, not a bad choice of mods available.

Some good options in the civic, the RSX is also a good one but most I found were too molested for the price. The RSX is cheap to mod and you can get good performance out of them in all metrics. As with anything Honda, cheap to mod and most things are well hashed out.

The fuel mileage in RX8’s is terrible comparably and rotary problems. It’s a great chassis though and the LFX swap is well hashed out. el grigo has one I am dying to check out with the LFX.

Miata was my second choice. Just couldn’t get past convertible only option and you really need to check out the car you are interested in well. Lots of poorly maintained and modded ones out there that look good on the surface.

[ichitaka05]

Originally Posted by Spuds

Like, is that the only criteria? I've got a long list of econoboxes that fit in there.

That’s the only criteria I read… I saw it on fb gp & I was pondering about it while driving.

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

Miata was my second choice. Just couldn’t get past convertible only option and you really need to check out the car you are interested in well. Lots of poorly maintained and modded ones out there that look good on the surface.

I have more criteria, but I saw a post on fb gp & I was pondering about it.

& I agree. I haven’t bought Miata cuz it’s too damn popular & it’s a very. Don’t like neither checklist lol

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by ichitaka05

That’s the only criteria I read… I saw it on fb gp & I was pondering about it while driving.



I have more criteria, but I saw a post on fb gp & I was pondering about it.

& I agree. I haven’t bought Miata cuz it’s too damn popular & it’s a very. Don’t like neither checklist lol

If we include used, Hyundai Accent/Kia Rio. My '08 weighed 2400 ish? Parts were cheap relative to twins at least. Probably like 2/3rd price at most. You know how we go in depth with performance discussion and such here, well the Accent forum I used was fanatical about fixing things as dirt cheap as possible lol.

Really anything from the 2000s and even into the 2010s is probably considered "lightweight" today. Anything that they made en masse is going to have parts available.

Ford Fiesta was pretty light iirc, and the Focus too. Domestic so parts should be cheap?

Chevy Cruze can come in under 3000lb I think. Again, domestic so probably cheap parts.

And then there is the always fun to die in Dodge Neon. Took my friends Neon for a road trip once. Probably the worst car I've ever driven.

There's more of course.

[NoHaveMSG]

Celica is also an option as well as the Tc. 2zz option. Dunno on pricing.

[Kaotic Lazagna]

What about the MR-S? They're the most disliked MR2 gen, so I can't imagine their prices being that high. Lightweight with decent stock power. Would be better with a K swap or a 2ZZ swap tho.

[Teseo]

Originally Posted by Kaotic Lazagna

What about the MR-S? They're the most disliked MR2 gen, so I can't imagine their prices being that high. Lightweight with decent stock power. Would be better with a K swap or a 2ZZ swap tho.

MR2/MRS is a nightmare to work

[Kaotic Lazagna]

Originally Posted by Teseo

MR2/MRS is a nightmare to work

Never had one, but I can see why with the limited space in the engine bay.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by Kaotic Lazagna

What about the MR-S? They're the most disliked MR2 gen, so I can't imagine their prices being that high. Lightweight with decent stock power. Would be better with a K swap or a 2ZZ swap tho.

There is an MRs in the PNW with a 2zz and it hauls ass around the track for what it is. He autoX’s too and is pretty fast as well as in TA. His YouTube channel is “Touge Time.” But yeah, I would hate to have to work on anything mid engine.

[Ultramaroon]

The choices for cheap RWD fun haven't changed. That's why the 86 is such a gem. I don't see it going anywhere.