Cheap Project Cars

PDale · July 10, 2011, 07:36:25 PM

ok I know this is a rotary forum, but if you had to choose a cheap project car (non rotary) to teach yourself about mapping, what car would you choose?

I\'ve stated non rotary as it needs to be able to take some inevitable newbie mapping mishaps :chat

Other criteria is:

Cheap second hand parts readily available

Look ok and be reliable in a general overall sense

Not sure on NA or turbo\'d. Would love to jump right in with turbo charged but not sure if I would be in way over my head before even getting started!

Not overly worried about cost of wideband, tuning software, ecu, etc as I would sell these on when I\'ve had my fun. Same for any essential parts which I will buy s/h in the first place.

Price - Under Â£3k for a standard/ish car, reasonable amount for expectations?

m1tch · July 10, 2011, 07:40:05 PM

Is this specifically about mapping electronically or tuning in general? Perhaps an S13 or old school BMW?

PDale · July 10, 2011, 07:43:28 PM

Yeah mapping electronically, sorry should have been a bit more clear. I know its a massive subject to learn but I figured I have to start somewhere! Start cheap as possible for all the learning mistakes I\'ll make

jetpilot · July 10, 2011, 07:51:41 PM

For a little more money you could have my Mx5 turbo, plenty of scope to learn on that, all there bar a ecu and if you bought yourself a Megasquirt ecu, you can build the ecu to accommodate all sorts of ad ons, launch control etc and they are cheap. Cheap parts a plenty, reliable, economical, easily used as a daily driver, loads of tuning support from uk and us sites, handles like nothing else.....i could go on

http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71232

m1tch · July 10, 2011, 08:01:07 PM

My mate has put a MS into his supercharged MX5, plus with the 1.8 the series 5 FC3S 550cc injectors are a direct plug and play upgrade

jetpilot · July 10, 2011, 08:02:36 PM

Quote from: m1tch;774992My mate has put a MS into his supercharged MX5, plus with the 1.8 the series 5 FC3S 550cc injectors are a direct plug and play upgrade

Same with the 1.6, 550cc injectors straight in

B.Martin · July 10, 2011, 08:43:37 PM

That solves that then!! Do it!!!

m1tch · July 10, 2011, 09:08:22 PM

I also have a spare Skyline R34 GTR T25R turbo

jetpilot · July 10, 2011, 09:11:57 PM

Already running a T25 on mine

m1tch · July 10, 2011, 09:18:25 PM

Quote from: jetpilot;775010Already running a T25 on mine

Mines a T25R though

B.Martin · July 10, 2011, 09:40:28 PM

106 GTI\'s are great cars! You can get them pretty cheap and tweaking them is good fun, but personally I\'d go for the mx5 having owned 2 GTI\'s :Giggle

m1tch · July 10, 2011, 09:43:49 PM

Mark 1 MX5 had popups, FC3S has popups, both are made from win, Hammond agrees with popups on top gear and I did own both cars at once lol 4 popups

Steve-A · July 10, 2011, 09:44:11 PM

I learnt to map on an mx5, took plenty of abuse!

Cheap to buy and run and enjoyable to drive.

Prof · July 10, 2011, 09:44:37 PM

I reckon if it\'s for mapping practice then the following should be on your list of requirements:

1) Piston engine - you get away with a bit of pinking before change of underwear required

2) Non contact engine - not sure what control you\'d have over timing electronically - but valves hitting pistons is game over.

3) Something not to stressed - in some respects a non turbo engine may be a better starting pint.

4) Simple engine - 4 pot reliable type

m1tch · July 10, 2011, 09:46:52 PM

I believe the 1.8 BP-05 engine is non interferance, the 1.6 engine is interferance and also the front pulley can fall off if the key sheers, totalling the engine.

I suggest you get a:

Mark 1 MX5 1.8 NA standard

I do actually know someone who is looking to sell his MX5 1.8, comes with a hard top as well!