Cheap Project Cars

jetpilot · July 11, 2011, 08:12:13 AM

Quote from: PDale;775042or maybe a turbo\'d Ford....

I thought you said reliable and good looking :Giggle

Lacey · July 11, 2011, 08:35:53 AM

One turbo\'d ford! :p

Nah but seriously if you want something really unusual why not get an early 90\'s london taxi? they\'re RWD, look kinda hot-rod\'y, don\'t make much power but are pretty cool if you swap out for something a bit meatier! Hotrod taxi anybody?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1WE-Ld-J8c

B.Martin · July 11, 2011, 11:20:43 AM

Quote from: Lacey;775090

One turbo\'d ford! :p

Nah but seriously if you want something really unusual why not get an early 90\'s london taxi? they\'re RWD, look kinda hot-rod\'y, don\'t make much power but are pretty cool if you swap out for something a bit meatier! Hotrod taxi anybody?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1WE-Ld-J8c

I\'m going to say....

LOL!

SiH · July 11, 2011, 12:30:09 PM

Anotehr vote for MX5. If you fancy even more of a challenge, then MS, and an Eaton SC from a mini. Some adapter plates, some pipework, job done.
Plan to SC my other half\'s NB 1.6 Eunos (120bhp AFAIK) at some point, when I have the time.
I love the 1.6, and odd as it seems, think I prefer it to the 1.8.
The NB JDM 1.6 is IMO the best gen of the 1.6\'s - better than the \'mid\' (after LNC/before stupid power downgrade), and only 10bhp down on the NA 1.8\'s. It loves to rev, really is a peach of an engine. Almost as good as the 4AGE in standard form. Sounds great through a filter.

AW11 is also another choice, as the 4AGE is SO GOOD! But a good one is expensive, and on a cheaper one you\'ll spend more time welding than tuning.

Grant Monkhouse · July 11, 2011, 07:46:46 PM

a turbo\'d car would be the better option for learning to map a car as there is constant tweaks you can do to change the car to how you drive etc. not much you can do with an NA motor once you have the afr\'s right, well you could then turbo it? most engines will cope with 0.5 (7psi) bar of boost without going bang.

Lacey · July 12, 2011, 06:14:52 AM

Nobody likes the hotrot rotary taxi idea then?

SiH · July 12, 2011, 12:25:29 PM

Quote from: Grant Monkhouse;775250a turbo\'d car would be the better option for learning to map a car as there is constant tweaks you can do to change the car to how you drive etc. not much you can do with an NA motor once you have the afr\'s right, well you could then turbo it? most engines will cope with 0.5 (7psi) bar of boost without going bang.

You have more room for error with an NA car though I guess - it\'s a good starting point. Any form of forced induction reduces that margin. detonation is something to be feared!
With an NA motor you can learn the basics, and optimise timing, AFR\'s, EGT etc.
With a turbo you have boost to worry about as well.
It\'s jsut as do-able, but a bit more \'in at the deep end\' - get the foundations and you can work up, although some people have the ability straight away!

Plus MX5 engines are pennies if they do go.

I\'d immediately eliminate a rotary if I wanted to start self mapping, due to the fine line you have to tread, and the cost of replacement. MX5 engines can be had for less than the price of a set of 13b apex seals!

PDale · July 12, 2011, 11:09:37 PM

Not feeling the taxi idea, lol! I will most probably go NA then once I\'m confident with the mapping, fit a turbo and map for boost and learn some more. Just got to do lots of reading, put some money aside and then find time to do it all *sigh*

PDale · July 12, 2011, 11:21:38 PM

Quote from: SiH;775398MX5 engines can be had for less than the price of a set of 13b apex seals!

I never realised how cheap MX5 engines were until I just checked Ebay, crazy cheap! hmmm might turbo it and tune the crap out of it, treat it like a consumable item!

jetpilot · July 13, 2011, 08:13:34 AM

Will cost you a lot less to buy one already done, check out mx5nutz, lots of advise and parts etc on there!