Project Car Idea's...

[robertsmb]

Im lookign for advice for a fixer upper project racing car.

Ive posted similar posts on DSM Forums, SRTforums, Superhonda, and a few other websites trying to get opinions. So far, everyone seems to think the best car for my needs would be a 95-99 Eclipse GSX/Talon TSi. Lets see what you guys can come up with.

My background:

In the past 4 years Ive owned the SRT-4, A Turbocharged Integra GS-R, Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V, and the Corolla S and XRS. Im not looking to build or buy any of these.

My Project:

Im looking for a cheap, salvage, or otherwise abused car that I can build on a budget and get moderate results out of on the track/street. I already have a daily driver with my XRS, so this will be a purely toy car. I love to run the 1/4 mile and even though most of the car community frowns on it, i mess around with stop light to stop light type activity all the time. Running 12's on the track and eating v8's on the street would be a nice addition.

I love small engines and compact cars.

Goals:
would like to aquire the car for under 4 grand.
would like to build it for 5-6g... (negotiable, it will be an over time project)
would like to run at least 12's in the 1/4 and be streatable (i dont have to worry about emissions in my area or any other bullshit calls like that)
would like the car to look and feel very nice... almost show car quality.

Please let me know if you have any suggestions. Ive heard the 91 MR2 turbo is a good builder, but the 3sgte is a platform that Im not familiar with at all. Any information woudl be awesome.

Thanks in advance for the replies.

[JekylandHyde]

Happy reading here:
http://www.mrcontrols.com/primers/power.htm

You only 240 rwhp or so to touch 12s in a MR2 turbo.
A healthy running stock car puts down 165 rwhp ... getting another 100 rwhp is not hard.

You may find this interesting:
http://www.mr2records.com

My site here:
http://www.jekylhyderacing.com/

Click on Hyde and then "Track History."
You can follow by build from a stock 180,000 mile MR2 I bought for $1750.00 to the 10-second potential I now have.

[robertsmb]

Originally Posted by JekylandHyde

Happy reading here:
http://www.mrcontrols.com/primers/power.htm

You only 240 rwhp or so to touch 12s in a MR2 turbo.
A healthy running stock car puts down 165 rwhp ... getting another 100 rwhp is not hard.

You may find this interesting:
http://www.mr2records.com

My site here:
http://www.jekylhyderacing.com/

Click on Hyde and then "Track History."
You can follow by build from a stock 180,000 mile MR2 I bought for $1750.00 to the 10-second potential I now have.

Wow a wealth of information. I didnt see your times or mods on the website anywhere, but Im sure you have gone way above anythign I plan on doing. I still need mine streatable. =)

I appreciate this a lot, and maybe I can find an MR2 to play around with.

[JekylandHyde]

Everything is on my site.
Mods: http://www.jekylhyderacing.com/HydeMods.htm

I posted how to get to my times:
Click on Hyde and then "Track History.

I also have my bests under my siggy photo.

[4DMR2t]

You could also check out MR2OC.com and check out the 1/4 mile registry. That should give you a good idea of what times people are running and with what mods.

IMO, a '91 MR2 is a great platform to build on, but you're in a toyota forum, so you'll probably get that biased answer from everyone here.

They are incredible bang for the buck, and they are becoming pretty rare. The MR2 is definately a head turner. You don't see them at every stop light like you do DSM's.

Just something to think about.

[JekylandHyde]

Originally Posted by 4DMR2t

You could also check out MR2OC.com and check out the 1/4 mile registry.

I directly linked to that above:
http://www.mr2records.com

[4DMR2t]

right. I was just......uh..........reiterating it..........uh.........in case he forgot...........yea!

[asifmbadar]

A 240sx.. and I say this because there is overwhelming aftermarket support, they are cheap, and the sr20det swap is also very common now, 200 horsepower turbo, and it's a very lightweight car that has the most amazing handling I've ever experienced.... That you can drag and drift with, and you will need about $500 for a nice shell, $2500 for the swap, and the rest on suspension.. you will love yourself.

[4DMR2t]

Originally Posted by asifmbadar

has the most amazing handling I've ever experienced.....

Really? I agree with everything but this.

I've driven my friend's 240sx hatchback. It is definately light, and nimble, but I don't think it has anything on the MR2 as far as handling characteristics.

Although, I must say, for what you want, the 240 sr20 swap might be the way to go.

[asifmbadar]

I had SilkRoad RM A8 coilovers, forgot to mention that. But still.. in terms of turning radius and how easy it is to install a vlsd from a jdm or higher model 240sx is also a nice bonus. If you have decent knowledge, you can buy it and have it installed yourself for about $250 - $300. No more open diff!

[robertsmb]

Thanks for all the responses guys.

1.) I am a Toyota man! Period. Ive owned 6 cars in the last 4 years and 3 of them have ben Toyota's. This is why I came here to ask opinions before I bought a DSM or Civic Si like every other street punk.

2.) Hyde, ure site and cars are amazing. How much money have you sank into these cars? Im not looking to be 10 second nasty, or super road & track, but I do love what youve managed to pull out of your car with 200k+ mileage on it.

3-15.) What are the availibilty of parts for this car? Everyone says its gonna be hard for me to find a 3sgte in good enough shape to build. Does this mean the parts are going to be scarce? Expensive? Do any of you Spray? I havent seen anyone talk about the juice for this car... but being able to put 275whp on the stock fuel system I would think someone would be spraying.. at least a 50 shot...?

Ive completely forgoten about the DSM now that Ive seen more pics and stats for the MR2. Like I said, Ive always loved toyota's, and if I had the cash for a 2jz Supra I would get it, but my budget is a little smaller than what it would take to build one of those nice and clean.

Thx again for the advice.

[4DMR2t]

sounds to me like you're sold on the MR2

3sgte's are pretty easy to come by actually. I see them for sale on ebay all the time.

aftermarket parts are also pretty easy to come by for this car, you just have to know where to look.

Make sure you sign up at www.mr2oc.com There you'll find all the info you could ever want.

[asifmbadar]

An excellent choice, that's why i got one! I wish mine was turbo though, however.. I can always feeel good knowing that my 91 n/a 5spd in mint condition with 95k miles will have a nice resale value next year if I wanna switch cars.....

[JekylandHyde]

Check out the "vendors" on mr2oc ... there are plenty of them out there.
Also click "sponsorship" on my site and you will find a bunch of greeat vendors.

[robertsmb]

Thanks again guys.... Really appreciate it.