I am on a budget. I need something fast to satisfy my needs through college. I have actually about 5k saved in the bank right now. I would like to finance as little as possible. I love Lexus, that is why I have been interested in the GS, LS, and IS. The boosted IS is a beast and would be awesome. But a stock version is about 3k out of my range. I have checked out BMW. They really aren't what I am looking for as they are more for autox and not top speed. I have recently research a lot in to Honda and their Integras. This car would fall in to my money range, but stock this car isn't that fast. On the upside the build quality is the one of the best in the world. So right now, I hate to say it buy I am actually contemplating the LS1's from Chevy.

Big question here is, which is cheaper considering maintenance and modding costs. Because whatever I get it will be transformed in to a drag race type of a car. I hear the Camaro SS or the Firebird (LS1's) will have weak clutch and bad rear end that needs replacement right away. From there, at around 310whp it wouldn't take much to get the car at where I want it speed wise. Now the Integra has much better quality, it just is a lot weaker in stock form. I would probley upgrade to a bigger engine and then go forced induction to get it to the speed levels that could surpass most modded LS1's.

Anyway, feel free to correct any errors I may have made as I know really nothing about Chevy, Camaros, Firebirds, and LS1.

Knowing what I see at my track every Friday and Saturday night, these cars pack some power and in the U.S, one could get them very easily with the amount of cash you are talking about and have mod money left over.

You got it right on the Camaro or Firebird for the $$$
VW Golf VR6 (my cousin has one of these and it is a lethal pocket rocket that does not take much for modification)
Dodge Spirit R/T (a little difficult to mod)
Dodge Shadow Turbo (same issue with modification, doable but costs a little more than the above two)

If you are lucky, you might find an early (2003) Neon SRT-4 (and they are the fastest group of vehicles where I race).

Forget Integras, I see Civic VTECs that are practically the same thing and have ran against a few stocks ones that I can kill with my modified RX. My cousin kicks them easily with his VR6.

Regarding the Camaro/Firebird, I know guys that race with boosted models (including one with a Squires Turbo System and runs 3 seconds faster than stock). His clutch went out the other day, but no one in my group with the ones that run 2 to 3 second slower ever told me they bought the bullet on the clutch.

I know I am missing a lot more in that category, but just wanted to bring my south of the border perspective.

It's a bit difficult for a car. But with a motorcycle, you can go from 0 to 60 in three seconds for less than $10k... Just a thought... :rolleyes:

As for the car, you'll probably end up with a money pit if you get a old-but-modded used car. If they were modded in the first place, you know that the previous owner(s) rode that thing HARD! Make sure you get something that is sturdy and reliable, and then mod it.

Oh you in Mexico? I always wondered if I could go down there and buy a new BMW 1 series and then bring it back to the states?

1g dsm awd.

shell: $500
junkyard motor/tranny: $500
new fuel injectors, fpr, fuel pump: $1000 max
new turbo: gt40, $1500-2000
15'' rims with slicks: $300 used
exhaust: $100 (open after downpipe)
intake and exhaust manifolds: $1000
fmic and piping: $750
nitrous to spool the turbo: $300 used
clutch: $300
rip out everything inside: $0
megasquirt ems: $500
tune yourself on dyno or on road: $100 on dyno, $0 on the road

total: $6-7k, less if you shop more for used
10 seconds

Lets bring in a domestic up in this Biznatch

http://www.jimstrucks.com/inventory/Chevrolet/pictures/95%20IMPALA.JPG

Hell yeah, 94-96 Impala SS with the LT1. :D

Any LT1/LS1 powered F-body is great. A Mustang is a good candiate too. An old Fox body 5.0, or a newer DOHC Cobra. Can modify the crap out of those for dirt cheap and they'll still be daily driveable. For raw power and not much money, you will never beat American V8's.

Lets bring in a domestic up in this Biznatch

http://www.jimstrucks.com/inventory/Chevrolet/pictures/95%20IMPALA.JPG

LTslow.

too heavy.

I am on a budget. I need something fast to satisfy my needs through college. I have actually about 5k saved in the bank right now. I would like to finance as little as possible. I love Lexus, that is why I have been interested in the GS, LS, and IS. The boosted IS is a beast and would be awesome. But a stock version is about 3k out of my range. I have checked out BMW. They really aren't what I am looking for as they are more for autox and not top speed. I have recently research a lot in to Honda and their Integras. This car would fall in to my money range, but stock this car isn't that fast. On the upside the build quality is the one of the best in the world. So right now, I hate to say it buy I am actually contemplating the LS1's from Chevy.

Big question here is, which is cheaper considering maintenance and modding costs. Because whatever I get it will be transformed in to a drag race type of a car. I hear the Camaro SS or the Firebird (LS1's) will have weak clutch and bad rear end that needs replacement right away. From there, at around 310whp it wouldn't take much to get the car at where I want it speed wise. Now the Integra has much better quality, it just is a lot weaker in stock form. I would probley upgrade to a bigger engine and then go forced induction to get it to the speed levels that could surpass most modded LS1's.

Anyway, feel free to correct any errors I may have made as I know really nothing about Chevy, Camaros, Firebirds, and LS1.

CROTCH ROCKET, 0-60 3 seconds, 1/4 10 seconds.

Yamaha R1 ;)

No 4 wheels, I guess DSM with 16 g, or a Grand National.

Oh you in Mexico? I always wondered if I could go down there and buy a new BMW 1 series and then bring it back to the states?

I can throw a stone (no joke) and hit the local BMW dealer easily. It is right below my apartment building. The answer in short is while possible, it will cost you $$$. I know people who try to bring in old VW Beetles and cannot get them registered in their home state (there is a trick to do it but I won't describe it). Oh you can drive one across. A lot of Americans here have cars not available in the U.S., locally plate them and can legally drive them across since they have residency down here. Several people were able to get that last version of the Audi A3 across and localy registered.

Lets bring in a domestic up in this Biznatch

http://www.jimstrucks.com/inventory/Chevrolet/pictures/95%20IMPALA.JPG

that car right there would probably sell at $8-10k. which leaves him with a stock impala, not a fast car. granted you can make impalas pretty damn quick, but not for $2k

How about a Dodge Omni GLH. Those cars are turbo charged and is a Caroll Shelby built car. It will suprise some Evo's when modded more. :eek2: All for about 1g for the car today.
The 1986 Shelby GLH-S was a modified Dodge Omni GLH sold under the Shelby marque. GLHS stood for Goes Like Hell Some more. Just 500 were made.

Koni adjustable shock absorbers were specified, along with Shelby-made wheels and special tires. The Turbo I engine was modified with pre-production pieces from what would become the Turbo II engine. These changes included an intercooler and other changes to produce 175 hp (130 kW) and a flat 175 ft·lbf (237 N·m) torque curve. Not included were any of the durability changes to the short block (forged crank, full floating pin, stouter connecting rods, etc.) of the 1987 Chrysler Turbo II engine. Luckily the Shelby engines have proved to be plenty bullet-proof even without the durability enhancements of the Chrylser production Turbo II. Performance was impressive, with just 6.5 s needed for 0–60 mph (97 km/h) and 14.8 s for the quarter mile (402 m) run. Top speed was 130 mph (209 km/h).

I thought the older Fox-body Mustangs (5.0 engines) were the top gun of straight-line speed for the dollar?

Turbocharging a 91-94 Nissan 240sx.

For $6k I'd have a 500whp monster in a little 2600lb car (2500 if you want to start cutting weight). Including the cost of the car... Includes suspension, rims, tires, LSD, etc. Aftermarket is HUHYYUUUUGE on this car.

I'll have about $2.5k invested in mine (paid $500 for the car with a rod hanging out of the block a while back) and it should be making 300-320whp/340tq with an AWESOME powerband and outstanding handling and even good gas mileage (over 25-30)

You want a fast car, a 1998 six speed camara z28...a full 10g's could find a 1998 ss camara.
These cars are fast, and thats what you want. Heck a few more g's and u can get a 1997 vette. Seen some for 12k.

You want a fast car, a 1998 six speed camara z28...a full 10g's could find a 1998 ss camara.
These cars are fast, and thats what you want. Heck a few more g's and u can get a 1997 vette. Seen some for 12k.

Those are slow as heck... 14s at 98-99mph?

vette isnt much faster at high 13s at like 100

Come on man ;)

I bought a 89 Mustang GT back in the day for $3200 with 100K on the odom....out of the box it was a 15.2 qtr mile time car with the looooong 2.79 gears it had.....

Changed the gears to 3.55's and slapped a MAC full exhaust ($350) and K&N intake ($100 and turned into a 14.2 @ 99mph car. Not to bad

Then did twisted wedge heads, cam, rockers, honed the block (refresh rebuild), intake, injectors, fuel pump and some other little goodies. The most expensive parts was the heads which were $1200.

Everything for the foxbody stangs is CHEAP and after the total investment of about $8000 for the car and all....I had a 12.80 quarter mile car. Probably a bit quicker if I put in more aggressive gears like 4.11's. Just my 2 cents

For your intentions, forget about anything FWD. An old 'Stang 5.0 is the obvious choice. Cheap to buy, cheap to make seriously fast and there are a zillion speed parts available. Simple formula - a basic lightweight RWD car, with a big torquey motor - anything that fits that description will be fine. Also, if drag racing is your goal, get an automatic and add a higher stall converter. An automatic LS1 Camaro/ Firebird would be a great starting point, nitrous and you have an 11 second car, but they are not easy to work on (half the engine is under the dash..). What about a Chevy S10 with a small block Chevy engine swap? There are literally a million choices that would work for you.

Turbocharging a 91-94 Nissan 240sx.

For $6k I'd have a 500whp monster in a little 2600lb car (2500 if you want to start cutting weight). Including the cost of the car... Includes suspension, rims, tires, LSD, etc. Aftermarket is HUHYYUUUUGE on this car.

I'll have about $2.5k invested in mine (paid $500 for the car with a rod hanging out of the block a while back) and it should be making 300-320whp/340tq with an AWESOME powerband and outstanding handling and even good gas mileage (over 25-30)

500 reliable horsepower for $6k?

im calling your bluff.

I could actually get a 1996 C4 Vette for like 10-12k. I would rather get a Camaro SS for a couple thousand less and have money for mods. Plus Vettes are more expensive to repair and buy mods for.