Track Cars

[Anthony 1,003]

Just to throw a curve ball, what about a Mk1 MR2?

 

Rust is the biggest problem, but crusty rear arches aren't really too much of an issue for a trackday car and thus there's a choice of cheap ones out there. Mechanically they're pretty strong, revvy 1.6 16v engine and they're good fun out of the box - not quite as exploitable on the limit as an MX-5, but fun nevertheless.

[welshpug 1,657]

I do like them, but yes, RUST!! and a great engine

 

often give issues with selectors in the gearboxes, meaning most mk1 drivers drive one handed and hold the stick in 5th gear

[shalmaneser 26]

Friend of mine has a MR2, it's nice but did you know that they weigh just over a ton wet, and the engine is only 130bhp?

 

Don't know how tunable the engine is (I'd guess not very) but I think as standard it would feel bloody slow after a 205 gti6 on carbs.

 

I reckon the MX5 is the one to go for, really.

[Henry Yorke 269 3 Cars]

Alfa 75 V6 or even a Sud? A classic may offer some of the best value for money. it depends whether you want outright speed or driving fun. not much modern rwd out there at 2.5k which is not heavy. they did a Scimitar SS1 turbo with a Silvia 1800 engine - ugly though!

[shalmaneser 26]

Alfa 75 V6 or even a Sud? A classic may offer some of the best value for money. it depends whether you want outright speed or driving fun. not much modern rwd out there at 2.5k which is not heavy. they did a Scimitar SS1 turbo with a Silvia 1800 engine - ugly though!

 

I'd love an Alfa 75 V6.

 

I'd always assumed they were a nightmare for rust.

 

Don't they have torsion bar suspension front and rear? Might be hard getting uprated bits?

 

Mmmmm Italian v6s....

 

Just seen that alfaholics do a few bits for the 75...

[welshpug 1,657]

4AGE is very tunable, there were supercharged factory versions which were around 170 bhp and a lot more torque, they can be taken to 200 with pulley mods, then there's the 3SGTE conversion (2.0 turbo) or the Camry V6 transplant which is rather more involved.

 

same basic lump as the corrola AE86, and the later fwd AE92 and the corolla based Levin, which IIRC had 20 valve supercharged versions.

 

130 bhp/ton is not to be sniffed at, early mx5 was what? around 1000 kilos and 105 bhp 1.6?

Edited September 6, 2010 by welshpug

[Rippthrough 98]

Supercharged bike engine in the back of the 205.

[GLPoomobile 958]

What were the old ish square Nissan Sylvia turbos like, were these RWD?

 

Funnilly enough I was going to suggest an old Silvia. They are RWD, supposed to handle pretty well, and engine swaps are easy. Problem is finding one! You could get them for under £1k when I was looking, oh, must be about nearly 10 years ago now! But they were rare as rocking horse s*it back then so they are probably even harder to find now.

[GLPoomobile 958]

Here you go

 

sub £1k S12 Silvia

[stefan 4]

£2.5k?? Show me...

That's the price overhere, certainly not track prof, but hey, what is for that kind of money

[Cloverleaf 1]

4AGE is very tunable, there were supercharged factory versions which were around 170 bhp and a lot more torque, they can be taken to 200 with pulley mods, then there's the 3SGTE conversion (2.0 turbo) or the Camry V6 transplant which is rather more involved.

 

same basic lump as the corrola AE86, and the later fwd AE92 and the corolla based Levin, which IIRC had 20 valve supercharged versions.

 

130 bhp/ton is not to be sniffed at, early mx5 was what? around 1000 kilos and 105 bhp 1.6?

 

Another vote for MK1 MR2, would definately improve your driving skills on the limit!

 

As WP has said, the 4AGE is very tunable. Buy a NA 1.6 and do a straight swap with a 160bhp 1.6 20V one out of a Levin with throttle boddies as standard. The later ones also had a 6 speed box and an lsd! That's what my mate has in his MK2 escort and it's certainly not slow and sounds awesome at nearly 9k rpm (standard redline)!

[AJA_GTi 0]

200SX

[MrG 3]

I'd still look at an old e30, if you want to see how well one goes (and one that can, seemingly destroy many more powerful cars) come along to Cadwell in Sept and have a ride in my mates e30, std 2.3 but the set up is spot on and it is so quick its unreal.

 

For rwd fun then this or an old Ford (if you can find one for £2.5k that is).

[NeilGTi85 5]

A friend off mine used to own a Manta, was good fun drifting and handeld pretty well with the mods he had.

 

Pretty pricey now though and rust pretty quick, but there are some decent one's about still -

 

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/largepic....amp;model=MANTA

[swordfish210 20]

Alfa 75 V6 or even a Sud? A classic may offer some of the best value for money. it depends whether you want outright speed or driving fun. not much modern rwd out there at 2.5k which is not heavy. they did a Scimitar SS1 turbo with a Silvia 1800 engine - ugly though!

 

Our GTA's are quite a bit quicker than a spec'd up 75 round a track. They do cost a fair bit more though

[boldy205 75]

RIPTHROUGH: STOP IT!! I told you no RWD 205s!! You will convince me if you keep on!

 

AJA GTI: I have thought about a 200, and all the bits are there, but every track day i have been to, i have killed every 200 (even a suposed 400BHP heavly modded suspension, HUGE brakes etc etc) on the corners!

And was it Welshpug that said i wasnt trying hard enough? I was kind of waiting for some one to say that!!

 

As for the Alfa 75, i must say i ahve always liked these, and thanks for that sugestion, i will look into it.

 

Think the MX5 is about right , but i feel its a bit watered down, a bit half way there.

 

MrG: I appreciate the invite, and am very tempted, but Cadwell is miles away from Bristol is it not?

 

And as for the fact no body has told me to stay with the 205, well, your all a let down to everything french!!

 

Keep the ideas coming, you guys/gals have made this a great thread!4

 

Thanks

Matt

[boombang 2]

I've just remembered one other option (which for me was ruled out by the missus!).

 

Mitsi Starion...

[Rippthrough 98]

MK1 Eunos for under a grand.

Renesis engine for under a grand.....

Edited September 7, 2010 by Rippthrough

[boldy205 75]

Swordfish: Nice to see you at Colerne on the weekend, and i recon the money a GTA would cost, spent on a 75, would see the 75 kicking ass! Do you have much to do with 75s through your work? Any good/bad points? Prob thinking V6 because in greedy!

[swordfish210 20]

Swordfish: Nice to see you at Colerne on the weekend, and i recon the money a GTA would cost, spent on a 75, would see the 75 kicking ass! Do you have much to do with 75s through your work? Any good/bad points? Prob thinking V6 because in greedy!

 

Nice to see you and Jer too. Well the GTA has a Twin Spark engine from a 75 in in and is a few hundred kilos lighter, the GTA also handles better, the V6 engine in the 75 makes it a bit nose heavy but it can be compensated for quite easily. We don't have much to do with 75's but if you wanted to foot the bill i'm sure we could build you a nice one

[boldy205 75]

Im sure you could build me a lovely one, its just the obvious holding that back!

The alfa you had out on saturady did look rather tasty (and expensive!)

 

Ripthrough, im a but wary of rotory engines, think id rather stick with a std piston engine, but i like your thinking!

I have been thinking about a MR2, just thinking its a bit of a compact engine bay to work in?!

[welshpug 1,657]

It is a tad tight, but most bits that you need to get at aren't too bad, though it has been a while since I looked in the engine bay of one, used to work with a lad who had a D reg in White with a longlife exhaust, sounded lovely

[gtmotorsport 0]

Just a bit of a side track on the BMW side, how about an e36 Compact with an engine swap. A number of them are around now and when I had mine (98 318ti Sport) it was a great car, yes not fast but handled well and I always thought could handle a lot more power. I never did play with it as I wanted it to stay reliable and standard especially when the misses had it. She now has a 04 plate 320d Sport saloon and loves it.

 

Another possible if you want to play sideways is a Capri, I know not everyones cup of tea. They are great fun all the same and will go sideways when ever you ask.

[swordfish210 20]

A guy at Uni had a Mk1 Mr2 which he rebuilt the engine for with some new pistons/rods and some new cams. The engine exploded twice before he gave up with it, if you're going to tweak one you really need to upgrade the injection/ignition system.

 

Edit: it also rusted like it had been for a swim in the north sea.

Edited September 7, 2010 by swordfish210

[harryskid 193]

2CV