Car Buying Help

Hekotat you can fit a 2JZ in a Miata? Holy power to weight batman! (though you have to drive the least masculine car on the planet)

Big_w_powah said:

3k is what I would like my "initial investment" to be. AKA: Bring home a shell for that price. I'm not scared of a swap, but I'm looking for a simpler swap. AKA Dropping a small block into a muscle car style swap, as opposed to the fucking honda shit I used to do. Do you know how much of a PITA it is to fucking rewire the entire harness cause fuck Honda? I do.

I think I may've worded things a bit wrong, given your responses;

Looking to bring home my base car, the titled thing for 3k.
Sky's the limit from there in budget; I'll work out a monthly and stick to it, buying parts as I go.
Fairly simple, handles good, half-decent power.

Click to expand...

Okay, that makes more sense.

So you stated that you wanted a good handling car so to me that throws out classic muscle, not to mention I don't think you're even going to find a rolling chassis of a 69 Camaro for less than 10k unless you have the hook up. I'm also assuming you want RWD, because that's the only drive that matters. I guess you could go AWD but they are heavy and that's just more shit to break.

As for cheap swaps, you aren't going to get much cheaper than an LS1 swap. It's like injector wires and dizzy and that's about it, plus the aftermarket support is unrivaled for any other platform. If I was starting from scratch that's the route I'd go.

Pricing wise

LS1 1k to 3k
Mount kit ranged from 500 to 2k (some come with drive shafts and other options)
Wiring kit 700-2k (Plug and play)

So, roughly 2k and you've got a 400hp 240sx. Pricing of course would vary depending on starting platform, I used 204sx as a baseline. There are also lots of chassis out there for sub 1k with no engines, if you're patient.



To be clear, I was just listing common engine swaps for common cars, sure there are other options missing and there may be something I didn't even list you're interested in. I definitely wouldn't go with a rust bucket if you can't weld and I'd ensure working suspension for relocating moving, etc.

E30 (1JZ, 2JZ, LS1, S54)
Miata (LS1, Ford equivalent see monster miata)
240SX (2JZ, LS1)
SC300 (LS1, 2JZ)
FC (LS1, 2JZ)
AE86 (LS1, 2JZ) only if you can modify like a motherfucker.

I got curious about the 2jz Miata, yes it looks like it's been done.

Neuromancer said:

Don't they use a Miata frame to bolt on Ferrari and lambo fiberglass for kit cars?

Click to expand...

The Miata frame is fucking amazing, it just sucks most of them look horrible. This most recent one is the only one I would consider purchasing.

LOL Cad, you fucking asshole. We can't all be lawyers rolling around in C5 vettes and 911 Porsches while banging our trophy wives in Highland Park. he said he wanted a shell for 3k, I threw out some options that I know of for that price.

Can you even get a C5 for 3k? Looks like the cheapest I see on craigslist is 8,500.

It depends how you're buying the car.

Have a trade in? Dealership
Need to finance without a trade in? Used Car Lot
Paying cash and feel comfortable knowing what you're looking at? Private buyer.

Cad said:

I mean, almost certainly not, just saying if you want an LS1 sports car why fuck around, get the one designed for it. LS1 miatas are fun and I've driven an LS1 240SX and it's a hoot, but it doesn't get the power down well at all. If you want a drift car I guess thats fine. Otherwise it's a burnout machine. And the cost of transplanting an LS1 into a shitbox vs. getting an LS1 for free along with the corvette is something to consider.

Click to expand...

That's part of the project car experience, doing it your self and getting that extremely satisfying feeling when you complete it or finish a section. It's a very rewarding feeling.


I would prefer to buy from a private seller, but I'm extremely methodical. If it still has a warranty and is fairly new you can save thousands buying from a private seller. I don't have that kind of scratch lying around so I just stick to dealerships for used and send them an offer via email, fuck going up there and getting hassled.