A selection of cars for autocross...my word, the choices!

[JCE]

It was an 80's american muscle car. I don't think your budget is going to allow making it turn...

My fbody and the foxbody disagree with that statement.

As crazy as this sounds, another "off the wall" possibility is an old air-cooled VDub.
They can be made to handle quite nicely at the kind of speeds you'll see in AutoCrossing.
The rear engine "weight transfer dynamic, might also make things "interesting".

Hmmm, need more info. And, what are the possibilities in terms of engine swap capability? I'd love to drop like some sort of FWD JDM engine back there--H22A or GA16DE.

 

[Leonidae]

Rotaries have been done, as well as porsche's 6-cyl engines. Hitlers revenge indeed..

 

[JCE]

But, I don't like rotaries and I can't afford a Porsche engine.

 

[Leonidae]

well, local everymans class have shoved inline 4's there too ( blasphemy, I say..) you just need to fabricate the engine mounts and piece that'll help mating the engine to the gearbox. in addition ,the electrics would need to be redone..

 

[JCE]

well, local everymans class have shoved inline 4's there too ( blasphemy, I say..) you just need to fabricate the engine mounts and piece that'll help mating the engine to the gearbox. in addition ,the electrics would need to be redone..

Possible solution, go carbureted and with as little electrics as possible? The way I see it normal FWD drivetrains would work well enough because they are already sideways. *see Fiero/MR2 with FWD V6/V8 swaps.

 

[mustangGT90210]

My fbody and the foxbody disagree with that statement.

Lol, yes they do 👍

The Regal was a beautiful car, but it wasn't built to turn.

 

[JCE]

After scouring ebay and autotrader the liklihood of finding a Beetle that isn't rusted out and cheap is next to impossible. The good ones with no rust are going for lots of $$$ due to the gas prices.

 

[Tornado]

Which is ironic because they aren't really that good with mileage from what I have heard.

 

[JCE]

True, people's perceptions drive that market I'm sure. Just like the people that assume the Prius is god's gift to gas mileage when it most certainly isn't. I'd take a Civic hybrid as in the end is a better car.

But, its too bad about the Beetle. I could be one different fun little autox'er.

 

[Vonie]

I can tell you that the C900 Turbo is a very fun car to drive. It's pretty light on it's feet and gets up and goes when you want it to. Nothing beats that midrange turbo punch in the crotch. It's already pretty light and could be easily lightened with the removal of the nonessentials. Also, the aftermarket is decent with a lot of improvements to be made on the turbo side. I haven't had an issue with torque steer on mine, though I don't usually push it. Besides, it can be fun sometimes.

 

[JCE]

The Saab 900 turbo is definately on my list. Good numbers too.

1990-1993 -- Saab 900 Turbo -- 2.0L I4 turbo 160/175bhp 188/195tq FWD -- ~2700-2800lbs -- ~6.8s

 

[Gil]

After scouring ebay and autotrader the liklihood of finding a Beetle that isn't rusted out and cheap is next to impossible. The good ones with no rust are going for lots of $$$ due to the gas prices.

There are several different types of air-cooled VW's counting the Thing.
Leaving out the bus and the thing, leaves you with the Karmann Ghia, The Beetle, and the Type 4 Sedan and 2-dr wagon.

I forgot that people are modifying the hell out of all of them. Mea Culpa.
But, you gotta admit it is a very different kind of car for AutoCrossing.

 

[niky]

A VW Beetle with some modifications to get better camber out of the rear-end (swing axles and positive camber FTL! ) and maybe a 2.4 liter modified shortblock? Those can put down 200 whp, naturally aspirated... would definitely be interesting, though power mods might be expensive.

 

[niky]

double post! Agh!

 

[nd 4 holden spd]

I found a car you might really consider.........with an engine swap.
Mitsubishi Cordia 1985 or later.
2116 lbs (960kg)
FWD or AWD
Best engine= 1.8L Turbo makes only 101kw and torque unknown.

Predecessor to Eclipse. I think the engne is longitudinally mounted, so that leaves some options for a different engine perhaps. It's very light, which is why I suggest it.

Edit: I say 1985 or later because that's when the engines were changed to run on unleaded if you want the original engine.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

Never heard of it, I doubt it was sold here in the US.

 

[Leonidae]

Oh, it was. I've spotted few in Autotrader.

But how about 190-chassis mercs? decent handling, available as both manual and auto, lots of engines to choose from..

 

[nd 4 holden spd]

Never heard of it, I doubt it was sold here in the US.

Yeah it was sold in the '80s and overall wasn't that inspired. I had never heard of it either until someone rocked up to work in one today. I bet it handles good.

 

[Leonidae]

here you go..

From http://www.cordiapower.com/cordiaspecs.php

Cordia GSR Turbo Specifications (Australian Version)



The information provided below has been sourced and verified using various highly respected automotive publications. Cordia Power makes all efforts to ensure that all the information is correct but we cannot make any guarantees due to possible printing and publication processing errors.



Variant GSR Turbo GSR Turbo
Series AA & AB AC
Drive Front Front

Engine 4G62BT Sirius SOHC 4G62BT Sirius SOHC
Capacity 1795cc 1795cc
Cylinders In line 4 In line 4
Valves 8 8
Bore / Stroke 80.6x88 80.6x88
Compression Ratio 7.6:1 7.6:1
Turbocharger Mitsubishi TC06 Mitsubishi TC05

Max Power 110kw @ 6000rpm 90kw @ 5500rpm
Max Torque 210Nm @ 4000rpm 172Nm @ 3000rpm
Power to Weight 9.4:1 11.8:1

Transmission Type 5 Speed Manual 5 Speed Manual
Final Ratio 3.470:1 3.466:1

0-100km/h 7.9 Seconds 9.3 Seconds
0-400m 15.9 Seconds 16.9 Seconds

Body Type 3 Door Hatchback 3 Door Hatchback
Length 4275mm 4275mm
Width 1660mm 1660mm
Height 1320mm 1320mm
Weight 1030kg 1060kg
Front Track 1410mm 1410mm
Rear Track 1375mm 1375mm
Clearance 150mm 150mm
Wheelbase 2445mm 2445mm
Turning Circle 9.80m 9.80m

Suspension Front MacPherson Struts MacPherson Struts
Suspension Rear Ind. Trailing Arms Ind. Trailing Arms

Brakes Front Ventilated Discs Ventilated Discs
Brakes Rear Drum Drum

Highway Economy 6.8 Litres / 100km 6.4 Litres / 100km
City Economy 10.0 litres / 100km 9.5 litres / 100km
Fuel Type Leaded Unleaded
Fuel Tank 50 Litres 50 Litres

 

[nd 4 holden spd]

Pretty good economy, acceleration isn't totally lame thanks to low weight, but I bet top speed is sad. I wonder which version of the turbos my work colleague has. I bet he doesn't even know what displacement it is. His has a big intercooler on it, so I assume his is modified a little.

 

[Leonidae]

from wikipedia..

The cars were given a mild facelift in 1983, and four-wheel drive was offered in 1984. The engine range was overhauled in 1985 to allow the cars to run on unleaded fuel, including the introduction of a 1.8 L engine in both 100 hp (70 kW) naturally-aspirated and 135 hp (101 kW) turbocharged form, before production was discontinued in 1990. 1988 was its last year in the United States.

 

[homeforsummer]

After scouring ebay and autotrader the liklihood of finding a Beetle that isn't rusted out and cheap is next to impossible. The good ones with no rust are going for lots of $$$ due to the gas prices.

I've just thought, it depends how rusty you're talking, and which bits.

My thinking is that you could build (or buy, I guess) a really basic "special" based on the Beetle chassis, which is seperate from the body. Maybe something like a beach buggy with a fibreglass body? Even if you find a knackered old one the body itself shouldn't be rusty, and it'd weigh very little and have good traction.

Thinking of it further though, I guess that would take you out of the standard production class...

 

[Casio]

Did you guys get the Starion? Better than a Cordia could ever hope to be.

 

[Leonidae]

Did you guys get the Starion? Better than a Cordia could ever hope to be.

and to that I have only one thing to say: Crank walk.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

Did you guys get the Starion? Better than a Cordia could ever hope to be.

We got the Starion, yes.

As the Starion AND as the Chrysler Conquest.

 

[Tornado]

and to that I have only one thing to say: Crank walk.

That almost worked, except Starion engines are damn near bullet proof. Technically speaking, no DSM cars suffer from crank walk anways.

 

[Jetboy.]

Scouring the thread, I've found just about every suggestion I had shot down or mentioned repeatedly.

So, barring those, let's bring out the quirky!

First off, my car, a Hyundai Scoupe GT. The car has a 1.5l-T I4, 123 hp, it's FWD, and weighs a scant 2167lbs. Your 60mph time is around 9.2 seconds and (at least mine came with) some sticky bits on the underside. I'm pretty sure all came with KYB Gas-a-Just shocks and a "Lotus-tuned" independant rear suspention. Problem is, finding some of the parts cause....who the hell has ever heard of a Scoupe?

Next thought: Dodge Omni. And a cheap turbo. Find some budget bits maybe and try to convert it halfway to a GLHS Shelby model.

What about DSM's? I know they're heavy but they're the most stupidly forgiving engines to cram boost through. What else....

A Pacer?

1986-88 Chevrolet Nova. Try to find one that has the 4A-GE Twin Cam engine. The car weighs 2304 lbs and also has IRS. I have a 4A-LC Carb'd one with a 5 speed and it's a pretty entertaining drive. Same thing as a Corolla FX-16, so parts are EVERYWHERE.

Just some thoughts. I may add stuff later.


Cheers.
Jetboy

 

[Prosthetic]

1986-88 Chevrolet Nova. Try to find one that has the 4A-GE Twin Cam engine. The car weighs 2304 lbs and also has IRS. I have a 4A-LC Carb'd one with a 5 speed and it's a pretty entertaining drive. Same thing as a Corolla FX-16, so parts are EVERYWHERE. Cheers. Jetboy

If he gets a Nova we would have to join the Nova Fan Club with Jim Prower

 

[Jetboy.]

There's a Nova Fan Club? Sweeet.


Cheers,
Jetboy

 

[JCE]

We got the Starion, yes.

As the Starion AND as the Chrysler Conquest.

Both of which are fantastically fantastic. So fantastic that I can use the same word three times within a sentance and a half.

Scouring the thread, I've found just about every suggestion I had shot down or mentioned repeatedly.

So, barring those, let's bring out the quirky!

First off, my car, a Hyundai Scoupe GT. The car has a 1.5l-T I4, 123 hp, it's FWD, and weighs a scant 2167lbs. Your 60mph time is around 9.2 seconds and (at least mine came with) some sticky bits on the underside. I'm pretty sure all came with KYB Gas-a-Just shocks and a "Lotus-tuned" independant rear suspention. Problem is, finding some of the parts cause....who the hell has ever heard of a Scoupe?

Next thought: Dodge Omni. And a cheap turbo. Find some budget bits maybe and try to convert it halfway to a GLHS Shelby model.

What about DSM's? I know they're heavy but they're the most stupidly forgiving engines to cram boost through. What else....

A Pacer?

1986-88 Chevrolet Nova. Try to find one that has the 4A-GE Twin Cam engine. The car weighs 2304 lbs and also has IRS. I have a 4A-LC Carb'd one with a 5 speed and it's a pretty entertaining drive. Same thing as a Corolla FX-16, so parts are EVERYWHERE.

Just some thoughts. I may add stuff later.


Cheers.
Jetboy

I like the Hyundai, and they'd be cheap to buy and reletively reliable. The Nova, eh I would have to drive one. Dodge Omni is a yes, if you can find one that isn't junked. I'm only a fan of the 1st gen DSM, and even then the Talon TSi was/is my favorite. I just wish America got the FTO instead of the Eclispe/Laser/Talon. 👍