Sweet Dreams, Sweetheart... Sleeper Cars!

[skip0110]

A dressed LS1 with manual trans flywheel weighs in just under 500 lbs (equipped for a slushbox its about 50 lbs lighter). Does anyone have any idea how much the Miata engine weighs?

EDIT: According to this the Miata 1.6 engine weighs about 230 lbs. So thats approximately double the weight over the front wheels (not counting the engine setback, which ought to be similar).

 

[Omnis]

put some junk in the truck, and there will be even distribution again (even though it's still double the weight again...which would nullify some HP)

 

[toyomatt84]

Hey that's an all aluminum engine, so maybe the weight distribution isn't that bad. Maybe a smaller engine, like an audi V8 or the 6 out of the M3 would work better. The VW W8 would be nice distribution wise (they could pull it way back), but that engine is way too wide and it isn't that refined.

For the money, I'd just drop in an SR20DET. Lighter, more possibilities, turbo'd stock.

 

[MattC]

The big old G/Ps could surprise the unsuspecting. So too could an AMC car with a worked 258 ci I6 (4.2). I remember one lady in a Cherokee HO 4.0 that blew the doors off a high priced bimmer at a traffic light, he didn't see that one coming.

455 HO Grand Prix

 

[skip0110]

For the money, I'd just drop in an SR20DET. Lighter, more possibilities, turbo'd stock.

Didn't Mazda make a turbo 1.6 in early 90's Proteges that were sold in Japan? That would probably be about as close to a direct bolt-in as you can get. Granted, it would be off of a transverse platform, but since the Miata 1.6 is also seen in transverse installations (is it?) the bellhousing would probably match.

The big old G/Ps could surprise the unsuspecting.

455 HO Grand Prix

I've seen a worked 442 of the same platform pull 12s using the Olds engine, but those big, heavy things need serious steroid injections before thay can haul.

 

[Famine]

I have an acquaintance who nailed an Eaton (MP62, I think) Supercharger onto his 2001 1.8 MX-5 - going from 135hp to nearer 190hp. No alteration in the weight balance at all, but it now pulls low 5s for 0-62mph instead of 7.9s.

 

[toyomatt84]

Yeah but if you pulled up next to that particular Miata in your RX-7 you would think you could beat it right..?

Actually, come to think of it. That Miata would have almost no rear traction due to the increased weight over the front wheels. So, I'd probably have an ok chance at beating him.

 

[xcsti]

A dressed LS1 with manual trans flywheel weighs in just under 500 lbs (equipped for a slushbox its about 50 lbs lighter). Does anyone have any idea how much the Miata engine weighs?

EDIT: According to this the Miata 1.6 engine weighs about 230 lbs. So thats approximately double the weight over the front wheels (not counting the engine setback, which ought to be similar).

You would also be replacing the rear differential, which would offset the heavy engine in the front a little bit.

For the money, I'd just drop in an SR20DET. Lighter, more possibilities, turbo'd stock.

Yeah that would be good. A twin turbo rotary would also work real well.

 

[mrhambone]

mini wagon thing with a v8 of some sort stuck in the boot . it was known around here for its 45 degree wheelies it pulled everywhere. i havnt seen it in years though.

 

[Danny]

The Saab 9-3 hot aero

 

[DeltaS4]

One sleeper car is Ford Focus RS8, looks like ordinary RS Focus but includes V8 and RWD.

http://www.rsportscars.com/eng/cars/focus_rs8.asp

That would be just cool!

 

[Famine]

An "ordinary" Focus RS canes an "ordinary" Impreza Turbo around a track.

It's fast, but I wouldn't say it's a sleeper, as the base car is pretty quick...

 

[xcsti]

There are american conversions which go off the svt focus, which is not slow but is not nearly as good as the RS.

 

[Apclps]

Sleeper cars? Most deffinitly the audi s-cars.

The Audi S2, S3, S4, RS4 and especially the RS6.

RS6 :

V8 twin-turbo, 0-60 mph in 4.7s

 

[Driftnewb110]

The Ford Expedition. Did you see the episode of rides when Titus put a supercharger in it? It was making 430-460 without being tuned.

 

[skip0110]

One sleeper car is Ford Focus RS8, looks like ordinary RS Focus but includes V8 and RWD.

http://www.rsportscars.com/eng/cars/focus_rs8.asp

That would be just cool!

Have you heard of the Kugel Komponents conversions? They take a regular looking Focus 3 door, convert it to RWD and cram a 4.6 modular or 5.0 small-block Ford in there. All the body panels stay the same. It's devilish (but front heavy).

 

[JNasty4G63]

The Ford Expedition. Did you see the episode of rides when Titus put a supercharger in it? It was making 430-460 without being tuned.

It still weighs 5600lbs. So, even with like 450hp, its not going to be fast. Better than stock, sure. Fast??? NO

Hilg

 

[1X83Z]

The Ford Expedition. Did you see the episode of rides when Titus put a supercharger in it? It was making 430-460 without being tuned.

It's not stock - anything can be a sleeper if you drop a new engine in or modify the existing engine.

 

[JohnBM01]

If America gets the Ford Focus RS, would that knock off some tough cars here in the States? Would this be a nice sleeper?

 

[DeltaS4]

Have you heard of the Kugel Komponents conversions? They take a regular looking Focus 3 door, convert it to RWD and cram a 4.6 modular or 5.0 small-block Ford in there. All the body panels stay the same. It's devilish (but front heavy).

Now I have

 

[Slicks]

Sleeper... hmm.
If anyone here knows their musclecars, they will know about the Chevy COPO cars. Most notably the ZL-1 Camaro and Corvette, and the non ZL1 (but still 427 powered) Nova. The L-78 Novas were also fast.

The GN/GNX are sleeper cars, however, they are becoming less so as more people find out how fast they really are.

The '94 Impala SS was a sleeper (or at least I think so).

I'd also have to say the current AMG E-class. Especially in a wagon.

I was at an 1/8 mile drag stip in September. There was an old early 80's F150. Really beat up (If I remember correctly it had a rope tied across the bed to keep the sides up), looked like absolute crap. It beat a 5.0 Mustang (foxbody), a modified 80's Dodge pickup, and I don't know what else, as I was occupied with our school's car.

 

[Kungfujerry]

Hey guys, I'd have to say the CTS-V by caddilack is a sleeper. They dropped the Z06's 5.7L 405hp V-8 in it along with a six speed. It goes to sixty in 4.7 sec. It looks like a regular CTS by Caddilack.

 

[MrktMkr1986]

Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe.

 

[240Z]

Hey guys, I'd have to say the CTS-V by caddilack is a sleeper. They dropped the Z06's 5.7L 405hp V-8 in it along with a six speed. It goes to sixty in 4.7 sec. It looks like a regular CTS by Caddilack.

Meh, the CTS-V has a new front bumper. And your spelling of Cadlliac scares me.

 

[iceburns288]

The CTS-V is a hot car... you can spot it, but only if you know what to look for.

SRT/4 with spoiler delete...

 

[DJM PRODUCTIONS]

SRT/4 with spoiler delete...

What about those SRT style rims and the bumpers? They can give it away pretty easy. It's a popular car so most people know about it.

 

[1X83Z]

What about those SRT style rims and the bumpers? They can give it away pretty easy. It's a popular car so most people know about it.

Actually I think the best way to make an SRT-4 a sleeper is to change the seventeens from the SRT-4 for the fifteen-inch alloys standard on the SXT. Then it just looks like some fanboy bought a bodykit for an SXT - until it pulls away. Ride's better too, though the SRT-4's ride is surprisingly good.

 

[blargonator]

one "sleeper" could be the mazda 323. i believe the GT-X was made in 89 and 90 (im probably wrong) but that car was always awd. it was known to handle 18 psi after a couple fuel modifications. they are sort of rare though....too bad.

 

[Kungfujerry]

Meh, the CTS-V has a new front bumper. And your spelling of Cadlliac scares me.

My bad

 

[JohnBM01]

So you think the SRT-4 is pretty good, M5Power? I remember being at last year's Houston Auto Show (this year's show should be coming soon) and slipping into the car. I'll admit, I kind of felt like I was in a tricked-out tuner car. Almost like I wanted to roll down Loop 610 or I-45 (Houston) at night and just listen to some good electronica. Performance wise, it's about 210 or 230 hp with turbo. Looks? I actually like the looks. I would kind of be skeptical about the rear wing being too high to maybe block rear view, but I think it's a cool car.

Once, I seen "Tuner Transformation," and the guys took a silver Subaru Impreza/WRX and did some light modifications, but the only real noticable difference was that the rear wing was no more. I thought it was un-Impreza at best. But, if you can take cars with similar horsepower numbers and put them on the shelf, you got a sleeper, sweetheart. So go ahead. Pull off the upset. Pull the upset in a sleeper car.