DONE: Deciding On and Locating Car
 

[EDIT: Vettezuki]

It is found. Behold the power and the glory.

1988 Ford Mustang LX Hatch

Ok, ya'lls. What kind of car? Here's my opinion.

reliability > speed
mpg > power
simplicity > sophistication
higher weight > lower weight ?? (wears more on brakes and tires, but takes a beating better)

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/2640824377.html

pro's
Dead simple
mostly reliable
cheap


con's
low power
not very good mpg

I'm pretty sure the rule is $500 total excluding safety upgrades...


I'm not sure if you noticed, there seems to be a lack of propulsion with this unit?

True but the total price can include what we sell from the car, like glass and such.
The idea behind the bug is a good idea. You can have then cheap and they are simple. I think that would be better the something from the 90's

Phil and I were just talking and we may have a car that would work well. It's the 1983 Camaro that I used to have. Phil sold it to a friend for $300 and thinks that he can get it back for a couple hundred. The only thing it needs is an engine which we can pull at the wrecking yard for $200. Another option is that we have a couple friends that own a huge impound yard and wrecking yard in L.A. Phil is going to give them a call and tell them what we're doing and to find us a running car that is rear wheel drive for a couple hundred.

Also, Phil will be helping with the wrenching. We can also build the cage for the car. We'll just take it over to our buddy Joe (the one who bent up the main tube for RxSnake) and build the cage at his house.

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/2590686370.html

yes its heavy and big but its a 454 lol :-P

All in for any rwd v8. The $500 doesn't include safety, exhaust, rims and tires. Tires are limited to treadwar 100( I think). Which means we can use my old toyos. The key will be in the prep and set up.

I only payed $500 for my car :p

We're on the same page. I was thinking 3rd Gen F Body with dead simple SBC. The other one I was considering was an old disele merc. No acceleration, but could get good mpg and are built like a tank.

Well i guess since ive been volunteered to wrench i'll be there :huh:

I hate to get my ford undies on for this but i say we do a fox. My buddy has 3 93 notches right now and he'll let me have any one of them for 500, main reasoning, i have parts comin out my yahoo for it. Brakes are on the approved list so we do a cheap 5 lug conversion ( i have half the parts to donate) suspension is easily fixable by gutting some 4cyl cars for the sway bars. Making a 3 link would be easy as well. My builder can hook us up with some cheap ported heads etc.

see the rules. I'll also add to OP. It's $500 for the car, including modifications other than safety. Remember, ANY car can be destroyed or purchased for $500 by the organizers. Thems part of the rules.

http://www.24hoursoflemons.com/pricesandrules.aspx

I'm all for a fox if he'll let one go for $200-$250. Work on him.

He buys them at the auction for $50-$100

So work your magic and get one for $50-$100.

He wont let me have one for that cheap, and he does too much for me to even ask for that. But i'll get one cheap no matter what. If we do a fox here is what i'll have to donate (pending some discussion with Ben)
Long tubes and full exhaust, 2003 gt front calipers and rotors, gt master cylinder, various stock parts, possibly even some harness seats.
Rims from an s197 can be had for under $200 with tires, though with a 190 treadwear limit i suggest we go with nt05's

I'm thinking about upgrading my front and rear sway bars on the Cobra and if I do we can use my stock pieces.

I was thinking the same thing for tires. I know you have them on your car now but have you run them long? Do you think we can get away with running one set of tires for the weekend? This years race at Buttonwillow run approximately 14 hours over Saturday and Sunday. If we have one set of new tires do you think they'll last?

I think they would last 2 races easily. Even my hoosiers went a few track days. Keep the tire pressure sane and they'll last a long time.

I have no objection to a Fox at all. But let's revue the full rule set carefully. They can barr entry if they think a car is too nice, buy at the end of a race for $500, or destroy any car at will. Being barred entry is one thing, but to donate much and see it handed over for $500, or worst destroyed would suck quite a lot. Just want to avoid unpleasant scenarios and stay well within the rules.

How long tires last also has a lot to do with drivers preserving them . . . . I'm a bit worried on this score. :smack:

Ok, unless someone strenuously objects, let's find a good cheap Fox. Unless someone else prefers to handle it, I can take care of the registration and paper work. It'll be non-op. I don't care where the car is or who uses it (as long as they're in on the project). I do NOT have any storage space left. Theoretically I could move my Jeep to my folks house (maybe) and have it at mine if no other location is available.

I don't have room yet either. I need to get the Explorer done and then I can get rid of Eric's. Then I have to bring my wifes F100 here to do. After that I'd have room.

I suppose if it comes down to no room the fox could be kept here, though im quickly running out of space as well

Boo, got here late...


http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv...632383344.html


:p

Uh, Fox. . . as in "Mustang".

Is that within a 6 month window?

Oh I know what you mean, was just voicing an opinion...




Personally I'd go for another tiny foreign car that doesn't usually take much to track but I know where you guys stand on tiny foreign cars so I'll just be over here.


:p

Have you seen this race? It's brutal with a fair dose of collisions, unintentional, and some maybe not so unintentional. A lighter RWD V8 is probably about the best of all worlds. I'd be a bit worried in a real small light car facing a 4,000 lb piece of steal. It'll also be second nature to drive well for several of these guys. Plus, the Lemon Fox sounds better than the Lemon Protege, :smack:.

I was actually thinking NA Miata but I thought you'd figure my bias since I got two...

:p

Do you have several parts layin around you want to get rid of? Cause i do, Ron and Ben have both seen my shop and getting rid of parts is hugely needed. Besides once a fox is totally stripped to the bone will weigh 2900lbs even without the suspension mods ive done. Ron and I also know the chassis like the back of our hands and parts are WAY more readily available and cheaper than a mazda. And getting power for nothing out of a 5.0 is not hard, my stock engine fox did 8.7, imagine when we open up the heads, re-degree the cam, and bump compression a full point, i see 250-270rwhp being a easy possiblity.

Plus Carlos, Phil and I are all experienced driving/racing them.

Exactly

I have a little bit of free space if we need to store it someplace.


I also have may tools, I'm buying my tubing bender next week. Only thing I don't have is a lift


Tools:
Miller 35 welder 240 volt
80 gallon air compressor
Drill press
Bench grinder

Soon to have a plasma cutter and bender. oh and a beer fridge :-)

Ditto, trying to change that

I am down to help out with my little free time let me know what I can do.

What's this car's purpose?

If this is an all turns race (powers not as much of an issue) you won't be able to beat a Miata.

A 200hp V8 isn't going to make up for the drastic difference in handling without a decent straight away.

Nm, I watched the video. Looks fun. I wanna come and watch.

How about lightweight and power?

http://jalopnik.com/5791638/a-sho+po...ours-of-lemons

Bob

Foxes dont handle that badly stock, and make shift panhard bar and 3 link will settle alot of qualms