I had a neat Chevy II that was on-topic, that ran in the high 9s. I got tired of it, and sold it. I built the car ten years ago for about $15k. But now I'm getting a hankering to go fast again. I'm thinking about building something newer, that won't look good, and will be cheap and relatively easy to build. I'll use modern technology this time...efi, turbo, computer, etc. I had planned to do this to the 70 Checker, but after taking it on a 6000 mile drive, I got tired of the car. It's also kind of heavy, and it has value as a special collector car, so I found someone who wants to buy it, and it's going away. First thing is to pick a vehicle. I'm looking for something that won't take a lot of work, and is relatively cheap to buy up front. If it has stuff that's useable, that's a bonus...like a decent efi fuel system, a rear suspension and axle that can take the abuse, room in the engine bay, and room inside to haul crap for going on Drag Week type events. Another strange consideration is that it would be neat if it looked like it was worth less than $5k, just in case DF keeps doing the Duct Tape Drags in Tucson (now that he's a big part time NHRA announcer). The Drags has a 5k beater race, that's a lot of fun, but you gotta go pretty fast to do well in it. Oh...I'd like the vehicle to be light, because that makes going fast a lot easier. Under 3000 lbs is a reasonable goal, I think. Also, when I say it needs to run 9s, that means it can go that fast, but not necessarily be legal to do so. I'd rather just keep the safety gear to 10.00, it makes things easier. What are your ideas? I already have something in mind, planning to look at a couple specimens this week. And yeah, it needs to be something that's not too hard to find a decent builder for a reasonable price. Like $2k or less. I intend to do the whole build for under $9k. I already spent 750 for a 6.0 LQ4 truck motor.
Jim, I remember an article decades ago comparing a 1st gen Camaro to a late 70's Malibu for drag racing. Bigger engine compartment, better front suspension, better aero. You could go with a SW or El Camino if you want different, although a Elky is going to be tougher to find at that price. Probably been done a hundred times already. I'd search the usual places for RWD v6 or V8 cars that need work to cast a wide net. I expect the rear end/suspension is going to be a make or break here, but you are a crafty dude. https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cto/d/burbank-2002-jaguar-xj8-mechanics/7834772072.html https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/d/mesa-2007-chevy-monte-carlo-ls-repo/7834651565.html This is going to be a pain to push the air, but fairly light and they have had v8s stuffed in. https://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/cto/d/el-cajon-2000-astro-van/7831457656.html I pity the fool that dives into the electronics here, but cheap and different. https://lasvegas.craigslist.org/cto/d/las-vegas-mechanic-special-2006-bmw/7831035359.html This thread ought to supply an interesting selection.
Find a roller, something that already has some of the hard work done already, toss in a stock 5.3 LS, big turbo, Powerglide or TH400, and a Holley EFI. I was eyeballing a Vega recently that was already caged, tubbed, & 4-linked with a 9" for $2700. I figured I could build a low 9 second streeter for under $10k total investment. It didn't last long and the ad was gone, but it's okay because I can't take on another build right now anyway.
"a decent efi fuel system, a rear suspension and axle that can take the abuse" - I'm no expert, but IMHO I doubt there's anything in your price range with all of those qualities. My US friends tell me that if you want to go fast cheap, the Fox Mustang is the ticket but you'll need to scrounge for the right bits and modify. Or maybe the next gen pony but I understand good, faster versions start at what your total budget is. You're in the US so to me a European makes no sense - 4X4 Audis can be brutally fast but even where I am (6 hours away from the factory) nothing is cheap once bits explode (they will).
Fairmonts are cheap, and light. Even the 4-doors. They have aluminum bumpers, the doors are paper thin, the decklid is light weight. They are a foxbody chassis with 5" longer wheelbase than a Mustang. Everything suspension-wise from a fox Mustang works on a Fairmont. They can be found cheap, even with the "Sloppy Tax" (the prices on Fairmonts skyrocketed in recent years due to the Fairmont builds on Sloppy Mechanics). I bought mine for $400 in 2018, sold the wheels for $500, haha. This one probably had $5k in it, stock suspension, stock weight (probably 3300lbs with driver). Simple LS turbo deal. When I was building my crewcab Fairmont, I was basically using this one as a guide, but mine got a tubular K-member, adjustable coilovers, better rear suspension, etc. Mine weighed 2,970 on the scales.
@TexasHardcore good call! Roller race cars are usually a bargain. I'd definitely look at Racing Junk. Jim is smart enough to inspect. Only issues might be perceived value, road comfort and space.
I had planned to do this to the 70 Checker, but after taking it on a 6000 mile drive, I got tired of the car. It's also kind of heavy, and it has value as a special collector car, so I found someone who wants to buy it, and it's going away. Oh no, I’m going to miss the Checker! Dan
The Duct Tape Drags thing really changes my perspective, though...I guess you have to be there to understand. It's not really about the actual cost to build it, it's about what the perceived value of the finished vehicle is. Anything that's popular, like G bodies, Fairmonts, Mustangs, Camaros, older trucks, etc is out. Because any of these cars that's anywhere near this quick is worth a lot. It's a pretty tough challenge.
here's a glimpse...starting at 29:18. I can't figure out how to get it to start at the right time, so you have to fast forward.
Kind of the same vein as Grassroots Motorsports 2000 challenge (moving up each year) or LeMons. 5k is a hard level. What's universally unloved and 'worthless', light and has a rear suspension that is a half decent stating point? https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/pts/d/banning-hutsons-for-both-projects/7827837728.html no room! https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/pts/d/valencia-drag-race-chop-top-luv-truck/7830854629.html https://santafe.craigslist.org/pts/d/taos-ski-valley-1985-isuzu-trooper-2dr/7831337676.html
The Trooper is actually pretty close to what I'm considering. Early unibody SUV, that originally came with a straight six, so it has a long engine bay... The s-10 is a really tight squeeze under the hood. And not as light as it could be, since it has a frame.
Nobody wants to drive a chopped LUV for hundreds of miles unless they are into pain! V8 LUVs were a thing for a while, but that thing is so ugly nobody would question the 5K!
It doesn't have any room inside, I can't leave stuff in the bed of a truck on trips. Pickups are out.
Agreed! not usable. I think all Troopers were 4 cylinders, although I have seen a couple Mitsus made into V8 drag runners. https://www.mitsubishi-forums.com/threads/cheap-and-easy-swap-chevy-350-in-a-91-montero.263816/
My suggestion exceeds the weight goal by about 1,000 pounds and would definitely be an odd combo. Late model '06 to '10 V6 Charger. Most of the small 2.7 engines died early with lack of oil maintenance and the 3.5 engines are giving up the transmission or dying with rust. These can be had for under $1k in my part of the country. -I think i have already given too much thought to this idea. My memory is that it looks like any rear sump small block v8 can fit. Just about any rwd transmission should fit. Even though i'm not a fan of LS motors, i think it would be a good choice to upset the Mopar crowd. The v6 rear axle might not be, well probably isn't, up to handling the power level to get in the low 10's. Two options for the rear: 1 swap in the bigger v8 rear. Or 2, get creative and install a 9" ford with leaf springs. There is lot of other uni-body cars with solid rears mounted on leaf springs. If you need underside chassis photos, let me know. I have an '06 with bad trans here that i was thinking could go to "Mopar or no car" with a 360/904 combo. -Steve
Cool idea. It would make a good you tube show. Those early third Gen Camaros/firebirds can be had cheap. Lots of parts. Sounds like you need a trip through the local yard.
I'm planning to look at a potential car tomorrow... but it might be too nice to ever pass as a 5k beater. has a bad motor in it
Ford offered a rear-wheel drive/V8 conversion kit for their Focus econoboxes in the late 90s-early 2000s... Doesn't exactly fit your criteria but I always thought it was such an awesome unexpected corporate move by them. Maybe if you could find a stalled project for sale online.... You don't hear much about them so it could be out of left field, somewhat.
I have seen Jeep Liberty LS swaps that are mean and run down the track straight and there is the Geo Tracker SBC route.
No room for anything in Corvettes. I have one already...although it's older and has a trunk... and the IRS is iffy at that power level.
Even if he found a crown kit, the stock transaxle isn't a 9 second unit. Sounds like it's leaf rear 9 inch/late model, auto and his engine with at least a roll bar. Stuff that up under something cheap, ugly or unloved and hopefully under 3200 pounds.
although it's more likely an 8.8 or dana 44 rear that I'll be using...9" stuff is expensive to build, and you can't find any that are strong enough in any cars at junkyards today.
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