I live in SC, no real winter, no salt on the roads and even the ocean air doesn't really cause rusty cars. It's almost impossible to find an old Z car that isn't a rust bucket underneath. It's actually scary about how rusted out they are.
Larry White Knight 1991 Crystal White #99 CSP Silver Bullet 1992 Silverstone #17 SM2 FM I+ Turbo Honey B 1992 Sunburst Yellow #99 SM2L JR Supercharger Whooosh 2004 Titanium Mazdaspeed MX-5 LowCountry Miata http://www.lowcountrymiataclub.net Masters Miata RAGS 074 -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2008 11:53 AM To: Wiseman, Curtis J Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [email protected]; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: RightWD sports cars.. without a top was RE: Bucket list I agree that the Z's can be a nice V8 swap. They are getting difficult to find in reasonable condition (at a reasonable cost) due to age. The chassis is pretty flexy too...something to consider at 400+ hp. Steve "Wiseman, Curtis J" <curtis.j.wiseman To @lmco.com> [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED] 10/08/2008 10:26 cc AM [EMAIL PROTECTED], [email protected] Subject RE: RightWD sports cars.. without a top was RE: Bucket list Wallyman, If you can get past the need for a convertible, an early Nissan Z (240/260/280) would be a cool V8 car. The interior isn't "dated" now, it's all the way to "classic." Also, there are great body add-ons (Fairlady nose, etc.) and chassis bits to satisfy your need to "improve." You could even replicate a classic race version (Paul Newman memorial paint job?) and get away with gutting the interior. The Targa Miata interior looked great in plain white paint, roll cage, and race seats. Curtis -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2008 9:32 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [email protected] Subject: Re: RightWD sports cars.. without a top was RE: Bucket list I have given Wally some input off-line on this because I built an LS1 powered FC this spring. For the benefit of the list...stock engine with a mild cam = around 400whp. This thing is really fast and weighs only 2700#. It drives really nice and you don't know it has been swapped until you turn the key. The FD is more desirable but much more money by the time you finish it (like ~$10 - $15K more). The FC is also much roomier inside and in the engine bay. The interior is a bit dated looking but very comfortable. The swap is pretty simple. Around $600 gets the engine and trans into the car and connected to the rear end. It bolts in, no cutting. Of course that is the easy part. Add another 100 hours or so and you can drive away (fuel, clutch, cooling, exhaust, electrical systems all need a makeover). I would keep the Miata for top down and find a decent shape coupe for the swap. Two guys I work with have 302 powered RX's, one FB and one FC. Both are carbureted which lowers the complexity quite a bit. The LS engine is worth the extra work and cost to me though. My car can stay with nearly any streetable car at the track for a fraction of the cost of most of them. Also the T56 trans allows for low cruise RPM (2050 @ 70mph) and high 20's mpg. Other cars that are swap supported (besides Miata) are the BMW 3 series, Nissan 240SX and 350Z. I belive someone has stuffed one in an S2000 too, IMO the FC is the best bang for the buck by far. Steve [EMAIL PROTECTED] rp.com Sent by: To miatapower-bounce [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] cc [EMAIL PROTECTED], [email protected] 10/08/2008 07:41 Subject AM RightWD sports cars.. without a top was RE: Bucket list Alright, since this has come up, let me toss this out there. Last fall I picked up a pair of 92's to do a 302 conversion, of which I have all the pieces and parts (DIY, so no kit) and the test mule is ready to start cutting (yes, I have been slacking all year). Ran into a guy locally that has a FB RX7 with a carb'd 302, beautiful swap, no cutting, off the shelf headers, etc.. really got me thinking. So, After a little research, I find that the RX7 kits are dirt cheap (Granny's entry is like $380, full kit is like $1300), you don't have to screw with $700 custom headers, you don't have to cut the frame/body/whatever. I could sell the Blue Miata I have (once fixed) and cover the cost of the kit and a decent FC vert donor car. So I am waffling. HOWEVER... It's not the Miata. :( The FC (which is what I can afford and what is topless) is not as good looking (IMNSHO), rollbar is more problematic but still doable.. interior is very dated compared to the Miata. So I got to further thinking, and perhaps you guys can lend a hand. What car meets the following criteria? RWD Sports car (not Pony or Muscle) Convertible Easy to stuff a Ford 302 into Affordable shell, say <$2000 for a decent rolling chassis So far I have 88-92 FC RX7 as probably the easiest/cheapest, then Miata... is there any other options? BMW 3 series? The convertible thing is what slims the list down significantly...Looking for some input. I love the *idea* of the Monster Miata, but the level of work involved for a cheap DIY is more daunting the more I look at it and the RX7 looks like a project with a much higher (for me) success rate... but perhaps there is some other option out there? Wallyman (Embedded image moved to file: pic11521.gif)Inactive hide details for Bryan Wyatt <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>Bryan Wyatt <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Bryan Wyatt <[EMAIL PROTECTED] ahoo.com> Sent by: (Embedded image moved to file: miatapower-bou pic00475.gif) [EMAIL PROTECTED] To r.net (Embedded image moved to file: pic15615.gif) 10/08/2008 [EMAIL PROTECTED] 08:13 AM apower.net (Embedded image moved to file: pic20528.gif) Please respond to cc [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Embedded image moved to file: pic13234.gif) (Embedded image moved to file: pic12570.gif) Subject (Embedded image moved to file: pic00905.gif) RE: Bucket list (Embedded image moved to file: pic09464.gif) (Embedded image moved to file: pic19557.gif) There're plenty of "right wheel drive cars" that fit that description as well. FWD is just a different layout with its own set of advantages and disadvantages--some of which make it markedly inferior for several forms of motorsport (drag racing, for example). If we really wanted to be snobby about it, AWD is even better than either of the other options (at least if results from the WRC in the 80's is to be believed). I don't see anyone trumpetting its virtues...of course, it could just be because this is a Miata list and we all want to feel we drive the fastest car imaginable (even though we know it's not)... -Bryan --- On Wed, 10/8/08, Larry Alster <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: From: Larry Alster <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: Bucket list To: "'Eric McCord'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [email protected] Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2008, 6:11 AM They're still wrong wheel drive, I just don't like a car that you have to lift in the middle of the corner to get it to rotate an finish the turn! Larry White Knight 1991 Crystal White #99 CSP Silver Bullet 1992 Silverstone #17 SM2 FM I+ Turbo Honey B 1992 Sunburst Yellow #99 SM2L JR Supercharger Whooosh 2004 Titanium Mazdaspeed MX-5 LowCountry Miata http://www.lowcountrymiataclub.net Masters Miata RAGS 074 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [ mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Eric McCord Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2008 1:16 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [email protected] Subject: Re: Bucket list Just my Super Uber Humble Opinion..................not that means a rats ass in the grand scheme of things. Eric On Wed, Oct 8, 2008 at 12:21 AM, Bryan Wyatt <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: The folks that designed the last Lotus Elan would probably disagree. FWIW, the Sirocco/Corrado was also a fierce package. Let's not forget ye olde ITR...or all the Civics that owned STS2 until Andy Hollis threw a ton of money and experience at a Miata ;-) -Bryan --- On Wed, 10/8/08, Eric McCord <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: From: Eric McCord <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: Bucket list To: "Matt Goertz" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: [email protected] Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2008, 12:16 AM Fast is great but, I can't bring myself to calling a FWD car a "Sports Car". Going fast with torque steer is just not very refined. _______________________________________________ Miatapower mailing list [email protected] http://list.miatapower.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/miatapower _______________________________________________ Miatapower mailing list [email protected] http://list.miatapower.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/miatapower ______________________________________________________________________ This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System. 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