FSP_ZX2 wrote: 82-86 "Iron Duke" Camaro in FSP--Could run crazy wide steamroller tires (17x11" wheels?), and there is a huge aftermarket for the V8 (ESP) cars as for underpinnings. Throw some Mikunis/Webers and a header on the boat anchor and go.
That is very interesting, but the Camaro might be a little too heaving for the Duke. I can easily adapt Mikunis. I rebuilf and tune them all the time for my motorcycle projects. They are really easy to work with.
Why not a DSP e36? They can be had cheap and are rwd and have a decent amount of power to be fun. Maybe its just me, but if I'm picking a new autox platform because I came from driving a fwd car, I would be looking at something rwd that had enough power to be entertaining. I don't see the appeal of a rwd fsp car. the reason they are rwd and in fsp is because there is something keeping them from actually being fast. I would just drive a stockfish miata if I wanted that.
mw wrote: Why not a DSP e36? They can be had cheap and are rwd and have a decent amount of power to be fun. Maybe its just me, but if I'm picking a new autox platform because I came from driving a fwd car, I would be looking at something rwd that had enough power to be entertaining. I don't see the appeal of a rwd fsp car. the reason they are rwd and in fsp is because there is something keeping them from actually being fast. I would just drive a stockfish miata if I wanted that.
There is a very quick DSP E36 in my region, In fact, it trophied at nationals this year. A BMW 3-series is on my list. The are fast, but a it bland looking. I am considering a late 80s Vette as well.
FSP_ZX2 wrote: 82-86 "Iron Duke" Camaro in FSP--Could run crazy wide steamroller tires (17x11" wheels?), and there is a huge aftermarket for the V8 (ESP) cars as for underpinnings. Throw some Mikunis/Webers and a header on the boat anchor and go.
This, but with a vega/Monza, or maverick/comet/mustangII and the 2.3.
Moparman wrote: There is a very quick DSP E36 in my region, In fact, it trophied at nationals this year. A BMW 3-series is on my list. The are fast, but a it bland looking. I am considering a late 80s Vette as well.
E36's are bland?..oh in comparison to neons you mean?.
Moparman wrote: In reply to kevlarcorolla: I have driven Miatas and they are fast and fun on course, but almost too easy. I had an experienced Miata driver take a spin in my Neon and offer to buy it. It really drive like a go kart. It is neutral under most circumstances and can be induced into oversteer quite easily. Other then the late 80s/early 90s Hondas, it is the best FWD autocross car I have driven and is nicer on course than many RWD cars. The Neon platform was a good autocrosser out of the box. I am just at the stage of my life where building and developing a car is more fun then the arrive and drive deal.
Sounds a lot like my SMF 323... In FSP the 323 can be a pretty competitive fun car as well... Its a challenging chassis to build since there isn't any text book you can follow....
crazycanadian wrote:Moparman wrote: In reply to kevlarcorolla: I have driven Miatas and they are fast and fun on course, but almost too easy. I had an experienced Miata driver take a spin in my Neon and offer to buy it. It really drive like a go kart. It is neutral under most circumstances and can be induced into oversteer quite easily. Other then the late 80s/early 90s Hondas, it is the best FWD autocross car I have driven and is nicer on course than many RWD cars. The Neon platform was a good autocrosser out of the box. I am just at the stage of my life where building and developing a car is more fun then the arrive and drive deal.Sounds a lot like my SMF 323... In FSP the 323 can be a pretty competitive fun car as well... Its a challenging chassis to build since there isn't any text book you can follow....
Your 323 is a BG chassis. So is the Protege, so is the ZX2...so is the MX3. There may not be a 'text book', but there are several competetive cars (at least in in FSP) that have been done...Justin Barbry did it twice; he made a Trophy-Winning Protege LX and now has a Trophy-Winning 323.
I have the ZX2, and there is another ZX2 that Tim Oyer did that is very well done...should be on MS with ITBs for 2014.
That said...a V6 MX3 would be cool, just for the V6, but I don't think it offers any real advantage over it's lighter 4-cyl stablemates. Would be a great Regional car, certainly with enough intel available to make a build that is not a full-on crapshoot.
Don't know where they class this one but a Mits lancer Ralliart '04-'06. Torquey 2.4, decent chassis. I've considered one to replace our Forester XT.
I also like the Vega/Monza idea, could be fun. I also live in the great rust north and finding a rust free car is difficult.
Good luck with your search.
kevlarcorolla wrote:Moparman wrote: There is a very quick DSP E36 in my region, In fact, it trophied at nationals this year. A BMW 3-series is on my list. The are fast, but a it bland looking. I am considering a late 80s Vette as well.E36's are bland?..oh in comparison to neons you mean?.
I think my Neon looks MUCH better than an E36. I like the "long nose/short deck" styling. This is why Cuda and Challenger stripes work so well. The only 3-series I like are the E21 and E30.
I tend to think most post-1990 styling rather boring in a jelly bean sort of way. Then again, I love the styling of the Chevy Monza and L-body Dodge charge. I am a sucker for a fastback, even if it has a hatch. I still kick myself for selling my 85 RX7.
If you're going down the Chevy road, Cosworth Vega is specifically listed in FSP... Finding one, well. Yeah. But they're out there, and not super expensive.
(edit) Here ya go! Kinda pricey, but dang it's nice! Get out there with a grinder and cut those fenders! lol Yeah. Would be a shame to actually build it into an FSP car, but it would be SO COOL.
http://stjoseph.craigslist.org/cto/4249294469.html
Ouch. Wikipedia says 2,700 lbs. That's tough.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Cosworth_Vega
In reply to FSP_ZX2:
For the record, I like my son's ZX2. I like the styling and the chassis is as good as any strut-equipped FWD platform. The same son had a V6 MX3 GS a few years back, but as we dug into it we found the rust to be too severe. We sold it for parts. The little six now resides in a cool Escort wagon. The engine has only 62,000 original miles. Had I known he would eventually buy a ZX2, I would have stored the powertarin in my garage. The hot setup wiuld have been the MX3 transaxle and a Probe V6 
rustysteel wrote: Don't know where they class this one but a Mits lancer Ralliart '04-'06. Torquey 2.4, decent chassis. I've considered one to replace our Forester XT. I also like the Vega/Monza idea, could be fun. I also live in the great rust north and finding a rust free car is difficult. Good luck with your search.
A 350-powered Monza would float my boat, even if it meant running in Prepared.
All the Capris are listed FSP now too. Ben Martinez was dang fast in his '74, with 80 lb. bumpers running in DSP. Get a '72 2600, or a '71 2000 (probably the better choice) and you could build an awesome FSP car.
In reply to Moparman:
I am even considering a purpose-built car, like an old Formula Vee or sports racer. I have trouble finding them for sale.
In reply to fast_eddie_72:
I love these too!
FSP_ZX2 wrote: Your 323 is a BG chassis. So is the Protege, so is the ZX2...so is the MX3. There may not be a 'text book', but there are several competetive cars (at least in in FSP) that have been done...Justin Barbry did it twice; he made a Trophy-Winning Protege LX and now has a Trophy-Winning 323.
Yeah definitely no text book, but you are right.. There are a few of us out there who have done well with the chassis..
There is also my 323 which I have been campaigning in SMF for the last 3 years... This year I won my class regionally.. Also my friend Rob was running his 323 in FSP.. He took home 3rd this year in his class regionally.. Soon his car will be making the jump to SMF...
My car...
Robs car...
An Mx3 in FSP would be a lot of fun.. Its really to bad the GS V6 models only came fully loaded... If you could have gotten one in a stripped down SE trim it would have been just as light as the 4 cylinder versions...
What about an '01 Mazda Protege MP3? I've always wanted one these. V6 would fit real nice and already has lots of suspension bits done.
crazycanadian wrote: An Mx3 in FSP would be a lot of fun.. Its really to bad the GS V6 models only came fully loaded... If you could have gotten one in a stripped down SE trim it would have been just as light as the 4 cylinder versions...
Update/backdate would let you build that legally for SP.
fast_eddie_72 wrote:crazycanadian wrote: An Mx3 in FSP would be a lot of fun.. Its really to bad the GS V6 models only came fully loaded... If you could have gotten one in a stripped down SE trim it would have been just as light as the 4 cylinder versions...Update/backdate would let you build that legally for SP.
It would be.. All though having a second look. I can't find a V6 mx3 listed anywhere in the sp appendex listing
In reply to crazycanadian:
I believe all MX3s are in FSP as power to weight of V6 is in line with other FWD cars in the class.
Moparman wrote: In reply to crazycanadian: I believe all MX3s are in FSP as power to weight of V6 is in line with other FWD cars in the class.
I would think that as well, but "the book" specifically says "MX3 (4cyl)"
That said...talking about 'Iron Duke' GM cars...an '88 Fiero would be interesting. The V6 cars (Formulas) were quite good back in the day in CS. The '88s had a real suspension on them...and with SP mods might be a pretty neat car.
Certainly falls under the qualifications of the original post.
In reply to FSP_ZX2:
I have been looking for a Fiero for a while, but everyone I find has an automatic trans. Fiero or MR2 might fit then bill.
In reply to Moparman:
I may have located a good V6 manual Fiero.
I found this one:
In reply to rustysteel:
The one I found needs clutch work has 75,000 miles and is going for $1200.
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