Looking for Gastropod candidate suggestions....

EDITED:  RWD sedan, manual transmission, reliable as a DD yet somewhat fun to drive and participate (not compete) in the Challenge.  Low desirability sleepers or Q-ship candidates appreciated.  

Ideas?

Four door neon?

Protege or mazda3/6?

Dusterbd13-michael (Forum Supporter) said:

Four door neon?

Protege or mazda3/6?

My bad.  I forgot to include that I'd prefer a RWD but those are pretty good ideas.  I'm 6-3 so I think I may need something bigger.

Look at cars you want to own. Nothing worse than putting a bunch of effort into something you're not in to. Even a Gastropod car is going to need/want a lot of hours of cleaning and general fixing up. 

RWD would point me in the direction of Mustang or G35 or that sort of thing depending on your local market. 

Beat up G35 or IS300 would be possible, just take some hunting.  There's just not a lot out there that meets your requirements at the challenge budget and is going to be easy (or even slightly difficult) to find.

The chevy S10 pickup.

3000 pounds or less (reg cab short box no options)

Huge aftermarket support means a plethora of used cheap aftermarket parts.

Available in a wide range of motors and transmisions including a 5 speed.

Ive got a rusty (very) 91 that had a few issues that I picked up for $250 that I plan to use to haul scrap. Rwd, 5 speed, 4.3

Had a parts truck for better body panels, but I sold it... Cus truck dont need look gooder!

I'm beginning to think a Lincoln LS might be a good starting point....

I completely forgot those were available with a manual.  Another option that might be easier to find would be an older 5-series BMW.  I’d blocked European cars out of my mind completely.

I really liked the Volvo 760. And they are cheap as long as you dont need a wagon.

A 302  swap is easy enough.

So is a 4.6  Mod engine if you are so inclined. Skip the blower and the entire drivetrain from Radiator to transmisson can be donated out of a Lincol MkVIII This car is WELL under challenge budget.

NOHOME said:

I really liked the Volvo 760. And they are cheap as long as you dont need a wagon.

But ya gotta have the wagon...

I'm lovin' that box manifold on the 302! any details by chance?

Do we have any FoMoCo Modular engine gurus on the board?

It's not a manual, but how about a 2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S 430 with a 5-speed shiftable automatic for $1400, in SW FLorida? Not mine, nor do I know anything about these.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2455604738062940/

In reply to stroker :

My friend who is building the 740 with the blower would be the guy, but since his original post he has been unable to get back on the forum. What did you want to know?

In reply to NOHOME :

Just looking for a resource on the engines in case I'm able to find the time, funds and wherewithal to actually take on a LS/Modular project...  I don't hear much good about the AJ series engines (either the V6 or the V8) and wonder if, given my lack of experience, I might be better off to be looking at an old pushrod 5.0 donor with a manual transmission from a Mustang...

In reply to 03Panther :

What do you need to know? Built by the same guy who is doing the Mod engine swap. 

The body is made from a piece of rectangular tube with the ends welded shut. Throtle body on the side and holes in the bottom to mate to the lower intake. The whole point is to clear up the massive restriction found on the stock ford EFI intakes

In reply to NOHOME :

Thanks.

T hat much plenum volume would have a huge effect on a carb. ; I’ve heard not as much on fi, but have no personal experience with that. Have you (or others before) done any testing for effectiveness? As long as it didn’t hurt bottom end, I’d run that, even if it didn’t help top end! ... though I imagine it does help. 

In reply to 03Panther :

Did need bigger injectors 24 lb if I recall. Ran really nice on the HWY and made me a fan of engine swapped 7 series Volvos. This thing was pretty sweet by the time it was done.

If you can forgo the manual trans, the Lincoln Mark 8 is a very capable Challenge car right out of the box. 

Seek out one that has already has the rear air springs replaced with coils. It a very popular improvement. 

Every year got just a little more HP so find the newest one you can. 

John Welsh (Moderate Supporter) said:

If you can forgo the manual trans, the Lincoln Mark 8 is a very capable Challenge car right out of the box. 

Seek out one that has already has the rear air springs replaced with coils. It a very popular improvement. 

Every year got just a little more HP so find the newest one you can. 

Unfortunately, that's a coupe...

P71, source injectors from a fleet vehicle from municipality that ran natural gas, upgrade lines and pump to handle E85, Eaton 112 with the smallest pulley you can find.