My latest automotive obsession...

At one of my last autocross sessions, I saw a stingray corvette all hopped up nice and modern-like putting out decent times. Ever since then I have been thinking about how cool it would be to blend the muscle car scene with today's more modern scene and have something that's got big cubes but can still take a corner like a Honda s2000.

I'd like to build a budget v8 in my garage on a stand (so I can take that off my bucket list). Probably a big block just because of easy power. Especially since even a budget build can produce more than enough power to have fun... putting things like aluminum heads and intake high up on the list to help lighten things up. Hopefully a Ford but probably a Chevy just in the interest of cost. However whichever engine I pick I'd like to keep a Ford in a Ford and a Chevy in a Chevy.

Anyway, can you guys help me think of a suitor to put such a power pant in and then try to make corner fast as well? Perhaps something with a good suspension design from the start? Even better if there are kits out there to help make the swap easier on me. I was thinking Fox Chassis Mustang for Ford and JEGs makes a kit for like 900 bucks. Any other ideas?

Thanks

Panther platform, lower sidewall ratio tires, quicker police steering rack, police package engine mounts, add another leaf springs.

So basically we are talking a pro touring car? What is your budget? These can get expensive. Check out Mary Posse's 2nd gen camaro.

C Prepared sounds like your game. It's a ton of fun!

69 Valiant or Dart 2 door hard top and set back a 360 with some nice heads and port EFI

So basically we are talking a pro touring car? What is your budget?

Hahaha, perfect response!

What will you use the car for? Will it be for just auto-x? DD and some auto-x? DD, auto-x, and drag racing? An intended use for the car would help out significantly. I'm under the impression that muscle cars don't have good suspension geometry or design (especially the old ones), that's why it's so fun to make them pro touring cars; you had to fix the geometry to make them handle good. I would also suggest against using a big block engine because the extra 100 or so lbs just for the block will hurt the handling. I would only suggest a big block engine for drag racing because even rich guys complain about bad fuel mileage for daily driving. At least for Chevy engines, good flowing aftermarket big block cylinder heads cost maybe double what small block cylinder heads cost. Small muscle cars that I can think of that can feel something resembling a S2000 after modifying them is an 80s Mustang or 80s Camaro/Firebird.

as a GM guy, i'd say to look for a 3rd or 4th gen F body and swap some flavor of an LS engine into it.. the 98-02 cars came stock with the all aluminum LS1 that made about 300 horsepowers and a bunch of torques, and you could swap an aluminum 6 liter with some go fast goodies into it and make a whole bunch more power for not too much money compared to any other engine platform..

It is possible to build an good, all purpose car on a muscle car platform. There is nothing like a pushrod V8s for reliable, cheap horsepower and there is plenty of aftermarket support with suspension and brake goodies Check the ad in the open classifieds for the Mustang my buddy built for his wife. You would spend twice what he is asking to build it. "Drive it to work all week, hit the strip on Friday, auto cross Saturday, and a 3000 rpm, 100mph cruise on Sunday."

GM G-body.

Look to the circle track suppliers (speedway motors) for all the infinitely adjustable handling goodies for next to no money and go racin'.

Trans_Maro wrote: GM G-body. Look to the circle track suppliers (speedway motors) for all the infinitely adjustable handling goodies for next to no money and go racin'.

Yup, G body(or the very closely related S10) with a GM LS engine swap of some sort

How about a Jaguar sedan? They're cheap, they have lots of room for a V8, and they have a reputation for decent suspension with IRS. Admittedly, I think I've only heard of SBC swaps, but those happen all the time.

What emissions restrictions are you up against?