V8 Powered Dual Duty Extra Toy.

Stock up on canned goods kiddies I am contemplating getting a V8 powered car.

Background:

 A few weeks ago my wife suggested I get a cheap Miata or the like for the track days. I don't always feel like loading up the race cars. At the same time I have to admit having two full time race cars is more work than I want to do some days. So while a Miata is the answer I already have one momentum car so not sure I want a second one.

I'm now thinking a V8 powered car (my first one ever) might be interesting as a Friday driver and occasional track day car.

There is one basic rule...............it's has to be Ford powered. My fabricator is a Ford guy; he cuts me a deal if the likes the car.

I'd prefer something older. I'm thinking Mustang II or Fox body as an off the shelf pic.

My picks are:

Blakely Bantam with a V8. (that seems safe)

Volvo 240 with a V8.

Crown Vic with a 5 Speed. (not fat at all)

early Capri with a V8. (they haven't all rusted away yet?)

280Z V8. (I'm sure Datsuns are still cheap)

So what sort of things would you guys pick

If you're not looking for more work, I'd be looking for the Fox body. Let Ford install the engine for you.

I don't think non-rusty Datsun 240/260/280s have been cheap for a while.

Instead of the fox mustang; Ford Fairmont or Zephyr. Fairmont wagon for the big win. 

It's a fox chassis, so pretty much all the mustang goodies bolt on and would be much cooler.  Plus, back doors are nice if you want to use the back seat.

Lots of parts an d experience for the Fox body choice. Don't try to reinvent the wheel.

I'm in the Fox Mustang camp unless you want to buy the Abomination and drop a 302 in it. 

I even have a 302 engine and an extra set of heads I'll throw in the mix that's probably good. 

It would be terrifying to drive in a very good way. 

Budget?  Project or turn-key?

Anything pre-300 Z is pricey these days.  Even the guys with junkers have seen the BAT auctions...

As an owner of 2 early Capris, good luck finding one at all, but if it's V8 and driveable expect to pay as much as a nice Z car.  

I'm a Fox body fan, but a Coyote S197 is a way better car for your money.

Toyman! said:

It would be terrifying to drive in a very good way. 

 

That's kind of where I'm going............a point and squirt car could be fun.  I've driven loads of V8 powered sleds on track and the torque can be fun.

No if only I had money for a Can Am car.

In reply to Rodan :

I'm not attached to any particular car at the moment.

My thought is sway bars, brakes and a roll hoop............done.

At the moment 300hp is plenty.

X3 on a Fox body Mustang but do the 5 lug conversion and add 4 wheel disc brakes.  Throw a 347 "stroker" version of the 302 with Explorer heads and you've got a pretty strong engine in a nice light car.

This  says FORD.  Whats not to love?

If you really want to swap something, 302 (etc) Ford engines in Miatas is a supremely well-trodden path. That gets you the little light car and the sledgehammer.

In reply to Tom1200 :

In case you need some temptation. It's about 150+- hp with the rotary and a hoot. A 302 wouldn't be much heavier and would be a whole 'nother level of fun. I even have a fiberglass bonnet to help offset some of that engine weight. 

Edit: And since most of the running gear is Miata, consumables are readily available. 

In reply to Toyman! :

Miata suspension?

How big of a build project are you looking for? 

If you're thinking Volvo I'd do something a little newer like a 740 or 940 so that there's less of a restoration factor in the build.

Miata is always a good choice.

If budget is healthy a Sunbeam Tiger would check the Ford V8 box and let you run with the Vintage groups that you enjoy.

Fox body or one of the variants is the easy button.

In reply to Tom1200 :

Most of the suspension is custom so it would fit under the Spitfire. The front uses Miata parts from the ball joints out. So the uprights, brakes and such are Miata. The arms are fabricated out of Miata and Spitfire parts. The rear is a fabricated subframe with fabricated upper and lower arms using Miata uprights, brakes, and hubs. All of that rides on Yamaha R1 shocks. It uses shortened Miata axles and a 2nd Gen RX7 center. The engine is rotary and the transmission is RX7. 

In reply to Toyman! :

It's really cool but I am thinking that I wanted something I can drive to and from the track.........not that I couldn't make that street legal.

Update:

After looking at Mustangs there are tons of cars in my price range.

Of course a friend has offered me a free V8 Granada. LOL

Soooo a buddy has a Fox body with the 5 lug conversion and all the suspension goodies that he may want to sell.

Tom1200 said:

Soooo a buddy has a Fox body with the 5 lug conversion and all the suspension goodies that he may want to sell.

Do it. Torque is fun. 

Tom1200 said:

Soooo a buddy has a Fox body with the 5 lug conversion and all the suspension goodies that he may want to sell.

This is the easy button 

I'm biased, but e36s are fun so tossing that in the ring. Easy to work on and a 302 swap is well documented. Shells are dirt cheap with m3 parts easy to bolt up. 

Also this: https://www.copart.com/lot/68091043/salvage-1998-bmw-z3-2-8-nj-somerville

If the parts on the fox are decent, probably a really good way to go. Cheaper than getting all the parts to make it work new for yourself. 

Olemiss540 said:

I'm biased, but e36s are fun so tossing that in the ring. Easy to work on and a 302 swap is well documented. Shells are dirt cheap with m3 parts easy to bolt up. 

Also this: https://www.copart.com/lot/68091043/salvage-1998-bmw-z3-2-8-nj-somerville

Is that a Z3 done up to look like a Ferrari??

In reply to dyintorace :

Yup. With a v8 transplanted....

https://engineswapdepot.com/?p=101995

Dang, from $267k on BaT in July to Copart in the fall. That's a story that needs telling but @Tom1200 there's your solution.