I am looking for a car that is:
- cheap
- small
- has many reusable components
- has a decent track width (of the body) and wheelbase for racing
- has enough room for a competent, powerful FWD drivetrain behind the driver area.
- exceptionally good looking as a tube chassis race car. Thoughts thus far are 2002, MGB-GT, 510, etc... maybe even an old VW Rabbit. It needs headroom for a motor/trans in the back but maybe there are options with a 2.5 boxer motor that might allow a lower deck?
I am looking to skin off the body, build a mid-engined tube chassis with a light 4cyl that revs to the sky, and then set the body back on it. When I am done, I would like it to be less than 1600lbs, ~300 wHP, and capable of revving to the sky. (modded Honda Civic Si powertrain?)
Discuss where one might race a creation like this as well since a racecar with out a place to race is just a car. I can only think of NASA's open classes but surely SCCA has a home too?
I vote for something unexpected, like a 5.0 Mustang or a GM econobox.
why not an n600 or something like that? my vote engine-wise is definitely k20/24 or maybe an h22, but ruining a fr car with that makes me kinda sad. if you did it to a fwd car or a car that was already rr or mid rear then it seems more proper.
a FUNNY idea I just had would be a tdi in the back of a rabbit or golf =]
not good for your application though. lol
maybe a vw 1.8t in a rabbit? or VR6!
need more revs though.. so honda's obviously it for you, with a 2zz as a different option..
you can put a 2zz in the back of a celica!
sorry it said lunatic edition so I went crazy too.
oldtin
Dork
11/13/11 11:52 a.m.
Maserati biturbo - about e30 sized, decent handling, good looking car. Giveaway pricing - you're replacing the stuff that breaks. No one expects a biturbo to make it to a track, much less around a track.
NASA is about the only road race venue I can think of - then again there may be some hill climb TT kind of things (which circles back to NASA).
Fiesta!
Rabbit
Both capable of hitting your weight target without cutting anything.
This era civic is sadly dissapearing from the roads
Charade?
I will think of more
Step one: Buy an Alfa
Step two: money/time
Step three: 
ACVW, the body will unbolt from the chassis/floor pan, and I know its well under weight for you too.
Fiesta! Forgot about those... that looks sick with the flares.
Keep 'em coming. I love the Alfas but the best part is the motor... I'd hate to have to stick something else in there or a GTV would be right up at the top of the list.
Drooooooooooooooooooooool over the Fiero. Mine will never look that good, be that cool, or go that fast.
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/shogun-recipe/41780/page1/
You want me to ask this guy what he's doing with his Festiva? I got waaaaay too many projects already.
Toyman01 wrote:
Fiero?
+1 for the Fiero
there may be some tube frame Fiero's lurking in barns somewhere, leftovers from SCCA GT(?) classes.
smart car! 
in all seriousness though, Honda CRX. already some kind of light, they look good and would look better with an engine under that rear glass, and if you want you can grab the rear trailing arms from a RT4WD EF civic (I swear late '80s small hondas are like legos, a bunch of crap from one will more than likely fit another so it would probably work and is set up to accept drive anyway) and use Miata front suspension (or at least the spindles) to keep it cheapish, let you use the same wheels front to rear, off-the-shelf brake components, and spares are probably everywhere, given the number of Miatas and late '80s small Hondas running around. plus, your K20/K24 engine idea would keep it in the family so you could conceivably license it for the street and have a killer sleeper. another plus: you know the highest point of a CRX hood is only as high as the bottom of the window opening on the doors, which stays about the same height all the way back to the back of the car, and the top of the valve covers is about 6" below the highest point of the hood.
alex
SuperDork
11/14/11 5:55 p.m.
MG_Bryan wrote:
Sonett?
This is the sexiest Sonnet I've ever seen. Until I saw your text, I was trying to pin down what obscure 70s Lambo that was. What widebody kit is this?
This thing would be unimaginably awesome with a nasty turbo 4 behind the seats.
In reply to alex:
+1. That really is the sexiest Sonnet I've seen. I've not really cared for them but that one looks great.
early impreza wagon. then trop a turbo 2.5 boxer back there (its already oriented to sit right over the drive wheels, except now you'll be just running axles to the REAR drive wheels directly from the tranny...and the engine is lightweight and compact so you'll still have interior space.
RWD turbo impreza with no understeer. epic win.
A couple little fastbacks...
VW Scirocco
L-body Charger
Fiat 850
