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Hey guys the HONDA blew up. Well not really I just broke a timing belt, and
I tell you what. Ive had chevys for like 5 years and never been left
stranded or really had many problems with them. The first honda I buy has
lft me stranded 4 times in 2 or 3 months. No more hondas for me, never
again. I took exceptional care of the Accord to.
Right when I bought it I went though it and replaced ALL Fluids. Did
flushes on everything but tranny since it was a manual and you cant I just
drained it and put some redline fluid in it.
New plugs, wires, cap, rotor, and a WHOLE bunch of suspension stuff and new
CV axles. BAM she still constantly broke down so more than likely im
getting something different. Im not really sure what to get though, dont
even have the vaguest of ideas.
Im thinkin LT1 Trans Am, maybe do mild bolt ons to it and a bunch of
suspension work and make a nice driver.
96-99 Silverado. I had one of these and I loved it. I can pretty much do
anything to it and it was the most reliable vehicle I ever had. Drove it
until it had damn near 200K and she ran like a champ.
Also relatively easy to get into the 14s which would be a fun truck.
NA Miata- Had a bunch of fun with the old 92,
Also found a 1980 Fiat Spider 2000 or somethign like that, looks like it
could be a fun car.
Criteria. Must be fun, relatively cheap, NO FWD.
Any Ideas? Maybe a subaru?
Enthusiast
I'd go with the truck. That way if you build up your Camaro (which I assume
you still have since it's still your sig.) you can have a vehicle to tow it
to the track. Plus if you live anywhere with snow, 4WD is helpful. Not much
fun, but helpful. Not to mention mudding:wink2:
Satty101
Oh I aint too worried about towing the maro. If she cant make it to the
track and back under her own power without breaking something, then she
aint doin her job.
Doesnt snow too much here in texas and if it does, I dont drive in it. Plus
Ive driven the camaro in a little snow and it isnt that bad.
Im not gonna let some snow dictate what I drive. Cars are for fun.
The mudding on the other hand was a blast in the old Z71.
Oh and yah I still have the maro, she just wont be seeing DD duty anymore.
She has been retired to the garage for nice days or when I go racing. Shes
currently in the midst of a cam swap which was slightly delayed due to the
honda and girls. BUT the new GF likes to help me work on it so it shouldnt
be too much longer, just need to check valvetrain geometry and get my new
chromoly pushrods and shes done besides reassembly.
New cam, lifters, springs, studs, and guideplates are in. Plus I just got
my powdercoated stuff back and I finished polishing up everything I planned
on doin.
Enthusiast
Ah. I didn't know you lived in Texas. I feel like an idiot for bringing up
the thought of snow now. Haha, well, then I'd either go with a Z71 (still)
or a Subaru. Scoobs are just way too much fun. Maybe a Fiero with a Chevy
350 swap? What exactly is your price range you're looking at? That'd help a
lot with my opinions.
Satty101
Sorry to hear about the Honda. Are they generally reliable over there
though? Over here you can't fault them!
Cliffy
Looks like you're mostly insterested in what you've already had. I say
instad try restoring an old car, maybe making an all-out handling machine
for AutoX.
giant016
Now were getting somewhere :mrgreen:
nighthawk
Generally, but with miles as any car there are things that need to be
replaced, something that the previous owner probbably neglected to do and
the problems all dumped on to Enthusiast
newyorker
How do you know it was the previous owner? It could have been the owner
before that who said "oil not changed by previous owner" in his for sale
ad. Always easier to blame the guy before you for not doing anything,
right :wink2:
windsonian
To tell you the truth thats what Ive always heard But I had nothing but
problems with them, wether my personal car or customers cars. My friends
are the same way. A buddy of mine bought a brand new S2000 three dead
motors later he sold it, and he took excellent care of that car.
My honda was exceptionally cared for. I have all the maintenace records and
according to my records the timing belt was changes like 30K miles ago.
Fortunately it was done at an affiliated shop so I looked up records and
yep it sure was.
Price range really depends on the car. Nothing too expensive though. I
probably woul;dnt go higher than 10K this is just a fun DD.
Ive tried the old cars and I wouldnt do one for a DD, they will just nickel
and dime the shit outta you, plus im pretty picky about my cars and little
things bother me so an old car would really get me.
Wont do a fiero cause I dont want another garage ornament haha.
PS. Newyorker I wont argue Honda with you. I think they suck, i sure you
dont. But out of all the Chevys Ive owned not once has any of them EVER
left me stranded and they are alot cheaper to maintain (atleast in my
experiences, and dont forget I work in a shop). Different Strokes for
different folks.
On a side note, the original non rebuilt motor and tranny in my old 69
firebird ran like a top after nothing more than a tuneup and fluid change
after sitting for 17 years. I think thats a testament to GM longevity
Enthusiast
Oh I drove a miata today and I think I fell back in love, the only thing
holding me back is I love a good on ramp blast and the miata just doesnt
have the grunt.
Enthusiast
Throw a mustang v8 in there...its a pretty expensive swap though. To your
other post, of all 3 cars I owned, none left me stranded either, I just
feel more at peace owning a Honda cause they tend to be more reliable, but
like every manufacturer there is a lemon in every bunch. Every brand has
its ups and downs really, but domestics are generally cheaper to repair.
newyorker
Im sitting here complaining about unreliable cars why the hell would I tear
out the miata motor and throw in a FORF MOTOR. I would be a huge hypocrit.
HAHA:orglaugh:
Enthusiast
I was thinking the same thing. hahaha. Chevy 327?:mrgreen:
Satty101
Sorry I dont know the domestic market...at all
Another popular swap is the 13b (i think) from the early model RX7, and of
course you can boost it as well, they love that. If you boost, the models
with the 1.8 are better because they have stronger internals..also try to
find one with a torsen rear, so i heard
newyorker
I know quite a bit about the miata. A 13b into NA miata is a bitch. They
rotarys go into the NC pretty easy as I think the NC and the RX8 share most
of the front suspesion.
If I did a swap itd be packin Chevy power.
Enthusiast
Biased much?? lol
Miata is a great car, would definately make a fun DD, especially since you
probbably see snow very rarely
newyorker
Pot, meet Mr. Kettle.
dodgerforlife
Well I dont think that everything has to be Honda related, enthusiast seems
to think that if it doesnt deal with chevy it doesnt exist (or if it isnt
tied to it)
newyorker
Umm...he's talking about buying a Miata.
giant016
What are you talking about. My bias is based off of experience, and
everyone is biased.
The SBC is the best bang for the buck right now, plus they come in all
shapes and size.
Youve got old school carburated Iron lumps (Gen I), then you have newer
fuel injected iron lumps (Gen II) all the way to completely aluminum big
cube light weight fuel injected motors. (gen III and up)
Enthusiast
and swapping a CHEVY engine into it..its his project, either way I wish him
the best but it just seems hes a little bowtied
newyorker
The engine is more cost effective than throwing an import motor in there.
I guess he's biased against shooting himself in the foot.
giant016
You do realise that most people here probably regard you as the most biased
person on the forums don't you? Remember the whole "I'd never buy an
import" thing? :screwy:
windsonian
When did I ever say anything about throwing an import motor in. I said the
13b is a popular swap and that the mustang v8 is as well but that its
pricey.
newyorker
You didn't come out and say it but when you criticize somebody for throwing
a Chevy motor into an import, than say that a foreign (13b) engine is a
popular swap, that to me qualifies as saying "anything about throwing an
import motor in". And if you can't see how thats a fair assumption I guess
I overestimated you.
I was once a 5.0 fanboy, and will still say that they can be made fast for
cheap, but you REALLY need to know your stuff. I think it was What who had
done some serious work to a 5.0 and gotten less than anticipated out of it.
I'll assume you weren't talking about the 4.6 Stang motor, or the new
Mustang GT motor in either...not very cost effective.
Out of curiosity, did the FD7, or whatever the nicest looking RX7s are
referred to, come with 13bs? If so, I'm guesssing you know what popular
swap I'm hinting at.
giant016
The early model RX7 was I believe the FC
The last gen RX7 was I believe the FD
Im not sure about the number denominations, but I believe both used an 13b
motor
The great thing about those swaps is that you get a high revving
turbocharged motor with room to build, and I hear that prepping a rotary
for bigger boost is not as complex as a piston engine (swap out for thicker
apex seals, and a few other little things)
There have been LS1 swaps into the Miata as well with great results. Also I
have seen an SR20 Miata. Never seen a 2JZ miata or an F20c miata but im
sure its been done or is being done now.
Quick question. If you can put an LS1 into a miata, could you put an LS2,
or LS7, or an LT motor into it?? How similar/different is the setup of
them?
newyorker
You should be able to swap a LS2/6/7. What I want to see is the fabled
2009Corvette ZR1/2008 Cadillac CTS-V LS9 V8(7.0L Supercharged) get swaped
into a Miata/RX/...anything really (A Fiero especially).:mrgreen:
Satty101
Its all good swapping V8's into Miatas but will the gearbox take the extra
torque of the larger engine? It'll be a shame to ditch that gearbox which
has one of the nicest feel unless you can toughen it up.
fudge
All the LSX and LTX motors are roughly the same size and shape, so I don't
see why not. I believe it was HotRod mag that took a Solstice as soon as
it came out and dropped in an LS7 and came out with a new car for less than
a Corvette that ran some outrageous time.
giant016
I doubt that would be possible, seeing as how the 1.8l transmission is most
likely a LOT smaller than the one of an LSx and LTx or 5.0 stang
motor...even with a build i dont think it would be a good idea, plus you
have to either find or machine adapter plates, then you have to consider
what kind of clutch/flywheel combo to use, etc.
newyorker
Why stick with that one anyways when you can swap the bergwarner 6 speed
that comes in the Camaros and Trans Ams? Besides, if you're going to swap
an LS or LT into a Miata, you're probably not going to care much about how
it feels. Chances are you're going for performance.
Satty101
Why not keep the stock engine until you find another daily driver?:ticking:
I mean whats the point of going crazy with transplants and mods when the
purpose of the car is a replacement for the Honda?
fudge
Truth. The miata is a great car, it was made the way it was for a reason,
and it makes you think and work to get the performance out of it, you cant
just poke the pedal and take off, you have to plan and coordinate, and to
me, the technical aspect of driving, and the strategy makes it more fun.
newyorker
I think it was more like when he can get a new car we're just giving him
ideas. That and describing more along the lines of what can be done and
what we would do.
Satty101
Im still stuck between miata and another F-body.
They would stay mostly stock for a while until I got my Vette, which will
be the next big car I buy.
If I get the miata It will probably just get suspension stuff and easy bolt
ons until I get the C5 then It will more than likely get swapped. Part of
me wants to do an LS1 but another part thinks a slightly worked F20C could
be fun but there goes the reliability.
The F-body probably wouldnt stay stock. First it would be full suspension
and wheels, a few appearance things, then bolt ons and a baby cam,
something like a 211/219 or a custom BRE one.
On a side note the Z28 is being a bitch. Everything about it is a huige
pain in the ass but shes my baby so I cant get mad, just all the custom
shit Im doing.
For Example, I switched to an EWP so I deleted the cam drive for the WP to
help stabilize the valvetrain with all the RPMs Ill be turning. Can find a
damn freeze plug to plug it so I had to get one .05 too big and work it
down on a bench grinder.
Retrofitted a double roller timing chain for some stability and now I have
to clearance the timing cover.
Went to different rockers, studs, springs, and lifters so god knows were
even a decent PR length is to start checking for valvetrain geometry.
Who cares Ill feel better about spinning her to damn near 7K when shes back
together.
Enthusiast
It's all in the spirit of modifying. Thats why I just went with simple
things that a lot of people have done. I'm gonna take off throcharger
before too long and just go N/A. As much as I like it, I personally don't
have the ability to control the extra boost yet.
If you're really as big of a Chevy guy as I am, I'd say stick with an
F-body. Mine's never been in the shop aside from oil changes and new sets
of tires (I like doughnuts and burnouts. I can't help it). So you get one
with low-ish miles and it should be reliable. Just make sure you know the
owner history.:thumbs:
Satty101
I still say get something different. The LSX/LTX is good for straight
line speed but I'm guessing you'll build a lot of Fbodies in your time.
Fuggit, I vote you get another Fbody, make it a cornerer and surprise
everybody at the autoX.
giant016
Yah if I get one it will be a baby cammed full suspension car. They are
alot of fun the black Z used to be a corner carver before I sold it all
off.
I had a couple different setups but the best was
Strano Springs and Bars
Strano Revalved bilsteins
STB
Pavlock Performance Double rod ended LCAs with relo brackets
Pavlock Performance double rodended PHB
SFCs
A tore up set of 10 spokes with some Kuhmo V710s or 700 I cant remeber I
got them used
she cornered real well and I surprised a modded miata one time by making a
pass on the outside of him mid corner, yah stupid I know. He told me he
didnt think the F-bodys could handle that well.
next step was gonna be tubular K member and adjustable A-arms, then I was
looking into a brake swap, I didnt want C5 Zo brakes cause everyone had
them but I was looking into some porsche calipers with custom brakets,
nowadays though Id just run C6 Z0 brakes.
Enthusiast
