What car to get for $5,500? 240, DSM or RX7?

[jt1583]

I’m going to be buying my own car real soon and I am leaning towards a S13 with an RB20DET swap, but am not completely sure. The car would be a daily driver and used at the drag strip quite often. I don’t care about looks really only the quarter mile times. The total budget is about $5,500 and I have full access to a garage and a lift and air tools. Upgrades to the engine/drivetrain will definitely be made in the future and I’m trying to determine which car to get that holds the most potential. Here are the options that I have considered. Please leave feedback to areas that I have not looked into or recommend another car. Thanks

S13 with RB20DETThis is definitely the cheapest way to obtain a 220 HP 6 cylinder turbo charged RWD car, and I’m not afraid to do the work. I think I can get it running within the budget including a new clutch, the fans, and a new fuel pump, but will this car be the best option for the quarter mile?

2nd Gen Eclipse GS-T or GS-X / Talon TSI or Talon TSI AWD (basically turbo’d DSM FWD or AWD)I have seen a lot of good things done to the 4g63 but the S13 will have more HP, be RWD, and be lighter than either the FWD or RWD.

2nd Gen RX-7The RWD is good and I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty replacing the apex seals every 2 years or so, or deal with the heat issues, but does this car have the potential to do well at the track?

I want to know which one of these cars has the greatest potential in the quatermile, or if there is another car out there that could do better.

[silkk]

i'd go with the 240. eclipse gs-t is front wheel drive turbo while the gs-x is all wheel drive with turbo and they have crappy transmission. the rx-7 is good but their engine is good until it hits 120k. if i had 5,500, i would buy a rolling s13 chassie and get the rb20 or sr20. but its all up to you, its your money.

[UncleBen]

Get a 240 and, dare I say, turbo the ka!:thinker if you want a straight line car, the ka in the 240 is great becaues of the torque numbers. rb's are good in this area as well, but then you would have to go through all the trouble of swapping motors, finding parts is harder, blah blah blah. Get a 240 that runs, do the timing chain, then if you want crazy numbers, put some better internals and turbo it. Torque = getting off line fast.

[crzycav86]

You posted this on rx7club.com too didn't you?

Anyway, I agree with them. If all you're thinking about is the 1/4 mile time. Don't get an s13 or rx7 as their main talent is in the handling department. However, you can make an old foxbody mustang quick for little money these days... you may want to look into that.... ford-boys speak up.

[JESTER]

Find yourself an RX7 Turbo II. Refurbs go around $1200, full rebuilds a bit more. But if you can do the work, then there you go. They handle better than the S13 and Diamond Star do stock.

They are older cars, which means more problems. And alot that are being sold need work / rebuilds. But, The Turbo II is the way to go, in my book.

If I went DSM I would go 1st gen. Engines had less problems. I here a lot of people switch the heads with the 2nd gens for better flow. And GSX or TSI AWD if you are gonna do it.

S13: I dont think you will get out that cheap putting in an RB. With engine mounts and the additional stuff on that swap. Just for the SR swap that bolts right up, must people say they have arond 5500 in it. Perhapse thinking about the KA-T would be a good alternative or installing a CA18DET. They are about a thousand cheaper than the SR's, last time I checked.

EDIT: Like 95silviase said, the KA-T may be the best bet for straight line. But you have to think of a build up on the N/A engine at some point. But it has the displacement advantage.

[downshift]

If I went DSM I would go 1st gen. Engines had less problems. I here a lot of people switch the heads with the 2nd gens for better flow. And GSX or TSI AWD if you are gonna do it.

thats exactly what i was thinkin. The 1st gen AWD eclipses are monsters. Out of all i would say go for them but since i dont like their stylin, i would have to say go for the ka-t in the s13. Due to the torque, rwd, and the given weight.

[Mr1der]

all have virtues and flaws.

it's your decision, but choose wisely or we'll make fun of you.

[jt1583]

if i went rb swap i would use the r32 xmember and not worry about mounts. if everything works out i can definetly do the RB swap with new clutch, fans and fuel pump for under 5,500. If i went DSM i may go 1st gen because the early first gens dont get crank walk as easily but they do look pretty ugly. Im not sure tho if i should get AWD or FWD. ive heard bad things about exploding transfer cases during launches on the AWD DSM's

[toki]

1st gen DSM, or FC

it's so much easier to start with a turbo car. so so so so so much easier. there is so much after market support for both of those also. not that there isn't for the s13, but it's mad JDM hella tyte, and so is the price.

[MainEvent212]

hey toki...why do you have all those porsches listed in your profile? :pface

yeah, to be on topic...buy a damn mustang/camaro/firebird

[Ubernoober]

If all you want is 1/4 mile, buy a 90-93 Mustang V8 LX coupe. If you are willing to do a transmission swap, pick up an auto cheap. Pick a real road rash dingbat, all you want is the drivetrain and appearance doesn't matter.

Gut it, drop the rest of your cash on engine bolt-ons and traction for the rear and do low 13's all day. Better if you are an experienced driver. Dollar for dollar, speed mods for the 5.0 are about as cheap as they come, plus tons of experience with them. Hell, turbo one and yell "650 HP" from the highest hill.The car will handle like a**, but you know we've all seen those rust buckets that rock you light-to-light.