Draco-REX

Now THERE'S a shot out of left field... But I would have to be able to get it registered for the road....

Thanks everyone for the replies and ideas. Too many to answer directly while I'm at work, so I'll hit the big points. If I go to another car, it'll be bolt-ons only. The BRZ was my foray into all-out modding, and look how it turned out. I got one day of perfection that unfortunately will be a benchmark for me, and then nothing afterwards. So engine mods aren't a concern in my choice of a different car. The NSX really gets me in the "Wow" zone, but the more I look into comparisons, the S2000CR will be a better fit for how I would use it. This car will be primarily an AutoX car with the occaisional track day. If it were the reverse, the NSX would be better choice. The idea of switching to a S2000 and then going M2 in a couple years with minimal depreciation is tempting. But that extra 600lbs concerns me. Porsche 911. I looked for a good porsche to get into. But I'm trying to keep things under 50K. I can go higher, but it would have to really be something special. Unfortunately, at this price range all I'm finding are base 911 and 911 S. As good as a 911 can be, I think the base models will likely leave me wanting. Same issue with the Cayman, unless I want to go with a Cayman R with a load of miles. The GT350 is a sweet car. First Mustang I've ever really considered. But it's heavy. I have big and powerful already. I want soemthing light and nimble and unfortunately, the GT350 doesn't fit the bill. If this were going to be a track car, it'd be right up there with the NSX. The LS swap would be so nice. I think it would make the car better all around, But do engine swaps ever go smoothly? Likely, even if I didn't go with a high-strung build, I'd constantly be chasing gremlins. If I hadn't just gone through all these issues, I'd probably go for it. But now... I think I'm going to strike the swap off the list. The S2K is looking more and more likely, but I'm open to things not on the list too. Another shot out of left field like the V might be just what I need.

Picked up the BRZ today, and the engine failed again. Sounds like a rocker again. I give up. How can I both love and hate a car so much at the same time? What little I could drive it, I loved how it handled. I even caught myself just looking at it from different angles and loving how it looked. But if I can't keep it running, then none of that matters. It burns me that there are tons of these cars out there making more power and being driven harder without this issue. Something is wrong with my engine, but I can't keep throwing money away trying to find it. The next time I pay out has got to be the last time. I have to make a decision. I've got a few ideas, and I wouldn't mind fielding others. A big part of this is deciding whether to keep the chassis, or go with a different car entirely. I keep thinking back to that one Corvette Troy event at Kilkare when the car was running perfectly and how incredible it was. I want that again, and the chassis was a big part of that. Can I get that with another car? Maybe. But it's hard to part with a known factor for a "maybe". Going with a fully built engine is the first option that maintains the existing chassis. It'll be built from the ground up for the level of power I want (or more) and if there's a deeper issue with my particular engine, it shouldn't be present in the new one. But, there is an "if" and a "should" in that statement. The engine will have the same rocker design, so the same problem could happen again. Pros: Bolts right up No new electronics Cons: Potential for the same issue The other option that keeps the car is to swap to a different motor. If I were to go this route, the motor of choice would be a LS with a screaming 8K red line. I know a lot of LS people would say "Why?" I say "Because I want it to hit 8k." I think that would be a great match to the car. Vorschlag has been developing a LS swap kit for these cars that is very thorough. The end result is only a 100lb increase in weight, while improving the weight distribution at the same time. Unfortunately, the kit isn't finished. Vorschlag will be producing the hardware to physically swap the engine in, but tuning and BCM integration is up to the buyer. It's been done, so the solution is out there. But I worry about chasing electrical gremlins. Pros: More torque/power A proven engine design Probably the coolest option Cons: Swap kit isn't available Potential for headaches/poor reliability. A different, less modified, car is an option also. I could get a used engine, revert the car close to stock, then sell it and the parts to put towards something else. There are a few cars that are sparking my interest. Late 90s Acura NSX. This car has grown on me in recent years. Light, nimble, and balanced are words I like. Pros: Might actually appreciate in value.. Excellent handling Supercar looks/presence Honda reliability Cons: Good ones are pricey Almost no aftermarket Honda S2000 CR. Not much to say about this car. It's pretty much the Honda version of the BRZ, less a back seat. Pros: Great handling Low cost option Honda reliability Cons: Like buying another BRZ BMW M2. At 3400lbs it's the heavier option. But a nice car all around. Reviews have compared it favorably to the E30 and 1M. New would be nice, but the smart thing would be to wait a year or two for depreciation to hit, and I don't want to wait. Pros: New(er) car features/reliability More power/torque Legendary M driving manners Cons: Have to wait for them to hit the used market Heavy Corvette. It's an obvious option. Power, handling, etc. But I have to say it doesn't really excite me. The C7 is the generation I like the most. However, I don't seem to want one as much as when I first saw it. I'm not sure why. I've also looked at 911s which are just blah in my price range. And while I think an Exige S would be a fantastic replacement, they're just outside my budget. I don't know. I'm just at a loss at this point so I'm just throwing idea around..

V Wagon FTW.

http://www.gminsidenews.com/articles/the-z06-station-wagon-is-totally-legitimate/ I kinda like it. But not enough to own one.

Does this work well on satin finishes?

I want to race Pike's also.. But the SO says "NO". It'd be quite the project too.

This + (RWD or AWD) = A pretty good DD. I'm interested. But with a 2017+ delivery date for pre-orders, I'm going to wait. As fun and economical as it is, it won't satisfy my need for a stick and three pedals. So I'm not sure if I'd really own one. But who can say two or more years down the road?

They apparently already have 130,000+ pre-orders.

He's a riot to watch. One for CR Dads:

Well.. I HOPE to get to some AutoX events this year.

Slightly off topic, but.. Is there a way to fid someone's vehicle history? My father once owned a 67 Stingray, and I'd love to track it down.

Not sure why the target top needs to be motorized. But otherwise it looks great. Kind of like the Solstice and Sky.

I stopped in Iron Pony today looking for something and took a look at the Slingshots they had there. Very neat. Though I think one of the first mods would be to remove the front fenders.

It's the pinstripe. Really makes the car.

http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/chevrolet/sprint/1805582.html Should make a nice commuter.

If he did, I have THREE vehicles for him. Whoever does them, I'm going to make a detailer happy this year.

I once wished Chuck Norris a happy birthday. He then took my birthday as his gift.

The big differences are dual pistons, external reservoir, more travel and ride height adjustment, and additional strengthening where it mounts to the knuckle. Plus, of course, gravel valving.

Feal 460. Overkill or no kill.

No adjustments. They come valved specifically for the springs spec'd. These have Swift springs, the one pictured is a 050, which I belive is 280 in/lb (5K).

The coilovers arrived today. These things are freakin' massive! Keyboard for scale.. So much travel! I can't wait to get these on the car and hit some dirt.

That "street" looked better prepped than a lot of tracks...

3:15 for the race.