Second Gen Posted December 22, 2015 Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 The BMW (Z4MR running a stock configuration S54/6SMT) is sitting in the back of the garage and I am debating on selling her in the Spring. The car is immaculate and performs well, but I miss tinkering and forced induction. Previously I had a street ported / single turbo FD putting down about 400 ponies in a 2800 pound car (was a blast and unique). I would like to move to something comparable to the FD (Weight/thrust ratio) and looking for ideas. Really wanting to do a turbo Six, but a Dorito is still option (Maybe) and would need to be really clean/from the South. The last one I had was showing its age with rust and was the reason for the sale. Budget is in line with the Z4M (Approx $20 - 25K) Ideas: BMW is out as they are too expensive to turbo/super charge GTR too damn expensive (But very cool) Really not wanting a V8 because the additional weight/size (But do like the new Stang) Supras are also getting expensive (Unless I go for a older model). Already had an A70 (1987 - 2002) and want something different. Maybe I need to look @ an older turbo Audi or make retrofitting something into something Japanese?? Looking for ideas (What you may have done/thought about) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iwashmycar Posted December 22, 2015 Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 You cant turbo the Z? Or just dont want to? Just seems like there is possibilities to make yours a unique beast of a car you are looking for. I dont see exactly how turboing a BMW is far more than an FD in the end...unless the FD internals can handle it and the BM cant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STEVE-O Posted December 22, 2015 Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 Rwd? Awd? Fwd? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokey Posted December 22, 2015 Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 FD owners always come back after trying to go another direction. It's a curse. I will say though that finding a nice FD in today's market is very tough. Be prepared to see a lot of hacks or pay a lot (compared to the last time you bought) for a clean example. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grudes Posted December 22, 2015 Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 Wrx? IS300? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyM3rC Posted December 22, 2015 Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 Don't get an older audi. After driving the BMW any older audi will feel like a front-heavy understeering pig. Unless you want a nice comfy car, or fast winter car. The BMW turbo cars make good power with simple mods. If I were in your shoes I'd miss the crisp NA response and bottom end Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STEVE-O Posted December 22, 2015 Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 What about a already boosted BMW and making it better? 335? Or how about Audi also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toph6888 Posted December 22, 2015 Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 Did someone say turbo 6? In all honesty though, WRX/STI are affordable for that price range and make good power with basic bolt ons. If you start looking for a lot of power on top youre gonna have to do forged pistons though. The 2 or 3 series with the turbo 4/6 would be good as well. If you are wanting to get into something more hands on with modding, an old E30 with a turbo would be good. Sticking with a 6 cylinder is tough. Most stuff is either v8 or turbo 4, not a lot of examples of nice 6's anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carl1647545492 Posted December 22, 2015 Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 A Boosted S2000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iwashmycar Posted December 22, 2015 Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 ^^^that could be fun. So much RPMs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2highpsi Posted December 22, 2015 Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 JZA80 (MKIV) Supra can be had within the budget Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsm_sleeper Posted December 22, 2015 Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 It's pretty easy to make decent power with the N54 (BMW) engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AudiOn19s Posted December 22, 2015 Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 The issue I see here is...you've had a couple of really well balanced, light, driver involved sports cars with good power to weight. Based on your suggestion you're taking away handling and light weight and driver interaction in favor of just something with more power and straight line performance. Is that really what you're after? If you're looking for faster without giving up the driving experience, FD is the only choice in my opinion. Based on the shopping I did with Chris (smokey) earlier this summer it's going to be every bit of your 20-25k budget to get a nice one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geeto67 Posted December 22, 2015 Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 are you adverse to old junk? Wanting to do a forced induction inline 6 that is not a bmw or BMW prices pretty much leaves you with 1970's-80's Z cars, older supras, mercedes diesels, Jaguars, whatever Japanese cars the 1jz/2jz engines came in, and 1960's pontiac OHC inline 6's. Personally I would go find an early 1970's jaguar (preferably an XJ6C) and swap in a 1994+ AJ16 4.0L supercharged six out of an XJR. 400 hp in a 3000lbs car with no ABS, traction control, or stability control should make for some epic hoonage. old jaguar chassis are pretty good with independent front and rear and 4 wheel disc brakes (inboard on the early ones) so it should make of a way better ride than a lot of other old junk that is out there. if you don't want old junk then I don't know what to tell you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron Posted December 22, 2015 Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 Brz and frs can be had in mid to high teens. F/I can be done and they handle great. 3 members here have them, actually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STEVE-O Posted December 22, 2015 Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 Not a 6 cylinder but how about a c5z? Even being a v8 its about 3120lb and can make easy power Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Littleguy Posted December 22, 2015 Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 Obviously a V8 FD, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linn1647545492 Posted December 22, 2015 Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 Motor swap the S54 for a N54 and make 400rwhp all day with basic bolt-ons. Or just buy a newer Z with that motor in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewtoys Posted December 22, 2015 Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 What do you want to use the car for? By your previous choices it seems you want a balanced car, as others have stated... Snag a Elise for 25k, and sell it for 25+ when you're finished. You can drive them into the ground and get your cash back out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted December 22, 2015 Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 I'm a big fan of Corvettes, and there is lots of fun to be had in that budget. How about turboing a Miata? Sounds kind of lame but there have been people making good power in that little car, just 200 wheel was fun in mine and I've seen over 300. An STi could be fun as well. In the end it sounds like you want another FD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robochan Posted December 22, 2015 Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 Ideas: BMW is out as they are too expensive to turbo/super charge GTR too damn expensive (But very cool) Really not wanting a V8 because the additional weight/size (But do like the new Stang) Supras are also getting expensive (Unless I go for a older model). Already had an A70 (1987 - 2002) and want something different. Maybe I need to look @ an older turbo Audi or make retrofitting something into something Japanese?? Looking for ideas (What you may have done/thought about) A LS motor (V8) is the lightest and probably the smallest power plant listed above. I vote new ND miata and follow all the aftermarket coming out for the car. Put a Rotrex on it and make 300whp at 2200lbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Second Gen Posted December 22, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 OK as I thought lots of good conversations (Thx too): Am I after something well balanced = Yes (light if possible) Two people mention turbo'ing the S54 is easy, but the write-ups I have seen they seem like a major PITA (OR fail in some cases). HPF sold their failed attempt on eBay recently for a loss. This is tied to the DCS (Antilock/traction control system) on the Z4M's. One option is a Supercharger kit for about $5.5K. Maybe an option Do I want something I can wrench on = Yuuuupppp (Storage wars) Older Z car was mentioned, but unless they are from the South they are worse than the FD's. I know where a 260Z sits, but looks to be gone.. Drive line - RWD or AWD is OK, but not aware of a lot of turbo AWD 6's. Not wanting the FWD option (Sorry HART folks) Smokey / Chris - Yeah I have had 8 RX7's (Can you say I have a problem). Cost will probably be an issue Not a lot of experience here with Lotus. Maybe can look here (Turbo/FI)? Love the older Jag's, but not the XJ's (Maybe the XJ-s?). Anyone find me an E type or nutty XJ200? I guess I am looking for something abstract. Maybe something odd like a Triumph GT6 swapped. Or maybe a tube frame fiber fab (Jamaica like). Guess I need to do some trolling over the Jan/Feb timeframe and see what I might be able to Frankenstein. As always appreciate the good chat/comments from the CR members. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLost Posted December 22, 2015 Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 EDIT: Wrote this before the above response was posted, certain options may be void now) My vote would go to either An oldschool S30 (240/260/280z) Nissan w/ LS swap, Or E30 coupe w/ M60/M62 swap. That would be gnarly. (v8) or an S50/S52 if you really want L6) If you want an older style car, those are my votes. Gorgeous cars with huge amounts of information, as well as a lot of the above swaps documented. If you're looking for something newer, RX8 w/ LS swap SC300 w/ Soarer 2.5GT (1JZGTE+R154) swap (turbo L6) Scion FR-S w/ 1/2JZ GTE swap (or basic bolt ons... but a JZ would be great in the platform, and would fit the turbo 6) Maybe an Audi A/S5 would fancy you? (available in V6/V8) If you're in the mood for a sedan, my votes would go towards Lexus IS-F with bolt ons (V8) Bugeye/Blobeye/Hawkeye STi (H4) B7+ S4 (B7=V8, B8=V6) There's a LOT of great options out there for your price range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirks5oh Posted December 22, 2015 Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 c5z with a turbo rotary swap?? haha honestly, they can be had cheap, will be as light as anything out there. you can wrench on them as much as you want, the motor takes abuse, with tons and tons of aftermarket support and parts available. great motor, great brakes, light, power-to-weight, still look good. shitty interior--who cares. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geeto67 Posted December 22, 2015 Report Share Posted December 22, 2015 Love the older Jag's, but not the XJ's (Maybe the XJ-s?). Anyone find me an E type or nutty XJ200? I guess I am looking for something abstract. Maybe something odd like a Triumph GT6 swapped. Or maybe a tube frame fiber fab (Jamaica like). liking more and more what I hear (except the not liking xj6 part - the early series II cars are really very nice for a 70's car). there really are some interesting things out there: http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/cto/5362847915.html http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/5311256316.html I'm pretty sure these both belong to craig: http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/5335269330.html http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/5346867357.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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