I was going with the traditional Civic b18 swap but I ended up getting the car and it was in really great working order. Turns out someone saw it at my stepdads shop and asked if it was a 4 sale car. So he called me and I just turned it around to this guy for $1100 over what I bought it for. Will not make me rich but what the hell. Just got me thinking this is one more civic on the road and they are great tuner cars but I want to go some other route. Not a head turner, chick getter, but a sleeper that ruins someones day. There is the old datsun 510, fieros with 350s, silvia S series swaps. All these things but what would be you motorheads ideal build up for a sleeper that would send people home crying to their friends. Also what have been your best experiences in the past with sleepers you have taken part in?

 

Any VW/Audi 1.8T car can be a total sleeper. With a simple $500 chip you will make an extremely reliable 195 HP and 220-250 lb-ft, depending on what car. Add a downpipe/cat, and an exhaust with hidden tips, you're looking at another 20-30 HP. An $800 turbo upgrade and you're sitting on a 250 hp, 280 lb-ft monster that looks just like a stock Golf or Jetta.

If you're looking to spend less, I would take a 1st gen Miata and add a turbo for 200 HP or so. Wheee!

The best part is, in none of these options do you have to drive a Civic!

-Nick

 

thanks for the reply, I am aware of the APR, GIAC chips and all the engine control reprogram setups. in reality what do you think that a 1.8t in say a golf would run, pushing 240hp or so?

 

go with the miata turbo man.. it'll be so fun. and when the BOV sounds off... ~ohhhHhHH~ that sound is the shit~~~

 

Mid 13's. Check http://www.18turbo.com , they have a lot of timeslips listed. Keep in mind that a VW modified in this way will retain stock-like drivability and reliability.

S2K_Stylist, I know what you mean about the BOV sound...I hear it every shift.

-Nick

 

You could do what I'm doing...60's Austin Mini Cooper with a 1.6 or 1.8 Vtec. For those that want to know, this will be my wifes car and I'll be putting my nitrous on it when I get my turbo (It WILL have a roll cage before the nitrous though) This project will be done sometime this fall. I wanted it to be done in time to run at the IDRC at Bandi but I can't do it in time.

 

I'd go with the miata............Turbo it and whewwwwwww! I've heard that a dodge shadow turbo can be made into a 12's monster. Cheap too!

 

Yeah go with Miata u have more fun plus it true sport car(RWD the best).speaking form experience i had FM(Miata)shit wicked!!some sucker stolen it man it suck !!!!!!at the time it got stolen i had 132k on it.Not bad huh?

 

Look for the following criteria:

1. Light
2. Relatively old - at least 6-7 years old is good
3. Average condition - it needs to look a little used
4. Lots of parts
5. Cheap to acquire

Basically, it needs to be something you aren't going to get to attached to, or have to spend too much money on and without a warranty to worry about.

There are lots of cars that fit this bill:

1. Early Civics/CRXs (yes, I know you decided against it, but it fits)
2. Miatas - find an early model, or maybe one of the first 1.8s
3. 1st gen Eclipse - doesn't fit the light part, but if you debadge it no one will know till its too late, especially if you get the Talon or Laser instead.
4. SR20 Sentra SE-R

All of these cars have plentiful parts, are cheap to acquire and fix, and you can make them pretty fast without having to break any new ground. With the exception of the DSM, all weigh in under 2500 lbs (some as light as 2000-2200 lbs). You could purchase any of these cars in decent shape, and if you were frugal about your mods, put any of them into the 12's for a combined total of less than $10k. The added bonus is they all handle pretty well with minimal mods (Miata doesn't need much there).

Choose wisely and plan your mod path before you buy the car. Helps prevent getting things you really don't need.

UL