Jul 16th, 2003, 01:36 PM
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#13 (permalink)
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Nissan Addict
Join Date: May 2003
Location: CA
Posts: 531
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Quote:
Originally posted by 98_1LE
I am going to reply to this while trying to keep it "flame free". First, any of the cars mentioned has merits.
The 300 is a beuatiful car. The N/A version is underpowered. If autocross is an indication of handling, the N/A 300 is in the same stock class as all V8 F-bodies (FS) and doesn't stand a chance. Too much weight and not enough tire. The turbo 300 has a lot of mod potential, but mods are neither cheap nor easy to install. Other parts for these cars are expensive, and they are not as reliable as some would have you think. As for turbo performance, a stock '92 Z28 with the 350 (245 hp btw, and 345 torque) is a mid 14 second car right along side the turbo 300. The interior on the 300 is a lot nicer than the other cars mentioned. I would definately get a 300 with T-tops (but I am a T-top junkie).
The 5.0L Mustang has the most straight line potential, but handling suffers. These cars are extremely easy to work on, and parts are cheap.
The F-body (Camaro and Trans Am) are cars that I consider myself and expert on. I will start with thirdgens, but since you said "90's" I will stick to '90-'92. Assuming you are talking one with a TPI motor (the V6 and TBI motors suck), they are all capable of 14 second time. Back in 2000 I bought an unmodified '87 Formula 350, which was only rated at 215 hp. Bone stock on July 3 in Dallas (can you say HOT) it ran 14.81 on 8 year old Western Auto tires. With a few minor (and cheap) mods, it ran high 13's. I had the car for a year and a half, and the only things that went wrong were the ac and MAF died, but it was a 14 year old car. Other than that it was more reliable than my '93 NX2000 which only has 90K miles today and currently needs a new door handle and HVAC controls. Anyway, the '90-'92 TPI cars were deep in the 14's, and were listed as one of the 10 best handling cars in '92. Yes, they can turn corners. Unless you are talking about a rare 1LE car, the brakes are too small on these cars. The chassis on the thirdgens is weak, so I would avoid T-top cars. The '93-'97 F-bodies are high 13/low 14 second cars all stock. The chassis are a lot stiffer, and handling is great. The '98-'02 V8 F-bodies are low 13 second cars stock. My '01 T/A ran 12.97@108.4 with the lone mod being Nitto road race tires (which I also use for daily driver tires). Unless it was for a track race car, I would make sure to get a '93+ with T-tops. The interior in the Camaro is pretty plain, the T/A is a step up, but neither are as nice or durable inside as the 300. Because these cars were considerably cheaper new, and subsequently used, finding one that has been taken care of is more of an issue than the with the 300 from my experience.
I run autox and track events regurarly, and I have only seen a few 300's come out. They have never been competitive, but that may be the driver and not the car.
If you have any specific questions about the F-body, please post them and PM me as I probably won't follow this thread as I see flames in my crystal ball.
All that being said, I would like to find a nice 300 turbo to play with in the next couple years.
Chuck
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I was thinking he was talking about the turbo 300 not the NA but his question as I look again is unclear. Your right they did make a 245hp, I had forgotton. That would definately get into the 14's. Most however did not break 15's. If I had money to spend I would go 300z but if not I would go with the 5.0. So much you do to them. It is also possible to make them handle well. It's not a lost cause. If you go camaro go 93' and up. Very quick cars. |
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