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Old 25-09-2014, 08:35 AM   #1
Kable72
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Default Cars with cheap mods for easy power

Hey guys,

Thinkin' of selling the ute in the next few months to pick up something with a bit more up and go. Been looking at XR6Ts and XR8s but couple friends have been trying to broaden my view so I've been looking at some R33's and S15s. Actually starting to like the idea of getting something that isn't a Falcon. What else are some good cars that don't cost a lot, mods are a dime a dozen and fairly easy to get good power out of? Budget is around 15-20k for the car and whatever for mods

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Old 25-09-2014, 08:46 AM   #2
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Default Re: Cars with cheap mods for easy power

Dime a dozen and fairly easy to get good power out of. hard to go past an XR6T.

R33's and S15s are not as available, so not dime a dozen
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Old 25-09-2014, 08:47 AM   #3
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Default Re: Cars with cheap mods for easy power

I always played with the idea of going to an import. Something like a 180sx, s15 or r32-34, but you are going backwards by 15 years. Yeah they are easy and cheap to mod however the insurance cost of imports is killer, they are tiny inside which means you can only fit 2 adults and they have crap all safety features. I'd love one as a weekend or project car however for daily driving, I reckon you can't go wrong with the xr6t or xr8.
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Old 25-09-2014, 09:03 AM   #4
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Default Re: Cars with cheap mods for easy power

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Dime a dozen and fairly easy to get good power out of. hard to go past an XR6T.

R33's and S15s are not as available, so not dime a dozen
I know but I've been with Falcons my entire driving life. All 5 years of it... Want something a little different. The cars are pretty hard to come by a good example of but the parts are everywhere.
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Old 25-09-2014, 09:21 AM   #5
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Default Re: Cars with cheap mods for easy power

Depends on your definition of "easy power" Forced induction will always make easier power than N/A....But

Doesn't matter what car you build it costs a LOT. Old school V8 or imported turbo it doesn't matter. Once you get some power you want more. Then comes upgraded fuel systems, transmission, axles, diff, cooling system the list goes on.
You need to draw a line in the sand and not cross it or spend. If you cut corners at the start or move the goal higher a lot of cash can be wasted getting there.

And if it's your daily driver you will spend a lot of time walking in between
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Old 25-09-2014, 09:29 AM   #6
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Default Re: Cars with cheap mods for easy power

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Depends on your definition of "easy power" Forced induction will always make easier power than N/A....But

Doesn't matter what car you build it costs a LOT. Old school V8 or imported turbo it doesn't matter. Once you get some power you want more. Then comes upgraded fuel systems, transmission, axles, diff, cooling system the list goes on.
You need to draw a line in the sand and not cross it or spend. If you cut corners at the start or move the goal higher a lot of cash can be wasted getting there.

And if it's your daily driver you will spend a lot of time walking in between
I'm prepared for the bug :P. I know it's going to cost a lot eventually and I'm not talking about getting 500-600rwhp easily. I'm talking like how easy it is to get a bit more from standard with minimal mods. Kinda like how XR6Ts can get a nice boost with a tune and intercooler upgrade. Anything more than that will cost a lot no matter with what you go for but as I say, I'm thinking about anything with a turbo and looking to broaden my horizons as a car owner and enthusiast.
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Old 25-09-2014, 09:34 AM   #7
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Default Re: Cars with cheap mods for easy power

As mentioned, turbo's are great when it comes to $$$ vs power, there is a lot of wrx/sti/evo's for sale, I'm sure you could find a decent one for that sort of money.
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Old 25-09-2014, 09:44 AM   #8
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Default Re: Cars with cheap mods for easy power

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As mentioned, turbo's are great when it comes to $$$ vs power, there is a lot of wrx/sti/evo's for sale, I'm sure you could find a decent one for that sort of money.
I've been looking at Evo's but then a Chaser came up, what are those like? I've never actually seen one in the metal.
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Old 25-09-2014, 10:14 AM   #9
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Default Re: Cars with cheap mods for easy power

What about considering a track/ hill climb car. An mx5 makes a great car to mod cheaply and is good out of the box. Easy to.tow as well. Or an escort or a falcon if it needs to be a Ford.
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Old 25-09-2014, 10:17 AM   #10
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Default Re: Cars with cheap mods for easy power

Late model wrx or xt forester I have had both an 2000 wrx and a 99 gt forester did stuff all to them big inside reliable as hell when moded properly they don't need much intercooler upgrade. exhaust, in take and a tune and your flying and they sound awesome IMO compoared to other jap cars and i'm not a massive fan of Jap stuff but those 2 were awesome cars wish I kept the forester fast and practical
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Old 25-09-2014, 10:26 AM   #11
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Default Re: Cars with cheap mods for easy power

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I've been looking at Evo's but then a Chaser came up, what are those like? I've never actually seen one in the metal.
Chasers are badass, they're like a Jap XR6 Turbo.

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Old 25-09-2014, 10:39 AM   #12
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Default Re: Cars with cheap mods for easy power

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What about considering a track/ hill climb car. An mx5 makes a great car to mod cheaply and is good out of the box. Easy to.tow as well. Or an escort or a falcon if it needs to be a Ford.
Well that was the original plan, by a cheap ****ter and just flog it on the track every now and then but then I started gradually looking at higher priced cars and I'm starting to take a liking to some of the JDM cars that are around. I'm trying to look elsewhere other than Ford for now.
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Old 25-09-2014, 10:39 AM   #13
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Default Re: Cars with cheap mods for easy power

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Chasers are badass, they're like a Jap XR6 Turbo.

image
Phwoar that looks like tits on wheels! And your sig quote is basically what I've dealt with from everyone I've asked an opinion of, lol
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Old 25-09-2014, 10:48 AM   #14
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Default Re: Cars with cheap mods for easy power

You may want to consider the cost of rebuilds too, more power = easy break something and you are not buying brand new, so the new toy and blow up the motor could be a very expensive start.
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Old 25-09-2014, 10:56 AM   #15
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Default Re: Cars with cheap mods for easy power

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You may want to consider the cost of rebuilds too, more power = easy break something and you are not buying brand new, so the new toy and blow up the motor could be a very expensive start.
Yep, I understand the risks of buying second hand and especially an older second hand car.
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Old 25-09-2014, 11:23 AM   #16
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Default Re: Cars with cheap mods for easy power

you could always go real old school and get something with carbies.
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Old 25-09-2014, 11:49 AM   #17
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Default Re: Cars with cheap mods for easy power

Chasers have the 1jz nearly unbreakable with the minimal mods you want!
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Old 25-09-2014, 11:49 AM   #18
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Default Re: Cars with cheap mods for easy power

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you could always go real old school and get something with carbies.
That's where the "easy power for less dollars" comes in. They're pretty hard to find in good running condition and then cost heaps to get much out of them. Not as simple as just winding up the boost.
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Old 25-09-2014, 11:51 AM   #19
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Default Re: Cars with cheap mods for easy power

Old cheap import that makes lots of horsepower. ........... sorry no such animal, they sound cheap to begin with and shortly down the track money starts evaporating out of your wallet.
Nothing comes close to the XR6T for cheap reliable horsepower imo.
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Old 25-09-2014, 12:54 PM   #20
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Default Re: Cars with cheap mods for easy power

The biggest problem with buying a 10-15 year old Jap import is most, if not all have been owned by someone who has flogged the bygeezus out of it on a regular basis. I mean thats what people buy them for right?
Oh yeah shiny on top but thrashed every time it was driven and last serviced when?
Problem is they are not old enough to be collectable and fully restored, but cheap enough that almost anyone can pay one off with their fortnightly cheque with nothing left to service it.
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Old 25-09-2014, 12:57 PM   #21
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Default Re: Cars with cheap mods for easy power

If you want to go the Jap Import route maybe talk to Iron Chef and import something yourself.
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Old 25-09-2014, 01:05 PM   #22
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Default Re: Cars with cheap mods for easy power

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Hey guys,

Thinkin' of selling the ute in the next few months to pick up something with a bit more up and go. Been looking at XR6Ts and XR8s but couple friends have been trying to broaden my view so I've been looking at some R33's and S15s. Actually starting to like the idea of getting something that isn't a Falcon. What else are some good cars that don't cost a lot, mods are a dime a dozen and fairly easy to get good power out of? Budget is around 15-20k for the car and whatever for mods
evo...
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Old 25-09-2014, 01:08 PM   #23
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What about considering a track/ hill climb car. An mx5 makes a great car to mod cheaply and is good out of the box. Easy to.tow as well. Or an escort or a falcon if it needs to be a Ford.
great for purse shopping too
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Old 25-09-2014, 01:10 PM   #24
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Default Re: Cars with cheap mods for easy power

For your budget, I'd look at a WRX or STi. Very easy to get extra power and plenty are available already with lots of mods.

Loads of grip and speed.
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Old 25-09-2014, 01:10 PM   #25
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Default Re: Cars with cheap mods for easy power

Mitsubishi legnum also.
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Old 25-09-2014, 01:15 PM   #26
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Default Re: Cars with cheap mods for easy power

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For your budget, I'd look at a WRX or STi. Very easy to get extra power and plenty are available already with lots of mods.

Loads of grip and speed.
An Evo has been suggested and they seem to be a similar beast with a different badge. Loads of grip for fast acceleration. Lightweight cars don't need to make big numbers to go fast either which is pretty attractive at the moment.
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Old 25-09-2014, 01:38 PM   #27
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Default Re: Cars with cheap mods for easy power

the beauty of jap cars and jap imports is you can get so many parts from overseas for cheap for them, and they are a good package to begin with, a con of them is the police tend to target the jdm scene more than they target falcons and commodores
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Old 25-09-2014, 01:39 PM   #28
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Default Re: Cars with cheap mods for easy power

Being from NZ I've had a few Jap imports and it was certainly the way to go.
but in Oz WRX, EVO all cost a premium.
If you want a project you could always go for an old school 80's 90's RWD and transplant a 1jZ or dare I say it a 13B turbo.
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Old 25-09-2014, 01:39 PM   #29
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the beauty of jap cars and jap imports is you can get so many parts from overseas for cheap for them, and they are a good package to begin with, a con of them is the police tend to target the jdm scene more than they target falcons and commodores
It's a pretty attractive package when you look at it like that minus the extra attention.
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Old 25-09-2014, 01:41 PM   #30
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Default Re: Cars with cheap mods for easy power

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Hey guys,

Thinkin' of selling the ute in the next few months to pick up something with a bit more up and go. Been looking at XR6Ts and XR8s but couple friends have been trying to broaden my view so I've been looking at some R33's and S15s. Actually starting to like the idea of getting something that isn't a Falcon. What else are some good cars that don't cost a lot, mods are a dime a dozen and fairly easy to get good power out of? Budget is around 15-20k for the car and whatever for mods
IMHO go for a VZ with the 6 litre in it.
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