Fast Cars - A Lighter Subject

General General Discussion
1

Figured this is a bit more light-hearted than most of what I see in this forum, but curious if others here share an interest in driving quickly.
Anyone else have a performance-oriented vehicle they like to work on and/or drive?

I’ve got an 06 Mustang GT that I picked up for a good deal in 2011. They guy I bought it from had upgraded the exhaust, swapped in lower springs, and changed various “appearance” things while he was in Afghanistan. Right away, I did the usual cold air intake and tuner, but then moved on to the rear control arms and panhard bar to keep the back end from hopping around, and some better tires.

After it was paid off and I started driving a company vehicle for work, I moved on to switching in the front rotors from the newer 11-14 GT’s, then the shocks/struts/strut mounts, and oil catch can. Added a cheap short throw shifter. I have a Steeda G-Trac brace that I haven’t installed yet, but is waiting in the garage.

Now… I’ve been collecting pieces here and there. Just picked up some used 18x10 wheels that will clear some new takeoff GT500 Brembo front calipers (both via eBay) and 14” rotors (new takeoffs via Facebook Marketplace). Also via eBay, got some used rear calipers, as the 06 has a slightly different fitting, so I can put on GT500 13.8” rear rotors; still have to order the bracket for that. I picked up Boss 302 brake lines a couple years ago, in preparation for this… I also have an Agent 47 lower grill set up for brake ducts; that will be project I haven’t taken on before. Overall, pretty excited about the improvement I’ll see in stopping consistency and quickness.

After that’s all on, I’ll move to what really interests me: aero. Step One will be modifying the stock hood my wife found for me on Facebook Marketplace… I think that work will be handed off to a professional.

I get this isn’t the be-all, end-all of a performance vehicle, but it’s paid off, it’s still rock solid, and it’ll be cool again by the time my kids can drive. And I can work on it myself, mostly.

Actual performance vehicle that I have my sights on? The Alfa Romeo 4C. Been eye-balling that thing for years now. Just need a bit more passive dineros before that can be justified.

2

I have an 11 second pick up that tows my 12k fifth wheel.
My Audi A8 does 12’s.

I’m good.

3

I have a basically stock (Hurst shifter is only mod) 07 GT that I bought very lightly used in 08 when I retired from the Army. It’s been a solid daily driver and I have enjoyed the car since the day I bought it. I have no illusions about its capabilities, but a 13 second car is not really a slouch.

I bought a leftover 2018 Silverado Z71 5.3 this year to take over DD duties and spare my pony some wear and tear. The truck is easier on my back getting in and out and much easier to drive in traffic jams and the yearly Alabama snow but the Mustang will still be in the drive rotation.

4

2002 corvette Z06, gets driven regularly. Got some work under the hood and a few upgrades here and there. Need to get away from northern VA to really enjoy what it can do though.

5

Not yet, but I have a Bucket List project involving taking an '82-'84 Firebird apart and rebuilding it into a “new car stuffed into an old-car shell.”
[ul]
[li]Continuously-variable transmission like a Subaru WRX
[/li][li]90-degree V6 or SBC V8, with electromagnetically operated valves rather than camshaft
[/li][li]Basically being able to tweak valve timing, fuel injection, gear ratios etc. in realtime for an intended goal, whether in Performance mode on the track or MPG mode as a long-range cruiser
[/li][/ul]
Of course, all this means heavy onboard computers, which in turn mean a whole new nose and dash, because if you’re gonna build a computer into a car as Doc Brown said “why not do it with style?” And what would be more apt for “style” in that context than either of the two ORIGINAL “rolling computers,” KITT or his evil twin KARR? (Bonus, the '82 Firebird is already one of the lowest-drag cars ever built, and the sharklike Knight nose makes it even more so.)

6

McLaren or Porsche for me, thank you very much.

7

If you’re throwing those names out, we’re going to need pictures.

8

At the end of the day, the Corvette is still the only true American sports car. That being said, have you ever seen the old off road package vehicles from the 60’s (maybe 70’s?). There was one at the MCACN in Rosemont, IL a few years ago. Not crazy, but definitely unique. I followed Vorshlag’s Mustang build from a couple years ago, and noted they also do a good amount of work on Corvettes. Cool stuff and a cool car.

9

I had a sports car in my youth. Some days I wanna get one and most days I remember why its a waste of time

If I had the money I’d get a 350R or an Audi so that way I could be an Eurodriver too!

Probably not as good a shot but ya know…

ETA or even a Challenger Hellcat done up like the General Lee

10

I am currently out of the USA, when I get back I will post pictures.

I don’t have any photos in the computer and phone that I use for overseas trips.

11

I dare you to put an Israeli Flag on the roof of your McLaren and call it the King David and take it on jumps and have the horn play Hava Nagila as you run moonshine.

And you have to hood slide

The hoodslide is most important or you’ll be in a heap of trouble

12

Did I mention that my Audi has heated and cooled massaging seats with 5 different modes of massage? :wink:

13

I got too many speeding tickets as a yute, so I switched vehicle types.

Offroad… no radar gun can see your “speed”… :jester:

14

unironically same. My late teens and early twenties with a sportscar…ooh boy.

Now I just wanna be comfy. Im middle aged. im not in a hurry no more (still want an Audi AWD sorta for reasons)

15

I got a 2001 WS6 Trans Am 6spd when I was 18 in February of 2001. In the summer I installed an exhaust and bought drag radials and went 12.85. In the winter I was getting a line-lock installed and ended up picking up a used set of Heads/Cam which after replacing the broken 10-bolt and clutch went 11.32. Added a 75 shot of N2O and went 10.70. After a couple of years I went with a new H/C setup and ran it only once to an 11.1 when the shop asked me if they can use my car as a test bed for a new H/C setup. They installed it at no cost to me and I went 10.32. Had the car in an article in GM High Tech in 07 or 08. Several years later I freshened up the motor and went 10.24.

With the move to NC coming soon, I am looking at re-tuning it on E85 and picking up a few more HP. E85 is very rare in NJ.

Still a stick, still driven on the street, not as much as I would like tho.

16

So you say your sedan is quick and has nice tech & features soulezoo? Please, tell me more… :wink:

17

I’ve had two modern Corvettes, and two older Ferraris and now have a brand new base Mustang GT/5.0. It’s amazing how good base cars are nowadays.

18

My Mustang attracts hot and cool women with many more than 5 massage modes…

19

I’m married and old. Needs change.

20

I am both as well, although I am sure sports cars pull the ladies for someone.