Am I Crazy?
06-06-2014, 02:48 PM
#42
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I'll always be grateful that Ford stuffed a 302 into the early-80s Fox body. It was the move that lifted us out of the Great Car Depression of the late-70s/early-80s. Many of you weren't even alive back then, but the 302 Mustang was a big reason why cars got fun again. The Miata in 1989 was another significant milestone. I'll never forget how awful those late-70s smog cars were. At the nadir, I think the Corvette made 180-190 at the crank -- barely enough to move a disco ball.
Sure, it still plowed through the corners like the other Mustangs (and, to be honest, most cars of the day), but it sure went like a bat out of hell when you floored it.
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06-06-2014, 03:47 PM
#48
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Coyote big.
Im not sure I really get the 3.6 swap either. Doesn't sound like a sports car motor to me.
Maybe I dont like it because its a 90 degree V6. Its a compromised design.
Im not sure I really get the 3.6 swap either. Doesn't sound like a sports car motor to me.
Maybe I dont like it because its a 90 degree V6. Its a compromised design.
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06-06-2014, 04:22 PM
#50
Looks like we could bolt turbos directly to the head....
Here's a stock photo of the same engine, as used in a couple of the 2014 cadillac lineup...
designated LF3 instead of LFX, but from what I read, it's the same footprint.
Not sure if the LFX 6-speed will be able to handle the LF3. That trans is only rated at about 350 ft-lb. The LF3 is only mated to automatics in the cadillac lineup. It seems like GM did everything they could to make the footprint of this thing compact.
Here's a stock photo of the same engine, as used in a couple of the 2014 cadillac lineup...
designated LF3 instead of LFX, but from what I read, it's the same footprint.
Not sure if the LFX 6-speed will be able to handle the LF3. That trans is only rated at about 350 ft-lb. The LF3 is only mated to automatics in the cadillac lineup. It seems like GM did everything they could to make the footprint of this thing compact.
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06-06-2014, 04:40 PM
#51
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No, not crazy. I haven't driven one, my main concern would be the same for any Mustang, Camaro, or other retro muscle car, which is that it'd feel like I'm driving from inside a tank. AKA: zero visibility.
But to compare build prices:
Mustang, you get 300hp/29mpg: $23,180. Couldn't find an LSD option here.
370z, you get 332hp/26mpg: $33,830
MX-5, you get 167hp/28mpg: $27,700
Edit: I was going to edit this saying it's hard to beat the Mustang's pricing and engine performance, but after reading FTB's review above....nope nope nope nope.
These prices are all "out the door", which means after delivery, MSRP. From what I've heard you could possibly knock a couple grand off the Z and 'stang, but not more than a few hundred off the MX-5. Also, they're all freeway MPG. City MPGs are just sad.
But to compare build prices:
Mustang, you get 300hp/29mpg: $23,180. Couldn't find an LSD option here.
370z, you get 332hp/26mpg: $33,830
MX-5, you get 167hp/28mpg: $27,700
Edit: I was going to edit this saying it's hard to beat the Mustang's pricing and engine performance, but after reading FTB's review above....nope nope nope nope.
These prices are all "out the door", which means after delivery, MSRP. From what I've heard you could possibly knock a couple grand off the Z and 'stang, but not more than a few hundred off the MX-5. Also, they're all freeway MPG. City MPGs are just sad.
As for the Mustang... It's a freaking sick, sick car. That 5.0 is heroic, and sounds perfect. The shifting really isn't bad, and the car does shrink as you drive it fast IMO. I think it would be fun on a road race course, not so much an autox course.
Then again... I drove it once. It's huge, and MPG isn't great. Sweet car though, and great looking too IMO.
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06-06-2014, 04:41 PM
#52
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Oh snap
I thought we were talking about something like this:
I guess this is the rebirth of the LX5?
Maybe GM is going to try to be with the times again. I always thought the old northstar/shortstar were pretty cool engines, but I guess all the good ol' boys cried so much they had to keep making OHV bullshit.
I thought we were talking about something like this:
I guess this is the rebirth of the LX5?
Maybe GM is going to try to be with the times again. I always thought the old northstar/shortstar were pretty cool engines, but I guess all the good ol' boys cried so much they had to keep making OHV bullshit.
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06-06-2014, 04:50 PM
#53
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The 5.0 Mustang I priced out was 28k with the track package. According to the information I have that is about $6300 off MSRP.
Track Package:
Tires: P255/40R19 Summer-Only, Tire Mobility Kit Replaces mini spare tire, Aggressive Suspension Tuning, Engine Oil Cooler, TORSEN Helical Differential w/3.73 Axle Ratio, 14" Brembo Vented Front Rotors, Brembo 4-piston calipers, Wheels: 19" x 9.0" Dark Stainless Painted Aluminum, Unique Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Tuning, 11.8" Vented Rear Rotors, Boss 302 Radiator
With that said, I still think the Miata Club is the only real choice. Even though it is slow.
Track Package:
Tires: P255/40R19 Summer-Only, Tire Mobility Kit Replaces mini spare tire, Aggressive Suspension Tuning, Engine Oil Cooler, TORSEN Helical Differential w/3.73 Axle Ratio, 14" Brembo Vented Front Rotors, Brembo 4-piston calipers, Wheels: 19" x 9.0" Dark Stainless Painted Aluminum, Unique Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Tuning, 11.8" Vented Rear Rotors, Boss 302 Radiator
With that said, I still think the Miata Club is the only real choice. Even though it is slow.
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06-06-2014, 04:56 PM
#54
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Edit to add quote for conversation continuity
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06-06-2014, 05:47 PM
#59
http://gmauthority.com/blog/gm/gm-engines/lfx/
The one to get would be out of a wrecked Camaro -- setup for RWD with an M6.
Like I said, seems like a pretty cool swap.
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06-06-2014, 05:58 PM
#60
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The real question with any swap path is the driveline.
The whole K24 thing is awesome because you can use cheap/easy/available stuff. And probably not break it, and haul *** on track.
The LSXs and 5.0s are great, but they are so pricey because of the transmissions and diffs. T56s cost more than what I paid for my NA. They are even expensive used/beat up. T5s probably wont hold up to an LSX, and frankly a stockish 5.0 is not all that much more powerful than a basic turbo BP.
If the LFX has a cheap, durable readily available manual trans, then it'll dominate. But that may not be the case. And looking at the future, probably we will not see that happen anymore. 3 pedal setups are going to go the way of the dinosaur. Right along with traditional gas engine cars.
The whole K24 thing is awesome because you can use cheap/easy/available stuff. And probably not break it, and haul *** on track.
The LSXs and 5.0s are great, but they are so pricey because of the transmissions and diffs. T56s cost more than what I paid for my NA. They are even expensive used/beat up. T5s probably wont hold up to an LSX, and frankly a stockish 5.0 is not all that much more powerful than a basic turbo BP.
If the LFX has a cheap, durable readily available manual trans, then it'll dominate. But that may not be the case. And looking at the future, probably we will not see that happen anymore. 3 pedal setups are going to go the way of the dinosaur. Right along with traditional gas engine cars.
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