Grassroots Motorsports Challenge

[G.Irish]

Crap, forgot about that

[GT]

The '89-'93 Suzuki Swift GTI has a curb weight of 1610 lbs (according to NHTSA) and a 100 HP engine (according to MSN Autos). If we got the weight down to 1400 lbs (-210 lbs) and the power up to 140 HP (+40 HP) it would have a power-to-weight ratio of 10:1. The fact that it's FWD won't matter because we'll be putting less than 140 HP to the ground.

A high-mileage '89 would probably cost less than $1K, leaving more than half of the budget for mods.

[ScottyB]

The '89-'93 Suzuki Swift GTI has a curb weight of 1610 lbs (according to NHTSA) and a 100 HP engine (according to MSN Autos). If we got the weight down to 1400 lbs (-210 lbs) and the power up to 140 HP (+40 HP) it would have a power-to-weight ratio of 10:1. The fact that it's FWD won't matter because we'll be putting less than 140 HP to the ground.

A high-mileage '89 would probably cost less than $1K, leaving more than half of the budget for mods.

how interchangable are parts with standard swifts? and how will we gain 40 horsepower?

[Dave]

will a honda,nissan, or vw motor swap easily?(just the first to come to mind) Are swifts easy to wring more power out of them?

[GT]

I think installing an intake system and removing the exhaust will get us about half of the way there (+ ~20 HP) cheaply and easily. As I drive a rotary-powered vehicle (and, therefore, know little of headers, cams, valves, etc.), I don't know how cheap and easy getting the other half of the way there will be.

Note: If we can lose more than 210 lbs, we'll have to gain less than 40 HP to achieve a 10:1 power-to-weight ratio.

[CaptainHenreh]

Ahh, the Good Old Swift GTi.

I very seriously doubt your ability to find one within 1000 miles for under 1000 dollars. With the bigger brakes, the larger HP, and the better handling, they were rare to begin with, and now are scooped up by enthusiasts as fast as they go on the market. I've wanted one for quite some time, but they are too bloody rare.

Non-engine and non-brake related parts interchange is pretty good with the Swift, Metro, Sprint and Firefly quadruplets.

Frankly, I think it's more likely to run to Canada and get a Firefly 1.0L Turbo for under 1000 than it is to find a running Swift GT here in the States.

It would be a great auto-x car, but unless we fall into a great deal on one, it'd be a real challenge.

And dave, as far as motor swaps go, you can put a 4.0L V8 in it, if you have the money. Problem is that any swap that would make MORE power than a Swift GT would be, well, cost prohibitive considering our skill level. It's a nice thought, though.

[BLINGMW]

What about this thing?



$1 for an MM GRM challenge effort? I know, it looks pretty bad, but it's really not. All the headlights, despite their new directions, still work! :lol: It's my '85 325e I baught a couple years ago and have left behind in Radford VA near the Bimmerworld shop. It actually ran decently 2 years ago, and when I visited it last winter I still managed to get it to start. Although I assume it's suffering from many vacuum leaks, I think the motor is ok, as is the rest of the driveline. I've got another left fender for it, a good radiator, and with a little pulling on the front support, and a bumper and such, I think it'd be ready to go.

A couple hundred $ on used bilsteins and Eibachs/H&R's (pretty easy to find), $100 on brakes, some fluids and a few hoses, and it might be a good starting point for around $500 total. Leaves LOTS of room for NOS, used LSD, tires, engine management (Megasquirt?), a used race seat, some custom body kit crap maybe and it's begging for yellow/black paint! 8)

Could easily place top 10 in autocross, finish well in councours depending on how much time was spent on it, and drag race.... well, maybe top half? I think a little time invested would easily grab a top half finish without major fab work or custom turbo/engine crap, not bad for a first time effort, right?

Go get it! :mrgreen:

[JohnC]

What about this thing?

Can't beat the price, and I'm sure GRM wouldn't argue either, seeing that picture.

And if it gets passed over for the GRM effort, I'm almost tempted....

[Mike]

e30 = ownage.

do it!

is the frame straight chan? hard to tell in those pics.

[.RJ]

V8 volvo.

bigblock brick will own their asses.

[Kaan]

turbo swift just needs front brakes, more b00st, and suspension... come on, we could scavenge some bigger bolt on brakes with carbotechs for 200, we could find something used like SPAX/Koni or something with some kinda springs used, 500, use Boost controler and afc for another 200, that leaves 100 for used tires (start looking rj) and 1k for the car... we can do it!

[BLINGMW]

e30 = ownage.

do it!

is the frame straight chan? hard to tell in those pics.

I wouldn't bet my life on it, but it's probably very close. The driver door won't quite latch, which makes me think at least SOMETHING isn't quite right, but I don't really know. The left framerail obviously took a good hit, as the mount for the bumper shock is mangled. In fact, the guy rear ended someone, repaired everything, had some maroon panels put on and then rear ended someone again before he got the chance to get it painted. Good driver. :roll:

But really, if you tied the upper part of the radiator support to a truck and tugged on it, fixed up the bumper mounts and pounded here and there, you could hang some new parts on it and it'd look good. At least, that's what I want planning on doing.... did you think I was going to do it right? :wink:

oh yeah, and did I meantion, it's actually NOT a rustbucket? Looks like it hasn't seen many winters, I was actually surprised. Certianly better than my E36 was.... :?

[Chris]

funny I was just talking to Nick about an E30... I really like the idea and maybe since Chan already owns it we wouldnt' have to worry about that side of things (assuming your ok with that Chan).

[WRXtranceformed]

*thumbs up*!

I love the BMW idea.

[ScottyB]

do it DO IT

[lyltoy]

i see potential...lets do it

[Chris]

do it DO IT

"Bacardi and cola, do it, do it"

[Kaan]

there is nothing in the rules about fixing it i dont think :twisted:

[JessicaRabbit79]

vw motor swap

To quote .RJ

NOOOOOOOOO.... VETOOOOOOOOO.

Don't do it man, just don't do it. VW motors are so not easy to work on. Maybe Blair will disagree, but IMHO they certainly didn't make it easy to work on their cars.

And, my dearest John... as stated in many previous threads... we DO NOT need 4 cars. Even Chan's old beater.

However, for a GRM car... that would be sweet. I fourth, or fifth, or whatever. DO IT! :twisted:

[bassmangrammy]

I like the idea of the BMW