"Fast and Furious?" Well, Maybe!!

Even before the F&F movies came out, I couldn't understand people putting thousands of dollars into Honda Civics or Nissan Sentras -basically econoboxes, and trying to make them fast. Like I always say-If you want to go fast, buy something that goes fast. I have nothing against Import cars. I love the Nissan 370Z, and my buddys Subaru WRX is an absolute blast to drive. The new Hyundai Genesis Coupe that rips to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds is way cool too. But back to the subject at hand. The economy car into musclecar build might be the ticket for a lot of people. Here's why.  Not everyone can afford a GTO or 396 Chevelle or Road Runner, Charger etc. American car makers made a lot of compact cars that can go very fast with very little work and are dirt cheap. #1 1974-79 Chevy Nova. The 68-73 models have kind of a "cult" following, but the later ones are a steal. They all had front disc brakes, weigh 4-500 lbs less than a 70's Camaro, and a lot of them had 350s under the hood. Your not limited to just building a drag racer either. A lot of factory and aftermarket suspension parts that fit a Camaro also fit these cars, so they can be made to handle, too. In kind of a sub-heading, you have to include 1971-77 Pontiac Venturas. Basically a Nova clone, and a lot of them had six-cylinder or 307,305, or 350 Chevy engines in them. This is not a bad thing, as there are more speed parts for the small-block Chevy than anything else in the world. The real sleepers however, have 350 Pontiacs in them. They really wake up with a 4bbl carb and intake, exhaust work and and axle-ratio change. However if you want to be a real badass, a 400 or 455 Pontiac will bolt right in place of the 350 Poncho!  #3 1970-76 Plymouth Duster/ Dodge Dart. 700 lbs lighter than the B-bodys, these are great sleepers. 340 versions can be expensive, but 318 models are the proverbial dime-a-dozen. They can be hopped up easily, and a 360 or even a 410 inch stroker ( based on a 360 ) will drop right in. There are also kits to install B and RB engines-i.e.-a 383, 400 or 440!  #4 1970-77 Ford Maverick. A lot of these had sixes, but look for 302 versions. These cars are light ( under 3,200 lbs ) the 8 inch rearend is tough, and there are a zillion ways to build power into a 302 Ford. Or you could swap in a 351W or 351W-based 392 or 427 stroker!. #5 1975-80 Chevy Monza. Forget the 4 cylinder and V6 models. The V8s are dirt-cheap. Called the "Factory V8 Vega". Most had 305s, but-a 350 or 400 will bolt right in. Look for 75-76 "California" models-they had 350s stock! They never caught on and were labeled dogs because they had 2-bbl carburation, single exhaust, and salt-flats gearing like 2.29:1. But with a little work these ultralight cars-about 2,800 lbs- can be wicked fast. #6 1972-77 AMC Gremlin. Go ahead laugh. Forget the 4 and 6 cylinder models, look for a "X" version with the 304 V8. With a curb weight just over 2,600 lbs, they can go very fast with not too much work. With their short wheelbase and good weight distribution, they actually make good drag racers! However, like Pontiacs, AMC V8s are all externally identical. Which means a 360 or 401 will bolt right in!  A buddy had a 304 Gremlin in high school that he and his dad stuffed a 401 out of a Matador Police car into. He blew the doors off many Chevelles, Camaros and Mustangs that were supposedly "Bad". #7 1975-78 Mustang II. Again, go ahead and laugh. Forget the 4 banger and V6 versions. A fair number had 302 V8s! Like the Chevy Monza, they were derided as lousy performers, for the same reason-2bbl carburation, single exhaust, and 2.41 gears. However, these cars don't weigh much more than a Pinto, and with a 4 bbl carb and intake, dual exhaust and some 3.55 gears, you could give those smug later model 5.0 owners a surprise they'd never forget. Or think of this-How badass would one be with a 351W or 392 stroker?  Don't under-estimate a low-buck hot rod!! Mastermind