Some late model "Oddballs" that can be way cool and lightning fast....

If you want a cool driver / hot rod and don't want to spend 30 grand or more on a restored Chevelle, Road Runner, GTO etc-there are some gems from the '80's and '90's that a lot of people overlook that offer major bang for low bucks. # 1. 1979,1983-86 Mercury Capri. In 1979 you could get a 302 V8 in a Capri, which was basically a re-badged Fox Mustang. It wasn't offered in '81-82, but the "5.0" package returned with a vengenance in 1983-these had the T5 five-speed stick, and a 600 Holley 4bbl on an aluminum manifold, and steel tube headers from the factory. The option was continued until 1986. Many Mustang enthusiasts say these carburated versions run better than the more sought-after Fuel injected '87-93 models. Regardless, they are a great deal and there's probably more speed equipment out there for Fox Mustangs than anything else on the planet. # 2. 1983 Z/28 Camaro / Pontiac Trans-Am. This is the first year the five-speed stick and the 4-speed automatic were available. LG4 base models are ok if you want to swap in a 350 or 383 stroker. The ones to look for are the L69 5.0 liter "H.O." models. These had a higher compression ratio-9.5:1 as opposed to 8.5:1, a hotter cam,and a better aluminum intake. This pumped up power by 40 hp-190 hp as opposed to the LG4's 150. With either the 5-speed or the automatic and 3.73:1 gears,these cars were surprisingly quick-Car&Driver's June 1983 test car laid down a 15.0 1/4 mile time-3 tenths quicker than the Mustang GT they were comparing it against. This package was offered through 1985-but was then overshadowed by the LB9 and L98 TPI engines. The other one to look for is the "Cross-Fire Injected" models. They were only offered with the 4-speed automatic; however with the 3.42:1 or 3.73:1 gears-these cars would smoke the tires easily in low gear and lay 8-10 feet of rubber on the 1-2 shift. A cheap way to have a great sleeper would be to buy a 350 short block from GMPP or Blueprint engines, or just rebuild one you have. Putting the 305 heads on the 350 block will raise the compression from 8.2:1 to about 9.6:1. The induction system can feed a 350 or even a 383-just use replacement 454 truck throttle bodies and Hypertech Corvette 350 Prom chip. This would easily be high-torque, fun cruiser that could surprise a lot of supposedly "faster" cars. # 3. 1984-86 Ford Mustang SVO. These cars had 4-wheel disc brakes,16" wheels with 50 series VR rated tires, Recaro seats,and turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that made between 175 and 205 hp depending on year. They didn't sell a lot of them because the "5.0" V8 models were both faster and several thousand dollars cheaper. However-they can be bought quite reasonably today, and the 2.3 liter Ford 4-cyl bottem end is bulletproof-you could turn the boost up and add nitrous and really rock. # 4. 1988-92 Pontiac Firebird Formula. For some reason in these years-if you wanted a Tuned-Port injected 305 or 350 in a Camaro you had to buy a Z/28 or an IROC-Z. Base model and RS Camaros got the carburated LG4 or a throttle body injected 305 that wheezed out 165 hp. Conversely-Pontiac was just the opposite-you didn't have to spring for a Trans-Am to get the high performance engines. You could get the TPI LB9 305 or L98 350 ( basically the 'Vette motor ) in a Formula. LB9 models have either a 5-speed stick or a 4-speed automatic, 350s are only available with the automatic. However-these are the ones to have-they ran sub 6-second 0-60 times and 1/4 mile times in the high 14s bone-stock. They were rated at 240 hp; you can increase that by 100 hp easily and stay emissions legal with simple bolt-on parts. Dynamite if you can find one. # 5. 1994-95 Ford Mustang GT. For these two years only-the Mustang had the "New" bodystyle that was used from 1994-2004; and the "Old" 302 V8 from the '93 and earlier models. 1996 and later models with the 4.6 mod motor were rated at the same 215 hp-but they didn't have nearly as much bottom-end torque and weren't as quick. Magazine road tests of the day bore this out. The upside for today's buyer is there is a ton of speed equipment for small-block Fords,and it's way cheaper than the stuff for the later 4.6's that don't run as good as the "5.0" stock or modified. # 6. 1989 20th Anniversary Trans-Am. You'll have to pay a King's Ransom for one of these-but their worth it. GM took the great handling WS6 Trans-Am chassis and yanked out the 305 Chevy V8 and replaced it with the awesome Turbocharged V6 from the Buick Grand National. The car was not only way faster with the badass GN powerplant-they handled even better becuase the V6 was much lighter than the V8. Awesome if you can find one and afford the pricetag. Mastermind