engines/transmissions that take abuse

[youngnastyman]

what's up guys?

I'm planning for a used car right now, and one thing that's been occurring repeatedly in my travels is that I like to beat on my car quite a bit. The last car I had before this one (camry) just kept breaking down when I would abuse it (86 Mustang 5.0 with a T5 tranny) So I would like for my next car to be able to take the abuse without a problem.

In your experiences/knowledge, what are some bulletproof cars that can withstand abuse and general maniacal driving?


The other criteria for the car isn't too specific:
- A fast car/sports car/grand touring car
- Available in standard
- Not gay (ie: miata)
- not too expensive to maintain and/or buy

I was thinking 3rd generation camaro with a 350 but all i have on 350's are hearsay, and the chassis generally sucks on 3rd gens.


tl;dr: recommend a fast(er) car that can take abuse like it's childsplay




cheers and thanks :beer:

[Sponsored Link]

The engine didnt get abused, it fell down a flight of stairs while the husband was drinking.

[youngnastyman]

The engine didnt get abused, it fell down a flight of stairs while the husband was drinking.

If only the police would believe that.

[Dr rocker]

Nissan skyline, dont know which one but the Marquis of Blandford drove one from London to Geneva and back with no oil or coolant. It made it, but was pretty much dead.

[MunkeyQ]

with no oil or coolant. It made it, but was pretty much dead.
I'm pretty skeptical of this to say the least. An engine would soon seize up with no oil, let alone making a long trip like that.

[MediumD]

I was thinking 3rd generation camaro with a 350 but all i have on 350's are hearsay, and the chassis generally sucks on 3rd gens.

Get a 4th gen. The T56 6spd is a quality trans, the 4L60e isn't so quality... LS1 > LT1. And go.

[Kwinnie Bogan]

Couldn't get a much more bullet proof factory combination than the 202 & slip n slide, and they're not particularly rare.


The problem is, few sports cars outside of Muscle cars have bulletproof drivetrains.

[youngnastyman]

Couldn't get a much more bullet proof factory combination than the 202 & slip n slide, and they're not particularly rare.


The problem is, few sports cars outside of Muscle cars have bulletproof drivetrains.

202 & slip and slide? What engine is that I'm lost.

[Sponsored Link]

202 & slip and slide? What engine is that I'm lost.

http://frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/pigdean/uploaded_images/slip_n_slide-749466.jpg

[Kwinnie Bogan]

http://frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/pigdean/uploaded_images/slip_n_slide-749466.jpg

And 1/4 of this:
http://www.wiretotheear.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/roland_tr-808.JPG



EDIT: The suggestion's no good for you anyway. Can you afford a 98+ Vette (LS1, T-56, and a fairly satisfactory chassis)? Go for something with a IIIrd gen LS1 engine, the earlier ones were oil burners. Otherwise you're better off with an LT1 or 5.0 and built T5, though none of the chassis that those combo's come in are that good. Later Camaro's are supposed to be pretty good..
..but that'sonly in comparison with earlier Camaros. They're still less than satisfactory for circuit racing.

[youngnastyman]

what about bmw engines how are they in terms of abuse-reliability. I never see them broken down but then again I never see anyone really beat on them.

like a the 325i engine for example

[MediumD]

In my experience, BMW engines are indeed pretty damn reliable when you keep up on the maintenance. When they break, they're incredibly more expensive than American or Japanese engines to fix.

[youngnastyman]

how are Ford's modular engines (4.6's)

i really like mustangs/muscle but i've had a bad experience with my old mustang falling apart (literally). although i am willing to try again.

[tibinstein]

SR20DE Or SR20DET for that lil extra fun...

They're that good there's a web site dedicated to them: http://www.sr20forum.com/

[Sponsored Link]

how are Ford's modular engines (4.6's)

i really like mustangs/muscle but i've had a bad experience with my old mustang falling apart (literally). although i am willing to try again.

Throw on a Whipple or a Kenne and enjoy your 450rwhp. Other than that, they're garbage.

[MediumD]

Throw on a Whipple or a Kenne and enjoy your 450rwhp. Other than that, they're garbage.

Do you have any experience driving or working on Fords?

Modulars are pretty fucking reliable, go to NYC and within 5 minutes you're guaranteed to see a modular with 300k on it still running around.

[Sponsored Link]

Do you have any experience driving or working on Fords?

Modulars are pretty fucking reliable, go to NYC and within 5 minutes you're guaranteed to see a modular with 300k on it still running around.

No, I'm saying mustangs are shit. The 4.6 is a stout engine.

[youngnastyman]

What's everyone's opinion on 5.0's? reliability wise. i already know it's a bang for buck motor. Maybe i just got a lemon.

And honda d16 and b20.

[Kwinnie Bogan]

Just, whatever you do, don't do what this guy did:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=763645

[youngnastyman]

What's everyone's opinion on 5.0's? reliability wise. i already know it's a bang for buck motor. Maybe i just got a lemon.

And honda d16 and b20.

bumping for great justice

[MediumD]

Don't push it too far and the 302 will live forever...

I don't have much Honda experience, but I wouldn't expect either of those to live very long in a performance application. Just because you have to throw 15psi down their throats to get them to do anything.

[Aenimal]

1. Get a nissan 240sx or one of them old Z cars.
2. Throw in a CA18DET or a KA24E and turbo it.
3. Put in decent rods and pistons and new bearings.
4. Bounce off rev limiter for several days straight.
5. ????
6. Profit?

[Biggz-K24]

1. Get a nissan 240sx or one of them old Z cars.
2. Throw in a CA18DET or a KA24E and turbo it.
3. Put in decent rods and pistons and new bearings.
4. Bounce off rev limiter for several days straight.
5. ????
6. Profit?

I feel proud when I read this...I love my 240.:)

[Scottie22]

Chrysler's 318 and 360 (5.2L and 5.9L V8 engines) are solid.
The TH-400 tranny can also take a beating

[Dumpster Slut]

ls1 / t56

[Kwinnie Bogan]

If you replace the syncros, yeah, that Tremec's strong for a manual transmission.

[GatorWarrior]

what's up guys?

I'm planning for a used car right now, and one thing that's been occurring repeatedly in my travels is that I like to beat on my car quite a bit. The last car I had before this one (camry) just kept breaking down when I would abuse it (86 Mustang 5.0 with a T5 tranny) So I would like for my next car to be able to take the abuse without a problem.

In your experiences/knowledge, what are some bulletproof cars that can withstand abuse and general maniacal driving?


The other criteria for the car isn't too specific:
- A fast car/sports car/grand touring car
- Available in standard
- Not gay (ie: miata)
- not too expensive to maintain and/or buy

I was thinking 3rd generation camaro with a 350 but all i have on 350's are hearsay, and the chassis generally sucks on 3rd gens.


tl;dr: recommend a fast(er) car that can take abuse like it's childsplay




cheers and thanks :beer:
Ford Police Interceptor
Can get the shit beat out of them and keep on truckin.

[cronic5]

ls1 / t56

Basically this. They are probably the best bang for the buck. For all intents and purposes, this engine/tranny combo is near indestructible if you aren't going forced induction or nitrous. If you want serious power (read: above 600whp) you're definitely going to have to build your tranny and throw in some forged internals, at least. But if you just want to make around 450whp you should be just fine on a stock block/tranny.

[RoadSideGlory]

1. Get a nissan 240sx or one of them old Z cars.
2. Throw in a CA18DET or a KA24E and turbo it.
3. Put in decent rods and pistons and new bearings.
4. Bounce off rev limiter for several days straight.
5. ????
6. Profit?

CA18DET? Abuse? lol :facepalm:.

+1 for an old Bimmer (M10/M20/M30) unit.

[ArmsMerchant]

OP--would it not be wiser and more prudent to simply refrain from abusing your vehicles?

Hate to sound like a grownup and all, but then again I guess you do have a use--folks like you keep mechanics rich. And, possibly, insurance rates up.