Fastest 4 or 6 cylinder cars for the money

[Spinzz 4]

What do you guys think are the best 4 and 6 cylinder cars for performance from the price you pay? And why?

[Sentry]

Used easily moddable 90s funbox? 1stgen DSM.
Crappy new car? I dunno an srt4 or something.

[sr20s14zenki]

Im biased, but 240sx with sr20. To make a 12 second car, doesnt take very much. Healthy sr20+gt2871+780cc injectors+z32maf+standalone=350 whp, all for the low low cost of around 3500$ (all engine mods of course, drivetrain mods seperate). Basically for about 8000-10,000$ you can run 12 seconds. Im waiting to see what kind of aftermarket support the Hyundai Genesis gets for the 2.0T,i LOVE the genesis and on paper it sounds like a wicked package, rwd to boot.




:D

[Spinzz 4]

Originally posted by sr20s14zenki
Im biased, but 240sx with sr20. To make a 12 second car, doesnt take very much. Healthy sr20+gt2871+780cc injectors+z32maf+standalone=350 whp, all for the low low cost of around 3500$ (all engine mods of course, drivetrain mods seperate). Basically for about 8000-10,000$ you can run 12 seconds. Im waiting to see what kind of aftermarket support the Hyundai Genesis gets for the 2.0T,i LOVE the genesis and on paper it sounds like a wicked package, rwd to boot.




:D Yeah they are like 21500 now with the discount too. My dsm walked on one though

[CUG]

Genesis is a death can though. I'd do a 1.8T build for "quick".

[dsr7723]

Dude, Neon SRT-4 all the way. It actually sounds like there's something under the hood and since it's domestic and parts aren't as expensive for 10k you can have a high 11's low 12 second car, no problem.

[MGCM]

Originally posted by Spinzz 4
What do you guys think are the best 4 and 6 cylinder cars for performance from the price you pay? And why?

$30K-$40K
Cobalt SS Turbo, Mazda 3 Speed, WRX, Mustang V6, Camaro V6, Genesis V6, VW GTI

$40K-$50K
Mustang GT 5.0L, Camaro SS, 370Z, STI, EVO X

That about sums up the list, anyone can add to it if they feel the need. They all have more/less comparable performance to each other and offer lots of bang for your buck. Each car on that list is EASILY drivable in winter pending proper winter tires and a competent driver. If I had about $35K I'd probably go for the new Mazda 3 Speed, very stylish, lots of power on tap, and FWD makes it easy to drive in winter with proper winter tires.




Originally posted by Spinzz 4
Yeah they are like 21500 now with the discount too. My dsm walked on one though

The 2.0T yea it's slow in it's stock form, but the V6 will keep up with just about any stock STi/EvoX pending on the drivers.

[Spinzz 4]

a v6 mustang is fast?? :rofl: :rofl:

[Aleks]

Brand new cars acceleration wise

Mustang - 6 cylinder
WRX - 4 cylinder

[Sentry]

Originally posted by Spinzz 4
a v6 mustang is fast?? :rofl: :rofl:
The 2011, yeah. Not "fast" but definitely quick.

[A3GTiVR6SC]

OP: What are you expecting to pay?

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

I would add the 135i to the 40-50k new car range. With a $1000 tune you can run very low 13s and probably 12s in Calgary.

[Spinzz 4]

saying for the money , so the sr20 240 is way better then the 135i for the money

[sr20s14zenki]

Originally posted by Spinzz 4
saying for the money , so the sr20 240 is way better then the 135i for the money

Yah, but as far as luxury and options , the bmw wins hands down. Its also VERY fast, man that 3.0L twin turbo has a kick. I drove a 335 and was quite impressed with it. Bang for your buck, the sr20 240sx wins i think, simply because finding a decent chassis is pretty easy, and it doesnt take much to make them handle isanely. If you want to go one step further, an s14 with an sr20 is even better, the s14 is much more balanced than its predecessor, much more neutral, easier to keep in a straight line, or out of a straight line haha. The sr20det is a VERY stout power plant, and takes a shitkicking from hell, provided you take care of them and dont try to nickle and dime your fuel system (the most important part). Ive seen way too many people try and cut corners (ie. using an safc....for god sakes save up for a decent management system, its way cheaper on the engines). Like any engine with stock cast pistons, they dont take too kindly to abuse from knock, and will ultimately fail if you mess around too much. Sugoi420 has been running 350+ whp for 3 years now on a STOCK sr20det block....that tell you something ? :D

[Tik-Tok]

Originally posted by Spinzz 4
a v6 mustang is fast?? :rofl: :rofl:

If you actually did the research yourself, instead of relying on a forum, yeah they're pretty fast for a v6. 305hp, 280 ft-lbs.


Originally posted by Spinzz 4
saying for the money , so the sr20 240 is way better then the 135i for the money

You're being pretty vague in your question though. You're comparing a 12 year old Nissan model to a recently released BMW? Being so generalized, you could easily say the best "performance" for your money would be a $500 rusted out P.O.S. 5L fox body mustang.

If you're looking to buy, what's your price range? What type performance are you looking for?

[theken]

A 135 will not run 12s here with a 1000 tune fyi. There is a member on here ran a 13.0 with quite a bit more than a tune. And probably a lot more than 1000 bucks

[sr20s14zenki]

Originally posted by Tik-Tok


If you actually did the research yourself, instead of relying on a forum, yeah they're pretty fast for a v6. 305hp, 280 ft-lbs.



You're being pretty vague in your question though. You're comparing a 12 year old Nissan model to a recently released BMW? Being so generalized, you could easily say the best "performance" for your money would be a $500 rusted out P.O.S. 5L fox body mustang.

If you're looking to buy, what's your price range? What type performance are you looking for?

Yah i was thinking the same thing, he didnt specify new or old, just a vague question. I just default to the best bang for the buck i can think of haha.....a bit biased i know....:dunno:

[bspot]

Cobalt SS Turbo last time I checked still had the FF record around Nurburgring.

It is a quick car and handles great out of the box. Being turbo, you can up the power for not too much $.

[sr20s14zenki]

Originally posted by bspot
Cobalt SS Turbo last time I checked still had the FF record around Nurburgring.

It is a quick car and handles great out of the box. Being turbo, you can up the power for not too much $. Yah that ecotec is a rude little powerplant too as far as FWD is concerned :D

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Originally posted by theken
A 135 will not run 12s here with a 1000 tune fyi. There is a member on here ran a 13.0 with quite a bit more than a tune. And probably a lot more than 1000 bucks

I know someone who ran 13.2 in a 135i Automatic Convertible with just a $800 Juice Box Tune here in Calgary. Considering it is challenging to launch the automatic and he had a ~300lb weight penalty, I think 13 seconds is possible.

I ran 13.5@104MPH in a stock 135i with a barely broken in motor with no burnout a few weeks ago.

[sr20s14zenki]

Originally posted by Twin_Cam_Turbo


I know someone who ran 13.2 in a 135i Automatic Convertible with just a $800 Juice Box Tune here in Calgary. Considering it is challenging to launch the automatic and he had a ~300lb weight penalty, I think 13 seconds is possible.

I ran 13.5@104MPH in a stock 135i with a barely broken in motor with no burnout a few weeks ago.
13 is a long way from 12 :nut:

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Originally posted by Twin_Cam_Turbo
I would add the 135i to the 40-50k new car range. With a $1000 tune you can run very low 13s and probably high 12s in Calgary.

I meant high 12 seconds, possible with a tune and a downpipe I bet.

[Kloubek]

I guess it all depends on the context. Are you looking to buy, or is this a general question?

If you're looking for a cheap car you can upgrade for cheap, then I agree - the DSM is the way to go. Tough to beat their upgrade potential for the money.

If you're talking about cars that have already been souped up, then something like the 300zx I have for sale is tough to beat for the price. (/plug)

If you're talking used cars that are not souped up, and you don't plan to, the S2000 got pretty good power out of their 4-banger.

If you're talking about new vehicles, for a low cost, something like the Cobalt Turbo is one of the better performance/$ deals out there. It's even more impressive with upgrades.

And if you're talking any newer car regardless of price, I thought the 4 cylinder the Exige was pretty impressive... or any Lotus, for that matter. Once you go into 6's, then there are all sorts of very powerful cars.

[theken]

Dude had i believe exhaust, downpipe, intake, and a non warrenty approved chip, and some diff pullies, thats a hell of a long way from 1000 and not into 12's. Just saying, I know how you bmw guys think, but a half second is alot of time to shave off.

If i were to spend 50k i would buy a shelby or a used z06 my 2 cents for what its worth

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Originally posted by theken
Dude had i believe exhaust, downpipe, intake, and a non warrenty approved chip, and some diff pullies, thats a hell of a long way from 1000 and not into 12's. Just saying, I know how you bmw guys think, but a half second is alot of time to shave off.

If i were to spend 50k i would buy a shelby or a used z06 my 2 cents for what its worth

Im not a BMW Guy, I dont even own one. And no offense, but sounds like he had a lot of work done, but either had not the best drag racing skills, or a problem with his car. I saw a 135i Convertible Automatic do 13.2@108MPH here in Calgary with just a $800 JB3 tune, I think that could be knocked down a bit with a Coupe (300lbs lighter) and a good driver.

Edit: Im not trying to pick shit or anything, I don't have any proof or anything, I just think it would be possible.

Obviously the main problem here is the altitude, which doesn't affect forced induction cars as much, but is still a detriment.

[Spinzz 4]

Originally posted by Kloubek
I guess it all depends on the context. Are you looking to buy, or is this a general question?

If you're looking for a cheap car you can upgrade for cheap, then I agree - the DSM is the way to go. Tough to beat their upgrade potential for the money.

If you're talking about cars that have already been souped up, then something like the 300zx I have for sale is tough to beat for the price. (/plug)

If you're talking used cars that are not souped up, and you don't plan to, the S2000 got pretty good power out of their 4-banger.

If you're talking about new vehicles, for a low cost, something like the Cobalt Turbo is one of the better performance/$ deals out there. It's even more impressive with upgrades.

And if you're talking any newer car regardless of price, I thought the 4 cylinder the Exige was pretty impressive... or any Lotus, for that matter. Once you go into 6's, then there are all sorts of very powerful cars. yeah i already have a dsm as of right now. Daily driver for 2 years now

[davesparky6]

Fastest six cylinder... 2010 porsche 911 turbo.
0-60in 3.2 secs with the sport chrono package.
All for ~190 000.:rofl:

[Spinzz 4]

Originally posted by davesparky6
Fastest six cylinder... 2010 porsche 911 turbo.
0-60in 3.2 secs with the sport chrono package.
All for ~190 000.:rofl: reading > you. you could put 20grand into a dsm and have it faster then that

[davesparky6]

You could also pu $8000 into an 80's camaro and get it moving quicker than that... Doesn't mean you actually WANT the car...

You are right about the DSM's though, I had a lightly modded '92 and it was the fastest car I've ever had.

[HeyKai]

Sr20 240 for sure, even a 180 if you don't mind the rhd. Six cylinder I'm surprised no skylines were mentioned, there pretty cheap now.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Originally posted by HeyKai
Sr20 240 for sure, even a 180 if you don't mind the rhd. Six cylinder I'm surprised no skylines were mentioned, there pretty cheap now.

Im a Nissan guy and id rather a Supra than a Skyrine.