Suggest a sleeper to build....for c£10-13k

[DjSki]

Can anyone suggest a sleeper that could be built for around £10-13k? It needs to be practical and useable everyday, ie 4 seats and a bit of a boot at least. I am looking for something with character but that is "under the radar" of local chavs and car thieves....I have had issues with this before.

So far I have been thinking Lexus IS with a brake and suspension upgrade and the LS400 V8 dropped in. Would this be doable for £10k built by a reputable outfit? Looking for a base car that is not too old, ie nothing likely to rust in the next 5 years. No classics.

Or what about £5ks worth of Audi A3 with the S4's V8 dropped in?

I am looking for a great car that goes well, sounds great and has decent handling but that when parked up in the centre of Manchester no one would give it a second look.

Any other ideas and views on costs from those that know? Any recommendations of suppliers? I have no time to do this myself and my spannering ability extends to changing brake pads etc only.

Cheers

[911p]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2205012.htm

Already 240fwhp. Spend 5k on whatever other performance mods you like. Lose the wheels if you like.

[SClarke]

The original suggestions sound fairly unrealistic for the budget (not to mention probably impossible in the case of the A3)

My choice (with that budget and criteria) would be a standard impreza estate in green or biege with steel wheels and standard ride height. Then add 350/400bhp 2.5 conversion and 6 speed gearbox out of later car. Just about doable for your budget I would think.

Edited by SClarke on Sunday 31st October 16:59

[DjSki]

Gaz. said:

Supra running gear under an IS200. 420bhp is a fairly stealthy shell. I'd have to do something about the rear lights though, maybe paint the chrome bits matt black?

Has this already been done by someone? Sounds very interesting, but a lot of work and probably over budget?

[Liquid Knight]

I had a Fiat Panda with a 1372 Uno Turbo engine. That was very stelth.

[ludicrous speed]

911p said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2205012.htm

Already 240fwhp. Spend 5k on whatever other performance mods you like. Lose the wheels if you like.

lol, 8.5k for that?

[911p]

ludicrous speed said:

911p said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2205012.htm

Already 240fwhp. Spend 5k on whatever other performance mods you like. Lose the wheels if you like.

lol, 8.5k for that?

Anniversary edition - it's about right. Maybe even this, debadged and remapped.

[DjSki]

SClarke said:

The above suggestions sound fairly unrealistic for the budget (not to mention probably impossible in the case of the A3)

My choice (with that budget and criteria) would be a standard impreza estate in green or biege with steel wheels and standard ride height. Then add 350/400bhp 2.5 conversion and 6 speed gearbox out of later car. Just about doable for your budget I would think.

Sounds really good but I have had issues with stolen impreza's before and I'd rather have a bigger non-turbo lump. Even the non turbo'd imprezas get the wrong attention......

[Harry Monk]

I would go for nothing with a 'premium' badge. No upscale BMW, Audi or Mercedes. Nothing overtly Jap performance either, so no Skyline, Impreza or Evo. All of these will attract some sort of attention.

A straight out of the box solution could be the Toyota Aristo Vertex - effectively a JDM Lexus GS fitted with the Supra twin turbo engine. Very tuneable, low-key looking but maybe below your budget.

E36 M3-engined BMW Compacts can be proper little snorters and don't attract much attention. Maybe see how much Focus RS can be put into a stock-looking car?

[busta]

Volvo 240 for £400

LS3 6.2 V8 for £5,110

Leaves £4k to sort out the suspension and brakes. And it would be a proper sleeper, not just a fast-ish car that's actually really fast (e.g. anything based on an Audi, BMW etc)

Edited by busta on Sunday 31st October 17:04

[DjSki]

911p said:

ludicrous speed said:

911p said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2205012.htm

Already 240fwhp. Spend 5k on whatever other performance mods you like. Lose the wheels if you like.

lol, 8.5k for that?

Anniversary edition - it's about right. Maybe even this, debadged and remapped.

I have the B5 S4 avant at the moment actually, but find it quite dull. RS4 is too obvious even debadged........

[Blue Meanie]

G35 sedan... Already 280+ hp, and a simple supercharger kit, or turbo kit, and you've got quote the car. Looks 'bland' but is rwd, or awd, (same awd as found in the R32 and R33, and R34)... Same chassis as the 350Z, lots of room, and a decent boot.

[Harry Monk]

busta said:

Volvo 240 for £400

LS3 6.2 V8 for £5,110

Leaves £4k to sort out the suspension and brakes. And it would be a proper sleeper, not just a fast-ish car that's actually really fast (e.g. anything based on an Audi, BMW etc)

Edited by busta on Sunday 31st October 17:04

Nice engine.

What would be the easiest and cheapest way to get this into a budget car? I should imagine bodging would be required with the Ovlov. This engine has got to be a relatively easy fit into something cheap.

[SClarke]

DjSki said:

SClarke said:

The above suggestions sound fairly unrealistic for the budget (not to mention probably impossible in the case of the A3)

My choice (with that budget and criteria) would be a standard impreza estate in green or biege with steel wheels and standard ride height. Then add 350/400bhp 2.5 conversion and 6 speed gearbox out of later car. Just about doable for your budget I would think.

Sounds really good but I have had issues with stolen impreza's before and I'd rather have a bigger non-turbo lump. Even the non turbo'd imprezas get the wrong attention......

Something like this, with a national trust sticker in the window and perhaps an 'I slow down for horses' sticker.

http://pictures2.autotrader.co.uk/imgser-uk/servle...

Can't believe anyone would give it a second glance

[DjSki]

busta said:

Volvo 240 for £400

LS3 6.2 V* for £5,110

Leaves £4k to sort out the suspension and brakes. And it would be a proper sleeper, not just a fast-ish car that's actually really fast (e.g. anything based on an Audi, BMW etc)

Now that is an idea! Proper sleeper. Anyone know if anyone specialises in building cars like this?

Also like the BMW compact with S50 M3 engine too. Sounds like that could be done cheaply.

[busta]

Harry Monk said:

busta said:

Volvo 240 for £400

LS3 6.2 V8 for £5,110

Leaves £4k to sort out the suspension and brakes. And it would be a proper sleeper, not just a fast-ish car that's actually really fast (e.g. anything based on an Audi, BMW etc)

Edited by busta on Sunday 31st October 17:04

Nice engine.

What would be the easiest and cheapest way to get this into a budget car? I should imagine bodging would be required with the Ovlov. This engine has got to be a relatively easy fit into something cheap.

There's a reason why I suggested a Volvo. Massive engine bay (even better if you go for a later 940 or 960), simple RWD layout with live rear axle, plenty of 'structure' to weld things like engine mounts and suspension linkages to, big-ish transmission tunnel already so fitting a stronger gearbox should't be a problem.

Also the LS V8 has been fitted to everything so has good availability of aftermarket parts to make it fit most applications. Things like sump pans and manifolds that normally get in the way on engine swaps are easy to source alternatives for,

[DS3R]

Primera/ Skyline running gear. Plenty of engine choices/ tuning options (assuing it fits- anyone know?)

That's what I call a minican!

[Mr Dave]

DjSki said:

Gaz. said:

Supra running gear under an IS200. 420bhp is a fairly stealthy shell. I'd have to do something about the rear lights though, maybe paint the chrome bits matt black?

Has this already been done by someone? Sounds very interesting, but a lot of work and probably over budget?

Buy an IS300 which came with non-turbo Supra running gear in it and add on a turbo kit and LSD? I know a fella from here has an IS200 supra conversion and it has taken a lot of work and if you were paying for it to be done 13k would be unrealistic.

How about a sleeperish looking standard car, Stagea or 4 door R34 Skyline or something of the like and add boost?

13k will buy you a very nice e39 M5 then just take the M5 badge off, change the mirrors get a different exhaust and no one will know.

Cheap monaro or BMW 540 and a supercharger?

[Jam Spavlin]

Proton Wira with full evo 4 running gear and evo 7 engine but no body kit and a take away advert on the side.

[Blue Meanie]

A few people over here have dropped the 5.6 Titan engine into their g35, and then supercharged it... Makes quite a noise!