Cheap track car - not 4 cylinder!

[aka_kerrly]

mark4 said:

Engine sounds are a bit like music - one mans music is another mans noise.

Guy opposite has R53 cooper S. Doesn't do anything for me sound wise I'm afraid.

I liked the Scooby 4-pot boxer - but that doesn't really count as it doesn't sound like a 4 banger.

Absolutely, I can't say I'm a fan of boxer 4 and imprezas with drainpipe exhausts do my head in.
However, there are a significant number of 4bangers that can sound glorious. For example those that can be fitted with individual throttle bodies like 106/306 Gti, clio 1*2, the Toyota 1.6 lumps or Beams versions in mr2/Altezza, and off course Honda B an K series engines.

[Jerry Can]

stick some throbble botties on a pug 106 gti or clio 182? great sound and cheap to run.

[krismccloy]

Can't help but suggest a higher mileage, early S2000 being 4cylinder or not, I'm not sure someone who enjoys car's could not enjoy the sound of that engine nearing the 9k rev limit, Failing that a 328i E36 would be my choice I think.

[mark4]

Yes, these sound pretty good but all that's happening now now is youtube confirmation of how awesome straight 6 ITBs sound - reinforcing what my heart is telling me!

I don't for a second dispute that a 4 cyl setup can be more efficient, lighter and more economical - and ultimately make for a better track car.

But for me there is always going to be an aural glass ceiling on a 4cyl. It's all about the harmonics that are mostly absent from that configuration.

I expect most will want to improve their lap times, but a track day should be fun and I know I'd have more fun feeding my ears rather than shaving off a few seconds.

[Henzy]

Alfa GT Busso v6 would be my choice, never tire of the sound these make. Although they are costly with servicing too, needing new belts every 3 years.

[baronbennyt]

Still think you should go Nissan 350Z: modern, cheap, rear-wheel drive, naughty V6 (if not particularly rev happy), should be reliable, and with plenty of tuning potential. Would be a fun track toy which you can enjoy modifying over time.

I drove one a few years' ago at the Beford driving experience and thought it was a huge laugh.

Anyway just my two-pennies-worth.

[loggyboy]

mark4 said:

Is it that strange? It's why I lost all the love for formula 1.

Without meaning to presume your feelings - but I doubt that was the (only) reason, or even the main one. The sound is only a small percentage of what makes motorsport interesting. Maybe just the straw that broke the camels back?

[Heathrow]

How about a 130i? Six cylinder, naturally aspirated goodness. New springs and dampers, replace the run flats with some proper performance tyres, new brake pads and away you go.

Cracking cars, handle well, make a lovely noise and something a bit different.

[davebem]

You can pick up a V6 Busso engined Alfa 156 for £1200, add a £600 Quaife/Q2 diff and another £400 for some decent suspension and youve got yourself a fun quick ish track day car that sounds probably better than anything else thats not a super car.

This was mine which unfortunately I binned on my 5th track day at donnington :-(

[Xaero]

Steve H said:

E36 328 is surely the right answer. Cheap enough, lots of parts available and with a few basic mods a quick enough car that's great fun to drive.

Seems like the best answer to me. Plenty of spares about if you're not going to go down a 4 cylinder route. I imagine the 350Z would be more expensive to run and not as agile on a track.

[C70R]

mark4 said:

Yes, these sound pretty good but all that's happening now now is youtube confirmation of how awesome straight 6 ITBs sound - reinforcing what my heart is telling me!

I don't for a second dispute that a 4 cyl setup can be more efficient, lighter and more economical - and ultimately make for a better track car.

But for me there is always going to be an aural glass ceiling on a 4cyl. It's all about the harmonics that are mostly absent from that configuration.

I expect most will want to improve their lap times, but a track day should be fun and I know I'd have more fun feeding my ears rather than shaving off a few seconds.

Being totally honest, the number of cylinders would be the last of my considerations when choosing a track car, particularly at your budget. The 'harmonics' aren't going to add anything to the experience when you're braking deep into a corner or pushing the limits of grip past the apex. Just get something that's fun to drive hard and put the 'aural glass ceiling' nonsense to one side.
(I'm also not even entertaining the idea that a 328i sounds better than an S2000)

[fred bloggs]

Have you not heard a 4age on throttle bodies? Or a cammed mitsi evo ? Or a E30 M3 ,ford BDA ?
Some of the best motorsport engines ever are 4 pot's,and sound amazing

[aka_kerrly]

fred bloggs said:

Have you not heard a 4age on throttle bodies? Or a cammed mitsi evo ? Or a E30 M3 ,ford BDA ?
Some of the best motorsport engines ever are 4 pot's,and sound amazing

BEAMS on ITBs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0g5UOZbV7Z4

s2000 itbs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PCNnBEku20

[spurs coupe]

Had my newly acquired Z3 2.8 straight 6 out on the track a couple of time now, you can pick them up quite cheap, need brakes and suspension, much like any car in your price range.

But great fun when slightly prepped.

[otolith]

I know exactly what you mean- luckily I have a get out clause. I can live with four pots if they are screamers. I like the Honda K20 and F20C, and although it's not as good in my opinion, I quite like the Toyota 2ZZ-GE in my Elise. It was still a bit of a come down after my RX-8. I loved that engine. They're a bit too civilised out of the box but mine sounded a lot better with a catback stainless steel exhaust and they sound even better with a more strident intake.

The 350Z can sound fantastic, but it feels heavy and cumbersome. Might feel better modified for the track.

[Humour]

C70R said:

(I'm also not even entertaining the idea that a 328i sounds better than an S2000)

The e36 328 m52 does start to sound zingy past 7K. To compare with the s2000 it will have to rev to 9K at which point I speculate there might be a contest from an aural perspective.......for all of 30 seconds before it goes bang. lol. Spinning long crankshafts that high is difficult and very expensive.

For the OP, my advice is to google track car and browse a suitable prepped candidate for your budget. Even if maintenance/upgrades are required, you wont find better value for money.

[Escy]

davebem said:

You can pick up a V6 Busso engined Alfa 156 for £1200, add a £600 Quaife/Q2 diff and another £400 for some decent suspension and youve got yourself a fun quick ish track day car that sounds probably better than anything else thats not a super car.

This was mine which unfortunately I binned on my 5th track day at donnington :-(

There is a 156 v6 with a Q2 fitted for £1200 on Auto Trader.

[QBee]

Your budget rules out my favourite track car for noise....though you do have to watch out for noise limits.



It comes with a 4.0, 4.3, 4.6 or 5 litre V8

[nickfrog]

C70R said:

Being totally honest, the number of cylinders would be the last of my considerations when choosing a track car, particularly at your budget. The 'harmonics' aren't going to add anything to the experience when you're braking deep into a corner or pushing the limits of grip past the apex.

Absolutely, the risk here is that the OP is going to rule out loads of decent cars for track use and end up with something probably far from ideal for the purpose and by which point, noise will have become the least of his concerns.

[QBee]

I bought my TVR with some money I inherited.
It is far from ideal in terms of budget for spares.
I am well stricken in years and have been used to larger engined cars.

If I was just buying an inexpensive track car I would go for an MX5, but keep some budget aside for brakes (to make it go faster), tyres (to make it corner faster), and tuition (to make ME faster)!