What do u folks think about a 2000 trans-am? I know it's heavy, but it has the ls1 engine(305hp+335lbs). Don't get me wrong, I love my CRX and will never give it up(unless I crash it! ) The dealership's selling it for 11,988, so I figure ~$13.5k. And yes, it's a 6spd. I guess the real concern is to be able to build my CRX into a 12sec car, while still keeping it street legal. Does anyone know if that's doable without spending gobs of money? Or would I have a better chance with the Trans-Am? Thanks again for any suggestions.

 

Nevada have smog?

Personally I hate F-Bodies with a passion. Granted I'm a little biased being in the Honda camp, but they're toilets. I've ranted about them before.

I'd pickup a Mustang before I picked up an F-Body, although the V8 in the F-Body is more potent in stock form than the 4.6 from Ford. Nothing a few bolt ons can't change.

 

I just can't get over how freaking huge the front and rear overhangs are... its like its got a built in cattle-guard.

Its an awesome sounding car, but its not as fast as you'd expect. Bolt on aftermarket products to ramp up the power a lot more than what you're used to.

As to which one will be easier to get into the twelves... I'd say the CRX has the upper hand because you can fit pretty much any honda motor into it and it weighs half as much. Hell, if you put a bone-stock k24 in, you'd be most of the way there.

BTW, I once toasted trans-am in my 87 supra, although the guy obviously didn't know how to drive h:

 

In stock form, the trans am's e/t is 13.5 secs. I think that's pretty amazing for a car that's $12k. Wouldn't a k20a(type-s) cost around $5-6k? Plus, I've got to tune the bitch. I think that would still only net me 13s, MAYBE high 12s, but I doubt it. I mean, for the money, isn't the trans-am worth the buy? With some headers, cat-back exhaust, and an intake, it'll probably net me around 50+ extra ponies, so 12s aren't too far away(money and power wise) by going with the Trans-Am.
Oh, and Nevada does have smog, at least in clark county(las vegas). As far as engine swaps are concerned, however, I do not really know the laws. I did tons of searching, but couldn't find laws regarding it.
As far as styling, I like the body. I do like the new Mustang's design, comparatively speaking, but i'm not gonna spend $25k-30k for a car right now. I'm goin to UNLV so that's out of the question. 1 of the things I never liked about f-bodies is their horrible viewing area. The things has crazy blind spots, and a window smaller than my CRX's. Horrible... But I still like the car.
Thanks again for any additional suggestions.

 

crx-free
+motor (B18B, h22, crvtec, K-series, etc)
+goodies (S/C, N/A build, turbo, piping, IC, management)
____________
=$3,000-$10,000 depending on which route you chose


Trans Am- $13,000
+goodies
____________
=$15-16,000

If your goal is simply to have a 12 second car, the CRX is far more practical and affordable... namely, because you already own it, its free and there are a thousand ways (of varying degrees of cost) to get it into the 12s.

 

The trans-am is only like 400lbs heavier than the prelude. If I had that deal I would debate it. I am just not a fan of purchasing american cars. If I had to go American I would go Dodge Magnum Hemi

 

Unfortunately, I already dumped 2200 into the motor(b16a), so my plans were to build this motor up. I would like to have another car to be able to turn my crx into a real project(tuning, possibly a k-series motor, def. turbo ). I figure either car would be a nice build. I c what you're saying about cost, but the Trans-am doesn't need paint, body work, and HAS A/C. My crx is in DIRE need of paint, some pretty good front end work, and it's hotter than shit in the summer(I mean I have no freakin A/C).
I used to be a big fan of big v8s back when I was a kid. I still have respect for v8s, It was just mainly 3 things holding me back from getting one:
1. Horrible gas mileage. However, my crx gets around 25 city and 30 hwy. The Trans-am gets around 19 city and 28 hwy. Either way, I have to use premium, so the cost of gas is not really much different(unless I use A/C of course, but I consider that a luxury )
2. Insurance. I'm figuring 300 or so. I actually got a quote from my agent. Only $170/month for full coverage+comp+coll. and 500 deductable Not bad at all! Especially since i'm paying 115 for just liability on my crx.
3. Cost, but now I can buy a Trans-am for $12K? I'm kinda wanting one for that price.

 

yeah, the highway milage isn't bad at all with the 6 speed. I dunno dude, if you can justify the cost, its all juts a matter of preference. A 12 second pontiac will certainly be a lot easier to drive to the store in than a 12 second crx.

 

Why the fuck would you dump money into a B16.

Swap an H22 in and run quicker times stock.

 

I'm sorry, I meant that I already spent 2200 to BUY the engine from hmotorsonline. It's still gonna cost a lot more to make this engine quicker, plus I don't believe it will be emissions legal in Nevada.