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These cars are available at almost giveaway prices, yet they are ideal project cars.
The fastest cars in the world all use precision-tuned engines nearing their limits. But, cheap cars with a little imagination and creative thinking can be as powerful.
By default, carmakers give us cars with longevity in mind over performance. Even your average four-cylinder sedan runs slower compared to its true potential. While we're happy our cars go longer between servicing, it would be nice to get a bit more performance. Actually, if we could buy a used car for cheap and tune it ourselves, that's a much better proposition.
Recently tuning cars has gotten much easier thanks to modern electronics and turbos. The tuning process is no longer a dark art of skimming cylinder heads or polishing ports. Plugging in a computer and tweaking a handful of variables produces the same results.
Performance on a budget, these cars have unlimited tuning potential.
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The Chrysler Crossfire proves that the best components on hand don't guarantee success. Topping many a list of ugly or unloved cars hides the Crossfire's origins. Tear your eyes away from the squatting dog's rear end, and you'll reap the rewards of an AMH M112 engine.
A ten grand budget limits us to the base model. Don't be too despondent as the Crossfire uses Mercedes-sourced engines dishing out 215-330 hp. We'd prefer the SRT6 with a supercharger bolted on for good measure. Yet, the base model with some minor fettling can muster as much as 400 hp without delving into its innards.
Saving the best GTO until last, Pontiac pulled a quick badge-engineering exercise. Bang for your buck there is little reason to grumble with either of the two V8 engines used. Gearheads however, weren't quite as keen.
Slung under the hood of this Aussie import GM provided a tuned 5.7-liter LS1 motor, later swapping it for a 6.0-liter LS2. Both dish up enough horses and torque to keep even the most power-crazed gearhead happy. But strapping on a blower takes the GTO to another level where 500-800 hp is possible.
Reasons to buy a Fox Body Mustang? They're cheap and easy to fix and maintain. But, for serious gearheads demanding more performance, the 5-liter V8 is a doddle to tune. Running stock internals with a blower can yield 600 hp without breaking a sweat. Beyond that, casting quality can vary but 800+ ponies aren't unheard of.
While the Foxy Body platform wasn't one of Ford's finest the Mustang deserves more credit than it gets. To prove a point that Fox is cool, you only have to take a look at Ken Blocks' Hoonifox. With enough bolt-ons Ford's ugly duckling is every bit as hardcore as the best modern muscle cars.
We know what you're thinking, "how is the Eagle Talon even here?" As a U.S.-Japanese Collaboration, the Talon isn't what we'd expect from Mitsubishi. But, you should never judge a car on looks alone, for under the hood you get a Mitsubishi 4G63T engine.
Despite its appearance, the coupe has more in common with the Lancer Evolution. In the Talon, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder mill sends 195 hp to all four wheels. But, as WRC fans know the engine is capable of much more. In the ultimate EXO X FQ440 Mitsubishi detuned the 4G63 to 440 hp. Reversing those downgrades is easy with little more than a laptop.
Far from perfect with dozens of quality issues surrounding fit and finish. The Saturn Sky is another car gearheads love to hate on. But, name another two-seater sports car that went as quick for so little. Launched after the Opal speedster it's easy to spot some styling cues on the nose and flanks. Stripping away the bodywork and the two are further related.
Produced in two versions with different spec Ecotec LE5 engines. Sky Red Line models boast a turbocharged engine cranking out 260 hp with bags of tuning potential. Turning the wick up a few notches adds 90 horses to the mix without any drama. But, throw some money at the pistons, and 500 hp is doable.
RELATED: Here's Why We Love The Saturn Sky
The last of the Chevrolets wedge/coupe-shaped Camaros is an acquired taste. Love it or hate styling aside, the Camaro boasts some interesting performance-related changes. In 1998, Chevrolet's LS1 engine was the first aluminum block engine offered in a Camaro since 1969. Lighter and more powerful at 305 hp the 5.7-liter LS1 is a tuner favorite
Capitalizing on higher outputs Chevrolet produced the SS Camaro rated at 325 hp. But, this was only the beginning of things to come. The LS1 equipped with either superchargers or turbos can handle as much as 1000 hp.
Millions of Ford F-150 owners can't be wrong. The best-selling vehicle in the U.S. for what seems like forever is also an underrated tuner car. Which year and model makes all the difference. For hardcore truck fans and tuners the 2011 introduction of Ford's 5.0-liter Coyote motor was a godsend.
Under normal circumstances, 360 hp in a truck would be plenty. But given the Coyote's robust build it's not difficult to see the attraction of more horses. Without sacrificing durability a simple bolt-on supercharger unlocks 750 hp. Beyond that, both Shelby and Hennessey Performance will sell you a 1000+ hp upgrade kit.
Not one, but two versions of this JDM/U.S. collaboration project hit the market in 1990. Making matters worse, each had their own trim levels confusing gearheads even further. Despite the confusion under the skin, both cars were identical down to the last nut and bolt. Which was a good thing with Mitsubishi taking care of the drivetrain.
Anything other than the base model Dodge Stealth shipped with the 3.0-liter 24V DOHC engine. As good as the Stealth is, things only begin to get interesting with the turbo models. In stock from the Stealth R/T Turbo packs a V6 engine cranking out 320 hp and able to reach 60 mph in 5.5-seconds. Running more boost on stock internals sees that figure jump to 800 hp without so much as a twitch.
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Performance sedans are pretty common these days, Cadillac's own CTS-V pushes 640 hp. But, lower down the range and bargain tuning potential is to be had with the cheaper CTS sedan. In place of a 6.2-liter HEMI V8, you get a 3.6-liter LFX V6 motor cranking out 307 hp.
The smaller and lighter V6 engine can yield a better power-to-weight ratio. Without resorting to major surgery the LFX with a few tweaks can cope with 400 hp. Taking things a few steps further the LFX is a popular tuner engine and has several turbo kits on offer.
Skipping over the Iron Duke debacle and the V6 Fiero is a much better car. Pontiac did come good with its plastic wedge mid-engined sportscar in the V6 GT. Sure there were some niggling electrical and build issues remaining. But as far as the engine goes the Fiero GT was tons better.
The GT V6 spec Fiero wasn't particularly quick with a 2.8-liter engine wheezing its way to 60 mph in 8-seconds. But, bolting on aftermarket upgrades including a supercharger increases output to 280 hp. Now for those insane enough to try it the Fiero will take a small block LS7 motor upgrade.
Raised in a car-obsessed environment from an early age ensured a keen interest in anything car-related. first and foremost an F1 fan, but also an avid follower of other motorsports. Professional background working closely with a well established UK based Supercar manufacturer in recent years.