Buying a Car Help! Monte Boosted, Prelude, DSM, Saab 300WHP

[90TalonTsi]

moved from 3.4 DOHC

I am looking for a car, i can daily drive and get 300HP, I have some cash ($2000) and i need a new car. I currently own a 2001 Monte Carlo LS, which i was condering Turboing, but V6 custom kit is gonna run me some $$$, I wanna buy something i can dump $2000 into and get 300HP like a Turbo Kitted H22A Lude, or a AWD DSM or a Saab 9-3 if possible w/ the T7....I am currently looking into purchasing a 93 Lude VTEC H22A w/ DC Headers, Exidy Cluth, N1 Exhaust, maybe as a second car. I'm not sure if i should get a Saab w/ 185 FWD, 93 Prelude Si Vtec w/ 190 FWD, or a DSM 200HP AWD..
What are the advantages of the Ludeover the DSM and Saab?
I know the H22A Prelude Engine and the 4G63 DSM Engine both respond VERY well to mods, ...stuff like UICP, 255L Fuel Pump, FMIC, Exhaust, Manual Boost Controller, SAFC can get you 300HP

The prelude i would have to turbo to get there, whereas the Saab and DSM are already.

What should i Do?

So I posted this same message on a dsm forum, and Saab Forum... The General theme here seems to be
- DSM Easily 300HP obtainable for Under $2000, May see problems dealing with AGE of car (oil leaks, burning oil, rust, etc.) Soild or Closed Deck Block a BIG Plus, Cheap Parts (so some people say), AWD is hard on Tranny

- Saab - Alot of $$$ to get 300HP, Massive Torque Steer (requires special Brackets), Basically has ECU that Controls EVERYTHING in the T7, which makes upgrading difficult, remapping ECU for$1500 for 40HP and 40Lbs of Torque, but also a Solid Block, comes with FMIC Stock, Strut Bar Stock, Direct Coil Ignition, all stock also only a T25 turbo

-Prelude - Harder to obtain 300HP for UNDER $2000 but engine can def. handle it. but have to turbo, lower piston compression, run into some $$$ there

-Monte - Turbo??? not many around... haven't heard much yet..

[bszopi]

I'd get an old muscle car and spend the $2k somewhere else, or by fixing up the muscle car. Why would you even ask about getting something other than a GM on a GM site?

[RednBlack]

Gimme a 71 Monte with a decent 350, and 2 grand and I will tear a Saab to shreds! And not a Turbo to be seen....

[vsop4me3.1]

turbo the Monte

[bszopi]

Sell it all and get a moped... And start saving for your future child's college.

[geoffinbc]

You can get 300HP with the car you have now. If you have the skills you can do it for well under $2000. Ask raven about his turbo setup. All used parts, reliable and very cheep.

Good freaking luck buying a 4 banger and getting 300 reliable HP. In no way will a Honda handle it and in no way will the tranny take it. I don't know what dreamers you are listening to about thoes numbers.

[v6h.o.]

go for the DSM....

my 2nd job to 60degree v6's is working on my 3 buddies Talon's, they all run 11's. however you cannot get that fast for that cheap.

it costs $$$ to make a DSM fast.

[Anonymous]

I wonder why the fuck this is here....

[90TalonTsi]

Well this is here because i wanted to see what GM people said about GM cars, i posted this same question on a Saab Forum, VTECH Honda Forum, and DSMTUNERS, i wanted to see what people said about the cars, and no not every forum said get THEIR car, actually the Honda Guys said go with the SAAB, DSM Guys said DSM or Saab, and VTEC guys said go with Honda or DSM, so noone really gave me any feedback of the Feasablity of even Trying to Turboing the MONTE, and I tried to get feedback on MyMonte.com but you can't register on their forum, tried several times with no activation email being sent, anyway I think i'm going to go with the DSM, out of all the forums, They all seemed to agree that for under $2000 I can have a 300HP to the Wheels AWD Car,
AWD is a big +, and i understand people say they are maintence whores, but i like workin on cars, soo it works out.

[GPXSS]

I say LS1 equipped Fbody.. you're almost already to 300hp, with $2000 you can probably top 400hp.

Carefull though, once you feel all that torque, you might not want to stay in the import market much longer.

[RacerX11]

I say LS1 equipped Fbody.. you're almost already to 300hp, with $2000 you can probably top 400hp.

LS1 Fbodies are pushing 350HP stock (most put over 300HP to the wheels). This is definitely my choice...not that I am biased.

I have several friends with 300+ HP DSM's, and they are by no means considered reliable daily transportation, especially if you only plan to spend $2000.

I traded my AWD DSM in for my Camaro, and have never regretted the change.

Marty

[cypher_2001]

Eagle Talon

A buddy of mine drives an Eagle Talon 2nd gen TSI. All wheel drive, turbo, blah blah blah. He has completely pulled the engine, spent about 4 grand on turbo, exhaust, piston, cams, pretty much everything you can do to it. He had it dyno'd at 360 whp. The problem is he is a dumbass and drive the turbo full boost all the time and rabbit starts it all the time. Which means he snaps drive axles like they are going out of style.

[geoffinbc]

Thats the problem with cars like that. They are already running close to the limit stock. Push it anymore and you are asking for trouble. In order to make it reliable it takes alot of hard work and some cash to go with it. I have seen quality drive axles selling for $1800 US for 1 side. So 3600 in axles to handle your 300+hp motor.

A diesel tuner guy just brought his truck into my dads work for a WHOLE new drivetrain. Blown t-case and differentials with bent axles. Drag racing in 4WD with 1100LBS of torque right off idle is hard on shit.

[pocket-rocket]

The Eclipse that I helped rebuild and Ben ported the head on got a turbo after the rebuild. And he spent well over $2k, and I bet he doesn't have 300 to the tires. I agree with the F-bod idea. If you can, keep your car you have now for the winter time, though.