One of the things that I wrote on my bucket list was to build a high-performance sports car. I’m pleased to say that I can tick that off my list now! A lot of our readers were wondering how it’s possible to achieve such a goal without spending lots of money.
Let’s face it; if you wanted to buy something like a Camaro, you’d have to cough up a lot of money for it brand new! Even the used models can seem a bit steep for some budgets.
I decided to challenge myself to build a beast of a sports car from something stock. Yes, you still have to spend money. But, you’ll end up with something unique and to your requirements. And you’ll spend less money than buying a standard sports car! Dare I say it; you might even make the likes of BMW M4 owners green with envy!
Without further ado, let me walk you through the steps to build your ultimate dream machine!
Choose your base car
The first thing you need to do is buy a car. As you can imagine, you won’t get far in your build if you don’t have one! It’s crucial that you find a sports car that has the following:
- Less than five years old;
- Low mileage;
- Full dealer service history;
- No rust or accident damage.
You might think that’s a tall order, but it’s quite straightforward to find such a vehicle! In general, the newer the car, the more reliable it will be for your project. I got mine from the Sandles Car Supermarket, but you’ll be able to find one closer to home.
Give your engine a partial strip down and full service
Once you’ve got the car in your possession, you need to do more than give it a full service. You also need to strip the top end and confirm that nothing is amiss.
For example, you need to check there is no scoring to the lobes on each camshaft. And when you drain the oil, you should verify there aren’t any metal fragments.
It’s crucial to perform those checks. That’s because you need to identify that the engine is in top health before you do any modifications to it!
Install forced induction
On my project, I decided to fit an Eaton supercharger to my engine. As you may know, superchargers get driven by a pulley on your drive belt. That means you have increased power throughout the rev range.
Another option is to go down the turbocharging route. Just bear in mind that if you fit a large turbo, you might suffer from “turbo lag.” It’s also worth running a low boost for either option. Otherwise, you risk throwing a rod through your block. When that happens, your engine becomes an expensive paperweight!
Upgrade the exhaust system
Next, you will need to remove the stock exhaust and fit an upgraded one. Explore all the options available, including an MBRP exhaust, especially if you are looking to enhance your car’s performance. In addition, I recommend getting custom headers installed at the same time. Doing so makes your exhaust gases more free-flowing.
ECU remap
To take advantage of those engine modifications, you’ll need to remap your ECU. I decided to go for a Dastek system, but you can use any good branded ones on your car.
Make sure your installer gives you a “before and after” dyno chart so you can check what power gains you’ve got!
Suspension, brakes and wheels
Last, but not least, you need to beef up some parts around your engine:
- A firmer suspension setup will also give you a lower centre of gravity. Opt for an adjustable coilover system or an airbag one if you’ve got the cash;
- Make sure the bigger discs and pads you get will fit on your wheels;
- If they don’t fit, it’s time to upgrade your wheels too! Now is a good time to fit premium tyres to your alloys for better grip.
Good luck!
Photo credit : Flickr
