Second Gen Project Car Advice

[shaky]

I am wanting to start a project using a second generation body and could use some advice on engine/transmission matches to meet my needs. The car will be a daily driver and will be used to deliver in. I also want it to be an auto due to the amount of shifting 30+ hours a week delivering will bring. MPG will be a factor as well and AC. I mainly want the car for looks and not really concerned with keeping up with the kiddies as they squeal at the lights. /grin

I am in the planning phase and this will be my first project car. I am trying to keep the budget under 5k. I am thinking of buying a used DA9 that is an automatic for my base. First priority would be reliability (engine/trans), then suspension (lowering/wheels), and last would be body and paint as far as budgeting.

I know there are a lot of variables for price since I don't actually have a shell/car in hand but I figured there are enough experienced people here to give me a reality check and good advice on a set up to match my needs.

 

[dlo253]

Why don't you just find a stock, unmolested auto DA... Sounds like exactly what you want. Why dick around and spend 5k to build an automatic DA? Lol... The stock motor is just fine.

 

[shaky]

I found a DA9 auto but haven't looked at it and am trying to plan on worst case engine/trans replacement. Given better performance/efficiency in newer engines/transmissions I was wanting to know what combo's would be good outside of stock. Not trying to build a monster just something fun to zip around in while I work.

 

[g3teg97]

Your options are limited when you have the automatic. Just find a well maintained auto G2.

 

[JustinMcGee1]

If you get a stick and spend 30 hours a week you're going to be pretty fucking good at stick

this post was made in china using Taptalk2

 

[djzachtyler]

Your options are limited when you have the automatic. Just find a well maintained auto G2.

X2

A descent condition Automatic G2 in great running condition shouldn't set you back more than 2k out the door. and 2k is the ceiling on value for one of those... realistically you should be able to fin em as low as 1400 for an auto... The manuals are where you see higher prices.

 

[shaky]

Yeah they want 2700 for the auto and my top offer is going to be 1500 if its in tip top shape( its an RS). Like I said before I was just wanting to know if it made sense to swap out old tech for new tech. I am trying to get more mpg than the stock 93 set up. I would like to be 25-30 mpg in an auto. From what I see I would expect to get 20-22 at best. I guess I would just be better off looking at the old sales reviews for the different years on the auto and see what I can expect so much of it is interchangeable.

I do appreciate the comments and it does free me up to put more into the suspension and body if I am not dinking around with engine/transmission swaps. It just seems that 2000 tech would be more economical than early 90 tech.

On a side note I am very good at stick and have delivered in a 68 vw bug. That was only for about 10 hours a week and after a few months I started getting shin splints and that was when I was a bit younger.

 

[94RS]

From what you see...? You're looking at EPA estimates aren't you? Don't listen to those numbers, I have a 94 automatic (basically the same engine as that 93, slight differences for a few more HP), and I consistently got 29-30mpg in the city. Bone stock car.

I'm assuming the DA will get around the same mileage as my DC did.

 

[shaky]

Yes was going off epa. The numbers people tell me depend on engine and will swing about 20-30 depending on set up and rpms. To be honest I am torn. I love the DA9 look and price is right where I want to be but hard to find one that hasn't been messed with and an auto. I have read that I can go with a jdm auto and not sacrifice much in the rpm range.

Anyone have experience with them? Found an old honda-tech thread where someone swapped out a sir-g engine/autotrans into an ls but its was a 3rd gen. Would it be the same for a 2nd gen?