I finally got the kitchen floor finished, spring is in the air, and I have got the bug to do some car stuff. I have been looking on Craig's List and found a couple of non-op Mazda MX-6s for pretty cheap prlces. I have thought for a long time that this car would be an excellent basis for a Slant 6 drag car. It would have to weigh less than 2000# ready to run with me in it and have at least 50% of the weight on the rear. Should have minimal frontal area and a low drag coefficeint too, the MX-6 is supposedly .31.

I am not sure I have the enthusiasm or the money to ever get the car on the track. Even if it never gets done I find the prospect of cutting the car up, weighing each piece, and coming up with a plan to be pretty irrestistible. I tried to put some money down on one this morning, but fortunately the owner said to just come back when I am ready to take it home.

So while there is still time I thought I would ask for some feedback on such a project. Have any of you ever seriously considered a similar undertaking? Do you think there are reasons not to do it with an MX-6?
What would be a better starting point that is still affordable? I would probably use many parts off the blue Valiant on the new car, so I wouldn't be racing again for several years if ever. Do you think this is a mistake? For some reason I have more fun building cars than actually racing them.

We are talking here about the 1993-2001 model MX-6 that is similar to a Ford Probe except it has more of a notch back top. Would be interested in your thoughts.

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If you didn't drive it there, it's not a street car.

I had to google some pictures to see what you were talking about. (there isn't a Mazda dealer anywhere around here so they are not very common)

Not sure... I don't think that it is worthy of such a great powerplant.

That would not only would be interesting, but a challenge for sure!

(if your just bored I can drop my car off at your place and let you go nuts with it )

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Chris'
Autobody
Restoration
Service

Well, there's a loaded question...

Sounds like a cool project, but I'd hate to see your '62 racecar suffer destruction to make it happen. Of course, maybe another Slant Sixer could campaign that car with their own drivetrain??

I am with you on the building part. I also prefer to design, build, and tinker myself.

Certainly you will gain something from the weight reduction and the aerodynamic improvement. 10s would be a snap with your '62 drivetrain. The MX-6 is a decent looking car and has a good shape for a drag machine.

I assume you are talking about a full tube chassis? That could also be done with the '62 and would save substantial weight in that car.

Hmmmm,

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

I think it would be easier to start with something rear drive. Mazda RX-7s with blown engines are usually pretty cheap. The '78-'85 models have straight axles out back and are pretty light. The 2nd generation cars (like the one I have) have big engine compartments and will swallow a slant without firewall or floor pan mods.

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Joshua

Will you change your name to Mazda Geek? It makes me sick that you would go to a modern body. What a cop out! Let's gut an 60-62 Valiant and alter wheelbase it like your drawings from the 60's. I could have my part done by 2011. We could call it "Val Movement"

Mark

Is that like bowel movement?



Just my opinion Seymour, but Mazdas suck.

Mark, did the Valiant sell?

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

I can't take credit for "Val Movement". When we were building the Valiant, Gene was helping me and thought it should be named that because it was so ugly. Can you hear a announcer saying "In the right lane is the Val Movement"
The Valiant hasn't sold and I think he is motivated about selling it as he is selling other stuff.

Mark

Well it's Sunday morning and I haven't gone back to buy the Mazda yet. I appreciate your thoughts. Joshie is right about the advantages of a rear wheel drive chassis with a long nose. There seem to be quite a few non running RX-7s and 240Zs around at cheap prices. I am sure they would make a good basis for a drag car but that 70s angular styling just doesn't do it for me. I like the third generation RX-7 but it basically looks a lot like an MX-6 and more difficult to find a cheap one. I bought one of the first Omni 024s when they were new with the idea that I would drive it for 10 years and then make it into a race car. It was without a doubt the worst car I ever owned, I really soured on it when it burned down in front of my house!

Getting decent weight distribution without building a dog house around the engine could be a problem with the MX-6. I haven't figured that part out yet but I thought maybe a Meril Bruner type of modification to the front end might work, either a wheelbase stretch or a wheel relocation. Keep making suggestions, I probably won't do anything today, the Gatornationals are on at 2PM and I don't have any way to record it.

There are two things about the car I have been looking at that make it easier to resist. First it has a sunroof that would have to go and second is the color. It is a green similar to that used on some early 60s Chrysler engines that I have never liked. It is hard to get excited about working on a car that color for the next several years. If it was red like the one that some guy over in Milwaukee has it would already be in my garage.

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If you didn't drive it there, it's not a street car.

There is where you can save time and money. Get a DVR. I preprogram all the races and go about doing what needs to be done. Then after a hard day I relax with a cold one and watch my programs. It is worth every penny.

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Chris'
Autobody
Restoration
Service

I just read the results on NHRA.com or DragRaceCentral. Don't have to listen to Paul Paige talking about how many times John Force took a whiz that way.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

If you guys had posted that car about 2 weeks earlier I would have it at my shop now instead of a Daytona.

I'd love to have it but I'm so broke I can't even pay attention.

That is one sweet car.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

Lots of variables with this one. I would gladly give you the Turismo if you were still interested in the 024 body style! I remember either you or Tom Drake telling me it has a pretty good drag coefficient as well. And it would still be Mopar(ish).

Seymour, you should do what makes you happy regardless of any of our opinions. If the MX-6 is what you want to do then you should do it!

Anyone els feel free to chime in and add to the list (within reason

Pros:
1. Good drag coefficient
2. Light body to begin with
3. It's the car that you have wanted to build for years
4. You'll still have your white "Exner" car to race
5. You prefer building to racing and it's what you want to do


Cons:
1. You sacrifice your blue Valiant for parts
2. It may never get done
3. The Mopar purists here won't like it

I'll give you a call and we can chat some more.


Team Green: I thought you said he had decided NOT to sell the Valiant after all.

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Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

You might still can Bagel How much for the Daytona. Your racing friend Possum.











Bee Good Or Bee Gone

I think it's a great idea!

You could also run a grudge race against Josh!

I think the both of them will be serious contenders.

CJ

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Part of Tyrde-Browne Racing

Sorry, the Daytona won't be for sale at least until I run it a few times. The more I work on the car, the more I like it.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.