LS3 in a Lotus 7 clone = Brunton Stalker V8

[toedrag]

Ran across this Florida-based manufacturer of Lotus 7 clones, known as Stalkers (stalkercars dot com). One option they allow is a GM LS powertrain. Cars are in the 1500-1600 lb range wet. LS3 + T56 = 500+ hp per ton, for $36k as a nearly complete car (buyer adds gauges, lights, wheels/tires, and other small parts). Much less $ if you want to buy it as a kit & DIY it. Street legal and streetable. Cheap consumables, reliable. And, not that I would do it, but they do have an option for the 6l80E auto trans and claim to be working on paddle shifters. Sub-10s 1/4 mile are attainable for you drag strip fans out there. On the road course, it'll destroy just about anything, including cars that are 5x+ the cost.

The LS powertrains have been going into their cars for 3-4 years, so I assume many of the bugs have likely been worked out.

If I decide to go back to a DD beater + weekend/road course car, this will likely be the latter. Here's a picture from a recent build thread I found:
33vytyv.jpg

[tchr49]

Stalker my ass, they should have called it a MF....

[TonyKarter]

I bet that is scary!

[fengstang]

That just look like a street legal go kart.

[travis gore]

It looks fun to me.

[Zodiac]

Do want with LS3 and 6sp auto with paddle shifters.

[Crazy Paul]

6sp auto with paddle shifters.

Are you missing a left leg and a right arm?

[Zodiac]

Are you missing a left leg and a right arm?

Not that I know of, I just prefer an automatic.

[Eidolon]

You have good taste, toedrag. *nods* These Lotus-esque cars, such as those by Caterham, are surprisingly "cheap", most being in that $36k-range. Still, for something that offers supercar-level performance, that's really affordable!

[toedrag]

Found some fun videos of the so-called 'Mega Stalker', which is LS376/480 (with mods, I assume) that produces 530 HP...by the new math, that's approximately 662 HP per Ton or 3.0 lbs per HP (approx weight 1600 lbs)

At VIR. Makes it look like a video game...