Track, Daily, Burn: Miserable Malaise Econobox Edition

"Pacer Racer" (pacerracer)
11/02/2016 at 10:29 • Filed to: TrackDailyBurn, Mercury, Topaz, Oldsmobile, Omega, Chrysler, Lebaron, 1983, Malaise, Econobox

Oldsmobile Omega

Chrysler Lebaron

Mercury Topaz

For comparison’s sake, they are all non-turbo 4 cyl. slushboxes. Because you know I couldn’t make this THAT easy.

I’d daily the Lebaron because it’s the only one that might actually run well. I’d track the Topaz because I could stuff some XR3i parts underneath and throw some T-Bird Turbo parts at the motor and make it reasonably fast. I’d burn the Omega, even though it’s not bad looking imo, because I don’t have a use for it.

How about you, Oppo?

DISCUSSION (17)

ttyymmnn > Pacer Racer
11/02/2016 at 10:32

The Omega is having a serious identity crisis on the roof.

Speed > Pacer Racer
11/02/2016 at 10:33

I’m dailying the Topaz because that Omega is getting lit on fire. The Lebaron is going to be the track whore because 2.2 Turbo swap. K cars are surprisingly popular platforms for boost.

fintail > Pacer Racer
11/02/2016 at 10:36

I have yet to see a IRL example of a Tempo/Topaz with those wheels.

Pacer Racer > ttyymmnn
11/02/2016 at 10:36

This is the true reason I was tempted not to burn it. But even the slightly cool Landau-Sunroof combo wasn’t good enough to redeem the nonexistant steering and gutless Iron Duke.

Party-vi > Pacer Racer
11/02/2016 at 10:39

DD: Mercury, because fancy futuristic styling so I can be all RoboCop-ing around in my car.

Track: LeBaron, because “I track my LeBaron” is a thing that needs to happen

Burn: the Iron-puke Omega

Pacer Racer > Speed
11/02/2016 at 10:39

K Cars are really good for boost, you can make a lot of cheap power with one; however, I couldn’t stomach looking at that Topaz every day.

ttyymmnn > Pacer Racer
11/02/2016 at 10:39

You know who else had an Iron Duke....

Kinja'd!!!

jimz > Pacer Racer
11/02/2016 at 10:41

since I can’t vote to burn them all, I’d say:

Daily: Lebaron. My mom had an ‘84, and it was nothing if not a cushy ride. but a non-turbo one is going to probably have a Mitsu 2.6 underhood, so have fun with that fucking Mikuni abomination of a carb.

Track: Topaz, because the Omega is an X-platform car. ‘nuff said.

Burn: Omega, because X-car.

throw some T-Bird Turbo parts at the motor and make it reasonably fast.

I don’t think you can do that. even though they’re both 2.3 liters, the “HSC” 2.3 in the Tempaz was a pushrod engine; based on the old straight 6 from the Falcon. The T-Bird turbo was the OHC 2.3 liter Pinto engine.

Pacer Racer > ttyymmnn
11/02/2016 at 10:41

Now I know to avoid buying an Ex-USPS truck. Seriously, Iron Dukes have a little longevity but every mile is PAINFUL.

not for canada - australian in disguise > Pacer Racer
11/02/2016 at 10:42

DD LeBaron

Track Topaz

Burn Omega

jimz > Pacer Racer
11/02/2016 at 10:44

the 2nd gen was much better looking. Plus you could get a V6.

jimz > Pacer Racer
11/02/2016 at 10:46

supposedly later ones got the 2.2 liter OHV engine, which is... a little better.

Stapleface > Pacer Racer
11/02/2016 at 10:48

I’ve actually driven all three of these. And sadly the best one was probably the K-car.

So I’d probably daily the K-car, track (demo derby) the Omega, burn the Topaz.

mazda616 > Pacer Racer
11/02/2016 at 11:10

Track - LeBaron with K-car Turbo goodies.

Daily - Topaz

Burn - Omega (only because I couldn’t trust it to run every day)

Pacer Racer > fintail
11/02/2016 at 11:14

They were metric and as such required really unusual (read: EXPENSIVE) tires, so most of these wheels have since been swapped to the cheaper ones.

fintail > Pacer Racer
11/02/2016 at 11:25

Yep, like similar Mustang wheels. Even back in the day I never saw a set of these 4 spoke wheels on a Tempo/Topaz. I suspect buyers might have known better, and simply didn’t order them, as these generally weren’t loaded up to much. A shame, as they are pretty cool looking in a way.

Michael_N > Pacer Racer
11/02/2016 at 12:24

Burn the LeBaron out of a general disdain for Chrysler products. Daily the Olds because I think that historically they were always the best looking offerings from GM in the lineup. And I would track THE F*** out of that Topaz, especially with those wheels on it.