Hot Rods Since I sold the Peter Beater....

....hot rods, customs, cars in general aren't the same. I dig my Caddy but I didn't build it. Even the HAMB bores me right now. I need to build another hot rod. I will build another......less than 1,000 lbs, 4 cyl, real small, real fast. But for now, I really miss having a hot rod.

 

Pete, I like your plan! Can you share a little more of the recipe you have planned?

Keep us posted on the progress!

 

I'm with ya Pete - doing a 4 banger myself, but maybe not what you would expect. It's refreshing to see others are not indentured slaves to the almighty pushrod V8. 'Yurrup' has long understood the light car four banger thing.

 

sounds cool...gotta get ya back in the game

 

A while back Rod & Custom did an artical on bangers I have a chevII in my roadster with a 4.3 v6 on the floor. I am looking for an ecotec banger. If you want the date of
the mag I'll look it up and post it

 

By all means, LOOK IT UP!

 

I have a new in the crate Iron Duke. Traded an Eco tec w/60,000 miles. My goal is 100 hp and less than 1,000 lbs. Cromoly frame, narrowed Model A roadster body, '32 axle, banjo, juice brakes. It'll kick ass and fit in my living room.

 

Sounds cool! When you gettin' busy?

 

Now that's the Pete we know and love. Glad to see your "back on track".

Frank

 

Thanks, Frank. I'll call ya when I need help!

 

Cool Pete, send some motivation over this way. I had big plans for the coupe this winter but still haven't touched it... by the way I didn't know you sold the beater and haven't seen the cadi...

 

Assuming a linear power-to-weight ratio effect on speed, a 100 hp car just under 1000 lbs will be like a 300 HP car just under 3000 lbs. I have driven such a car and would call it fast but not real fast. Seems like 150 hp would not be too difficult to achieve out of a Duke?

 

Sounds great! Look forward to the progress shots next week.

 

Pete,
I have built something like you are thinking about although mine is a two seater and I am using Duce frame rails. I have never weighed my car but I'll bet it is under 1500 lbs. as I can pick up either of the front wheels! My engine is a Ford Zetec and probably makes 130+hp. I would sure think going with our plan of a chrome moly tube frame and a narrow lakes modified body and a light late model 4 banger you could easily be around 1000 lbs. As much as you would probably get real shit for it on the HAMB if money were no problem (like I will ever have that problem!) I would do one of the aluminum block Honda motors, they can make some serious HPS! I think that if I went with porting, cams, more compression on my Zetec I could be around 220 but it might be a pain to drive.

I really like your thinking, especially a single seater, think of doing it with a Duce roadster body, say 30 inches wide,narrow the grill, lengthen the hood a couple of inches and a formed head rest. Really different and neat.

Rex

 

I thought the power to weight ratio was exponential, like 1000 lbs with 100 hp = 2000 lbs with 400 hp = 4000 lbs with 800 hp

I have a bunch of iron duke marine stuff just in case I ever get an Iron Duke motor. They have a cool finned aluminum valve cover, a 2cg intake that you have to cut down to make work, a different head, ect. I thought the valve cover said 120hp but I'd have to look again. Marine motor probably had a more aggressive cam too.

 

Something like the Belly Gunner comes to mind. Like the idea and look forward to the build. Having looked over the Peater Beater at last years Billetproof I think you'll build a nice little car.

Single seater?

 

You guys mentioning "Iron Duke".....Are you talking about the 151 CID GM 4 cylinder they used in Monzas, Fieros, Sunbirds, and such in the late 70's? I had one of these 2.5 L fours in a 1981 Camaro...actually ran pretty good, but the clutch gave out right after I sold it. Durable engine, it seemed, and GM has alot of Pontiac "Super Duty" speed parts for it.

 

I built the chassis for the 'Gunner. I'm excited. I think I'll cut the plate to the shape I want and weld it into a 'C'. Box it where the engine is, narrowed MOdel A rear crossmember and an ultra flat 'member up front. It'll be cool with a captial 'ool'.

 

About the Honda engine suggestion--don't they use counter-clockwise crank rotation as compared to standard clockwise rotation?
Neat idea on the light car with a hot little four cylinder!

 

I remember you being involved with it (I believe you owned it for a while too). It got sold and sold again and I lost track of it. Wonder if the new owner ever got it going? I really liked the ultra simple style of it. Low buck. All about fun.

I think about it from time to time and it inspires me to gather parts for my own super cheap fun rod. If only I had money.....

So I live vicariously through other's projects buying time until I can do my own.

 

Pete,
Glad you got the bug again. Your just not complete without a hot rod. I felt the same way after I sold the 37 even though I had the shoeboxes. Keep us posted on what you are going to do.

 

I've got a 2001 Sunbird with a 2.2. I think that is a POS motor. I cant imagine doin' anything with one of those. I don't know about the 2.5 or the 2.2 that came in '02 or '03. Was a different motor. I like Mazda motors. That little 1.8 is a screamer as is and there are all kinds of speed shit for it.

 

That's why I qualified my remarks 'cause I'm not expert. If what you say is true, then by all means. I still think 100hp is too easy though.

 

Power to weight is exactly that. Horsepower divided by the weight of the car.

 

I like your thinking. I did the same thing with my 29 Pk Up. Got a 2001 Jeep 4 banger/5sp(freeby) and put her in the truck. Will soon be on the road And it will be a good runner down here. Made most of the stuff to make everything work and so I have a minimum amount of money involved. Iceman

 

I 'borrowed' these pix from Scootermcrad's coverage of the 2008 Antique Nationals - hope ya don't mind.

This is based on a 1928 Chevy and I think it has an Iron Duke. It has been around for a good few years. You can use a SBC head on an Iron Duke and get a 'slant four' - cool city! There was a Model A coupe with this setup at Pleasanton Goodguys West Coast Nats last year.

I have a rare Ansen Iron Duke intake for a 2bbl Weber DCOE - PM me if you're interested Pete.

 

Yeah, I started the gunner. Back then, it was the Frankie Flyer. Big plans, not enough $$. I'm gonna do this one, though. I NEED another hot rod. The Caddy bores me.

 

miss the wind in your hair and the bugs in the face do we? I understand implicitly. Anyways, 4 holes are plenty of fun.

 

I've thought about building a 4 cyl. from time to time but I've got too many projects going so I probably won't ever get around to it, getting old too quick. A four banger can make a cool hot rod if you build it light. I think you should go for it. By the way I see the Poteet & Main steamliner made a 390 mph run at Bonneville this year with a 182 cu. in. dodge 4 cyl.

 

I'd like to hear more about this. Any tech pages on here or the net you point me to?