Way cool project. Any Corvairs made to look like an El Camino with the motor in the bed? I'd like to see a Lakewood wagon with a big motor in the back with glass behind the rear seat, but no quarter or rear glass.
That I like. But you'll find that the C-pillar is actually not in a very good position for the rear seat to be useable. Damn!
I lost this thread for a little bit, but I found it again! Now I know you!We spoke on another forum and you share a lot of details about Monzillia with me. YOU are the reason I sold my 61' Lakewood wagon! I knew if I kept it I was going to yank the good 140hp 6 and put a SBC in it! Glad to see your project is coming to light. Did you ever do the SBC 4spd thing you were talking about in the past?
All I can say is.... Damn.....looks like a well engineered and well executed install. Should be a blast to drive. With only the removed headlights being used for incoming air to cool the radiator as far as I can tell, is overheating an issue on hotter days?
This should be a kick in the ass!!!! Regarding the reverse rotation, rotated transaxle, mid-engine discussion; if my memory serves me correctly, I believe the old recipe was to use a 62-63 Pontiac Tempest transaxle in the Corvair, which is pointed forward, and rotates the correct direction for a near bolt-in install for a mid-engine. Rode in one several years ago with a "built" 327 sbc. What a ride!!!
Nasty - First, nice work so far. Now...as someone else said....where's the wheelie bars..? Years ago, I went with my brother to look at an Olds powered later bodied Corvair. That guy also did a nice job of installing the entire Toranado drive train into the back of the body. The carburetor was just about where the back window contacts the bottom of the cowl. That is MUCH farther foward than your engine, but also still much farther back than the Crown kit. We took it for a test drive. Now I like going fast, I've had the speedo needle burried (not moving at over 165mph) at the high end of the dial of a 1000cc Yamaha (R1), I've been to the Frank Hawley Drag Racing School driving his Funny Car, I drive my bike back and forth to work in the Los Angeles area, I used to have an Anglia drag racer (short wheel base)....so not much scares me at the controls..... That car did...!!! If you can put together about two hundred (?) pounds of lead (weight) and bolt it somewhere in the trunk (front), you "may" be ok...! Have fun...BE CAREFULL. Mike
1st, Way cool 2nd, Dual Quad 409 for sure 3rd, Bring it to Thompson Ohio. Two thumbs up!! Sooooo, If I found a covair trans, I could mount a Chevy motor in the middle?? With the normal rotation. Adapter?
How are you going to get enough air to feed the monster ? Will the vents in the ? bonnet/trunk/hood be enough? I LOVE IT,GET IT GET IT .....GONE.........YG
I haven't quite decided how to get the cooling air into the radiator in the trunk yet but whatever I do I want to retain the stock Corvair look
Nope! Get on the gas in the corners! there is no weight in the front to steer with so you gotta steer with the rear!
I don't know for sure what the transaxle will handle, but I know it will handle a tri-power 389, in a '62 Tempest, because I ran that combo in one in '66 - '67. The problem that I did have was with the flexible drive line, and carrier bearings, which were kind of a "joke" when they built them. The driveline is not a factor in the Corvair setup,as the engine is attached directly to the transaxle, eliminating the drive shaft/bearings assy. The car was run mostly with a 4 speed, but was also tried with an auto. Had no transaxle problems with either setup, but had more fun with the 4 speed!
Pontiac tempest transaxle. That shouldn't be too hard to find. I know that tempest is out there..... but I have never seen one. Yoots drive em. My cousin vinny...
I haven't read the whole thread, but I'm pretty sure that where ever he is at, Ralph Nader just shit himself!
After a very loooooong time I am finally back working on the 409 Corvair project, I have nearly completed the steel coolant pipes, I am using 1.5" aluminized pipe and "J "bends. I have to install the lifters in the 409 and intake /carbs and finish modifying the SBC block hugger headers to fit the 9r. I sure hope to have it running this summer or early fall.
I think you are going to have to insulate those pipes REALLY well. Most V8 vairs have the pipes running UNDER the floor.
I really admire your project......we fooled around with a tornado setup in a VW beetle...kinda outrageous. Knowing what I know about those trans axles..it won't last long, if you have a tire with any hook at all the trans is done, you need to look at what Factory Fuve Racing is doing with Porsche transaxles in their new GTM car. Good luck, I applaud your effort at sheer excess!
Mind boggling. On a slightly different note I really like those valve covers, I had no clue Merc ever used the 409, I didn't even know Mercruser was around back then, I thought it was just Mercury outboards back in the early 60's
Awesome build! I think I'll stick with my stocker Vair with the turbo tho! This is one ride I would love to see in person!
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