not really how i like um, but who cares. is it in bare metal, i ask because the metal work looks pretty impressive. looks like you got a well made new ride.
Good for you, Hope you a ball with it. Me, I just have a hard time crawling in and out of my cars ...
If you've seen it it's because I bought it here. I'll be looking for y'all's input too. Ok, I'm doing this from a mobile app and it won't let me back down to the end so motor input is requested. I'm formulating ideas right now. I wanted a roller, I'm no car mechanic by any stretch but having a roller will help keep the cost down some. I still need to get it closer to drive able before I trust myself to turn a wrench on it. This is a lot different than fixing my Jeep. Anyhow, first thoughts are engine and I'm leaning towards a sbc 383 stroker. It seems like a lot of horsies for a 2000lb car with narrow tires but I may change the rear end too.
Congrats on the new toy. I would suggest taking your time before planning your next step. Let all the ideas simmer for a while until you are really sure of the best way to go. have fun.
Funny thing ..... I clicked on the pic & it sounded like RATZ were scratching the inside of my Computer screen. Hmmmmmm...
I'm curious, what is the wheel base of the car? It looks quite long. Do you have any idea what the headlights are from? Have fun with it & keep us updated.
Way cool! I'm not a big fan of the stretched wheelbase but I know it's popular among the *** crowd. The Chevy would definitly be the cheapest and most reliable to use. Also the easiest for sombody to do that doesn't have a lot of experience. Everything is available for peanuts and a lot of times for free! Neat car. Keep us posted.
Ypur ackerman is off.You need the steering arm behind the spindles,In there normal position,The wheels will be fighting each other when turning .Way cool hough
This car looks like it's in a real pro shop. I'm amazed at how many times I see this coming out of people who you would think would no better. I agree with De Soto, It's gonna drive like shit and eat tires. Good reason to make the rest of the frontend right and have a really slick ride.
Why the reversed knuckles and the steering arm in front of the wheels was one of the first questions I had. Like I said, I just got it to the shop and I there are things that I plan on undoing. But, I wanted a roller because I knew I could get it for less and not pay for all of the labor that has gone into it. I'm also uncertain why they chose the extended frame, but, my builder has suggested chopping some of the front out, and I think I'll have him add some speed holes up front while he is at it. He suggested to save money since I'm thinking about going with a SBC moving the radiator back, but, I think chopping the frame is a better move. Lights are Hudson's, not too sure what year... Question: I'm hypnotized by the horse power fairy, and am leaning towards a 383 stroker, but, am concerned that it could make it a bit unruly. I'm planning on driving this thing, like, to the grocery store and work, not gonna be a trailer queen. (Sadly selling the '78 CJ5 and '04 TJ to help fund this project). What are y'all's thoughts on this? Is 350 a smarter way to go? I'd save money and could still smoke tires all day long, but, like I said, the testoterone in me says more is better? Heeeellllppppp?
I would put a 283 with a mild cam backed by 5 speed from a S10. Try to find a 220 horse from a 64 Mailbu. A 283 will give you plenty of power for such a light weight car, be realiable and get decent miles per gallon.
Looks like the car has potential and I agree that shortening the wheelbase and attending to the steering will work wonders. I'm also going with a SBC in my A. I'm personally of the belief that in such a lightweight car with narrow tires and primitive suspension, I want the bottom end (referring to RPM here) to be a little on the soft side and have the power start pouring on in the mid to high RPM range. I suspect it'll make the car more driveable, but I don't have direct experience...it's just an educated guess from my racing experience. Nonetheless, it's my plan to ultimately have 400-450 hp and have it peak as high in the powerband as is reasonable, while keeping hydraulic lifters (probably ~6000 RPM). A 383 will make more power, all things being equal, but in such a light car, I'd just go with a 350 and put that money elsewhere.
And just for the record, I'm torn between the *** look and the rod look. I kinda want to meld the two into one, like they met in a head on collision. May not be popular with everybody, but, that's just my preference...like a Reese's peanut butter cup!
Just out of curiosity, if you are aiming for that type of HP in your build, aren't you likely to end up in a stroker? I found a crate 383 that's pretty reasonably priced that dyno's at 420HP. There's more than one way to skin a cat, but, I just had a buddy that threw a rod in his LS that was supercharged. I kind of figured if I start with something that has a little more displacement, I don't have to risk launching rods and pistons if I decide 330HP isn't enough for me if I start stock. And BTW, I'm a car enthusiast and can turn a wrench, but, I have only a basic knowledge of car builds so forgive my general stupidity...
This is one of the one's I'm thinking about... http://www.smedingperformance.com/chevy/383+ESeries+440+Horsepower.html Although it's 420HP, not 440...
It's a valid question. I would just be concerned that a 383 is going to have so much low end torque that it could be very difficult to get it to hook up. And (personally) I want to spin my motor as high as hydraulic lifters will allow w/o floating. I'm not sure how a 383 would like spinning very high (~6500 rpm or so). Maybe it's no issue, but I'm not so sure about that. Ultimately, a 383 is certainly not a bad choice! It may just prove to be a bit different in the power delivery (more torque, lower RPM). But keep in mind, I'm no engine builder, either. I've got friends who are, however, and I've discussed my plans with them and that's what's helped me form my plan.
congrats on the new ride. raise the rear a few inches to keep it from looking like a dog dragging its ass in the grass hard to tell from the pictures if it is level or ass down
Yea, to be honest had I done it from scratch I kinda like the bigger tire in the rear which would bring it up some, but, I don't know if it was Z'd sufficiently and would look goofy. Would be nice to have a little more contact patch with the ponies bolted on.
Sold my '78 CJ-5, that will help me fund my build. Still have the '04 TJ to sell. Kinda mad at it right now because when I was taking the Nerf bars off I got to the last 2 bolts. Turns out I chose the wrong one because the last one was sheared and it used my face for a landing pad. Damage incurred: broken nose, two black eyes, contusion and a whole lotta missing skin. Lessen learned: never assume all of the bolts have integrity and brace them with jacks! Oh yeah, broke some really nice glasses too!
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