Is the idea of 4 cyl HA/GR a crazy idea ,if weight could be kept to a minimum and the gearing was right 14 sec quarters should be attainable ?
Simple answer....Unlikely. Possible, but unlikely. Whilst I do have some 4 banger friends who are die hard's, and have a couple very serious engines that could do it, it would be difficult for anyone who didn't invest a ****load to get 14 seconds from one of these cars. Sorry, but as a p***ionate 'F.A.S.T'er, I couldn't see it happening. Cheers, Drewfus
Absolutely, but it's not going to be a easy goal, especially if your familiar with the early bangers which were never designed to rev hard...
Well that's what effectively happens, so the powerplant really doens't matter, therefore if the 4 banger is your weapon of choice, go for it. The only consideration really is when it comes to 4 cylinders over the 1/4, I can imagine the 4 banger maybe getting to 65-70 MPH, with the other cars doing 100MPH..... but I'm willing to be prooved wrong Cheers, Drewfus
I thought about the 4cyl also. My plan was an early chev II Engine, the same one they run in the midgets.180cu in and alot of Rpm's. With the right gearing it should fly. Should is the key word. There is no subs***ute for cubic inches. I was afraid the little engine would have trouble leaving against the GMC'S and big inch flatheads.
Unfortunately we never had these out here in Oz.....if you could get a banger to safely rev, with quality torque, they'd be fun...if.
Homer, What 4 banger are you thinking about using? It's pretty easy to get 1.3 to1.5 horsepower per cubic inch on a 2 valve engine without spending a fortune. That would be 234-270 horsepower on the old Chevy ll 4 cylinders and you can spin that engine over 7000 RPM without any problems at all. That engine in a light weight ch***is would easily run in the 13's and maybe in the 12's if you keep it as light as possible. Some of the old Pontiac, 2 valve, 4 cylinders in NHRA drag racing are making over 600 horsepower. Give me some information on the engine your thinking about using and I'll see what's possible. Ron
First of all thanks for all the feedback 4 cyl engines here in OZ that are pre 62 would probably be less than 2 ltr (122 cubes) for OHV engines and 2 lrt for OHC engines. A BMC B series engine 1622 cc has std power output of 85-90 hp, a fiat or alfa twin cam 100-120 hp.
Believe this or not... I have a friend that has a model "B" Flathead 4 banger in a model "T" bucket body that he runs in the Antique Nats that runs a constant 102 mph. I can't remember the exact ET. But it sure is faster than 14 sec. I too was originally thinking of using a 4 cylinder engine in my HA/GR..
Sure they can rev to 5k, and in some cases time, and time again, especially if they've been built, but here in OZ very few people are experienced with building these engines, so chances are, if a person asks "can one these maybe do a 14?", he doesn't have the experience needed (otherwise he'd already know the answer), and will either have a steep learning curve, or big dissapointment at the end if the goal is not reached....
True ....and point well taken. I think I have the "goods" to make one compe***ive, and I think that someone with a checkbook can get one built. I really thought long and hard about building one but I have cooled off on building a banger powered HA/GR in favor of building a V4?/??? car for Maxton. There is something very attractive with being less than 300 miles away from the place you are going to race. I battle this with my AARA racing, --and did not have that luxury of any close HA/GR races.
Completely agree, it can be done, and a large number of pioneers have illustrated the point, but it comes at a price, both financially, and skill/experience. As an example, the attached photo of a banger motor owned by a friend would look awesome in a HA/GR, and be compe***ive to boot, but not something for uninitiated..... In reflection, these day's when we're asked by interested people who want to build one of these cars, we ask them why, not to be rude, but to gauge their focus, as to a large number of people, they would be better in so many areas to just build a rod, a modified, or whatever, as the realitly is if you don't live close to a 'complying track', then these cars sit idle, where as, for the same level of effort and cost they can build something they can use more regularly, and still compete in at a track when they desire to travel. Cheers, Drewfus
It's off-topic, but I think a cl*** using modern 4-cyl engines could be really popular, cheap, and fun.
I raced a holden 6 altered 94-97 10.80/115 the thought of going racing again at a reasonable price has the fire burning again.A 4cyl HA/GR is just a thought I have in my shed 250 pre crossflow-8'' LSD diff ***orted ford 6 bits I could use if a 4 banger does not happen.
Hummm..... I didn't think those rice-burner guys were doin' it on the cheap. Actually, I think you guys have hit as good of a combination with the curent HA/GR cars as anyone could expect. The only thing that is holding me back is the distance to go play. I just don't enjoy the 500+ mile jaunts any longer.
Hi! Brent, where is your nearest track, it could start there just like it did in Tulsa. It just takes a few groups to challange each other to a race in the future, The Hornet and the Ram were both built in about 3 months, to go to Mokan, the same thing happened in Australia, and is happening in California. At the same time as the Tulsa area builds, Randman and Recycler were building in Arkansas, and they all met at Mokan and had a ball.
Hey Homer, We will be up and racing at Willowbank on 18/19th of August, drop by and say g'day. Cheers, Drewfus
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