Car geek?

[Rob]

Well, I guess it begins today. My lack of life for the last four or five years from being a computer professional finally is too much. I tryed flying model planes, too much BS and it is more of a all day thing. So after a few grand in model stuff and some broken parts I'm going back to what I did in my teenage years.

As I sit here waiting for a friend of mine to come help me pick up a engine I was just wondering how many other computer geeks are into cars too. Today, I am picking up a complete 460 Ford BB engine. It wasn't my first idea by any means but the price was right (FREE!!).

My plan is to rebuild the engine while I look for a chassis. I'm shooting for 94-95 Mustang. It must have tan leather and I'm thinking black paint. From what I can tell, this is going to be a large fabrication project as there are only a few manufactured parts to stuff a BB into this chassis.

I don't want a race only car, so I will be planning full AC with no roll cage. Full interior, no race gauges, and so on. The idea is a reliable 500+HP car that is streetable. My first thoughts were to do a Paxton NOVI 2000 supercharged small block, but for the money a normally aspirated 460 should provide reasonable power and not dramatically shorten the lifespan. Now, the biggest question in my mind is can I do a convertable or is the torque going to twist the car in half ;)

[Gargoyle]

I'm a bit of a car nerd. My project is a 1967 Volvo 122s, but I've spent so much money keeping my stupid Ford Exploder running, I haven't got to do much.

Have you checked out this thread (http://www.short-media.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6623)? A lot of our members have posted pics or their cars there.

Good luck with you project :thumbsup:

[Rob]

Thanks man. Once I get these photo's off of the camera I'll post some of the engine.

When I got there, it had been sitting so long an entire bush had grown over the engine and the trailer it was on. Not only that, but his brother in law took and covered it with a wood chipper so the trailer was not only flat but underground LOL

We hooked his Envoy up to it with a chain and it just sat there spinning the tires in low. Once I put the chain up to my Dodge Ram it came out without much effort on my part. Just needed a bigger truck :)

Now that I have reliable cars, I think I am going to enjoy this as a hobby again. Nothing is worst than working on a car that you need for transportation.

[GHoosdum]

I'm a car nut as well. Unfortunately, I'm without a project right now. I'm also without the $$ to do a project. Good luck with your 460! I used to have a '73 Mercury Marquis with a stock 4-bbl 460 in it, and it could haul some ass, even as heavy as that car was. I can imagine some great times with a 460 in a lighter Mustang! :D

[Buddy J]

Lighter and Mustang usually aren't used together in a sentence unless it's along the lines of "I wish my Mustang was lighter and could handle...":mullet:

I'm a computer geek and gearhead. Currently, I'm working on a 72 Saab Sonett and restoring/modding my 85 Celica Supra. And I have to help Gargoyle with his RX-7 and 122, and my roommate with his 76 MGB. I like old cars, mostly British or Japanese, and usually with modern engines and upgrades.

There are some hardcore car guys on www.grassrootsmotorsports.com that could help you with sticking that bigass motor in a stang. If you have any questions about doing it, just ask on the forum there. There are dudes there that do nothing but put big blocks in light cars. It's a hobby for them.

If you're really a geek, MegaSquirt that motor. It's a DIY ECU project that's fully programable and cheap. That way, when you decide that the best way to make more power is by adding twin turbos, you'll have a system that can handle it all. www.msefi.com and http://www.bgsoflex.com/megasquirt.html

[GHoosdum]

Lighter and Mustang usually aren't used together in a sentence...

I know. I felt weird saying it, but compared to my '73 Mercury Marquis, believe me, the Mustang is lighter! ;)

[Rob]

Well, I've been looking at a few ideas for a while now.

The last generation RX7 is interesting to me. But, to get a good low mileage car your looking around $20K. Otherwise, you need to be prepaired for turbo and engine building and the price is going to jump quick. For the costs, it puts me into the later C4 Vettes which I think I would rather have. But, I do _really_ like these cars. They also get very fast with a few cheap mods as well. Hard to pass up.

C4 corvette is not too shabby. I can't stand to look at pre-90 interior, but after that I think I could live with one. Pricing is around twice of a Mustang or other budget sports car, and the parts follow the same lines. I had a hard time not focusing on getting a Vette. I could come up with something around 10K, less for a damage repair project. I would rather have a C5, and buying a C4 might just make it worst LOL

Then I came to the Mustang. 94-95 I can get into for around $5K, less if I can find one with a blown engine or something. I had three Mustangs when I was younger, one with a 351W. They are kinda belly button cars, but it does leave a lot more room in the budget for build costs. If I save the $15+K price difference between a so-so Mustang and a nice RX7 that leaves a lot of room for ... improvements ;)

I also looked around at some older cars, some imports, and just couldn't find anything that I had a strong feeling to build. I do not want a ricer that's for sure ;) Some of the old Mercedes are sweet, but the costs are sick.

As for Fuel Injection, I did spend a lot of time considering it on the 460. I am a fan of injection, even normally aspirated. The kits I found that looked the best were multi-port mods that use a standard intake modified for the injector rails and a 4 barrel style throttle body. Nothing out of the box so far that looked like a good system, but I don't think the kits would be too bad. Stand alone engine management would be sweet. What killed it for me was the costs and time that it would take, then I would not be force feeding it so it doesn't have as much advantage. If I use the 460, I can build a 400-500 HP car that is reliable and doesn't rag on the engine. Maybe I will change my mind once I get it rolling, but I can't see putting a force induction on something that makes that much power on a mild build.

My number one goal is top notch fit and finish. I want a car that could have rolled off the line like this, not something tubbed and caged. Also, no redneck rockets. It has to be a _nice_ car when it is done, not just a fast car. Full AC, normal unmodified interior, and maybe even convertable ;) If I were to supercharge a BB, I think it would push it out of this goal. Having a 1000HP car in a stock chassis is suicide LOL

[Rob]

There are some hardcore car guys on www.grassrootsmotorsports.com that could help you with sticking that bigass motor in a stang. If you have any questions about doing it, just ask on the forum there. There are dudes there that do nothing but put big blocks in light cars. It's a hobby for them.

Maybe I've been dropped on my head a time too many, but I can't find a forum link?

[Gargoyle]

Here you go: http://www.grmotorsports.com/board/

[Buddy J]

Just a thought on the Stang- you'd be wise to budget some money in your build for suspension. 500hp would be lots of fun, but the suspension geometry on those cars is horrible. Steeda and Griggs both make kits to change the rear end geometry to something that won't crap out in a corner.

Other stuff that would benefit from your V8 would be an old Jag, like an old V12 XJ-S, or a BMW. I'd like to see that go in an E30 325 or 318, but I bet it would ruin the weight distribution.

I'm not a Mustang fan, but living in Oklahoma they're a dime a dozen. Every redneck and his cheerleader sister drives one. Old Mach 1's are cool, but thats really all that excites me, 500hp or not.

In any case, I'm glad you're going to keep it nice looking. No clear tails. No alumingum wing from AutoZone. No APC stickers. Wheatstangs are the worst since they're just American rice.

[Tex]

I'm a bit of a car nerd. My project is a 1967 Volvo 122s, but I've spent so much money keeping my stupid Ford Exploder running, I haven't got to do much.


I have had three Volvo p1800s. Do you know what they look like?

Tex

[Gargoyle]

I have had three Volvo p1800s. Do you know what they look like?

Tex

Yup. And for anyone that doesn't, look at the picture under "sexy" in the dictionary. :D

Aww heck, I'll save them the trouble. Sexiest one I've seen yet:

[Tex]

I had one with over 20 coats of hand rubbed black laquer. Everyone called it the "Batmobile". So of course I became Batman. (long sigh...) And strangely enough my wife came to work for me on a internship at that time and went with me to all our customers and her name is..... Robin.

I also had one with huge flared fenders and huge tires.

Anyway here is another pic of a nice p1800s

Tex

[Gargoyle]

So you don't have any p1800s left? Sounds like it would have been hard to part with the Batmobile :D

My 122 is going to take years to get to the point where I'd like it to be, but I don't think I'll get rid of it anytime soon. Partially because it's not worth any money, so I might as well keep it :D

[Tex]

No but I am always looking for another one. I have had porsche 911's, 928's BMW's, a convertible 450SL and I swear I got more people watching me in the p1800s then any car I have owned.

No one believed it was a volvo. I could of told most folks it was a 1964 maserati and they would of believed that no problem.

Tex

[Buddy J]

p1800s are pure sex. Plus they have chrome. Sex + chrome = awesome!

Do you have any pics of your black one Tex? I'd love to see it if ya did. They are wonderful cars.

Tex, have you had a TVR yet?

[Tex]

No TVR. Triumph TR4 and a TR4A's, TR7 with a aluminum Buick v8, an MGA and a MGB. an Austin Healy 3000, BMW 2002 with racing side draft webers, headers and Bosche distributer, ( and that was on top a mountain outside aspen with no chokes etc.. sucker started perfect every day all winter) BMW 320i a 5 series for the wife, a 914/6, a hot 911s, the pair of 928's (I know its sacrilig but I liked the torque in the V8 928's over the tweaky 6 cyl in the 911... but the 911 was a pure chick magnet) and man I know they are dated now but that robins egg blue 450sl was just the sweetest car. Out of the whole list besides another p1800 the 450sl is the other I would buy again in a heartbeat.

You can tell I am a very sick puppy by the amount of old British cars on the list. I bet a thousand bucks I could still set the points on the TR4 by site.

Tex

[Buddy J]

I'd kill for about half of those. The '02, the 916/6, TR4A and the Big Healey are on the top of my list. I will own an '02 some day when I can afford a car that needs a total rebuild and rust-proofing.

I became a Brit car nut after deciding one day to start looking for a Spridget to play with. Never got it, but since then, I immersed myself in that world. I dream of Sunbeam Imps, TVRs, Ford Anglias and Lotus Cortinas. It's a horrible habbit. You start learning about parts bin engineering and then decide that the coolest car would be a Lotus Twin-Cam powered '85 Celica GTS with Twin Weber 40s because everything "should" bolt together if you had the right bellhousing and crossmember. But an 105e is really doable with a Zetec and has a huge aftermarket...

The guy I'm restoring the Saab with has me on the lookout for a TR3a. He used to own one and sold it before coming to Oklahoma. Now he wants one back, all I gotta do is find a good one to buy.

I bet your driveway had some great oil spots.

[Tex]

Here is a weird one. I came thiiiiiissssssss close to buying a realy clean Sunbeam Tiger from a buddy I still cry over. Thats the alpine with a ford 289 in it.

The 2002's are a great every day driver in traffic as they have unreal visibility out the windows and back. Just no blindspots so you feel really safe and they are stout as all get out it. Dependable and easy to work on.

Also had a nifty Alpga boattail spider but only for about 8 months I forgot about. But thats another I would buy again in a heartbeat.

Thats the good and bad about consulting. Money is great or its horrible and your selling off toys to survive. I paid cash for almost all those cars. Even the porsches and mercedes.

I am lucky Robin loves cool cars. As long as she gets to drive them she will let me buy anything. In fact I am at the point now where I am trying to talk HER out of the impractical cars. Not my usual role for sure. She wants a friggin viper or boxster right now.. We are still recovering from the financial hit from my 5 operations and two years in a wheel chair with no insurance and I keep whispering to her... not yet sweetie. Soon.... I promise!

Tex

[Buddy J]

Retro Cars magazine just did an article on a Tiger with a built 302 in it. Makes at least 280hp at the rear wheels. The owner shipped it from the US to Cambridge and uses it for touring all over Europe. If you can find a copy of the mag there in Colorado, pick it up. It's by far the coolest car related magazine out there.

Has Robin seen a a Lotus 7 clone like a Birkin or Caterham 7? If she wants impractical, thats the only way to go. And they're cheaper than the Viper... unless they've dropped to $30k now, which I guess some of the early one might have.

[Rob]

Whoa, this thread kinda ran away from me and I didn't notice LOL

Cool cars man. That batmobile looks pretty cool :D

I was thinking SN95 Mustang just because they are a dime a dozen. Saves some pennys for the parts LOL Then, when I pull up next to someone they see Yet Another Rustang and not a 7.5L sports car :D I know a guy that made $20K last year on street racing cause his small block mustang looked slow yet did low 9's Me, I'll just enjoy making Viper owners embarrased LOL

I am still looking at C4 Vette's for some reason..... :scratch: So you never know :D

If the Mustang works out, it is looking like it will get a 4-link rear end just cause those cars do really really suck in the suspension. I drove a 94 when they came out, and damn near lost it because even stock it had too much juice for the crappy rear setup. It felt like driving a 250HP Taurus with rear drive, it just wouldn't stick and felt like a family car. Needless to say, it was a short test drive and no sale.

If I knew more about vintage cars I might get into something exotic. But, I do want to avoid restoration. I am more in the mood for fabrication than fixing rust. I will keep my eyes open as I tour the scrap yards. Nothing is in stone just yet.

[Kristof2]

Speaking of old Volvo's...

My first car was a 1980 240. I also had a 1979 242GT for a short time. Now I have a 1967 122s that I am thinking of getting rid of because it needs alot of work and I have no time or money. :bawling:

Kristof2

[Tex]

sorry to of high jacked your thread down volvo memory lane Rob.

Tex

[Gargoyle]

Now I have a 1967 122s that I am thinking of getting rid of because it needs alot of work and I have no time or money. :bawling:

I feel your pain. But I'm sticking with it. Too many of my friends have called me crazy, and now I've got to prove them wrong (or right)!

[Rob]

sorry to of high jacked your thread down volvo memory lane Rob

BAH! Not high jacked. It just ran away from me a bit. I didn't get a notice that there were new posts and when I came back I found a conversation. If I start a thread, I try to not vanish from the conversation for no reason :cool:

If anything, thanks. Those cars are pretty cool and I probably wouldn't have had the chance to see them in that light :)

Keep it coming, I just didn't expect to check in and find a conversation for almost two days LOL

[Tex]

Old folks remember the p1800s because it was the car driven in the original series called "The Saint" mostly.

I found one in Hemmings once that had been cut into a convertible with a custom made top and everything..... and the guy had transplanted a small block ford into it.

Hot you car nuts especially looking for weird cars or parts if you have not discovered Hemmings you gotta check it out.

Tex

[Buddy J]

http://www.grassrootsmotorsports.com/news/category/project-cars/

Rob, here's some good stuff on picking up a C4. Just in case you're interested.