Need engine ideas...

Discussion in 'Other Automotive Tech & Talk' started by RASelkirk, Dec 20, 2012.

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  1. RASelkirk

    RASelkirk Retired!

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    Hi All,

    I bought a new project car, a '63 Rambler American, and I'll be looking for an engine upgrade. The car has a very small engine compartment, so small that the current I-6 is (supposedly) the only I-6 that will fit. My initial thought was to run a turbo'ed 2.3L Ford I-4 with the DOHC Volvo head swap (Google FOLVO). Even though there's a bunch of aftermarket support, it seems strange to start with such old technology, plus that head was only available for a 3 yr run over 20 yrs ago. And I'm not sure I want this thing to sound ricey.

    Speaking of sound, why is that the 4 cylinder bikes sound so awesome, but 4 cylinder cars sound so lame?

    Anyway, after having a couple CTS's with the 60° DOHC VVT V-6 (LY7) and 5 speed auto, I'm opening my mind. It's a great engine, but zero aftermarket support even though it was first produced in 2004.

    What I'm looking for is: small package; aluminum block and heads; DOHC; <9:1 CR for turbo (or the availability of lower compression pistons); either a tunable stock ECM or available aftermarket ECM; ability to produce 400 RWHP on pump gas with turbo, IC, and alky injection. I think any "V" engine will need to be short and forward to clear the master cylinder...

    The little 2300, even though it's ancient, has a bunch more transmission options. I have no experience with any I-4 or I-6, and very little with V-6's. I do know some of the ricer I-4's are reverse-rotation, but couldn't tell you which ones.

    So?
     

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    RASelkirk, Dec 20, 2012
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  2. Mavman72

    Mavman72 Gone backwards but lookin' forward

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    Put a hyabusa engine in it...
     
    Mavman72, Dec 20, 2012
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  3. bmcdaniel

    bmcdaniel Senile Member

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    I've seen American Motors 327s in those.
     
    bmcdaniel, Dec 20, 2012
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  4. krelboyne

    krelboyne Remember

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    Toyota 22RE, I think it would make a good conversion for a Maverick too.:huh:
     
    krelboyne, Dec 20, 2012
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  5. Mavman72

    Mavman72 Gone backwards but lookin' forward

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    Thats pretty nice!!! I would leave it alone...Maybe...
    If you have to cut it up to make something fit...Turn it into an AWD or FWD platform...Plenty of powertrain options out there for that!
     
    Last edited: Dec 20, 2012
    Mavman72, Dec 20, 2012
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  6. mojo

    mojo "Everett"- Senior Citizen Supporting Member

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    That's a nice car. It looks as if someone had started a project and for some reason had to part w/ the car. It appears a lot of metal surgery will have to be done to put anything larger than an I4. Seems like the 2300 or some RWD ricer engine might be the ticket. Gud luck w/ it - interested in see how it progressess...:thumbs2:
     
    mojo, Dec 20, 2012
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  7. jncastell

    jncastell Member

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    :) It looks like a nice little ride.
     
    jncastell, Dec 20, 2012
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  8. RASelkirk

    RASelkirk Retired!

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    Thanks for the compliments. I found a new F-150 EcoBoost complete drivetrain for sale with 5 miles on it for a great price ($7k) but cannot justify the expense right now. Seems these deals always come at the wrong time...

    Keep the ideas coming!

    That would be a backwards progression for sure, even if it did fit. These only came with the OHV-6 or a flathead 6...

    Is this one standard rotation? I wish I had a source to find out which of these rice-a-ronies spun backwards...

    Yup, exactly what happened. I will do my best to NOT molest any sheetmetal. If I have to cut it, there'll be a V-8 for sure, but I am not leaning that way for now. Even an I4 with a turbo would be tight. Most likely, any turbo motor would need some "rearranging" of it's equipment.
     
    RASelkirk, Dec 21, 2012
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  9. bmcdaniel

    bmcdaniel Senile Member

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    In your opinion.
     
    bmcdaniel, Dec 21, 2012
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  10. RASelkirk

    RASelkirk Retired!

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    Yup, my car - my opinion. Why on earth would anyone want to go through the trouble of transplanting an engine that's been out of production for 50 yrs?
     
    RASelkirk, Dec 21, 2012
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  11. mercgt73

    mercgt73 Member

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    Cool car!

    Hmmm.... maybe a 13B turbo, 4-speed and 9 inch? :eek:
    [nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsU4wlnpW-s"]Mazda Rx7 13B turbo Dyno run - YouTube[/nomedia]
     
    mercgt73, Dec 21, 2012
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  12. RASelkirk

    RASelkirk Retired!

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    There was one running on our local circle track back in the day, a completely different sound! Don't think I could fit that er... umm... muffler? under my car. But if I could find a 3-rotor...
     
    RASelkirk, Dec 22, 2012
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  13. mav1970

    mav1970 Bob Hatcher

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    What a great looking car :dancing:

    Battery in the trunk - Mustang II front end - no inner fenner wells - any engine fits :thumbs2:
     
    mav1970, Dec 22, 2012
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  14. RASelkirk

    RASelkirk Retired!

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    That's definitely on the radar, was hoping to fit something without the cutting. If I wasn't retired and thus not "earning", I'd have jumped on that EcoBoost 'train. I just e-mailed an E-Bayer with a complete turbo Supra 'train for length dimensions on the block, it's less than half the $$$. But will it fit?
     
    RASelkirk, Dec 22, 2012
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  15. junrai

    junrai Member

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    buy a complete oldschool supra and do a body swap on the frame / running gear,
    that would be a killer sleeper looks like an old pile that couldnt do over 35 miles an hour on the freeway but with a modern supra suspension under it it would ROCK!! or you could prolly get a drivetrain from a geo metro or a toyota echo to fit in that little space,
    the only problem is those are both sewing machine motors. the geos had tons of power for how little they were.

    another idea is go OLDSCHOOL and find a 20's or 30's flathead 3 cylinder engine. prolly cost you an arm and a leg though. it would definatly be cool to open that hood and reveal 3 single carbs or have the chrome tips from those three carbs sticking up through the hood :party3: paint it flat black and put some torque thrust wheels on it paint them red have some red and black interior. get the dash painted or powder coated fir engine red. throw some red scallops on the side or maybe some flames or a killer white jolly rodger with red eyes
     
    junrai, Dec 22, 2012
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