4 cylinder Hot Rod ???

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jim
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4 cylinder Hot Rod ???

Post by jim »

I am building a T model tourer which originally was 914kg and according to the RTA I can put a motor less that 2.7L normally aspirated or 2.3L forced induction (for full NSW rego using the original chassis). The Problem ??? no V8 this size, I have not been able to find a V6 this size , straight 6 too long, only left with 4cylinder motors. Lots of choices with 4 cyl, turbo's etc.

Firstly, if anyone knows of a V6 that is less than 2.7L, please let me know.
Secondly, what are people's thoughts on a 4 cylinder turbo Hot Rod ? (say, a Nissan SR20 turbo motor) It would not "fit in" with the V8's but how would it be perceived ? What would your thoughts be if you saw a nice looking rod with a 4 cylinder Japanese motor in it ?
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spark
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Post by spark »

Jim, Toyota makes a aliminium V8 they are in the Lexus, don't know the weight is, when you say stock chassis does this mean - not boxed? as far as putting a Jap 4 in- well if that what it takes to get your car on the road, thats what you have to do. If you are going for a restored look maybe a starfire 4 out of the early Torana's or Cortina 4 ? Unfortunatly you will copp some shit for using Jap stuff, and every second dogs body will ask why don't put in a V8. I think it best to have a cool looking rod to cruz in ( even if it has 4 ) than have it gathering dust in the back shed. good luck with it.
Danger- man with a dry sense of Humor that lives near the sea.

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jimsklavos

Post by jimsklavos »

Thanks for that Spark, the chassis is boxed and has a K member. In order to register the rod as a 1927 T model I need to keep the original chassis (ie not replace it with a A model) and comply with the RTA engine replacement rules that apply to the specifications related to the original car. That is how the engine sizes come about. If I want to put a larger engine, I can, but the car will be classified as an Individually Constructed Vehicle, which means that I have to comply with current ADR's. Registering it as an original T model with engineered approved mods, I only have to comply with 1927 rules which there were not any !!! Anyway, that is how the 2.7L or 2.3L turbo come about. I guess all the rules go out the door if you find a dodgy engineer !!!! but I do not want to do that.
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spark
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Post by spark »

As I said Jim, do what you have to do and enjoy your car. :)
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devilrod
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Post by devilrod »

Jim,

More people need to start building (or buying) cars to satisfy themselves
not everyone else. You in the end will be driving and enjoying it, who cares whats powering it. Originally most early lakesters were 4 cyl powered. Rodders from days gone by used anything they could get there hands on, why should it change now?
The best part is some of the Horsepower that can be achieved from some of these turbo 4 cyl's will leave most cars for dead. I know this for my roadster with its stock flathead aint to much of a match for most cars on the road. However plans are underway for possibly an early lakes inspired T which will be 4cyl powered and depending on how a friends Escort motor turns out (aiming for 300 hp) should be very interesting.
Who can tell whats under a hood without climbing under the car.
I dont particularly care what powers the car so long as it actually gets used more than once every 3 months. Build it drive it and most importantly ENJOY IT!
doodlebug
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Post by doodlebug »

Jim,

Look in some recent issues of Australian Street Rodder

Chris Henry (I think that is his name) has been building a roadster with a Starfire four and five speed from a cheapy Corona. He has put cut and shut Holden Red alloy dress-up bits on it and it looks pretty good

My T roadster still runs the original T motor with a Rajo overhead valve conversion a big carb, headers and a 2spd diff with hydraulic brakes.

Everybody asks when am I going to put a V8 in it, but it cruizes at 80 and got Us to Goulburn and back around the coast to Melbourne (2000ks)

Bruce
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Pep
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Post by Pep »

Jim....The Capri did come out with a 2.6 ltr V6 in Europe and England and I think in South Africa. The Mk4 Zephyr had the original V6 in that size. The Aussie version in the Capri is the same block ( I think ) but a 3 ltr ..You might have to research that, but if it is, then who is to know if you tell the RTA its a 2.6 ltr. The advantage in this is that most of the Cortina running gear will fit up to it..As far as being accepted..I'd sooner look at that than a 350/350/9" belly button any day.


see ya
Pep
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chris spokes
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Post by chris spokes »

8) jim i know of an A model ford here in vic that runs a 2 litre nissan and when i follow him down the road the women love it because it looks the part so go forth and build the thing and enjoy it
HRI
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V6 under 2.7 litres

Post by HRI »

G'Day Jim,
I have a 1988 Toyota Camry V6. it's a 2507cc DOHC (2VZ-FE).
Only trouble is it's transverse mounted, but goes like stink.

I did have visions of using the motor in a T bodied salt lakes car, only mounted in the rear complete. But #1 son has claimed it as his first car, so looks like I might have to wait until he's finished with it.

There's a guy in our club that built a Toyota hemi T bucket, ended up with dual hair dryers. Light weight, heaps of horse power, excellent handling, the car was an absolute ball. He's now built a Nisan 6 turbo Anglia, was a cover car for Austarlian Street Rodding a couple of months back. He's had heaps of interest in this thing.

Hi-tek doesn't just mean billet........
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Brootal
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Post by Brootal »

You beat me to it Greg. I was going to suggest something similar. My wife's car is a 2001 Vectra. It is fitted with an Ecotec 2.6 V6 and it goes pretty well. I think they're rated around 125kW, which isn't too shabby. Of course, the only problem is, it goes the WRONG WAY!

I've heard of guys in the UK that get hot FWD engines and make gearbox adapters made up to fit them into their early Escorts etc. Might be a bit of work, but it would be pretty trick.

The other option that comes to mind would be what the Yanks call a "Pinto" motor. I'm pretty sure they're the same as the 2 litres that came out in Escorts and Cortinas. They can be made to go REAL good and with a turbo, 400HP is achievable (apparently, don't know how much of a hand grenade it would be).

As other people have already said. Who gives a ... what the other people think. There are guys that ONLY run 4 cyls in their Hot Rods (4EVER4 Hot Rod Club). Admittedly, they use the original 4 bangers, but still, putting a V8 in an old car DOES NOT automatically make it a Hot Rod.

I guess it depends whether you want to go with a Hi-Tech fuel injected turbo motor, or something a little more classic.

If I were you, I'd go the SR20 (awesome motor) and keep the hood shut. No one needs to know, just blow their doors off :)
It's OK, I'm not really from Sydney, I just moved there, but now I'm back in Perth so I'm normal again.

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doodlebug
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Post by doodlebug »

Jim, just saw a V8 mentioned on another board ( the H.A.M.B.) that would suit, a Daimler 2.5 from the early sixties. This is in a car (a Popular) in Australia (bobbedT). I've attached a link to the discussion. You might be able to buy a stuffed Daimler (like a MkII or S-type Jag) cheap and sell off the spares. A later one like the S-type would be best I 'spose as it has IRS

HAMB

Bruce
David Robertson

Post by David Robertson »

I am about to build a cortina 2 litre powered bucket, I have spent a lot of time with these motors (I've had about 8 2 litre escorts) and I can tell you with out some very exotic gear you will not see more than 150hp naturally aspirated or around 180/190 hp out of them (genuine hp that is).

The only way to get big hp is with all cosworth running gear which would cost more than a decent sr20t front cut just for the cosworth twin cam head.

I wont even modify my motor (except to make it look nice) as I dont need alot of power in the bucket to have fun (plus it will be cheap to run).
Dave.
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jim
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Post by jim »

Thank you all for your replies. It has been very interesting reading about your thoughts.

I have been looking at a couple of motors and are now closer to either getting an SR20 turbo or a 4ZC1 2L turbo Isuzu Piazza motor. The SR20 seems rather large and the Nissan gearbox is also going to be difficult to fit in the T as there is not much room in there. The 4ZC1 can mate to a Gemini box which is very much smaller. I know that the SR20 is by far the better motor but ???? I definately want an efi motor, so any other suggestions ?

A couple more weeks to finish off the front end, then I'll need to buy the motor. I'll keep you posted of what I end up buying.

Jim.
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