Getting with the times

[enjenjo]

I had been thinking about the 350 HP 327, one of the best factory engines GM built. I was thinking I ought to build one, then it occured to me that the fuel it needs is no longer available at the corner store. Then I thought about the compromises that would need to be made to run todays fuel, and the fact that a LS1 would make as much horsepower and get twice the mileage. So I got discouraged and thought about something else. I'm like the guys that think a flathead Ford is still the epitome of cool.

[kb426]

I feel the same way about the 302 stroker in the 32. That engine is based on 1962. Very few updates. I had a discussion with the Ford Performance guys when I started on the 51 back in 2013. I was told the reason for the mod series was about long life. They were satisfied with the performance of the windsors but it wasn't designed to last a quarter on million miles. I like 327's but all flatheads leave me unwanting.

[phat46]

I hear ya. For the past several years I have wanted to build a 383 striker, mostly just to do it once. Then I see the cost, the power made and LS engines....and wonder if it's worth the money and effort.

[chimp koose]

In the 70s i remember thinking about all the old guys with the flat heads and thinking why not use a sbc , those flatheads are old . Now i sit and look at my model T with a sbc and realize I must look like the old guy compared to the ls guys .

[Charlie Chops 1940]

Frank, I put a ZZ4 crate engine in the convert about 15-16 years ago and have about 40K on it now. It is 10:1 with aluminum heads. I had a fairly lean-ish 600 Holley on it all that time and reduced timing lead by a couple degrees and ran 87 octane with good results. Had a little ligty ping pulling steep grades in the Rockies so ran 89-99 octane out there. No harm, no fowl. Pulled strong as heck but had a little tip in bog I could never tune ouy.

I have changed to a 670 Street Avenger and will be getting the car back out for Louisville. Finishing up new paint on a fresh body restoration. I have missed the olld girl.

[idrivejunk]

From my viewpoint, the engines mentioned are just plain small. Cool? Sound great? Yeah.

Thoughts I had to abandon were Pontiac 400 then Dart block SBC around that size, in that order

When I explore the thought path nowadays I always seem to end up at carbed 6.0 LS. Seems appealing but I know it sounds dumb on the web to say that.

The supercharged 3800 I use daily is darn tough to argue with, that little stinker. I figure we are licked if we are poor and just try to enjoy what others don't care for. Building an engine to suit one's self is now a rich man's delight if you ask me. Every engine factory built in the last twenty five years has 300K+ miles to offer and thats tough to compete with.

So its either learn EFI, use something stock, or do something silly and wasteful. I'll just have to nurse whut I got and give up when it breaks.

[jaybee]

As far as I'm concerned it's all cool, from flatheads with Strombergs to GT40s with the EcoBoost V6. I can't help myself...I like them all.

Then again, I'm a big fan of fuel injection. As old dudes we think it's complicated. Turns out we only think carburetors are simple because we understand them. Float, idle, main, power valve, accelerator, choke, and secondary circuits which all interact with each other? That's complicated.

Myself, I like the idea of fuel injection and synthetic oils adding life and drivability to old engines.

[BFS57]

Hello;
Well, the most recent times do not have any use for fossil fuels!!! Electric, Electric!!!
Most recently I had the experience of driving a "performance" electric vehicle! It was a Jaguar I Pace!! Let me tell you that thing can MOVE! It's rated at 400 horses and has off road capabilities! Also has some form of like air ride! It lowers for getting in, has a set ride height and can elevate for off road!!!
I also saw a brief interview at SEMA where someone or company had taken the good ol 50 Merc and made an absolutely beautiful "custom" out of it with electric power!!
What I believe now is that "every" geek is busy in their garage, trying to take what exists now and make it "way" better for the future of transportation. Things like electric vehicles that will have long range use because of battery components being developed right now!! Not to mention what other various "mind boggling" things are being worked on!!!
Call it what you want but the future of the automobile (as we know it) is changing to a "fuel less" use!!!
Thats my thoughts, and Im stickin to them!
Yeah, It makes me kind of sick to think this way but believe me when I say " its just around the corner!!"

Bruce

[lofat46]

Electric cars can be cool.  But until they can figure out how to get the batteries fully charged in the same amount of time it takes to fill a gas tank while on a long road trip, not to mention charging stations as numerous as gas stations and making the electric cars more affordable, then I'll continue to cruise with gas.  Plus I'd rather have the rumble of dual exhausts instead of the whine of an armature.  No, playing the sound of a V8 through your Bluetooth in your electric car doesn't work.

[phat46]

The future is electric, like it or not. I'm o.k. with it. I have battery powered lawn equipment, including a mower, that I really like. At least as much power as my old gas stuff and less hassle to use and mantain. The electric vehicle is in its infancy, like the Model T was in the early 20 th century. Look how far they came in 30 years. As far as the batteries, I see replaceable batteries at some point, pull in to a station, drop out a pan of discharged batteries and slide n a fully charged set. I was just out for a bicycle ride and went by the local Tesla charging station and two were there charging. It seems like I see more and more lately. And the performance is there, just Google some videos of Teslas racing hot street cars...and embarrassing them. I like the sound, and feel, of a big V8 pulling hard, but Ihink internal combustion, for automobiles anyway, has just about run its course.

[chimp koose]

I often make a 6 hour drive to go visit my son . If you could make that kind of trip without a long re charge time i would consider an electric car . I would love to make a center door T with that sort of power or maybe Prius drivetrain .

[Pete]

Batteries are for flashlights.
Gasoline is for washing parts.
Diesel is for cruising.
Alcohol is for drinking.
Nitro makes cars go fast.

[BFS57]

Hello;
I agree with points well taken.
The big reason we didn't buy the I Pace is the price was 90K!!! Instead we purchased a "slightly" used Jaguar F Pace Super vehicle but a lot less by 40K! and only Premium gas only!!!! (6 Cyl Supercharged)
Like I told the Mrs. This kind of stuff is the wave of the future and, all this is about to emerge and go main stream!!! Faster than you might think !!!

Bruce

[416Ford]

Batteries are for flashlights.
Gasoline is for washing parts.
Diesel is for cruising.
Alcohol is for drinking.
Nitro makes cars go fast.

 

I am going to build a blown BB Chevy for my 55 and I know it the least practical thing I can do. (My wife tells me this all the time).
Don't care.
If I wanted gas mileage and horsepower and practical I would put in a 4cy turbo with fuel injection.

[enjenjo]

Batteries are for flashlights.
Gasoline is for washing parts.
Diesel is for cruising.
Alcohol is for drinking.
Nitro makes cars go fast.

 

I am going to build a blown BB Chevy for my 55 and I know it the least practical thing I can do. (My wife tells me this all the time).
Don't care.
If I wanted gas mileage and horsepower and practical I would put in a 4cy turbo with fuel injection.

The least practical thing you could do would be driving a generator with the blown big block to power a electric motor driving the car.