Are we stuck in a rut?

[enjenjo]

Most of use are doing things the way we always did. There parts out there now that could be used, but for the most part we are stuck in the past. For those of use here we have not moved beyond the 70s. There are a couple people who are messing with fuel injection and overdrive transmissions, but that seems to be the end of it.

What are your thoughts?

[kb426]

I'm all in with efi and overdrive. I want modern suspension and brakes. My wife wants ac.

[phat46]

Personally, I'm waiting to go electric! 😄 Actually I think we are stuck in our ways because we have the stuff and understand it, not that we couldn't learn the new stuff. It's also even more expensive for some of the new stuff, I checked into aftermarket F.I. for the stroker I'm building it would be about $3,000 all in, where as I can go gasoline carb for under $800 or e-85 for just over a grand.

[jaybee]

I think there's a certain amount of that out there, but I also think there are some very good builders out there who do electronic engines, suspensions with up to date geometry, electronic dashes and other examples of technology which is much more up to date.

The hard part IMO is finding a way to do it in a way that fits a reasonable budget. I did a back of the envelope estimate on what it would take to retrofit a late model, 8 speed automatic transmission to a small block Ford. The cost was astounding, $1200 just for a stand alone transmission controller. In other places, however, people are doing amazing things in a real garage level environment. Things like building EFI wiring harnesses from scratch or stripping excess wires out of factory harnesses and tuning the engines with a laptop to run really well.

[Rochie]

Phat 46, I have been running FITech refi for 3 years now. I've had two problems with the unit. One was an open injector, not much fun with 58psi of fuel running down the throat. And a burnt connector pin on the wire that supplies the fuel pump. The injector had something stuck it and the earlier version (mine) of their unit had 22 gauge wire carrying 20 amps to the pump. They have reworked their wiring problem and anyone's injectors can get stuck open.
The benefits far outweigh the drawbacks, instant throttle response, better fuel mileage, timing control, and instant starts.  My wife loves the fact that there's no fuel smell in the garage anymore. BIG benefit that one.
Oh, it cost me $1500US and their prices are lower than when I bought 3 years ago. I bought the 600 hp unit and their fuel management system

[chimp koose]

When I look at all the stuff I have in my garage I have enough parts to build 3 sbc/auto /ford 8"-9" drivetrains with cams intakes and heads to spare. When I have used up what I have (not likely) I would consider other newer stuff . I try to use what I have first and then get what I need after that. I like the 60's to 90's stuff as far as hot rods go . My interest in street rods started in the 70's with the fad T's and restored looking rods with nice paint and tru spoke wire wheels . I am really not fussy about what powers a street rod , I am more interested in the chassis and how it is put together . Not so much stuck in a rut , more like being practical and economical in how I go about building something.

[Ohio Blue Tip]

Ya, I guess I'm stuck in the 70's.   I like the newer technology and I'm willing to learn, but the cost slows me down.
I've been retired 14 years and money is now tight (didn't plan on living this long).
I can still build a SBC for the cost of an electronic transmission.  I would like to do a newer LS or Coyote engine and trans, but the cost stops me for now.
I guess I like it here in the 70's!

[idrivejunk]

Gender is a universal principle which is seperate from sex and I believe it has a lot to do with build choices.

[WZ JUNK]

The TBI engine and the overdrive transmission in my 54 Chevy came from a $300.00 wrecked Caprice.  It had a lot of miles on it when I bought the car, and it has a lot more since I installed it in the 54.  It gets great mileage and does not use oil.  I used the factory computer and fuel tank.  I bought an aftermarket wiring harness, but I would not waste the money on that if I were to do another one like this.  Although this was an early factory system, the newer systems are very similiar as far as components and requirements.  

I really want to try an LS transplant.  When I do one, I will probably buy a wrecked roll over and move everything from it, to whatever vehicle I build.  My plan is to buy something that has lots of power in the factory application, rather than modifying the engine to get more performance.  I like something that makes power but also something that has longevity.   Right now I think that the build will be another Ford Ranger.  (I have one set back already) The Ranger has a full frame and a Ford Explorer 8.8 rear axle is cheap and they are a bolt in.

I am to cheap to buy individual new components.

[Pete]

I prefer living in the 50's. It was a good time for racing.
I do not reject modern technology though. I run 2 ring pistons with the latest gas ported rings.
My car may look like it came from the 50's but it has most of the same suspension stuff the 410 sprint cars use.
It is possible to have both worlds.

[kb426]

Could some of you post some pics to go with some of your comments?

[Crosley.In.AZ]

Yes,  I am stuck in a rut...  biggest item is costs.  Several friends (younger by 20 yrs) think nothing of the costs and related EFI wire harness labor.  They are used to it as I am used to the mechanical setups.

on the flip side:

I did my first and last EFI conversion near 25 yrs ago.  A Chevy TBI setup into a 1970 Chevy 4x4 SWB truck.  It sure was a learning curve.  The Internet was not full of tech tips and videos back then.

it was a 305 cid engine setup on to a 350 cid engine.  I soon learned the throttle body injectors and chip needed to be changed. The 350 ran poorly (lean).. I bought a performance chip for a 350 cid engine with 3  speed transmission setup and the truck ran great.  From average of 10 mpg , it increased to  15 mpg.  The guy was very happy. The engine ran smoother and better in all apps.

[Ohio Blue Tip]

Could some of you post some pics to go with some of your comments?

Ya

[Rochie]

Could some of you post some pics to go with some of your comments?

Yep wish I could, I've always had a problem posting pictures on the site

[58 Yeoman]

You have to resize them to 600x800, I think.