Been longing for some time now to build a project of my own from the ground up - and have actually started - 
- collecting bits for a Chevrolet small block, a 350ci - so far I've got some nice hyper pistons, performance intake manifold, air filter and carb. Completely backwards way to go about it but hey, there you go.
Suddenly occured to me though that it's still going to take a fair bit of expense and work to get to a point where it's ready to roll - taking into account the cost of the base engine itself, transmission, ancilleries, and fitting it into the engine bay. I don't want to spend ages ploughing money into it, as I'd rather do something interesting and on the cheap (trying to get as much bang-per-buck as possible).
So, I was pounding around in my Jeep as usual (had it since December, just in time for the snow):
When it occured to me - I've been hankering after all to build a bit of a 50s/60s style hot rod, old tech and all - so why not use the Jeep engine? In fact, why aren't there more around with that mill in?
After all, it's an old AMC straight six right from the 50s, 4 litres, almost 200BHP and 220ft.lb of torque, lovely and smooth, and backed up straight away by a great autobox that'll take 400ft.lb without issue. Parts are cheap and available and it can scoot the Jeep along with ease - I'm sure it'd move something that weighed less than a tonne even easier!
Obviously it's a heavy old block and head so you'd want it far back as possible, or to lighten up the front end to compensate but it'd still strike me as a good choice.
I'm mostly interested (mostly) in straight-line speed and obviously 190 odd brake isn't going to result in something devestatingly fast (although I have no doubt it'd be hilarious with the big six pounding along) but when I've gotten bored with the Jeep's performance on the odd days, I've always looked towards:
Blowing the damned thing.
Example:
Or how about this? Non-turbo but a 4.7/4.9 stroker - that can be built using other bits from AMC engines.
Maybe it'd sound like this with some boost....
I still think it's got potential though. I mean, a blow through, turbocharged, 4 litre, cast iron 6 with a dizzy and a host of detailing is going to be a riot in something relatively lightweight, no?
More inspiration - you could drive something like this:
The only downsides I can think of are:
- That it weighs 233kg (approximately, not sure what configuration that's in) - mind you, a smallblock weighs what, 250-300kg?
- That the efficiency of the standard engine isn't great - but is that down to lugging around a Jeep, or the old design of the engine. I'm sure that could be bought up somewhat?
- It is long and tall......
- Manual transmission options are available but I guess some work would be required to match up a 'decent' box.
I think that's it.
It's even got the period intake-over-exhaust look, which also makes installation in RHD cars a doddle as it typically clears the steering gear without too much hassle as the intake and exhaust are all on the opposite side....
The factory transmission is also very easy to convert to a paddle-shift or simple push-pull up through the gears, to make it a bit 'racier'. I'm sure someone makes a ratchet shift kit for it anyway....
Discuss!
- collecting bits for a Chevrolet small block, a 350ci - so far I've got some nice hyper pistons, performance intake manifold, air filter and carb. Completely backwards way to go about it but hey, there you go. Suddenly occured to me though that it's still going to take a fair bit of expense and work to get to a point where it's ready to roll - taking into account the cost of the base engine itself, transmission, ancilleries, and fitting it into the engine bay. I don't want to spend ages ploughing money into it, as I'd rather do something interesting and on the cheap (trying to get as much bang-per-buck as possible).
So, I was pounding around in my Jeep as usual (had it since December, just in time for the snow):
When it occured to me - I've been hankering after all to build a bit of a 50s/60s style hot rod, old tech and all - so why not use the Jeep engine? In fact, why aren't there more around with that mill in?
After all, it's an old AMC straight six right from the 50s, 4 litres, almost 200BHP and 220ft.lb of torque, lovely and smooth, and backed up straight away by a great autobox that'll take 400ft.lb without issue. Parts are cheap and available and it can scoot the Jeep along with ease - I'm sure it'd move something that weighed less than a tonne even easier!
Obviously it's a heavy old block and head so you'd want it far back as possible, or to lighten up the front end to compensate but it'd still strike me as a good choice.
I'm mostly interested (mostly) in straight-line speed and obviously 190 odd brake isn't going to result in something devestatingly fast (although I have no doubt it'd be hilarious with the big six pounding along) but when I've gotten bored with the Jeep's performance on the odd days, I've always looked towards:
Blowing the damned thing.
Example:
500 ft lbs at 4300 RPM. 450 HP at 5500 RPM. Stock? 2000 jeep 4.0. MegaSquirt Fuel injection. Very old TO-4 turbo from an international truck
It shoved the stock 60,000 mile head gasket out at 15 lbs. And cracked 2 stock pistons. I built the header based off the stock one. Sorry, I will not be making kits or headers for sale. The engine is going in a 1979 AMC Spirit drag car. I have new forged pistons on the way. This is an on going project and I fully expected to break a few things. Shooting for 500hp with a cam change and the next test. Also? going to E-85 fuel. Thanks for the interest!
It shoved the stock 60,000 mile head gasket out at 15 lbs. And cracked 2 stock pistons. I built the header based off the stock one. Sorry, I will not be making kits or headers for sale. The engine is going in a 1979 AMC Spirit drag car. I have new forged pistons on the way. This is an on going project and I fully expected to break a few things. Shooting for 500hp with a cam change and the next test. Also? going to E-85 fuel. Thanks for the interest!
Or how about this? Non-turbo but a 4.7/4.9 stroker - that can be built using other bits from AMC engines.
Maybe it'd sound like this with some boost....
I still think it's got potential though. I mean, a blow through, turbocharged, 4 litre, cast iron 6 with a dizzy and a host of detailing is going to be a riot in something relatively lightweight, no?
More inspiration - you could drive something like this:
The only downsides I can think of are:
- That it weighs 233kg (approximately, not sure what configuration that's in) - mind you, a smallblock weighs what, 250-300kg?
- That the efficiency of the standard engine isn't great - but is that down to lugging around a Jeep, or the old design of the engine. I'm sure that could be bought up somewhat?
- It is long and tall......
- Manual transmission options are available but I guess some work would be required to match up a 'decent' box.
I think that's it.
It's even got the period intake-over-exhaust look, which also makes installation in RHD cars a doddle as it typically clears the steering gear without too much hassle as the intake and exhaust are all on the opposite side....
The factory transmission is also very easy to convert to a paddle-shift or simple push-pull up through the gears, to make it a bit 'racier'. I'm sure someone makes a ratchet shift kit for it anyway....
Discuss!
.