Horse Power, Track Shit, Torque, Cubic Inches, Liters, Run What Ya Brung, Auto or Cycle

[91Eunozs]

View attachment 8576318

What I learned to drive on when I was about 8 years old. I sat on my dad’s lap and shifted the “3 on the tree” and steered his old Plymouth Belvedere (or maybe it was my grandmother’s Ford Falcon?), while he worked the pedals…and kept us on the road, LoL.

My weekend project:

…and just before it got loaded onto a truck this afternoon to be shipped out to Phoenix for a rebuild plus some other bits by Tier One transmission. Gonna drive out there in three weeks to pick it up, plus a stop at Full Race for a shit ton of motor goodies before heading home to rebuild the motor.

 

[Bullfrog08]

What I learned to drive on when I was about 8 years old. I sat on my dad’s lap and shifted the “3 on the tree” and steered his old Plymouth Belvedere (or maybe it was my grandmother’s Ford Falcon?), while he worked the pedals…and kept us on the road, LoL.

My weekend project:

…and just before it got loaded onto a truck this afternoon to be shipped out to Phoenix for a rebuild plus some other bits by Tier One transmission. Gonna drive out there in three weeks to pick it up, plus a stop at Full Race for a shit ton of motor goodies before heading home to rebuild the motor.

Those drawers on the right look naked compared to the others! You need us to send you some stickers?

 

[91Eunozs]

All good… They were part of the setup I had in my other (attached) garage.

I’m reconfiguring that garage’s work and storage areas (and getting the floors done next Spring) and may not keep them. Depends on how expensive replacements run! LoL

 

[fpgt72]

 

[Modoc]

 

[The D]

View attachment 8576661

*If you buy a the cheapest one you can find

As an old saying goes; there’s nothing more expensive than a cheap car

 

[Modoc]

*If you buy a the cheapest one you can find

As an old saying goes; there’s nothing more expensive than a cheap car

 

[TonyTheTiger]

*If you buy a the cheapest one you can find

As an old saying goes; there’s nothing more expensive than a cheap car

This is true.

I know because I own two $700 Porsches.

 

[Trophy Case]

Yep, the VW disease is real. Well over 25k into this one over the years and probably couldn’t sell it for 12k. LOL
With the recent engine updates it should run low 14’s in the quarter…we shall see this spring. Not bad for a N/A street bug.
Engine goes in tomorrow!

 

[TonyTheTiger]

Yep, the VW disease is real. Well over 25k into this one over the years and probably couldn’t sell it for 12k. LOL
With the recent engine updates it should run low 14’s in the quarter…we shall see this spring. Not bad for a N/A street bug.
Engine goes in tomorrow!View attachment 8576873

Details my man, we need them.

 

[The D]

This is true.

I know because I own two $700 Porsches.

I first heard it specifically as “There’s nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes” but any vehicle will do, and especially any German car

 

[gigamortis]

Waiting with baited breath that this comes to market in 2025 !!!! BMW F450GS that is supposedly under 400lbs wet weight!

 

[GreenGO Juan]

 

[Shooter McGavin]

Getting ready for 2025 race season

 

[Whiskey Tango Foxtrot]

Getting ready for 2025 race season
View attachment 8589678View attachment 8589679

Jesus thats not a splitter thats a scooper!
Might as well do a full belly pan nobody will know... I know guys that did it in NASA

 

[91Eunozs]

New shoes for the track toy; RE71RS in 275/35-18 and 255/35-18

And a couple cut tires led to new wheels and tires for the truck too:

 

[BoilerUP]

Getting ready for 2025 race season
View attachment 8589678

Save some front downforce for the rest of us, MFer....

Wish Terry was close enough to me to drop my car and be like "make 'er happen"

 

[rjacobs]

Getting ready for 2025 race season
View attachment 8589678View attachment 8589679

would not want to attempt to load that on a trailer!!!

And I thought my 3" splitter was a pain in the ass to load up.

 

[Shooter McGavin]

would not want to attempt to load that on a trailer!!!

And I thought my 3" splitter was a pain in the ass to load up.

Ramp extension and lots of wood. It’s a chore for sure.

 

[BoilerUP]

Anybody wanna come play at Barber with Jzilla in Feb? I'll be there in the Caddy

 

[The D]

Anybody wanna come play at Barber with Jzilla in Feb? I'll be there in the Caddy

Want to? Yes, absolutely

Can I? No, unfortunately I cannot

 

[Shooter McGavin]

That’s definitely a track I want to do. NASA TX was there and I couldn’t make it. My schedule:

 

[rjacobs]

Anybody wanna come play at Barber with Jzilla in Feb? I'll be there in the Caddy

going with Chin in March

 

[JMGlasgow]

Dart block Liberator 347 I finished assembling from a short block. I'm hoping for approximately 400rwhp or more. Lots of work to be done on the car still. This is just one piece.

 

[The D]

View attachment 8608021View attachment 8608022

Dart block Liberator 347 I finished assembling from a short block. I'm hoping for approximately 400rwhp or more. Lots of work to be done on the car still. This is just one piece.

Nice. If I had any free time whatsoever I’d volunteer some help. But alas, I have kiddo shit to do. All of the time…

 

[JMGlasgow]

I'm good on help if needed. Wiring is next before the engine/powertrain goes in. Then a new K member, subframe connectors, oil cooler, gears differential and axles, torque box reinforcements, rear upper control arms... it seems to never end.

 

[91Eunozs]

Anybody wanna come play at Barber with Jzilla in Feb? I'll be there in the Caddy

I keep meaning to reach out to him… We were in the Team Pointless Miata club together lo these many years ago.

Looks like he’s done well for himself.

 

[BoilerUP]

Shook down the Swaggerwagon today...

 

[Shooter McGavin]

 

[Shooter McGavin]

 

[Shooter McGavin]

 

[TonyTheTiger]

One of the very best car journalists out there. Everything Camissa does is great.

 

[TonyTheTiger]

Not sure if this belongs in the horsepower thread or not, as it'll be lucky to break 70hp, but this is the latest poor investment. A running, driving, mid engined, Gandini designed, Lampredi powered Italian sports car for $850. Complete with all the rust you would imagine for a 70's Italian car.

Lots of work ahead of me, but my middle son is in love and I kinda like saving sad cars, so here we are.

 

[fpgt72]

Not sure if this belongs in the horsepower thread or not, as it'll be lucky to break 70hp, but this is the latest poor investment. A running, driving, mid engined, Gandini designed, Lampredi powered Italian sports car for $850. Complete with all the rust you would imagine for a 70's Italian car.View attachment 8642522Lots of work ahead of me, but my middle son is in love and I kinda like saving sad cars, so here we are.

I had a couple, they are fun little cars

 

[iceng]

I'm picturing a bond-girl in the mid 70s with a scarf and big glasses, driving around a mountain side with some cheesy music on the radio, and then a blacked out car comes the other way and attempts to run her off the road, but alas she shoots the car with head-light mounted bazookas.

Please make that happen. Head-light bazookas. Bonus points for a scarf and glasses.

 

[TonyTheTiger]

I had a couple, they are fun little cars

I've only had it up and down the road a couple times, but its already a smile machine.

 

[91Eunozs]

Not sure if this belongs in the horsepower thread or not, as it'll be lucky to break 70hp, but this is the latest poor investment. A running, driving, mid engined, Gandini designed, Lampredi powered Italian sports car for $850. Complete with all the rust you would imagine for a 70's Italian car.View attachment 8642522Lots of work ahead of me, but my middle son is in love and I kinda like saving sad cars, so here we are.

X1/9, correct?

 

[DarnYankeeUSMC]

I finally got the motor into the Monte Carlo. I had to reshape the a/c air box to get it in which required several times test fitting the motor in. I really didn't want to delete the a/c so I am pretty happy that I got it to fit. It's tight on the brake booster too.

I got the accessories installed on the motor, the front end put back on and sorted through the electrical and plumbing stuff, driveshaft made and the transmission plumbing done.

A few more hours of the little things and it'll be off to the exhaust shop for 3" pipe.

 

[TonyTheTiger]

X1/9, correct?

Yup.
It's a 1974 which means it has some neat one year only features. It also means, unfortunately, it needs some one year only parts..

 

[Trophy Case]

I finally got the motor into the Monte Carlo. I had to reshape the a/c air box to get it in which required several times test fitting the motor in. I really didn't want to delete the a/c so I am pretty happy that I got it to fit. It's tight on the brake booster too.
View attachment 8643211

I got the accessories installed on the motor, the front end put back on and sorted through the electrical and plumbing stuff, driveshaft made and the transmission plumbing done.

View attachment 8643212

View attachment 8643213

View attachment 8643214

A few more hours of the little things and it'll be off to the exhaust shop for 3" pipe.

That Monte is looking great!! Is that a March pulley setup? I'm in the process of a complete new system and leaning towards CVT.....seems like a pretty good bang for the $$$
The 3" pipe is going to sound MEAN!!

 

[91Eunozs]

Yup.
It's a 1974 which means it has some neat one year only features. It also means, unfortunately, it needs some one year only parts..

The thing I remember about the X1/9 was that you had to pull the motor for some mundane task. Can’t recall, but think it was for something as easy as changing spark plugs or something like that. Do you plan to keep it mostly stock, or do a motor swap, change up the suspension and brakes, etc.?

Regardless, good luck with the build, and try (try) to have fun with it… The shared experiences are the only part that matters.

 

[fpgt72]

Ever wonder how you get the wheels off on things with real wire wheels

Some cars have little "ears" you can hit with a brass hammer, with this type you have a big wrench. Ahh but you say you must carry that hammer as well, nope things like this exist.

 

[fpgt72]

The transmission is a little......shall we say different

 

[Stevo86]

That’s definitely a track I want to do. NASA TX was there and I couldn’t make it. My schedule:View attachment 8592888

Eagles canyon is only bout 45 min from me, rifle range is just across the street ! Take your rifle!

 

[TonyTheTiger]

The thing I remember about the X1/9 was that you had to pull the motor for some mundane task. Can’t recall, but think it was for something as easy as changing spark plugs or something like that. Do you plan to keep it mostly stock, or do a motor swap, change up the suspension and brakes, etc.?

Regardless, good luck with the build, and try (try) to have fun with it… The shared experiences are the only part that matters.

I've heard some generalized talk of engine out procedures but can't nail down what they are. One guy said timing belt, but I just did that in two hours easy peasy, so that ain't it. Everything else is pretty accessible.

Long term plans after fixing the rust are along the same lines as my 944. Make it look goodish from 20', model the exterior after a Euro model or whatever the cleanest, simplest version the car was, lose 15-20% of the weight while retaining a full interior, gain as much power as I can without opening up the bottom end (header/exhaust, Weber carb, spicy cam and a big valve ported head, aluminum flywheel) increase spring rates and shock valving about 30%, poly bushings everywhere, fine tune oversteer/understeer balance with sway bars, address brakes if necessary for fast road use, medium sticky tires on some lightweight wheels, then drive the hell out of it on empty WI backroads on weekend mornings.

And then sell it to my middle son at a huge discount, because he was the driving factor in purchasing it, he's my wrenching buddy, and he's my main passenger on those weekend morning twisty roads.

I've been involved in a lot of engine swaps, three of them on my personal vehicles, and generally despise them these days. If I liked the car enough to buy it I don't want to change it's character and a huge part of the character of weird old cars comes from the engine. I just want to see that character snort a little cocaine and get a bit crazy.

 

[TonyTheTiger]

The transmission is a little......shall we say different

View attachment 8643770

I love looking at GT6's but know very little about them. What is happening with that trans?
Edit: looking a little closer I guess it's pretty self explanatory what's happening here.
IIRC all my buddies 80's BMW's have a bit of a stand-off shifter linkage thing like that, but not quite as extreme.

 

[DarnYankeeUSMC]

That Monte is looking great!! Is that a March pulley setup? I'm in the process of a complete new system and leaning towards CVT.....seems like a pretty good bang for the $$$
The 3" pipe is going to sound MEAN!!

Yes it is a March. I used the CVF on another car and I am not impressed with it. Getting a belt on it is a PITA. I got another belt that was a quarter inch longer and it is close to rubbing at the tensioner. Their power steering pump is a hours long ordeal to get the air bled out of.
The install of the March system was pretty straightforward and the instructions were pretty good. Just a few little details could have been better but for the price and overall quality I am pleased so far.