My v8 conversion thread, With pics, progress, questions ect!! Options

[shoguneagle]

Andyrew.

Well, first of all you are moving right along. Alas, the energy of youth. I really like what you are doing and how you are approaching the project. Keep the effort going. Get either the car done with all the configuration, or start building the engine and concentrate on that. You car will come together pretty much as we unfold the equipment to you.

The water pump is a reverse engine mounted with all the hoses and attachments to shorten the front part of the engine so it can fit into the 914 cavity. You may decide to use the electric water pump later but this could require modification to the engine harness around the switch area (addint relays and separating the load capacities away from the ignition switch.) This will probably have to be done to handle the fan load since they will be electric and probably have manual/ auto controls.

Time Frame: I have pulled the front suspension and delivered the promised goods to Brad; the 911 front suspension is being placed under the car as we speak. Next on the project is to pull the radiator and plumbing system so it can be delivered to you; the engine will follow including separating the parts into what goes to to you. I will be on the car this weekend for a day and half, then on to the engine. I am looking to get the entire radiator and plumbing out this weekend, and have made some progress on the engine removal. I will give you a reading later on the engine removal and delivery details.

We are currently finishing up the remod of the house and traveling between here and Flagstaff. The one thing I will promise is that you should get them in a timely manner.

Document your car build with pictures, running journal entries, and this thread. It will bring joy to you in later years. I really mean when you are eighteen or nineteen. Ah, enjoy the process and build it the best you can. You will make mistakes, but from what I have seen from the comments on this thread you have a lot of positive assistance

So much for now.

Steve Hurt

[dan10101]

Scott, Steve and all,
I really appreciate all the help, advice, and great deals on the parts for Andrew.

We're both learning a bunch along the way. It's been many years since I rebuilt my last small block Chevy. So I'm learning a few things over again.

http://www.compcams.com/Technical/CurrentC...TML/128-169.asp

The Comp Cams person Andrew talked to recommended the 7th cam on the 2nd page (pg 130). Extreem Energy. It's easy to spot because the RPM range is 2800-7000. It's much too radical in my opinion.

The machine shop person recommended one closer to the 3rd one down on the same page 1300 to 5800rpm. I'm leaning toward this one unless it still has too much torque down low.

The rest of the engine will be very mild. 350ci 9 to 1 pistons, stock heads, alum dual plane manifold with stock q-jet carb (for now).
So is this cam too much for this mild engine?

[ChrisReale]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/finger.gif) Damn you guys, now I want a v8 conversion. Looks like a great project. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clap56.gif)

[Andyrew]

Well the 2.0 engine is gone now.

$700 is in my hands, and I've met a great 914 guy

Thanks Doug Wright, it was fun!

So my engine bay is a little empty. I'll be workin on the radiator setup.

Andrew

[Andyrew]

The heads where magnifluxed and checked for cracks, Said to be good, though the seats werent perfect, although runable. 70 bucks and I have basically perfect heads...

I think I'll do it.

Dads saying that he thinks we should destroke it... So that it revs higher.. and less tq.

Anyone else have an idea? how much higher will it rev? Given a high revving cam, and a performer rpm or such intake? Roller rockers are on the wishlist (christmas or something)


Andrew

[Neal]

Andrew, I loved reading this post, keep it up. You seem to have a lot of surrogate fathers helping you, take advantage of this brain trust. You are very fortunate to have this help and keep up your humor it makes me smile.


Neal (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Andyrew]

Thanks neal.

Alright guys I've been thinking (oh no... RUN! HE'S GOT A WELDER IN HIS HANDS, RUUUUUN!)

I've been thinking about chassi (hmm *checks word's spell check*Gah, stupid "s") chassis strength.. Yes this does include the welder.... I was thinking of adding some tubes in very percise locations to strengthen the car... I cant really put super good pics of it... But let me Tell you what im thinking.

Up front in the trunk, Since I will be cutting the inside fender wells, I think I should put a couple braces in there. Mainly, From the front A arm pick up point on both sides To some point on the firewall of the gas tank. Creating a triangle. Also from those two bars, possibly putting in one or two bars that go horizontally, one at the bottom by the a arms, and one in the middle, possibly holding a battery down the future when I decide to put the battery up front.

In the middle of the car.. I dont know, suggestions accepted, but I dont want this to be a tube car... I have ONLY a certain amount of welding skills.. lol. I want to add as much strength as possible while not cutting up the car or "ruining it" Maybe 10 bars max through the car. I do have plans of welding in the interior long stiffening kit. My longs are perfect, but this is a going to be a v8 car.. and you never know what that extra tq could do.

Next I heard some traffic about the rear suspension ears possibly flexing a tad.. I also saw the thread where they ran a tube from the front engine fire wall to the ear.. Looks good... Anything else in that compartment?

Also the rear trunk.. Somethin like this

(IMG:http://i3.ebayimg.com/02/i/02/27/1c/c3_12_s.JPG)

Anyone have any advice? Where can I help this problem of "stress"? I get it enough myself...

Andrew

[Mike T]

Maybe like this?

[Andyrew]

Thats what I hear is strong.. Picking it up at the trani mounts..
Thats a thought.

I think that still might give me enough room for a spare tire... I've got a space saver that I've got to fit back there.

What about the front? The interior?

Ehh?

Andrew

[Mueller]

andrew, you have to be careful strengthening the car, you build the front and rear up too much and the middle gets all the abuse......I'd say just reinforce the trailing arm ear tabs like shown in the thread for Bill Pickerings 914/6 race car.....

there are V8 914s that have no additional bracing that have been on the street for years and years....

you can save some time and money by skipping all this unneeded bracing and move onto other projects on your car (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif)

in a few years when you are making some real money and if you are still enjoying the car, get a "proper" transmission that'll take abuse, then add a full cage with all the bracing to make a car you can beat on and not worry about a thing....

[MattR]

Looks good!

I cant believe someone's trying to "detune" a sbc. Its like... well I dont have a good analogy, but it sounds funny.

Where did you get your space saver tire?

[Andyrew]

Space saver spare, pick and pull, there was a 924S there.. 5 bucks... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

hehe

Mike, Ya I know "To many projects".. But Im just thinking of what area will get the most abuse? I have an extra trani, and Im going to keep picking those up, plus half shafts.. I basically want to make the car be a... IF something breaks.. THIS is it.

making it the "failsave" or what not.

Matt, you know why im detuning it..

Besides... Im detuning it to rev, and for fuel economy. Actually im tuning it.. lol. Im forcing all the tq and hp up high.

STILL dont know what cam im going to use.. and Im probably picking it up today!!

Andrew

[Andyrew]

Im thinking 6k is my rev limit.

I just dont want it to fall off at 5k, I want it to pull to 6k.

Oh ya, its a four bolt main... and I plan on putting roller rockers and possibly destrokeing the crank.. 327 or something...

That should help, right? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Andrew

[Mike T]

My car is an autocross car. No street. So the bracing is a bit extreme for what you would need on a street car.

Here is the front bracing along with the radiator setup.

If you want to destroke your engine the 327 crank would be a good cost effective choice. The 3.25" stroke pistons are available cheap from Summit or other suppliers.

If you wanted to go with a 3.00" stroke and make a 302 you'd have to find a large journal crank and that would cost more as would the pistons.


Mike T

[Mueller]

Hey Mike,

is that a custom radiator or a one from Renegade/Rod Simpson??

[dan10101]

Well, here is the cam that was suggested by the Machine shop.
Now that I'm comparing specs, it seems a bit odd in the Adv Dur vs the Dur @ .050.
None of the cams I'm looking at have that much variation.
Is this totally wrong for our purposes?

It's an Elgin "Pro Stock" Cam
These are the specs on the box.
DURN DUR. @ .050 CAM LIFT Valve Lift Lobe Centers
IN Ex IN Ex IN Ex IN Ex IN Ex
291 291 218 218 0.303 0.303 0.455 0.455 105 115

Thanks,
Dan

[Mike T]

Hey Mike,

is that a custom radiator or a one from Renegade/Rod Simpson??

I bought it used so I'm not sure but believe it's a Simpson. Seems to work well. Temps at this weekend's autocross were never over 200°. It's not a street car and temps were mid 70's. Never had the car running for more that 20 mins at a time. Sufficient for autocross I think.

Mike T

[Andyrew]

Heres an update...

Got the parts from Steve (very much earlyer than I expected. Thanks!!!)

I have the bottom end assembled, the top end... well, silly me, I cant fine a stupid head bolt.. I assume I wont find one at the local flaps... So Im just going to hit pick and pull.

Engine's painted... I'll paint, or clean the carb (depending on how bad it is..) and paint the air cleaner junk black with silver accents..

Should look pretty darn good!

Heres a buncha pics.

[Andyrew]

The twin (huge) fans that I got from Steve... I think I'll just use one.. there 15in...

[Andyrew]

hehe... I know im going to be shot down for this one. But here goes nothing.

Steve dropped off this front hood, and honestly, I really like it! It will create a pull from the front hood, and it will allow for air to escape smoothly. Later on I'll cut the fender wells, and reinforce that area because of the strength lost from cutting the fenderwells.. But currently I think this will be perfect. Its a perfect design for my radiator and fan setup as well.

I will be putting a grill in the opening, adding another layer of fiberglass to fill in any trouble area's, and for strenth, and finishing so it looks nice, and painting it all body color.

ITS FUNCTIONAL..... Im no ricer..

Let me know what you think.