350 Chevy

[Guest]

Julian

It seems there is more acceptance in the UK
for mix/match engine brands and bodies
than in the US.

That being the case, you may find a better
deal on a powerplant since you are not
limited to any one type.

If you are not in a rush, you can contact various engine shops and let them know what you want to spend and intended usage.
For $ 5000 you should be able to get an
engine with 400 hp or more depending upon
compression ratio, cam selection, etc.

Another option is buying a used motor from a racer. Even if they need freshening up,
you can still save money in most cases.

A lot depends upon intended usage.
A good race motor may be awful to live with
on the street. And a good street motor will
probably not win competitive races.

Good luck.
MikeD

 

[Bill D]

If my memory serves me (and at 50 it sometimes doesn't), the first GT40s were equiped with 4-cam indy motors. Isn't that correct?

Bill D

 

[Ian K]

Well, given $5000 for a V8 in any suitable
vehicle, I'd say youcould put together a
good Chevy stroker. Those 383s are getting
cheaper, and man, can they hum.

I wonder how much a used ZR1 motor runs? Now,
that I might be willing to put into my 40!

BTW, Martin, I assume you already have a
running 302? Although the Chevy is still
the better bang for the buck, I'd say by
the time you purchase all the new pieces to
put it in, the cost differential moves
more to the Ford's side. I mean, you already
have the motor, Ford specific accessories,
bellhousing/adapter, etc. If purely looking
at budget, I'd recommend staying with the
Ford. If price is not an issue, and ridiculous
gobs of power is the goal, then I'd still stick
with the Ford. However, if it's a balancing
act between price/performance, than the
Chevy is the way to go. You can get more
for less with the Chev.

Again, just my 2 pence.

Ian

[ March 19, 2002: Message edited by: Ian K ]

 

Hi Martin

I found that chevy small block that you wanted its 427cu in.
You might need to cut down the inlet stacks or run without the back window.

[ March 19, 2002: Message edited by: Chris Melia ]

 

What the Hell is That Thing doing here!!!!!!:-(Just kidding although it is a bit hard on my eyes). Thanks for the invite Hershel, I will stop by if I’m ever in the area. I’m sure the calmer and more rational Brits got quite a kick out of our little verbal jousting match.Although the XJ 220 would be a fun yet expensive project, it’s staying on the back burner for now.

Terry Teadtke
IMSA

 

[M.B]

Hello, !

The 4 cammer was to be mounted in the GT40, but never did.
Maybe they mounted one or so,as an experimental studie, but not seriously.
Indy engines (aluminum block) did found their way into some of the first prototypes, but not the later 4 cammed one.
Based on the "normal" small block engines anyway..

Regards,

 

One has to question whether a 4 cammer or Indy motor would have lasted 24 hours. Probably not in my opinion. Ford was smart ( obviously)by relying on the tried and true low tech pushrod motor rather than a motor with lots of extra pieces that could and probably would break.

Regarding the Cobra, I read Carroll Shelby wanted to use the small block Chevy in the Cobra but was turned down by GM because they already had the Corvette. So Shelby approached Ford and they gave him a motor just to get him out of their hair. Just thinking of what could have been makes me break out in a cold sweat.

And regarding the picture of the injected Chevy motor, it looks pretty good. Don’t tell anyone I said that because I’ll deny it.


Terry Teadtke
IMSA

 

[Jim Rosenthal]

I am very glad to have seen all these comments on the forum, because it gives me a chance to speak out on a topic that I have been loath to bring up. That topic is GT40s and fuel economy, which, as you all know, GT40s are not very good at.
I have been thinking about this, how to have a GT40 that I can run affordably, so I could use it to commute to work. And, two things combined to give me my answer. First, I was looking at some pictures of the Mercedes C111, which was their mid-engine development supercar in the 60s or 70s. As some of you may know, one of the C111s was fitted with a Mercedes turbo diesel engine,and probably holds track records for diesel powered cars to this day. (Who else would bother to attempt them?) The other was this thread, about putting non-Ford engines in a GT40 chassis/body combination. This gave me my idea. I am going to put a turbocharged diesel engine in my GT40, like the 5 cylinder 3.0 engine from my 1985 Mercedes coupe. It has 120 horsepower. Top revs are about 4000. It does have overhead cams, for the performance minded, although it does not have an intercooler.
The 300CD will do about 105mph top speed, but it weighs over two tons and is about as aerodynamic as a fire hydrant. The GT40 will weigh 2200 lbs with the Mercedes diesel engine in it, and, since it does have a fair bit of torque, geared right it may do 130 or so. Which, for our roads around here, is more than enough.
No doubt you all are thinking that it won't accelerate very well, and you are right. But, faced with a choice of having the fastest Mercedes diesel or the slowest GT40, the right course of action is obvious. Very few cars get to use their full acceleration potential, except a Mercedes diesel, and anyway a GT40 looks like it's doing 100 even when the engine is shut off.
Best of all, the diesel powered GT40 will get at least 30mpg in highway use. You guys may pass me on the highway, but I'll wave when I see you all in the gas station filling up every hudred miles or so...
As always, feedback and/or constructive/destructive criticism are appreciated and carefully followed.

 

[Hershal Byrd]

Terry,
They had a XJ220 here on display at
one of our elite resorts. I was all over
that thing like white on snow. It was
a beautiful silver. I love that car!
I think your idea on a replica is a good
one. It takes a lot of work and money to
just get to the prototype. I have a project
that I had an estimate done just to make
the plug. It was $15,000. So I made the
plug myself. Now I'm at the stage where I
need to pull molds but I haven't educated
myself up to that point yet. So someday I
might get to finish it. It's not a car
it's a small camper trailer to pull behind
street rods.
Terry, If you are ever in the Phoenix area
please let me know. I have a small guest
house you are welcome to use. I would
love to meet you someday. That invitation
goes to any of you guys here that come out
this way. I'm retired so I can show you
around. I'm only 5 miles from Phoenix
international raceway and 10 miles from
Firebird race complex. There is always
plenty of car type stuff happening around
here. I love to visit with other car
crazies.

Hersh

 

Seriously, I would not put a chevy in a cobra or GT40 as they really hurt the sellability and resale value too much.
This is a proper motor

 

Surely an alloy Keith Black motor of, say, 500 cid would be worthy?

Zoom Zoom!

 

[Jim Rosenthal]

very nice, is that an aluminum head big block in a Cobra? not sure what i'm looking at.

 

That is a 427 SOHC Ford engine, built for stock car racing but was outlawed before it ever hit the track.

 

[Guest]

As a MOPAR owner as well as a Cobra owner,
I've attended several Ford and Chrysler
shows. There is a gentleman who stuffed
a 426 Hemi in a Cobra replica and I can tell
you what the MOPAR guys who saw it said...

"What a waste of a good engine".

I suspect many of Ford fans weren't much more
sympathetic. Bottom line is that brand loyalty is QUITE high in the US.
But again it appears in the UK they have more
tolerance...of course those guys drink their
beer warm also.

MikeD

 

What warm beer?! Now I'm pissed. An engine is an engine and to each his own. Chevy, Ford Yugo whatever, but don't mess with the beer. You UK guys may be more advanced in GT devlopment but one thing we've got right is refridgeration and what to do with it.

 

[TimB]

It's not their fault
we have GE they have Lucas

 

I have direct personal experience of two excellent and reasonably priced engine builders here in the UK, both of whom specialise in Ford and Chevy motors. They are Peter Knight Racing Engines in Daventry and Dave Whitehurst Racing Engines in Derby, both of whom build road car engines too. I recommend you give each of them a call and chat over your ideas. If you have already invested in some parts and which may not now be the best way to go then work out a deal to p/x them with the engine builder.
In my own case I discussed my ideas with the engine builder and we evolved a spec. As I wanted to buy the parts myself, he give me a shopping list of part numbers and manufacturers names, then while on holiday in Florida I found Ford Motorsport Parts Warehouse in Clearwater. They had almost everything available ex stock and the remainder were quickly ordered in. All I had to do was to turn up and pay for them. This was completed over 2 trips and both times getting them home was no real problem. I reckon I saved myself about 40% so aswell as being fun (I hate lying around on beaches) it paid for the holidays !!
If you want more information please email to my personal address.

 

[Jim Rosenthal]

Hi Ian;
I was only kidding about putting a Mercedes diesel in a GT40, honestly. First, a Mercedes turbo diesel engine costs more than a hand built, balanced, robust 302 (sad but true, anything with a three-pointed star on it costs like crazy). Second, MY GT40 is going to have small-block Ford, 350-400 hp, which ought to be enough for me to get into trouble with. And, if you can buy a GT40, you can buy fuel for it. I just thought I'd have some fun...glad I didn't tick anyone off.

 

Gee Jim I'm glad you cleared that up as I lay awake all last night worried about you.regards

[ March 20, 2002: Message edited by: norman falkiner ]

 

[Ian K]

Jim,

I didn't think you were serious about the
Mercedes at all

, but just wanted to supply
some info regarding economy. For a light
car like the 40, it's possible to have your
cake and eat it too.

Ian