Waynne the admin here and I would like to personally extend a sincere welcome to
TorqueCars. I apologise for the delay in responding; I've had a really busy period recently, but I believe I've caught up now.
What's your budget and what are you aiming for?
I'm certain you'll fit right in, and I'm looking forward to talking cars with you.
I enjoy the idea of this project, and I'm a big fan of automotive variety in whatever form it takes from cars to project ideas.
What modifications have you previously made, and which ones would you recommend? Is there anything you'd want us to write about on our main site? - The feedback we get from our members has a significant impact on the research and information we produce.
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Hi Wayne,
to answer your questions.....
1. Budget..... don't really have one, that said i picked up a good 1991 RR 6.75L V8 for USD1100 on EBay last year, i paid NZ$500 for the Super Snipe with a blown Gearbox..... prompting the conversion.
I do most of the work (Fabrication and Machining) myself, so the budget is time more than actual $, however i expect i will need to spend a bit on Custom Pistons to get the CR up to a healthy 10:1 on this engine as the USA RR V8's are only 8.5:1 ...... looking at well under NZ$10k all in for the finished build.
2. Finished Car will be set up for Street Strip racing, but will be very much a Sleeper, with only the bigger wheels and exhaust giving anything away.
3. What modifications have you previously made......
I have done quite a few engine/transmission/suspension transplants and modifications (porting, CR, piston swaps etc) in the past, both for myself and for friends...... off the top of my head:
-1955 Morris Minor: Marina Van 1300 (1275) Engine and 1100 Van G/box and Drums with booster, lowered 4"
-1961 Mini: Roof Chop (Convertible) and 1330 motor
-1965 MG1100: 1380 motor (86hp at the wheels) and Allegro Disc brake conversion
-1962 Morris Minor Van with Ford 1500 (1740cc) Cortina Motor, (1600 crank, 160 thou OS pistons, hot cam, ported, 11:1 CR), Twin 40mm Sidies, Celica 5spd Box, Escort Diff, Sway-bar, CF Bedford Shocks lowered 4" ..... top speed was 180kph, and averaged at 31MPG (imperial), was set up for touring with a 78L fuel tank, but still did a 16.7 sec on the Drag Strip
-1965 Hillman Super Minx: Converted 4 Door to 2 door Convertible, fitted Triumph 2.5 PI motor and trans (because we had one)
-1965 Mini Race Car (Pre 65 club): 1380 Engine, 45mm sidie, 12.5:1 CR, adjustable suspension, etc Dyno'ed up at 94hp at the wheels at 6000rpm, but pulled to 8500rpm on the track .... 0-100kph was 5.5 seconds
-1965 MG1100: Morris 1800 Engine and Trans conversion into modified Subframe..... to comply with the (1995) Pre 65 Racing regulations after they banned the use of non Cooper S 1275 blocks in Minis. (the common 1300 (1275) block came out in 1969)
-1983 Rover VDP EFI: actually used the original Block and Heads, but my friendly engine recon man fitted a Leyland P76 Crank and Ford 263 V8 pistons to give 4.5L ... Cam'ed and ported, it made around 300hp, however ate Diff's and Celica 5spd, Gearboxes at the rate of 3 in 2 years...... so the car was retired from a daily driver in 2004 and the engine is still awaiting transplant into my MGB project with a Jag Rear End.
-1961 Bedford J2 Bus: Nissan TD42 Turbo Diesel, Intercooler ..... aiming for 250hp .... unfinished house bus project.
