I have found a wide section of my snow covered driveway is a great
place for 360's and more. I can't take the roadster out on the
sand/salt covered roads but my 800 ft. drive has turned into a nice
little playground for my red 'snowmobile'
daveS
----- Original Message -----
From: Hall, Phillip <Phillip.Hall@msfc.nasa.gov>
To: Roadsters (E-mail) <Datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net>; Roadsters
(E-mail 2) <Datsunroadsters@onelist.com>
Sent: Monday, February 05, 2001 11:55 AM
Subject: Engine for custom
> Ok listers - My wife is going to let me buy a motor for the custom
from some
> of the tax return check.
>
> Which motor is the question.
>
> 1600 turbo - Pros: I have the motor and trans already. I can
machine most
> of the parts and make the manifolds, so cost would be reasonable.
Also,
> installation would be a no-brainer. Cons: I would like more torque
and
> something "different".
>
> 302 Ford - Pros: easy/cheap to build. Trans easy to find. Major
HP/torque
> for a 2000lb Roadster. Cons: Maybe too much for a Roadster.
Installation
> head aches. Will need big tires/flares to get the power down.
Extra weight
> up front.
>
> 4.3 L GM - Pros: same as Ford, but smaller package and lighter.
Cons: wide
> motor so steering shaft would have to be moved. Other installation
issues.
>
> 2.8 L GM - Same as 4.3, but narrow block (60 degree) so steering
shaft may
> clear. Cons: I may not get the HP I am looking for.
>
> Buick 215 aluminum block V8 - Pros: Light and cool! Good power and
torque.
> Looks good and different. Motor matches era of the Roadster. And
as Thomas
> the Swede points out - with the right exhaust headers it will sound
like a
> Cosworth motor! The MG guys do a lot of these conversions, so a
lot of
> information out there. Cons: rebuildable core is fairly expensive
(about
> $400.00). Parts are expensive as Roadster parts. Not easy to find,
but
> they made 750,000 so not that bad.
>
> I want a motor that looks Roadsterish (1600 or Buick 215) - with
custom
> aluminum parts any motor can look right. If I go fuel injection I
will use
> a mass air unit and custom air box which will help "dress up" the
motor. No
> stamped steel valve covers! Also, I want to really scare the
neighbors -
> they are getting used to the 1600 and 180's:-) I would like close
to 200 HP
> and torquey. Any suggestions are welcome!
>
> Phil
> SEROC
> Hint for the day - don't do 180's with too much dirt on the road.
Takes
> forever to get the grit out of your mouth, and you over-shoot the
driveway.
> The grit would not be so bad if it was not for that big Roadster
> smile........
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