Wednesday evening hobiercr and I agreed that I would become the new caregiver to a Pinto? mini stock race car.
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/201x-classifieds/20-challenge-project-1-modified-ministock-300-clearwater-fl/135965/page1/
So why start this build when I have three possible Challenge vehicles sitting here already? It comes down to it's the right car at the right time. In the last few weeks I've wavered about what I wanted to do for $2018 Challenge. I could improve the Q45 but I don't know how much more I can get out of her. I can build the BMW 2002 but I'm leaning towards keeping her all BMW and I don't think she'd be competitive the way I want to build her. That left the Lotus with a Saturn/T5 combo. I think that'll be a great build but I don't think we can finish it in time.
The other issue is I've turned Lil Stampie into a Ford hater. I felt that I've fail him by not showing him that there's good things about other American manufacturers besides GM. I've been threatening in jest that our next car would be a Ford and then Pinto Bean came up. Funny enough after the deal was made he said "It's ok that it's a Ford because we'll make it fast." Amazing the blind faith little boys have in their dads.
We'll go pick Pinto Bean up in a couple of weeks but we needed rollers to do so. Since I happen to have a bunch of SM7s laying around I started looking for some 4 lug Fox body wheels. I found some 10 holes down south so Carol and I ran down today and picked them up.
Budget so far:
Pinto Bean $300
10 hole wheels $50
4 SM7s $13.32
Total $363.32
I’ll be there to pick up the pieces when you give up
In reply to Patrick :
Lol, and I have to thank you also for allowing me to store her until that happens.
Lol, Stampie now owns 2 cars that were once mine.
Oooh, is this destined for anything other than Challenge use?
The ad said 2000 CC's. Is that an OEM displacement for those motors?
Blow through turbo?
I really want to turbo a carbureted motor for some reason. I mostly blame the Shart.
NordicSaab said:
Lol, Stampie now owns 2 cars that were once mine.
Wait ... is this the car that was roommates with the 2002? I just never put 2 and 2 together.
Crackers said:
Oooh, is this destined for anything other than Challenge use?
The ad said 2000 CC's. Is that an OEM displacement for those motors?
Blow through turbo?
I really want to turbo a carbureted motor for some reason. I mostly blame the Shart.
Yes that was stock for a Pinto but we're not planning on running that engine. It'll be for sale at some point.
in for updates...
and, sure hope my kids end up getting that kind of confidence in me!
Found this ... from three years ago. Yep they were roommates before.
I feel like i need to make some smartass comment about fords.
But honestly, after hooning the amc through main street Indian trail tonight, i really can't. Damn 302 makes good power and sounds good at fullsong.
Glad you went with sm7 instead of circle track slicks. You made the right decision.
Stamps I understand 'Challenge ' and all, But keep it a round track car, spend a season doing that and you both will learn what Father/son Bonding is, Not like what I saw at the Challenge was anything but that, I was very happy to see that interaction. It's just that class is Inexpensive and weekly show's and pay cash for a little Reward for doing well. Gotta start teaching Him To Drive Some Time.
In reply to GTXVette :
I wish I had the time to do more racing but I'm stretched pretty thin as it is. He did drive the Miata around a cul-de-sac over the holidays. He did well driving for the first time and a manual no less.
Good good. It's cheaper than Real fast Go-Karts, Hint Hint.
Crackers said:
Oooh, is this destined for anything other than Challenge use?
The ad said 2000 CC's. Is that an OEM displacement for those motors?
Blow through turbo?
I really want to turbo a carbureted motor for some reason. I mostly blame the Shart.
Haha hey thanks! Sorry I abandoned ship on that one before developing it further.
Anyway- this Pinto looks like it should be light enough to fly with whatever you put in it. How much of it is Ford anymore? Looks like a dedicated race car that is called a Pinto and it's probably better that way.
In reply to Gunchsta :
I looked up some current rules for modified mini stock and find this:
FRAMES
1. Original frame rails required. No lightening. May be reinforced.
2. Rear firewall with minimum 20 gauge steel is required between driver’s compartment and the fuel cell.
Cover must be removable for tech inspection.
3. Original floor pan required. Must be complete in driver’s compartment, rocker panel to rocker panel.
4. Fender wells and strut towers may be removed.
5. No roll cage bars to the front bumper directly. Must retain crush zone and are subject to tech.
6. All cars must have tow hooks, must be readily visible and available.
BODIES
1. All cars must have complete bodies, trunk and deck lid, hoods, fenders, etc.
2. No car will be allowed to run more than one week with fenders lost in previous competition.
3. All bodies must be installed on frame as per manufactured, and in the stock location.
4. Hood may be modified to clear air cleaner. Not to be overdone and subject to Tech.
5. Doors must be stock appearing; may be made of aluminum. All doors must be securely fastened.
6. Hood may be lightened and trimmed to allow aftermarket nosepiece. No wedge or dirt style noses allowed.
Hood must have rolled edges with no sharp edges. Fiberglass replacement hood ok.
7. Fenders may be altered for clearance only, no handmade fenders. Fiberglass formed fenders ok.
8. Front hoods must use hood pins, rear deck lid, if operable must use hood pins.
9. Side skirts, air dams, front and rear spoilers allowed, must be securely fastened. No fiberglass.
10. One 6" rear spoiler allowed. Must be mounted past the rear tires and not protrude farther back than the
outermost edge of the bumper. Must not exceed the width of the body. No sideboards.
11. Sunroofs must be removed and covered.
Looks like it may be a lot more Pinto than you or I expected. I want to do more than fly. I want to E36 M3 myself it's so fast. So probably I'll just end up with a fart or two.
Under 2000 lbs is a real possibility, I once saw a mini that weighed 1600lbs . the class rule was 1 lb. per engine cc. also an early Pinto
In reply to Stampie :
So... blowthrough turbo sbf? That'll probably make you E36 M3 your pants. Hell I even have a Holley carb that could be modified via the hangar18 page for blowthrough. Your ahead enough in the budget so far that I'm sure there's room for an eBay turbo.
In reply to Gunchsta :
Now remember I like to play in the shallow end of the pool so that means half budget I went by the local tow yard and got their auction list for January. It had these interesting vehicles on it:
1971 Dodge F40 Camper
1997 Flair RV
1999 Ford Explorer
1979 Cadillac Brougham
1994 Dodge Ram 1500
1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass
1987 Ford E350 Bus
1994 Dodge Ram 1500
2002 Chevy Avalanche
1998 Ford F150
1998 Ford F150
BUS! BUS! BUS! BUS!
I'm generally not a diesel fan, but for some reason that seems like the way you should go. (Assuming it's even a diesel.)
Or... Do you still have the Caddy motor?
Interestingly, Ford made some of the early "Pinto motors" with a draw through turbo setup. I'm not sure if any were available on this side of the pond, but it surprised me when I read that.
In reply to Stampie :
You should try to make it look like a Pinto Pangra.
Don' t know a Pangra, but they did make a wagon!
So the 99 explorer will give you the roller cam 302 you need, along with an 8.8 rear end (I think? I can't remember what years they were in) to hold the massive power that turbo 302 will make, right up until the block itself cracks in half.
Side note: I don't know how anyone is patient enough to part out whole pedestrian cars in an effort to zero out challenge budgets. The thought of selling interior pieces from an explorer on craigslist makes me cringe. You guys are a dedicated bunch, I love it.
I’m in to follow the build! I’ve seen this machine sitting at John’s shop several times.
In reply to GTXVette :
Here's an article about them.
