What do I do with my Unobtanium V8?

Corvette. Everyone wants a "vette" motor in their car, why not go backwards?

There are a crapton of old triumph's here in southern California that look like they need a sbf swap. They're cheap even. I don't know your fab skills but obviously it can be done.

Knurled wrote: I'm stuck on trying to figure out what engine is around that size, weighs that little, and shares bellhousing pattern with a 6-bolt Ford 90 Degree. BTW - There is a company that is almost done tooling up for making aluminum Cleveland blocks. The casting/machining process proofs look very promising.

Google seems to indicate an all aluminum Windsor is something like 360 dressed. I suppose one could hit 300 with a pricey enough 347 build. I wouldn't call something you can build with nothing but a summit catalog and a big credit card "unobtanium" though.

In reply to BrokenYugo:

I'm sort of thinking weird old Fontana block or something, with either Windsor or Cleveland heads. Probably Cleveland since performance Windsor head was an oxymoron back then. I know there was a company making magnesium blocks for various applications in the 80s, too, but I'm not sure if they did any Ford stuff.

There's also the 60s Indy engines, which define unobtainium, but they wouldn't bolt up where a 302 would go (loosely based on the 260), and I don't think you could take one out to 350-odd cubic inches, even if you wanted to.

I think you'd be looking at 1975 and older. (Which would be pre 76).

This is a big block in a Corolla... so a smaller, lighter engine might be a very fun toy that goes well in turns as well as a straight line - Big Block Corolla

Yes, it's an aluminum block Windsor. I would probably rather go for a GT40 replica than a Pantera. Unfortunately, I kind of despise Cobras, except the coupe would be a "maybe". Old cars only if they can turn, and that's a very short list. P-cars. Maybe Z-cars.

How much fabrication do you want to do?

Tool arsenal?

Current skill/experience level?

What is the budget?

What is the anticipated use of the vehicle?

How fast does this have to happen?

Move out of the PRC and drop it in any $1,500 NA Miata with a blown head gasket.

Seriously, move.

alfadriver wrote: Merkur. Great chassis, and the 5.0l swap has been done many times. That will hold the engine well until you can afford the Pantera or GT40 or Cobra kit you want.

Are there Merkurs from pre 1975?

I vote Sunbeam or some other British convertibles.

crankwalk wrote:

alfadriver wrote: Merkur. Great chassis, and the 5.0l swap has been done many times. That will hold the engine well until you can afford the Pantera or GT40 or Cobra kit you want.

Are there Merkurs from pre 1975? I vote Sunbeam or some other British convertibles.

Missed that requirement.

So I guess Mustang(orII), Pinto, or Capri. Has anyone put a Merkur set of subframes under any of those?

I can't see finding a reasonably priced Pantera- a GT40 kit would probably be cheaper.

No ideas for a british car that would be worth the effort- because I don't know how hard it would be, not that I don't like old british cars where a V8 would stuff into.

I vote Mustang II or Maverick. If you choose Mustang 2, just don't try to "restore" it... tons of suspension and such, but no real supply of aftermarket resto parts for interior or body yet. Here's some inspiration:

Or a Maverick or Comet, like the one Sung Kang's JDM inspired "Underdog" at SEMA this past year...

oldeskewltoy wrote: This is a big block in a Corolla... so a smaller, lighter engine might be a very fun toy that goes well in turns as well as a straight line - Big Block Corolla

Is that a big block on a Corolla or is that a Corolla on a big block?

Dang. I'd hate to be the guy to fill in THAT hole in the firewall. Or set the ignition timing, for that matter.

I think I might be looking for Z cars. Mustangs take too much money to make them turn.

Z351 Block or something else. Not exactly unobtainable really.

Honestly

porsche 904 replica

wearymicrobe wrote: Z351 Block or something else. Not exactly unobtainable really.

Big bore Aluminum block 302. The only one I've seen. Deserving of a chassis capable of making it better than a lawn dart. I've thought of '80s Crown Vics/Grand Marquis as a plain jane recipient, but "Not a Lawn Dart" has become part of the project specification.

I stand by suggesting a pre-war body on a tube frame with handling in mind. A neat raxe car motor would be awsome in a full fendered duce coupe donr dry lakes style with 10 inch wide wheels at all four corners.

The other one would be a 69 mustang with the full ooeb tracker catalog thrown at it and the yellow trans am car cosmetic package.

I think the deck height won't work with it, but I was going to say Miata. Would also create an emissions nightmare (maybe wait till an NA is exempt)?

On the Left Coast, Don't like Cobra's...... Then My ERA Cobra Chassie won't be at your House, But a car that can come in at 13-1400 LBs. Handle like it's Stuck to the Ground Isn't in your Future Either.

Canute wrote: Yes, it's an aluminum block Windsor. I would probably rather go for a GT40 replica than a Pantera. Unfortunately, I kind of despise Cobras, except the coupe would be a "maybe". Old cars only if they can turn, and that's a very short list. P-cars. Maybe Z-cars.

What about a Factory Five coupe instead?

Trackmouse wrote: Datsun z.

Was also thinking a 240Z, if they're not too expensive yet.

GameboyRMH wrote:

Trackmouse wrote: Datsun z.

Was also thinking a 240Z, if they're not too expensive yet.

I like them too. Finding one that's not a basketcase is a problem.

corvair?

misquote...