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Hooniverse Asks- What Would You Do With a Crate Motor?

Robert Emslie March 18, 2010 Hooniverse Asks

Let’s say you’re sitting in the bathtub, enjoying a relaxing soak, when the doorbell rings. You curse whoever is disturbing you and quickly jump out of the tub. Throwing on a robe, you make your way to the front door, only to be greeted by the site of a stake bed truck pulling away, its diesel clatter reverberating through the neighborhood upon every shift. Looking down, you see a wooden crate with something ominous peering out, and the letters LS visible between the slats.

Yanking the shipping label from the crate you note that it has your address but the name is unintelligible due to a smudge of what looks to be mustard, probably from the driver’s lunch. Calling the shipper is of no avail as they say the address was correct and you’d need to take it up with the originating party, but they won’t tell you who that is. Eventually you give up and are resigned to the fact that this is a situation of finder’s keepers, losers weepers.

So now you’re stuck with this crate motor, 444-lbs of V8 sitting on your front porch, right smack dab where the mail man drops your monthly issue of Cat Fancy, so you’ve got to get it out of there. Running around to the garage, your robe flapping like crazy bird wings, you drag out the cherry picker and leveler and roll them up to the porch. Hoisting the well-packed motor isn’t tough, although you get hydraulic fluid all over your robe and notice the neighbors are starting to peer out of their windows so you decide it might be a good idea to throw on some pants at the very least.

Eventually, you are dressed, and the crate motor is sitting in the garage. You contemplate it over a cold beer and wonder what to do with your new-found bounty. Walking around the crate you lean against your old Miata that’s been sitting there for months with a burned valve. The layer of dust covering it excites with that action and fills the air with tiny motes that reflect the light coming in through the window. They then settle on the ’32 Ford High-Boy sitting next to the Miata.  Tt’s equally immobile due to a gaping hole that stands between the upright radiator shell and the firewall. Taking a long, slow gulp from your beer you reflect that it’s been years since that car has seen the light of day, and even more since the ’64 Malibu SS in the last bay of your garage has been out – its 396 still with rod punched through the block. Shaking your head, and taking another swig of your lager, you think to yourself, what am I going to do with this damn motor?

Okay, snap out of it, that’s just kind of everybody’s fantasy, but imagine your were a recipient of the unexpected gift of a crate motor – and it doesn’t have to be an LS-anything, it could be a Ford 302 or 347 Stroker, or . . . whatever. The question is, where would your drop it? Do you already have a place to put it like our fictional friend above? Or, would you go out and find a recipient for this heart transplant? Or, would you un-box it, throw a piece of heavy glass on top of it and make it the centerpiece of your living room feng shui?

Image sources: [Corvetteforums, guaranteedhorsepower]

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Currently there are "109 comments" on this Article:

  1. Alff says:
    March 18, 2010 at 4:06 pm

    MGBeast

    Reply
  2. Al Navarro says:
    March 18, 2010 at 4:24 pm

    Simple: Seven.

    Reply
  3. Alan says:
    March 18, 2010 at 4:27 pm

    [IMG]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3328/3594029961_ac… + [IMG]http://hooniverse.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/201…

    Reply
  4. Tanshanomi says:
    March 18, 2010 at 4:27 pm

    I would immediately start looking for a cheap '75 Vette vert.
    <img src="http://www.tanshanomi.com/temp/whitecorvette.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
  5. Alan says:
    March 18, 2010 at 4:28 pm

    aww shucks, image link fail.

    300CE + Crate motor = :D :D:D:D:D:D

    Reply
  6. dahm says:
    March 18, 2010 at 4:39 pm

    Is this part of the new Crate Engines for Clunkers program?

    Reply
  7. scroggzilla says:
    March 18, 2010 at 4:43 pm

    Hmmmn…..an LS powered Scarab Mk1 replica…….the mind boggles.
    <img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3602/3470472727_1bf9bc8f7c_o.jpg"&gt;
    Reply

  • Rockford_Brodie says:
    March 18, 2010 at 4:49 pm

    A bath interrupted by a crate motor? Sounds like the lost draft of Bobby Darin's "Splish Splash".

    Anyway, I think a crate Hemi into a Volvo Amazon would be the cat's pajamas, partly because Amazons kinda look like 7/8ths 300Cs, and because who the Hell doesn't like a V8olvo?

    Reply
  • engineerd says:
    March 18, 2010 at 4:50 pm

    A 5.4L 4V SVT engine:

    <img src="http://www.fordracingparts.com/images/part/full/M-6007-C54.jpg"&gt;

    + Maggie

    <img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2701/4390038163_3e4d4acde0.jpg"&gt;

    = a very happy engineerd.

    Reply
  • thomasmac says:
    March 18, 2010 at 4:51 pm

    Make a one of never ZL1 69 Chevelle, there is a guy who did it on Team Chevelle and I am immensely jealous of it. I would have to dress down this motor to stock appearances and maybe find a cowl plenum intake as a finishing touch for it

    <img src="http://image.vetteweb.com/f/9707470+w750+st0/vemp_0802_01_z+GMPP_ZL1_crate_motor+.jpg&quot; style="width: 640px; height: 480px; border: 0" alt="imgTag" />

    Reply
  • Mad_Science says:
    March 18, 2010 at 4:52 pm

    347 with Al heads, but I'd do it up to look as vintage as possible: carter carb, finned cast valve covers, none of this modern serpentine belt and billet nonsense.

    Obviously, It's going the Falcon.

    Reply
    • engineerd says:
      March 18, 2010 at 5:01 pm

      Excellent choice, and I would have not accepted any other answer from you.

      As if I have a say, but I like to make myself sound more powerful than I really am. Don't judge me. I'm married.

      Reply
  • lilwillie says:
    March 18, 2010 at 4:54 pm

    Replace the aging 307 SBC in the '60 Apache. It has suffered from being run hard at over 3,000 rpm's for the last 24,000 miles. I believe I have a head that is cracked since I get a nice tasty antifreeze smell for about 2 minutes on a cold start up from the left side pipe. It still cools fine though so I think the crack very minor. Well, no crack is minor, but a chemical test doesn't show signs of danger yet.

    The engine has served me well, I'd likely keep it and rebuild it but it would be nice to slip a crate motor in for now.

    Reply
  • discontinuuity says:
    March 18, 2010 at 4:58 pm

    Realistically, I would sell it to pay off my student loans or buy a car.

    But as long as we're in Hooniverse Fantasy Land, I would make a belly tank lakester and go to Bonneville.
    <img src="http://www.desertclassics.com/image/1955JSbLakester1.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
  • muthalovin says:
    March 18, 2010 at 5:06 pm

    <img src="http://www.carphotos.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/08/2009-chevrolet-corvette-zr1-engine-photo.jpg"&gt;

    IN A

    <img src="http://www.p914.com/p914-resources/p914-paint/p914-paint-1971-6-1510-01.jpg"&gt;

    How about them apples?!

    Reply
  • P161911 says:
    March 18, 2010 at 5:11 pm

    That is just what I need! I have a 77 Corvette sitting in my basement in dire need of just such an engine. I came close to pulling the trigger on a new motor a year ago but bought the Z3/M instead.

    Did a Tremec 6-speed happen to fall out of the truck in the driveway? I really want to do the manual transmission conversion too. But right now it is hard to justify the extra $2500 vs. just rebuilding the TurboHydramatic.

    Reply
    • Mad_Science says:
      March 18, 2010 at 5:36 pm

      I'm astounded at how expensive stickshifts are.

      You can get a TH350, 400, C4 or C6 for under $500, no problem. Hell, even some of the newer 4-speeds are decently priced.

      …but good luck getting a 6 speed for less than $1500. Most are over $2k.

      The one minor exception to this is a T5…but then you have to play mix-and-match with the like 10 different configurations it had over the years.

      Reply
      • P161911 says:
        March 18, 2010 at 5:50 pm

        I would even settle for a 5-speed. Like I said, rebuild the current 3-spd auto for $500-$600 or spend at least $3000 for a 5-6 speed stick shift. The new ones are $2500-$3000 plus another $500 or so for new cross member and other conversion bits.

        Besides, it would be easier getting spousal agreement on the project with an automatic, since Mrs. P161911 refuses to learn how to drive a manual transmission. "Look Honey, I fixed up the Vette for You!" Just don't press too hard on that pedal on the right.

        Actually, I started looking at junkyard 6.0L Vortecs out of late model GM Trucks. 300-347HP is sure a lot better than the 180HP that was stock. I would probably switch to a carb intake. The LS based LQ4 if of particular interest 325HP/ 370ft. lb. for much less than $2000. Would it be wrong to put a Hummer H2 motor in a Vette?

        Reply
        • Mad_Science says:
          March 18, 2010 at 6:02 pm

          While Cummins is the preferable option, I'd semi-seriously consider finding a wrecked H2 to power a future Wagoneer project for The_Missus.

          The later models had 6.2L V8 (393hp, 415lbft), 6-speed auto, 2.73:1 T-case + e-locker 3/4 ton rear. Pretty hard to go wrong there. The best part is, you know they were never put to any hard work :)

          Reply
      • Deartháir says:
        March 18, 2010 at 6:15 pm

        The beautiful six-speed kit for the Corrado is a touch under $12,000 last time I checked. Seriously? TWELVE GRAND? For a car that's worth four? That's optimism.

        Reply
  • jims63valvert says:
    March 18, 2010 at 5:12 pm

    I'd put it in my '63 Valiant Convertible.

    Reply
  • BrianTheHoon says:
    March 18, 2010 at 5:16 pm

    My W123 nostalgiamobile still sits on my driveway with it's seized oil-burner. It really, really wants a Coyote under the hood. It spent its first 30 years with a completely anemic mil. It deserves 425 ponies now.

    Reply
  • Goingincirclez says:
    March 18, 2010 at 5:30 pm

    I'll take a FR351C and build something like this (I'd probably change the color)

    <img> Reply

  • Goingincirclez says:
    March 18, 2010 at 5:35 pm

    I'll take a FR351C and build something like this (I'd probably change the color)

    <img src="http://www.goingincirclez.com/Kaleid/Albums/BON/11secnada.jpg"&gt;

    Please and thank you!

    (BTW, that car runs near-sub 11's. As I think that would get boring after a while I'd rather invoke the Chapman philosophy to to handle a few twisties as well, while retaining the stock (sleeper!) appearance).

    Reply
  • Maymar says:
    March 18, 2010 at 5:35 pm

    Remember how people would tear the back seat out of a Corvair and replace it with a V8, giving you a mid-engined piece of awesome? I have a spare Cavalier coupe, just sitting in the driveway.

    Reply
    • Balestra says:
      March 18, 2010 at 7:07 pm

      I want to do a Fiat 147 with the crate mill of a Punto Abarth. 150 horsepower weighting less thank 900 kg! Oh yeah, and it would be the orangest orange I could find at the paint shop. Quoting Carlin: this is the kind of thought that kept me out of the really good schools.

      Reply
  • UDman says:
    March 18, 2010 at 5:47 pm

    This:
    <img src="http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/2199/42vortec0ai.jpg&quot; alt="" />
    in this:
    <img src="http://oldcarandtruckpictures.com/Studebaker/1966_Studebaker_Daytona_2_Door_Sedan-feb8b.jpg&quot; alt="" />

    Reply
  • dculberson says:
    March 18, 2010 at 5:51 pm

    I have so many possibilities it's ridiculous.

    (1) I need a new power plant for my Lemons racer, the Chevonda. It threw a rod bearing at Nelson Ledges. A new crate LGO (HO) Quad4 would be just the ticket, but if we're dreaming maybe the 2.0L turbo Ecotec from the Solstice/Sky twins! I wonder if those will bolt up to a FWD tranny? I can handle wiring in a new ECU as long as the pieces came with it. Hey, it's free, so it's under budget, right?

    (2) Want to build a FFR Type 65 Coupe something bad… but wouldn't want to cut corners on the drivetrain. I wouldn't go for original, but would want to go Ford. Something like the 4cam v8 from the GT? Is that what Engineerd has up there? 5.4L svt might work in a sub-2,000 pound car.

    (3) T5R in a Volvo 242GT. Do they sell crate T5R's nowadays?

    (4) LS9 in a 1957 Bel Air wagon. This one, specifically: http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/1646807697.htm… . I'm sure I could stick with the 4-speed, but wouldn't mind it if a 6-speed came in the crate with the LS9. I would be happy with an LS1, but if we're dreaming, dream big, right? While we're at it, could the crate also have 6-piston Brembos, 14" rotors, tubular control arms, coil spring conversion kit, Bilsten shocks, 17" Cragar SS'es, Falken Azeni 615's, and a skull head shifter knob? Thanks.

    Reply
  • Novaload says:
    March 18, 2010 at 6:00 pm

    I would save it for a rainy day, until I can find the right body to match that brain. You know, like Dr. Frankenstein. Although I must say there are some delicious possibilities here.

    Reply
  • Tripl3fast says:
    March 18, 2010 at 6:06 pm

    Great. A slow day here at work plus not knowing what sort of crate motors are out there equals me spending hours on the internet looking for the perfect combo of car and motor…… big motor little car…… little car little high power motor…… why the hell would you put one of those in that? …… classic replicar build…… oh boy this could be a while.

    Reply
  • Deartháir says:
    March 18, 2010 at 6:08 pm

    Graverobber… enough with the fantasizing about me in the bathtub. It's flattering, sure, but the stories you've been sending me lately are starting to get a bit weird.

    My vote is for this:
    <img src="http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo294/powertvmedia1/89bdf4ba.jpg"&gt;

    …to go into this:
    <img src="http://www.osomin.com/1964ramblerwagon.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
  • Deartháir says:
    March 18, 2010 at 6:08 pm

    Graverobber… enough with the fantasizing about me in the bathtub. It's flattering, sure, but the stories you've been sending me lately are starting to get a bit weird.

    My vote is for this:
    <img src="http://i385.photobucket.com/albums/oo294/powertvmedia1/89bdf4ba.jpg"&gt;

    …to go into this:
    <img src="http://www.osomin.com/1964ramblerwagon.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
  • Syrax says:
    March 18, 2010 at 6:40 pm

    <img src="http://www.diseno-art.com/images/dodge_tomahawk_concept.jpg"/&gt;
    I would probably Tomahawk myself into oblivion.

    Reply
  • Raze1138 says:
    March 18, 2010 at 7:41 pm

    I'd say an F1 V10 in a Caterham or MG coupe

    Reply
  • dwegmull says:
    March 18, 2010 at 8:00 pm

    I don't take baths. I shower.

    Reply
  • Alff says:
    March 18, 2010 at 8:30 pm

    I got it! Crossfire LS!

    Reply
  • Benito says:
    March 18, 2010 at 8:58 pm

    Any crate engine would do, though the LS9 would be the best choice, In any case, it would go into my Father and I's big "when we get the money" project…

    http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/QOYaR1bc-NZp…

    Reply
  • om_nom_de_plume says:
    March 18, 2010 at 9:15 pm

    The uber fictitious 4.5 Duramax + Turbo/ECU treatment+Chevy II Wagon+ SQUEEEEEEEEE (that's the sound I'd make when driving it)

    Reply
  • Slow Joe Crow says:
    March 18, 2010 at 9:44 pm

    My first thought is a Ford 302, find a 240 wagon and build a V8olvo chero. Alternatively my long running idea is a Cobra replica with a Chevy 427, just to make people's heads explode and with the right tires warp the fabric of space and time.

    Reply
  • Lotte says:
    March 18, 2010 at 10:41 pm

    I'll go Oriental…
    <img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ef/Toyota_Previa.jpg"/&gt;
    +
    <img src="http://www.lincah.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/subaru-36-litre-dohc-engine-588×560.jpg"/&gt;
    + turbo

    I wonder if its flat enough?

    Reply
  • ptschett says:
    March 18, 2010 at 10:53 pm

    <img src="http://www.fordracingparts.com/images/part/full/m-6007-a351rt.jpg&quot; width="500" /> (or some variation thereof) +

    <img src="http://i847.photobucket.com/albums/ab40/ptschett/old%20cars%20on%20the%20farm/DSC00244_1.jpg&quot; width="500"/>

    Reply
  • Rikadyn says:
    March 18, 2010 at 10:56 pm

    What's the going price of a crate motor?

    Reply
  • Goingincirclez says:
    March 18, 2010 at 5:35 pm

    I'll take a FR351C and build something like this (I'd probably change the color)

    <img src="http://www.goingincirclez.com/Kaleid/Albums/BON/11secnada.jpg"&gt;

    Please and thank you!

    (BTW, that car runs near-sub 11's. As I think that would get boring after a while I'd rather invoke the Chapman philosophy to to handle a few twisties as well, while retaining the stock (sleeper!) appearance).

    Reply
  • BobAsh says:
    March 19, 2010 at 1:15 am

    Receive the crate with LS2.

    Pull the 283 from my Opel.

    Sell the 283 to buy some goodies, like carburetted manifold and better rear end.

    Put LS2 into Opel.

    Scare people.

    Reply
  • Tomsk says:
    March 18, 2010 at 6:54 pm

    1994 Ilmor-Mercedes I500 (the engine that kicked everyone's ass at the Brickyard with Team Penske)
    <img src="http://24valve.com/images/Indy500.jpg&quot; width="511" height="398" />
    in a W123 wagon
    <img src="http://www.whitelaceinn.com/benz/DSC_2079.jpg&quot; width="650" height="411" />

    However, for something that's actually realistic, I'd love an LS3 eRod in a '77-'78 Riviera or a '77-'79 Impala/Caprice coupe.

    Reply
    • P161911 says:
      March 18, 2010 at 9:08 pm

      I remember reading that Ilmor built several dozen of those for the 1995 season for all the M-B teams, not just Penske, before they were outlawed. Wonder where those ended up. I want to build a street rod with one.

      That engine was probably the last innovative thing to be seen at Indy. I actually had a chance to go there for the first weekend of qualifying in 1994 when Penske dropped the bomb with that thing. Word was it sat on the pole easily without even running hard.

      Reply
    • smokyburnout says:
      March 19, 2010 at 3:02 am

      There's a guy on the BenzWorld forums who just bought a '80 S123 with a Chevy 350 swapped in. Nowhere near the cool factor of the Indy V8, but you could probably get the same 1000 horsepower out of it with a little work and a lot of money.

      Reply
  • ChuckyShamrok says:
    March 19, 2010 at 2:07 am

    This(Without the Ricey Dress up)
    <IMG SRC = "http://driftjapan.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/tomei-rb26dett-engine.jpg"&gt;

    In This

    <IMG SRC = "http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3101/2635089389_1d33304be6.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
  • ChuckyShamrok says:
    March 19, 2010 at 2:10 am

    This(Without the Ricey Dress up)
    <IMG SRC ="http://driftjapan.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/tomei-rb26dett-engine.jpg"&gt;

    In This

    <IMG SRC ="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3101/2635089389_1d33304be6.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
  • Deartháir says:
    March 18, 2010 at 7:15 pm

    Dodge Dart? Ew! No way man!

    Reply
  • ChuckyShamrok says:
    March 19, 2010 at 2:19 am

    This(Without the Ricey Dress up)
    [img]http://driftjapan.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/200…

    In This

    [img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3101/2635089389_1d…

    Reply
  • Balestra says:
    March 18, 2010 at 7:25 pm

    I would start building my dream car. I haven't settled for which direction to follow yet, but it's either Muscle Car, Hot Rod, or a 2 seater GT that's a touh more modern looking. Seen that I was in automotive design for 2 something years, it'd be designed by me. That's always, always been my dream. Like, since I was 11. Anyways, aluminium space frame chassis, 6 speed transaxle from a Z06 'Vette, double A arms activating inboard coil-overs, 6 pot front rotors, 4 pot rears, the lightest 17"/18" combo I could find (albeit not those painted atrocities we see in general) and well, that's the basics. That would be the basics for whatever design direction I chose. Man, that make me a happy kid!

    Reply
  • ChuckyShamrok says:
    March 19, 2010 at 2:28 am

    Well, I can't figure out how to post an image, I'll just write it out

    RB26DETT into a 1966 Ford Ranchero

    Or

    LS7 in a Triumph Stag

    Reply
  • smokyburnout says:
    March 19, 2010 at 3:34 am

    This
    <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/smokyburnout/07_Duramax.jpg"&gt;
    +This
    <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/smokyburnout/pontiac-fiero.jpg&quot;
    =
    <img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/smokyburnout/fiero_smokex.jpg&quot;

    Reply
  • IntendedAcceleration says:
    March 19, 2010 at 4:11 am

    A lightweight V8 for my 924S would be nice, along with a nice 6-speed manual. The 3.0 liter 4 from the 968 would be cool, too.

    For my '97 Dodge Caravan, a Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 engine and drivetrain would be awesome. I'd mod the suspension, of course, but I wouldn't touch the rust on the body, and I'd keep the 14-inch wheels/hubcaps, too. An AWD turbo minivan? Yes, please.

    Realistically, though, the N/A 24-valve 6g72 would be great. I have a buddy who has one with a 4-speed auto out of a 3000GT just lying around unused. How hard can it be?

    Rhetorical question; please don't answer….

    Reply
  • jim-bob says:
    March 18, 2010 at 10:41 pm

    Well, that would all depend on what kind of crate engine it was. With an LS, the natural place for it would be under the hood of the Cutlass Supreme Brougham as right now, I am a bit bored with the 360hp 355 it currently has in it. Hook it to a 6 speed manual, and I would be one very happy G body driver! However, maybe it is something more practical… say like a Nissan KA24DE. In that case, it would get put in storage until the day the engine in my truck finally sends the rods through the block and needs replacement. Then again, either engine would be awesome for a sleeper project born from communism. The GAZ 24 Volga wagon has always seemed like such a sexy looking car to me, and it is just begging for a power upgrade. As very few crate engines could manage to make less power than the commie one it comes with, it would provide a substantial power upgrade for a cool old car.

    Now, let’s suppose a VW dealer accidentally shipped me a TDI 3 cylinder from a VW Fox. Now, this engine would be horrible in anything I have now. However, in a 1500lb Trabant, it would roughly triple the power output of the stock engine. Hook it up with a manual trans, and a graft in a more modern chassis underneath, and you would have a very usable little city car unlike any other in your area. Paint it baby blue with a yellow roof, add a set of black Watanabe’s and tint the windows and you’d have the coolest little commuter car in the world!

    Reply
  • CptSevere says:
    March 19, 2010 at 3:48 am

    We have an early sixties International at the mine tour where I work that we hauled down from one of the other mines that the company owns. It's PCH material, engine's frozen. Probably the boat anchor 345. If we ever do anything with it, it will be a rat rod with air bags, whitewalls, and either original patina or flat black. A SBC and an automatic would be the logical choice, but what the hell, how about a Powerstroke diesel while we're spending imaginary money? Hell, it was made by International, right?

    Reply
  • Balestra says:
    March 19, 2010 at 3:50 am

    Also, I wouldn't mind a Porsche GT3 RS' powerplant into a 70's VW such as a Brasília, TL1600 or, my favorite, SP2. And, Obviously, all the goodies with it: Porsche's great brakes, the 6 speed, etc etc etc

    Reply
  • rocketrodeo says:
    March 19, 2010 at 12:55 pm

    Easy. Goes in the 1955 Chris Craft Cobra replica. There is nothing like the feel of a v8 in a wooden boat.

    Reply
  • Kogashiwa says:
    March 19, 2010 at 3:32 pm

    If accidentally delivered one of these:

    <img src="http://hellforleathermagazine.com/images/S1000RR_Engine_small.jpg"&gt;

    (BMW S1000RR, 1000cc, 193hp @ 13000 rpm)

    it would probably have to go into one of these:

    <img src="http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/4659/ae86b2tf.jpg"&gt;

    I've had a bike-engined AE86 project in the back of my mind for ages – of course that's where it's most likely to stay. A ZX-14R or Hayabusa engine would probably work better, but, 13000rpm … !

    Reply
  • W. Kiernan says:
    March 19, 2010 at 11:21 pm

    <img src="http://uncharted.org/frownland/pix/locost.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
  • FuzzyPlushroom says:
    March 21, 2010 at 1:14 am

    Look.

    Twice in the last week, I've had my passing attempts rudely interrupted and had to watch my speed drop from 60, to 58, to 57 with my foot welded to the floor and the overdrive off, up a moderate grade.

    The first was on Thursday, a lack of a good enough running start; I got halfway past the first car, maintaining speed in this way, and a stock V6 2000-ish F-150 XL was gaining on me. I had to pull over between cars to let him by.

    The second was today, with the dipshit in the Dodge truck in front of me slowing for no good reason, forcing me to avoid rear-ending them (this happened again later in the trip, but more violently and suddenly). I managed to get by the van I had been trying to build up speed to pass, caught up to 'em, got close and flicked my high beams a few times, then backed off to a couple car lengths and held there. The femulleted driver made a pass over a double-yellow a bit further down the road to get away from the terrifying sight of a fedora-wearing young man in an old Volvo; I nearly called her in for it but decided that the largest of hills had been crested and her problems were now her own.

    Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is that I love Violet greatly, but she's absolutely gutless above 50 miles an hour. I suspect a fairly lightweight crate V8 would go a long way in helping that.

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