Dadwood - only Corvettes and CadillacsDadbody, for Dadwood
Ownership Verified: 1993 Nissan D21 Hardbody - Peak rad?
- Thread starter CraigB
- Start date
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Captain Slow Charging
Sponsored by New Balance
How did you know that's what I was wearing?
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2006
- Messages
- 17,970
- Car(s)
- '12 MX-5 PRHT, '02 Freelander, '90 Disco 1 Bobtail
I was going to ask about the group of dads at Dadwood who have shown up in their minivans, sat in their own corner comparing children's cassettes and are adamant they don't need a fun car. I thought I might touch a nerve somewhere. Whoops said it anyway. 
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Captain Slow Charging
I can see the Honda Element parked next to a Fiat Multipla already!
(Big thread derail)
(Big thread derail)
More photos from one of the competitors.
Note the two below are of me first running over, then ejecting a cone.
Oh, results. I was 3rd slowest overall behind a 1961 VW dune buggy and a newbie in a Focus ST. In PAX I did better, but still, slow.
Note the two below are of me first running over, then ejecting a cone.
Oh, results. I was 3rd slowest overall behind a 1961 VW dune buggy and a newbie in a Focus ST. In PAX I did better, but still, slow.
Photos from today's autocross by Mrs. CraigB. Did about the same last time, way down on the list, but not the slowest. Beat out an S-10 and a 1972 Mustang Mach 1. I did take home a 1st place sticker for my class (XA), but that's only because the rest of them were too scared of the Hardbody to show.
And finally a video that I put together quickly with video that Mrs. CraigB shot.
View: https://youtu.be/zNkpmPYVmL8
And finally a video that I put together quickly with video that Mrs. CraigB shot.
View: https://youtu.be/zNkpmPYVmL8
)
You can do a lot with a solid rear axle, just needs something other than 30 year old leaf springs.
I keep meaning to strip those down and rear clear them, but I'm afraid of what they look like underneath the paint.
Been driving this thing every day for the last few weeks. I still haven't quite figured out why it drops a cylinder on occasion while at speed. You can feel it lug down, then I give it more throttle, to compensate for the lower power, then the dropped cylinder comes back. No idea what causes it, but... it has me thinking engine swap.
Now, admittedly, it's like 3rd or 4th in line at the CraigB garage, but it's never too early to think about what engine and start looking for a good deal.
What really got me thinking engine swap was I found a set of ITBs for a Toyota 1UZ. I mean... wouldn't that be cool? Four liters of eight screaming cylinders of Toyota? There's also lots of support in the drift world for hard parts to swap in a manual.
But that's led me to mull over other options. An early Infiniti Q45 with VH45DE made decent power, has that weird sideways intake manifold and a whole running donor car can be found relatively cheap. There's some support here, again from the drift world, to swap a manual, but it can be fairly pricey.
Honestly on either of the automatic transmissions, if there was a cheap and effective stall convertor and way to manually shift it. That could always come later.
There are other Nissan V8 options, the VK45DE makes good power, but finding a cheap donor is a bit more difficult.
There's other option as well that are relatively cheap. The Honda K series is a favorite, came in loads of vehicles, but may require more expensive solutions to put in a car longitudinally.
Another perennial favorite, the GM LS. Cheap, plentiful, lots of options to make more power, etc., but... Eh... It's been done to death. Plus, pushrods... Eh... Just can't get in that bandwagon for a non GM vehicle. Feels dirty.
More complicated, but fun, rotary? Not cheap though...
What's something I'm missing as an option? 270-350 HP, cheap donor cars, manual transmission options.
Now, admittedly, it's like 3rd or 4th in line at the CraigB garage, but it's never too early to think about what engine and start looking for a good deal.
What really got me thinking engine swap was I found a set of ITBs for a Toyota 1UZ. I mean... wouldn't that be cool? Four liters of eight screaming cylinders of Toyota? There's also lots of support in the drift world for hard parts to swap in a manual.
But that's led me to mull over other options. An early Infiniti Q45 with VH45DE made decent power, has that weird sideways intake manifold and a whole running donor car can be found relatively cheap. There's some support here, again from the drift world, to swap a manual, but it can be fairly pricey.
Honestly on either of the automatic transmissions, if there was a cheap and effective stall convertor and way to manually shift it. That could always come later.
There are other Nissan V8 options, the VK45DE makes good power, but finding a cheap donor is a bit more difficult.
There's other option as well that are relatively cheap. The Honda K series is a favorite, came in loads of vehicles, but may require more expensive solutions to put in a car longitudinally.
Another perennial favorite, the GM LS. Cheap, plentiful, lots of options to make more power, etc., but... Eh... It's been done to death. Plus, pushrods... Eh... Just can't get in that bandwagon for a non GM vehicle. Feels dirty.
More complicated, but fun, rotary? Not cheap though...
What's something I'm missing as an option? 270-350 HP, cheap donor cars, manual transmission options.
GRtak
Forum Addict
Having stuck a few V8s in a couple of mini trucks, I would not do it again. Especially at the power level you want, and knowing you like to run autocross.
The LNF is what I would use now. 260 HP out of the box, a GM supplied kit ups that to 290, and all sorts of aftermarket bits that can boost it to 500.
The LNF is what I would use now. 260 HP out of the box, a GM supplied kit ups that to 290, and all sorts of aftermarket bits that can boost it to 500.
Yeah, but you have to admit, a V8 sound really good in mini trucks.
Though this will be relegated back to non-autocross duty when the BRZ is back (soon!). Plus I have the SVO to put together before the truck gets an engine swap. It too will be a fun autocross vehicle.
I'll look into the Ecotec, not sure if the availability of these.
One thing I thought of would be, big horse V6/turbo 4 from a FWD vehicle, mounted in the bed. Like an Accord
Though this will be relegated back to non-autocross duty when the BRZ is back (soon!). Plus I have the SVO to put together before the truck gets an engine swap. It too will be a fun autocross vehicle.
I'll look into the Ecotec, not sure if the availability of these.
One thing I thought of would be, big horse V6/turbo 4 from a FWD vehicle, mounted in the bed. Like an Accord
Aluminum block LS motors are getting to be unobtainable.
If you do find one, I vote for a mid-engine RWD setup.
GRtak
Forum Addict
Yeah, but you have to admit, a V8 sound really good in mini trucks.
Though this will be relegated back to non-autocross duty when the BRZ is back (soon!). Plus I have the SVO to put together before the truck gets an engine swap. It too will be a fun autocross vehicle.
I'll look into the Ecotec, not sure if the availability of these.
One thing I thought of would be, big horse V6/turbo 4 from a FWD vehicle, mounted in the bed. Like an Accord
One more plus with the 4 cylinder engine, stealth. Most people ignore a 4 popper.
Honda K?