Max BHP from engine?

Mike: Is the BBC driveable? I have poured over the real steele catalogues, edelbrock websites etc at 350ci but where do you draw the line??

Zed: Well my strip car wont be a Z I doubt, I really just want one as a bad ass road car with racing potential you know, I don't think I'd want two of the same (I realise still very different) car, I'd probably just do a Vauxhall Victor or Gaz Volga strip car, I could do I suppose but hmmm, variety is the spice of life as they say <img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

I could do a hotted up Z and no doubt it would be magic, but there is always that point where you'd think "I wish I had a SBC now" or "Just need that little bit more oomph" etc.

I think though the tuned Z motor is out of the window. I'm trying to plan my vehicle collection at the same time, its something like

240z - weekend bad assed v fast road menacing car

BMW 1602/2002 - daily drive, cool minimalist car

Dodge 4/12 split screen pickup - to take to and from B&Q only
really, used for fishing etc, bbqs err <img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

Mk1 transit van - warmed over, more modern lump to tow car to track days, sleep in back, take tools etc

Hillman Imp/Lotus 7/Mk1 Cortina - stripped trackday car

Martini Lancia Delta Integrale - Rally slag

VW Notchback - Funny car, wheely machine
Volkswagen Camper (Splitter) - Surf trips and camping when I have too much stuff
Ford Metro 6R4
Ford Escort Mk1
MGB GT Roadster
Vauxhall Victor
Jaguar E-Type
Triumph GT6 Mk3
Mini Pickup/van

omg don't get me started, the current list cars alone is around 50 lol.

Anyway the Z fits in there as my ultimate street machine, its a beautiful car and can look badass, something along the lines of

restoz15.jpg
 
I wouldn't recommend the BBC for general daily use! Great fun in short doses and for showing off, but not every day. SBC more practical.

There is no line to be drawn where USA V8 engines are concerned - just keep spending the money and gaining more horsepower. With the old SBC you have nearly fifty years of tuning experience to draw on. Don't forget the old F5000 cars used the Chevy and current GT cars like the Ultima still use it. I had some Donovan heads from an F5000 single seater on my 350 Chevy in the 240Z - &nbsp;they made it sing and rev like no other (then they broke.....).
 
Without wanting to get into too much of a debate, I personally like some modern straight sixes best: 1jz (I have to say that don't I  <img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'> ), 2jz (supra engines), or RB26 (skyline). Power gains for all are all as much as you can spend, most can gain plenty of power and keep the stock internals, just bolt-ons

There is no doubt that a V8 sounds sweet when on song, and can give plenty of grunt.. I just prefer the sight, sounds and inherent revvy nature of the engines I mentioned...

I think the RB26 swap will soon have been done enough times that a kit (i.e list of necessary parts) will pretty much be available. Maybe not as good as the famous JTR book, however.. Certainly the V8 would be cheaper though..

cheers all!
 
excuse my ignorance, but aren't they all turbo charged engines ??

I've had a powerful turbo car before and loved the punch it gave, but I much prefere the linear power delivery of a normally aspirated engine.
 
Well, I'd say certainly for the big single turbo dyno queens (1000hp+) this would be true. But I think for more mildy mannered smaller turbo'd or sequentially turbo'd engines a good progressive curve can be achieved.

take a look at an old dyno for my car, sorry for the bad pic. It had about 300-350hp (200-220kw at wheels) and quite a good progressive curve. Annoying it has no torque on it though!

rr.jpg


There are some very good RB powered race cars out there that would be a good proof too!
 
HybridZ has lots on all the above mentioned engines, and going turbo charged and staying Nissan has it's draw, but for my £ the SBC has to be the best bet, they can also be quite revvy but they are pretty linear.

I'm not aware of any kits tho for anything else, but if anyone knows of any let me know! <img src="http://www.zclub.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>

Cheers
 
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