With the turbo spider in pretty good shape (though racecars are never done), I'm starting to dream of a new project: a Busso powered GT (ideally a step nose). This is a relatively well-trod path, with all of the big conversion items available (motor mounts, headers, oil pan, transmission adapter). I would consider the spider a "streetable track car." The v6 powered car would be a "trackable street car" with heat, a/c, a radio, some sound deadening/carpet, and non-fixed position seats. But it would still be pretty racey- something similar to how Alfaholics does up their "GTA-R" interior. Most of my background is in boosted motors, but this time around I'd like to keep it NA.
Perhaps as a sign, I recently got a phone call that I am to be gifted two 3 liter 12v motors. They've been sitting in a garage for a few decades, but should be good cores (at least one of them anyways). While I get that core costs will be a drop in the bucket, it got me thinking enough to buy Jim Ks v6 book and start thinking about possibilities. So here's the goal for a motor:
300 HP @ around 6,800RPM (crank) for the magic 100hp/L, 7,500 redline. Qualitatively, I want this thing to have super sharp throttle response and sound epic.
I know that's ambitious, especially for a street motor, but it seems within the realm of realistic possibilities. Since it's going in a very light weight chassis, it's ok if the motor doesn't make as much low/mid torque, so I think the normal issues of a "peaky" race type motor are mitigated. Things I think I need/want to get in that ballpark:
Forged Pistons/Rods (12:1 CR?)
Balanced rotating assembly
Lighter flywheel/crank pulley
Ported head with larger intake valves (light weight valves on both intake and exhaust).
Aggressive cam (whose?)- I'd implement an idle control valve to idle up when the a/c kicks in, which should keep things running even if the idle is a bit lopey.
Megasquirt EFI
ITBs. That allows for more aggressive cams without totally destroying the idle and should sound good. I'd implement knock detection through the megasquirt to keep things safe
Most of the vendors mentioned in Jim Ks book either no longer exist or no longer sell v6 stuff. AHM is one exception, although they are on the spendy side. Are there other vendors around in 2022 that I should be looking at working with if I move forward? What else (besides better engine management) has changed in the v6 world since Jim wrote his book?
Budget wise, I'd hope to keep it under $10k for the long block build (not including EFI/ignition/accessories). Realistic given my goals? Thinking of building the motor before I get a chassis, which may seem backwards, but lets me keep my limited garage space free. It also sounds like the motor is going to be the tricky part in terms of waiting around for parts/machine shops. It's also the "new part" for me now that I've pretty much done everything to my spider other than rebuild the transmission.
Perhaps as a sign, I recently got a phone call that I am to be gifted two 3 liter 12v motors. They've been sitting in a garage for a few decades, but should be good cores (at least one of them anyways). While I get that core costs will be a drop in the bucket, it got me thinking enough to buy Jim Ks v6 book and start thinking about possibilities. So here's the goal for a motor:
300 HP @ around 6,800RPM (crank) for the magic 100hp/L, 7,500 redline. Qualitatively, I want this thing to have super sharp throttle response and sound epic.
I know that's ambitious, especially for a street motor, but it seems within the realm of realistic possibilities. Since it's going in a very light weight chassis, it's ok if the motor doesn't make as much low/mid torque, so I think the normal issues of a "peaky" race type motor are mitigated. Things I think I need/want to get in that ballpark:
Forged Pistons/Rods (12:1 CR?)
Balanced rotating assembly
Lighter flywheel/crank pulley
Ported head with larger intake valves (light weight valves on both intake and exhaust).
Aggressive cam (whose?)- I'd implement an idle control valve to idle up when the a/c kicks in, which should keep things running even if the idle is a bit lopey.
Megasquirt EFI
ITBs. That allows for more aggressive cams without totally destroying the idle and should sound good. I'd implement knock detection through the megasquirt to keep things safe
Most of the vendors mentioned in Jim Ks book either no longer exist or no longer sell v6 stuff. AHM is one exception, although they are on the spendy side. Are there other vendors around in 2022 that I should be looking at working with if I move forward? What else (besides better engine management) has changed in the v6 world since Jim wrote his book?
Budget wise, I'd hope to keep it under $10k for the long block build (not including EFI/ignition/accessories). Realistic given my goals? Thinking of building the motor before I get a chassis, which may seem backwards, but lets me keep my limited garage space free. It also sounds like the motor is going to be the tricky part in terms of waiting around for parts/machine shops. It's also the "new part" for me now that I've pretty much done everything to my spider other than rebuild the transmission.
