modding a 3rd gen firebird (title change due to free aero)

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

The 4 cylinder 3rd gens were called "Iron dukes".

Ah yes,the US Postal Service uses that engine in their Grumman-built delivery vans.
Bo Jones,a local hot rod builder in Woodland Hills,California ran one of these in a '32 Ford T-bucket roadster.Since the car weighed next to nothing it made most V-8 muscle-cars blush.

[Grant-53]

The Mrs. will need a taller seat. Even at nearly 6 ft. I could barely see over the dash of my uncle's Camaro.

[skyking]

at this point it is not happening. she does not want to sit that low. back to the drawing board for this engine.

[Grant-53]

There is room for almost any engine from a V8 to a Mazda rotary. Saab engineers came up with ratio of 36 lb/hp years ago. Diesel engines vibrate more so that cylinders in multiples of 3 will be smoother. The Iron Duke was a 2.5L with cast iron heads rather than aluminum. Some of the early versions had head cracking problems and heads were switched for front wheel drive use in Citations. The Chrysler 2.5L turbo might fit. A GMC diesel 3-51 (3 cyl. 51cid per cyl.) would be the same displacement at a lower RPM. Have someone that sells truck engines spec. an engine and drive train ratios.

[skyking]

I have an isuzu 4bd1T lined up for a very good price, now I need to find a different vehicle for it.
They are a great little 4 banger much like the Cummins 4BT and better in some respects.

[kach22i]

I found the ultimate answer!

MORE random pics...... - Page 2104 - Pelican Parts Technical BBS

[oil pan 4]

2x

[oil pan 4]

I found some relitivly affordable hatch louvers at summit.
At this point its getting so hot (and its not even june yet) just keeping the sun's heat out of the back would be worth it.

Summit Racing SUM-WL1333 - Summit Racing® Rear Window Louvers - Overview - SummitRacing.com

Summit Racing SUM-WL1101 - Summit Racing® Rear Window Louvers - Overview - SummitRacing.com

They're ABS plastic. Any one know how it would be possible to stretch the length of the louvers and have it look ok?

[hotrodf1]

Thanks to all for this discussion. My road race car is a 91 camaro, and I've been thinking that an aero advantage might be the ticket. The class I run in is limited to a HP to weight ratio. So top end would be better with less drag (of course) and could be a real advantage in such a race class MPG for this is obviously no issue. 5 gallon of fuel burned in a 25 min. run is the norm.

I'm at a disadvantage to a certain degree due to old technology and no ABS compared with the new S197 Mustangs with race tuned ABS.

That pic of the Budweiser Camaro was awesome. I liked the side skirts. Been thinking about doing that.

Anyhow, sorry to threadjack. Cool ideas here. I will likely start a thread just for the racecar to see what we can come up with. For now, I'm gonna keep on the trailer so I can afford to take the car to the track in the first place!

[skyking]

Threadjack as much as you like. My purpose for the thread is gone, feel free to take it a new direction.