How bad an idea is it to try to build a mid-engined El Camino? We were thinking about cuting a hole in the bed and relocating a SBC back there. Are there any major problems you could see us running into? I though of the shifter linkages and cooling system.
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March 20, 2010 1:29 p.m. 96DXCivic HalfDork
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March 20, 2010 2:03 p.m. stuart in mn SuperDork
You may end up with a driveshaft about 1" long.
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March 20, 2010 2:10 p.m. 96DXCivic HalfDork
There was that problem to. What is the distance between the back of the cab and the rear axle?
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March 20, 2010 2:48 p.m. m4ff3w Dork
Why not drop a Toronado drivetrain back there?
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March 20, 2010 2:49 p.m. cwh SuperDork
Toronado engine and transaxle. It's been done.
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March 20, 2010 2:52 p.m. jwdmotorsports Dork
I like the idea. I've considered the same type swap on an econoline truck.
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March 20, 2010 3:13 p.m. dean1484 Dork
Dont think just do!!!! Coolness is sure to follow!!!!
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March 20, 2010 3:47 p.m. 96DXCivic HalfDork
Now just to find a super cheap El Camino around Northern Alabama.
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March 20, 2010 3:50 p.m. jwdmotorsports Dork
if I see one on the bham craigslist I'll shoot you a PM
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March 20, 2010 4:10 p.m. pres589 Reader
Seems like the kind of vehicle that would be in high demand in Northern Alabama.
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March 20, 2010 4:15 p.m. 96DXCivic HalfDork
I think we are going to wait until the summer to buy one but if you see let me know.
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March 20, 2010 4:19 p.m. Appleseed Dork
V drive. You reverse the rear end and attach the engine ant trans in the normal position. Its been used for wheel standing drag cars. I think it was adapted from power boats. Find a derelict v-8 jet boat. New is not cheap.
http://www.casalev-drive.com/Home.html
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March 20, 2010 6:09 p.m. DoctorBlade Reader
Appleseed wrote:
http://www.casalev-drive.com/Home.html
They used those in the Tumbler from Batman? Cool!
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March 20, 2010 6:21 p.m. TuffWork New Reader
I've had a similar idea for a while. I like the V drive solution, but if you want alot more answers you might talk to some of the truck guys. Specifically mud boggers. Many of them have done engines in the back.
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March 20, 2010 6:45 p.m. mw Reader
I'd go with an lsx and corvette t56 with a very short torque tube. You'd end up with a mid engined IRS el camino. That would suprise people.
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March 20, 2010 7:08 p.m. Knurled New Reader
In reply to 96DXCivic:
Seen it done, in an issue of Car Craft in the mid-80's.
The cool thing was, there was a 283 still under the hood.
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March 20, 2010 8:02 p.m. zomby woof HalfDork
Go with the 71-76 Eldorado drivetrain. 500 inches of Cadillac power will get the job done!
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March 20, 2010 10:46 p.m. GI_Drewsifer Reader
This is an awesomely bad idea.
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March 20, 2010 10:48 p.m. Fit_Is_Slo Reader
Cargo space may be reduced....
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March 20, 2010 10:53 p.m. aussiesmg UltraDork
Fit_Is_Slo wrote:
Cargo space may be reduced....
Nah, there's plenty under the new front trunk lid.
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March 20, 2010 11:03 p.m. GI_Drewsifer Reader
GI_Drewsifer wrote:
This is an awesomely bad idea.
I mean that in a good way.
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March 20, 2010 11:52 p.m. NYG95GA UltraDork
Speaking of rear-mounted Toranado engines, there was a local guy who got a wild hair and put one in a tube framed brush buggy. It turned out pretty well, except for one: the steering worked, as did the throttle.
Just not both at the same time. Front end just wouldn't stay on the ground, even at moderate throttle.
Doh!
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March 21, 2010 1:50 a.m. Appleseed Dork
Meh...until you put 2 Toranado drive trains in your car, your not as cool as this:
http://www.oldsclub.org/JWO/TheHairyHurstOlds/hairy_hurst_olds.htm
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March 21, 2010 1:57 a.m. Opus Dork
Knurled wrote:
In reply to 96DXCivic:
Seen it done, in an issue of Car Craft in the mid-80's.
The cool thing was, there was a 283 still under the hood.
it was there for ballast.
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March 21, 2010 5:27 a.m. Appleseed Dork
Too many "big" engines fell to the guns of the 283 during the Super Stock wars of the 60s for that that to be true
