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  • Nov. 10, 2009 1:18 p.m. stoptheeconobox New Reader

    if you took this Olds Cutlass and added a 426 hemi, wouldn't that equal a sleeper?

  • Gearheadotaku

    Nov. 10, 2009 1:23 p.m. Gearheadotaku Reader

    yes it would. However I'd rather use a Olds 500 inch "rocket block" if memory seves, its a BB olds sold only over the counter for drag racing. olds 455 a good second choice, and way cheaper.

  • Kia_racer

    Nov. 10, 2009 1:26 p.m. Kia_racer Reader

    You used to be able to buy an aluminium block 426 from MOPAR.

  • ultraclyde

    Nov. 10, 2009 1:40 p.m. ultraclyde Reader

    Go with a 454 Chevy bored out to 502 - easily available as a brand-new-with-warranty crate motor from GM. Bolts right in with the correct engine mounts. FWIW - local guy somewhere has a box chevy caprice stripped and caged running 10s in the quarter with 454 and spray. outside looks --fairly-- stock

  • tuna55

    Nov. 10, 2009 1:51 p.m. tuna55 Reader

    Hemis aren't that great when compared to modern engines of comparable size. They sure are a heck of a lot heavier. The heads are what they had going for them back in the 60s and 70s, but modern heads have caught up, and now it's just another big block, but heavier, and cooler.

    The above represents the opinions of Tuna and only Tuna.

  • stuart in mn

    Nov. 10, 2009 1:56 p.m. stuart in mn SuperDork

    For the cost of a hemi you could instead put in a modern GM LS engine. You'd have as much or more horsepower, it would weigh a LOT less, and you'll have enough money left over to upgrade the chassis (which on that car will accept many Impala SS/9C1 components.)

  • cwh

    Nov. 10, 2009 1:59 p.m. cwh SuperDork

    And I would imagine that a junkyard LS1 would be considerably cheaper. True HEMIs are pricy.

  • ReverendDexter

    Nov. 10, 2009 2:08 p.m. ReverendDexter HalfDork

    +1 on not using a Hemi. Unless it was a case of having one laying around, in which case I'd sell it, as you could buy an LS1, all the parts you need for the swap, and a couple Miatas for what it'd sell for.

  • belteshazzar

    Nov. 10, 2009 2:29 p.m. belteshazzar SuperDork

    that brings to mind the question, why are the modern hemi motors not as popular for swaps as the gm LS-series? there have to be plenty of dead rams and magnums etc in the yards by now.

  • stuart in mn

    Nov. 10, 2009 2:53 p.m. stuart in mn SuperDork

    The LS engines were here first before the modern hemi came along, so the aftermarket's already ramped up with conversion kits and such. On top of that there are simply a lot more LS engines around so there's economy of scale. Finally, I'm not sure of this but I think the LS is probably just a better engine - I find it amazing they can make so much power, while at the same time still have good manners and get decent mileage.

  • Nov. 10, 2009 2:57 p.m. stoptheeconobox New Reader

    ok. so, no hemi. would a viper v10 fit?

  • bamalama

    Nov. 10, 2009 2:59 p.m. bamalama Reader

    Most of those have Buick 3.8s in them, so swap a Grand National drivetrain into it and be done.

  • ReverendDexter

    Nov. 10, 2009 3:02 p.m. ReverendDexter HalfDork

    stoptheeconobox wrote:

    ok. so, no hemi. would a viper v10 fit?

    Sure it'd fit, but again, you're talking about a rare (read: expensive) motor with a limited (read: expensive) aftermarket.

    From the sounds of things you're a Mopar guy and stuck with a Chevy?

  • RossD

    Nov. 10, 2009 3:04 p.m. RossD HalfDork

    Did the modern hemi come in an aluminum block?

  • Nov. 10, 2009 3:08 p.m. stoptheeconobox New Reader

    okay, the viper's expensive. how's about a 5.0 bored to 6.0 with edelbrock heads?

  • ReverendDexter

    Nov. 10, 2009 3:12 p.m. ReverendDexter HalfDork

    stoptheeconobox wrote:

    okay, the viper's expensive. how's about a 5.0 bored to 6.0 with edelbrock heads?

    5.0 as in 5.0 Ford? They don't bore out that big, 5.7L is the most I've ever seen out of one. 351Ws can be taken out to a 7.0L, though.

    Why Edelbrock, though? Trickflow heads are supposedly the best when it comes to making power.

    Why not just build an SBC? It'll bolt in, be RIDICULOUS cheap, and make as much, if not more, power as anything you've mentioned. Especially if you do a 383 stroker.

  • Nov. 10, 2009 3:16 p.m. stoptheeconobox New Reader

    how's about a 7.0 vette zr6 engine from the junkyard?

  • gamby

    Nov. 10, 2009 3:35 p.m. gamby UberDork

    stoptheeconobox wrote:

    ok. so, no hemi. would a viper v10 fit?

    TDi V10 from another active thread?

    http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/vw-tdi-v10-twin-turbo-motor-closeout/15...

  • bamalama

    Nov. 10, 2009 3:36 p.m. bamalama Reader

    stoptheeconobox wrote:

    how's about a 7.0 vette zr6 engine from the junkyard?

    yeah, from what I hear there is an endless supply of those things out there.

  • Nov. 10, 2009 8:06 p.m. TIGMOTORSPORTS New Reader

    The LS motor aftermarket is big. The gas mileage would be decent also. Lots of 5.3 truck motors out there.

    If these came with Olds 350s' - the Olds 455 will bolt right in the same location.

  • 96DXCivic

    Nov. 10, 2009 9:20 p.m. 96DXCivic HalfDork

    Ok. I know old Hemi's are as powerful or as light as a LS1 and they are more expensive. But they are just so much cooler. If you have the money to get a Hemi I say do it.

  • Schmidlap

    Nov. 10, 2009 9:43 p.m. Schmidlap Reader

    RossD wrote:

    Did the modern hemi come in an aluminum block?

    I don't think so. I don't think they were available with a manual transmission either until the Challenger came along (I think even the trucks were all automatic, though I could be wrong). That probably hurts the swap enthusiasm a little, although I guess they were only introduced in 2005, so we should give them a little time.

    Chrysler has sold a huge number of these engines though, so hopefully they'll start turning up in junkyards for cheap. (Car-part.com says ~$1800 and up for the car version of the 5.7L, $1200 and up for the truck version. I guess that is pretty cheap for a 4 year old, 350hp engine).

    Bob

  • Appleseed

    Nov. 10, 2009 11:27 p.m. Appleseed Dork

    New Hemis have bastard electronics. Not like the ease of the LS swap. Hell, GM has made it so easy, its like they want you to put it into everything.

    Hemis guys and electrons don't usually co-habitate.

  • 2002maniac

    Nov. 11, 2009 12:24 a.m. 2002maniac Reader

    stuff an echo under the hood

  • Nov. 13, 2009 10:39 a.m. stoptheeconobox New Reader

    how's about a 6.1 out of a junked charger srt8 i found.

 

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