Originally Posted by tqracer65:
Bob do you know of anybody around here that can convert a stock injection over to methanol reasonably? that is the big thing we have found expense wise, still cheaper than the honda though. The stock oiling system and everything is strong enough if you strip out the transmission and keep teh stock stuff. Having talked with some engine builders, this seems to be a reasonable way of putting one together without cutting the block yes a little more weight but not enough really if you get the realiability of an engine not 35 years old. We have found some micro companies that are doing conversions for 1300 to around 2000 for getting ecm reprogrammed and whatever else they do mapping fuel system etc...
TQ65, when I started this project, my intentions were to be able to use as much off the old Honda as I could, to keep the cost down. I peeled everthing off that had been added, and found that with just a bit of tweeking, I could use the pump drive, the ignition, the injection, and with some cutting and welding, also the headers. I would need a new engine adapter, crank adapter was the same, so that's what I ran with, so I didn't have to start all over with the electrical or fueling system, even run the same pill sizes, I figured the less I have to depend on someone else, this would also keep the costs down. Myself, unless it was an easy thing to do, that I could easily do, I'd go with the Hilborn. If you are running the Honda carbs, put them on, they don't know the difference what engine they are on, but personally, I'd steer clear of the factory FI, that's one reason they put another set of injectors up in the top of the air cleaner, one set is not enough. And, speaking of power to weight, these engines are good for about 120-130 hp, so with even a car and driver weight of 800 lbs, the p/w is only about 6lbs per hp, where with a sprint car, at 1362 and a 200 lb driver, and what will that 355 make, 700hp, you're down to just over 2lbs per hp, HuH, will that make a difference? Bob!
---------- Post added at 10:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:12 AM ----------
TQ65, what engine are you looking at to use as a base? There aren't many that will serve our purpose, as effectivley as others, also, trying to get to use the stock oil pan may be a trick in itself, most of them are about 4in deep, and that may cause you to have to relocate the engine too high in the chassis, and raise the roll center too high. Also, there is the driveline to be concerned with, with the higher RPM needed to get the Hp out of these modern engines, drive shaft speed becomes a big concern, as well as tire size, and available gear ratios, that's another big factor in the engine I chose. Bob!
