Need new project.....3.2ss????
 

In desperate need of a new project and thought i'd try my hand at engine building. I may end up converting my current carrera race car into a street sleeper (pre-74 long hood) and will need to replace the race motor for a streetable monster.

Looking for any and all help spec'ing this motor, including what to build, what parts to use and what to start with. The only things i know for sure right now are:

NA (no turbo)
Single plug
Carrera intake (no carbs or CIS)

What should i do? Dont have any HP/torque requirements, dont care if its a 3.2, just want to build an engine that will be a blast to drive on the street!

(note: it will be mated to a monster G50 so power transer is a non-issue)

Hi,

While I can't tell you what you should do here, I can offer a recommendation to consider CA 91 pump gas in your build so it runs safely with single ignition.

I see many folks building neat engines which require better gas than they can afford or have access to. :) :)

Steve,

Would you still use 9.8/1 piston compression ratio as your limit for single plugging?

Yes, provided I had 92 or better fuel. For 91, I'd keep that down to 9.5:1 to allow decent ignition timing.

With the lower octane gas and single ignition I would consider putting in a J&S Safeguard antiknock system as a way to protect your investment

Dennis

For street driving, I would suggest the largest size engine you can build....more cc's = easier in town torque.
Bob

Subscribed... This could be interesting.

Why no twin plug? Makes life a lot easier when HP is the name of the game.

50% to keep the costs down,50% because id like to do as much work as possible myself. This will be a "hobby" engine, so it wont be plug and forget it. HP is not my goal and is actually pretty far down the list. First priority is spirit/fun, next is torque, then reliability and finally HP.

Open to any and all suggestions, but want to stay will a 3.0/3.2 case.

Forgot to mention, if it puts the fun factor through the roof i have no probelm running this thing on 98 or higher octane.....it will just limit my driving radius.

Current race motor runs on leaded mix, new race motor runs on 91 so net net id be square!