X /Stock ?

[RickF]

Any drawbacks to running a stick?

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by RickF

Any drawbacks to running a stick?

There wouldn't be any for me.
Use a 2wd V6 8.5 rear. I'd go with a spool and axles, but I've been known to break stuff that's not known to break with a 4 cylinder.
You could use a slick shifted T5 with 5th removed. Aftermarket shifter, and a good brand diaphragm clutch.
Of course, some would be tempted to want to use a Jerico and a high zoot multiple disc small clutch, and a steel bell, but that would kinda defeat the dime rocket course of action, the way I see it.

[RickF]

Mark, I appreciate the info. Do you know any engine shops familiar with the 4 cyl.? The tech. specs. show it with a throttle body, what needs to be done with the electronics? Thanks again.

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by RickF

Mark, I appreciate the info. Do you know any engine shops familiar with the 4 cyl.? The tech. specs. show it with a throttle body, what needs to be done with the electronics? Thanks again.

If I was going to do one of these, and I didn't want to start with a complete truck, I'd look for a complete engine at the monthly U pull it engine sale. I'd take it apart and see what I had. There's no piston approved so I'd look for some OEM .020 over ones on Ebay. There's no rod and piston weight spec, so that's a big plus, if you get my drift.
I'm pretty sure it's a thinner mm ring set. I'd call Kevin at Total Seal and see if we could match something up for a low drag set.
Nobody is going to have a torque plate, so I'd fill the block way up there, and bolt the head back on and let it sit there. Then I'd have someone who knows how to hone a block, give me about .003 piston to wall.. Balance it, deck it, and your short block is done.
Have somebody that does currently legal NHRA heads, give it a work over..Nothing too fancy. I'd call Chris Padgitt @ Bullit for a cam.
Notice I'm telling you how I would do it, personally. To me ,that's part of the fun of building these lower class dime rockets.
As far as recommending someone to take on the whole engine build, I have no idea.
Maybe someone here will speak up..
I think you have to send the whole computer out to someone like Ed Wright, who will remove all the limiters and give it some more fuel and timing. You're going to have to keep the duration down and the vacuum up, if you want to keep within the constraints of an OEM computer.
From here, you know where I am,

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by RickF

The tech. specs. show it with a throttle body, what needs to be done with the electronics? Thanks again.

I just noticed this.
The throttle body spec is for the air inlet. However, it is not a wet throttle body.
It is PFI (port fuel injection)..Remember what I said about the modern, torque inducing design.

[Dwight Southerland]

There was one of these built and raced in the Memphis are way back in the 1990s. It was very fast then.

[Mark Yacavone]

See thread in S/SS section that used to be at the top of the pile on this site ;-)

[Mark Yacavone]

Oh yes... One more "tech" item.

Local, name brand pump gas allowed.

(This is supposed to be an entry level class..whatever that means)