Re: V8 vega
 

Had a 72 Vega wagon back in the early eighties with a 327 turbo 350 and a 8 3/4 Chrysler rear end. Bought the Hooker kit with mounts and headers. Was a really fun car to drive. Was one of the fastest cars in town at the time. I ran low a low 13 at the track with street tires and full exhaust. Sounds slow now but was a lot of fun. I worked at a machine shop and sleeved several Vega motors. My dad had a 73 wagon that was fully loaded for a Vega and he loved the car. My brother and I are still trying to find a Cosworth Vega that's in nice shape for a reasonable price. GM performance even had a whole section in the catalog dedicated to the Cosworth motor. I know the Vega wasn't the greatest car but the Cosworth could really perform for only 122 ci.!! Even some of the old POS'S still had some rare one's that are worth something!!
.Almost forgot. My wagon had a flat factory hood!

Re: V8 vega
 

Back when I had the Vega I wanted to paint it gold and black like a cosworth. I never went for a ride in a cosworth but always thought a stock Vega engine was a terrible running engine. The Vega guy always said they were great engines after being sleeved but never heard one run after that being done.I remember while installing the sleeves thinking I?d much rather be spending my time improving something other than a Vega engine.

Re: V8 vega
 

I did, it was a POS.

Re: V8 vega
 

you're not trying to hard!

Step right up and buy this great example of a POS whose "performance" was

0 - 60 mph: 7.7 sec
1/4-Mile: 16.2 sec @ 85 mph
100 mph: 34.5 sec

WOW :rolleyes:

https://www.classicautomall.com/vehi...vega-hatchback

Re: V8 vega
 

0 - 60 mph: 7.7 sec
1/4-Mile: 16.2 sec @ 85 mph
100 mph: 34.5 sec

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ wasn't slow in 1975-76.

Re: V8 vega
 

Billy, Jim Cassels had a Cosworth sometime in the last decade or so and wondered about its potential in what I think was V/S or so. He opened up the exhaust, took it to South Georgia and it ran within a few tics of the index, bone stock other than the exhaust.

I tuned in to see what was being said about the V8 conversions but i saw a picture of a big block engine in what looked like a F body or was it a Vega?

Re: V8 vega
 

Car and Driver said that 7.7 sec was the fastest of the year. They also said that it's balance was excellent. You have to remember what cars were like at the time. Also a sleeved one would run real nice and could easily go 100,000 miles or more if you didn't live in the rust belt!!

Re: V8 vega
 

Hi Mr. Parker! Ya know, another prominent Racer was talking to me just a couple of weeks ago about doing a Cosworth Vega! Coincidence?
It's a T-U-V car, stick only. Probably the hardest part about doing the car (other than the parts it would take and the car itself) would be getting enough gear in a 12 bolt without having to resort to short tires which might cause traction problems. Maybe a Dana 44?
Maybe an under-drive trans?
If it were done correctly, it would probably fly!

Re: V8 vega
 

Billy
I have a 5.89 for a Dana 44 sitting in the garage - if that project ever happens!

1051 stk Bob Salemi

Re: V8 vega
 

I got a 12 bolt with a 5.86 just rusting and collecting dust..


Stan

Re: V8 vega
 

They were not cheap, but a while back there were TWO Cosworth Vegas down here, one running, one not, both in decent shape, last price was $4500.

Re: V8 vega
 

I'm not certain (I haven't done any math) but I'm pretty sure that a Cosworth Vega would need a lot more gear than that.
But I'll keep that 12 bolt in mind.

Re: V8 vega
 

Brother John and I both had Vegas back in the days. He drove his 1 1/2 hour each way to work. I drove mine 1 hour each way to work. His was a 4 speed oil smoking 75, mine was a 5 speed non-oil smoking 76. GM sleeved that motor for the 76-model year to solve the aluminum block oil issues. You talk about a tail wagging event driving those cars in deep snow! Always put studded snow tires on but the only thing going for them was the lack of HP. That actually helped them a little in the snow. Mine went 125 thousand before the body was about to fall on the ground from all the salt used on Ohio roads. Johns went 50 or 60 thousand before he got tired of feeding it oil. One of my best friends (we still to this day do music trivia every Monday night at a local pub) had a 350/370 HP out of a 70 Corvette in his. Never forget driving that thing. It did NOT handle those speeds very well. All engine, no chassis. But that was common back then. Kronenbitter back halved it in the late 80's and now its a local bracket car here in Ohio. It's for sale, lol

Re: V8 vega
 

Thanks for proving my point that it was a POS.

Re: V8 vega
 

Bill,

That rear has basically just been seating for many years. Today when someone was picking up some parts, he saw it and ask if it was for sell, and now it is gone.


Stan

Re: V8 vega
 

Seeing how I’m the op guess I can ask another question. How many people on here have meet Ed in person on this site and if so is he the same in person as on the internet? I traded a few punches with him on another thread then decided I’ve never meet him so I was going to stop talking bad about him and I’ve read other places he’s ok in person. I think he just likes jerking your chain for replies but maybe he’s just a jerk. With everyone that dislikes him on the internet I’d think he’s purty funny looking in person wearing his azz for a hat from it constantly being punted up there. Seems he always wants to make every thread about whatever the subject is and him.
Terry

Re: V8 vega
 

I met him at Indy a couple years ago, and we had a decent conversation.

I?m not much of a fan of the online persona, but don?t think I?ve ever gotten into it with him either.

Re: V8 vega
 

Although I have never met E.D., I would bet everything in my wallet that he is a FAT Fuch…..He sure is proud of his ( ) car…..

Re: V8 vega
 

While I have seen many nice V-8 Vega's on the street, drag and drive and on the strip I had a friend that said GM named them a Vega because they vaguely resembled a real car.

Re: V8 vega
 

Ed?s the same dik in person as he is on the internet
But we are friends
He can?t help himself on the internet
No manners required

Re: V8 vega
 

Thought so but I’m still going to stay out of arguments. If Dragnet ever makes a comeback I’m voting Ed for sergeant Friday nothing but the facts!

Re: V8 vega
 

James, I'm no more a dik than you are, we have strong opinions, we're not afraid to speak our minds and don't care who doesn't like it. That said, we go back a long time from the Island Dragway days and I'd like to think we're still friends.

Re: V8 vega
 

James, I haven't met you in or Ed in person. I don't find that you're being a dik on CR. The few posts we've both interacted in like the Willing To Hold...Again thread. I found you respectful. I also glanced over a year of your posts. I found you respectful there also.

If a person is being a dik, they earned how they get treated back. ;)

1700/781L :)

Re: V8 vega
 

Ed, that is tight, but it sure looks nice!

Re: V8 vega
 

Thank you. Tight is fine when everything fits just right. It requires a well thought out plan and execution. The devil is in the details.

Re: V8 vega
 

Just noted this thread tonight and had a good laugh. In 1980 one of my best high school buddies swapped a 265 horse 400 SBC and powerglide with his older brother's help into a 76 hatchback Vega street machine-style with a 12 bolt and 4:11 gears. Hooker Headers with Thrush glasspacks hanging low and Gabriel air shocks. Slotted ET mags on Cooper 70 series bias plys on the back, skinnies on the front. The car was an absolute riot off the line and would smoke the tires like a 60's top fueler but stopping and turning was definitely white-knuckle. Great times and great memories...

Re: V8 vega
 

I've never seen it done this way.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/42WUzvWg4Pb4dQUi/

Merry Christmas, Ray

Re: V8 vega
 

Bugley is always so cheerful, wonder if he's still playing with that E Jr. dragster.