• Marc
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Re: I'm a sucker for high displacement engines, this time it's a 6.9L benz

Judge Phil wrote:

If you used an old Toyota pickup, you could do a Khyber Pass theme, complete with a dozen animatronic mujahideen brandishing AKs in the back. Maybe with nice WE (heart) REAGAN emblems on the doors.

That would be a funny theme, and we may do it for BS inspection with real people. but as this will also be a regularly street driven car i might avoid excessive theme decorations beyond paint.

I know it's not as much fun for you guys, but this thing sounds like it will be an absolute blast to drive so i want to leave my street options open.

  • From: Land Of Subarus, Colorado
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Re: I'm a sucker for high displacement engines, this time it's a 6.9L benz

http://images.craigslist.org/00M0M_ggBy3fXUYkc_600x450.jpg

Shortened S10 frame, this '59 Morris Minor Traveller body, DOMINATION.

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28 Reply by Marc (edited by Marc 2014-03-09 06:17 PM)

  • Marc
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Re: I'm a sucker for high displacement engines, this time it's a 6.9L benz

nothing says overkill like jamming an engine with 7.2x more displacement than the factory intended smile

but using the battery there as scale i just don't think the engine would fit in there:
http://mmoc.org.uk/mbimage.php?src=1258238383_44


i'll contact them to get pictures of the floor rot and dimensions on the engine bay.

at least it is nearby!

*edit* i did not see the other pictures on the add on my phone. that floorboard is swiss cheese and i'm going to have to pass on that one for this project.

29 Reply by NSF

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Re: I'm a sucker for high displacement engines, this time it's a 6.9L benz

Can't seem to find the title.  Is it in the glovebox?

This space for rent.

30 Reply by NSF

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Re: I'm a sucker for high displacement engines, this time it's a 6.9L benz

Oh wait the glovebox is gone.  I'll keep looking.

This space for rent.
  • FJ40Jim
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Re: I'm a sucker for high displacement engines, this time it's a 6.9L benz

Marc wrote:

I just don't do automatics. I hate them with every bit of my being. everything i own, even my 1 ton tow rig is a manual. so this race car isn't going to be any different.  I know i take this to an extreme, but it is what it is. i may be talked into a different trans, but i have -$100 in this one, so it's a good place to start.

I'm totally with you there, brotha'.  I had an automatic truck.  Once.

as for an FJ40, i'd do that instead of a jeep in a heart beat, any idea where i can find a frame and body without excessive rot for around $500?

Without excessive rot?  Nope.

Keeping in mind that stock floors and bedsides are all flat metal w/ the occasional 90* break, and the floor is gonna be all chopped up to clear the drivetrain and IRS, does the donor really need solid floors?  IMHO all you need is the sides and the dash/cowl to give the shape, then channel that body down over the new running gear.
The frames are usually pretty solid, except for rust issues in the last foot or so.  Same deal, you're gonna wanna rebuild the last couple feet of frame to get around the IRS and transaxle anyway. 

If you're interested, PM me and I can show you the junk laying behind the shop.  There may be enough there to build a rat rod that has FJ40 shapes.

Jim C.
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08TMS.09NL.10GM, SP, NL.11SP, NL.12SP, VIR, NL.13GM, NJ.14NJ, VIR, WGI.15AB.16GM.17NCM.18GM.19...
  • From: Elburn, IL
  • Registered: 2010-12-16
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Re: I'm a sucker for high displacement engines, this time it's a 6.9L benz

I want to say that the Ford Tempo and Ford Ranger are both between 90" and 100".

And we all know that the Ford Tempo was a Real Driver's Car.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4Ws_Bp7WYA

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  • Marc
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Re: I'm a sucker for high displacement engines, this time it's a 6.9L benz

Racin_G73 wrote:

I want to say that the Ford Tempo and Ford Ranger are both between 90" and 100".

And we all know that the Ford Tempo was a Real Driver's Car.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4Ws_Bp7WYA

as funny as shoehorning this thing in a tempo would be, the work would simply not be worth the effort in the end. its a meh joke with way too much work in the delivery smile


FJ40Jim wrote:
Marc wrote:

I just don't do automatics. I hate them with every bit of my being. everything i own, even my 1 ton tow rig is a manual. so this race car isn't going to be any different.  I know i take this to an extreme, but it is what it is. i may be talked into a different trans, but i have -$100 in this one, so it's a good place to start.

I'm totally with you there, brotha'.  I had an automatic truck.  Once.

as for an FJ40, i'd do that instead of a jeep in a heart beat, any idea where i can find a frame and body without excessive rot for around $500?

Without excessive rot?  Nope.

Keeping in mind that stock floors and bedsides are all flat metal w/ the occasional 90* break, and the floor is gonna be all chopped up to clear the drivetrain and IRS, does the donor really need solid floors?  IMHO all you need is the sides and the dash/cowl to give the shape, then channel that body down over the new running gear.
The frames are usually pretty solid, except for rust issues in the last foot or so.  Same deal, you're gonna wanna rebuild the last couple feet of frame to get around the IRS and transaxle anyway. 

If you're interested, PM me and I can show you the junk laying behind the shop.  There may be enough there to build a rat rod that has FJ40 shapes.

i'd put up with quite a bit more work for an FJ40. I'll send you a PM shortly and maybe we can work something out.

34 Reply by BoB (edited by BoB 2014-03-11 10:09 AM)

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Re: I'm a sucker for high displacement engines, this time it's a 6.9L benz

How about a completely seperate AMC sibling  http://decatur.craigslist.org/cto/4353259114.html

$600 but supposedly a good engine you can sell  trans not so good.  And according to this the weight is 3020lb. which puts it a little more or less than a yj jeep depending on year and motor, and less then the newer ones.

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  • Marc
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Re: I'm a sucker for high displacement engines, this time it's a 6.9L benz

BoB wrote:

How about a completely seperate AMC sibling  http://decatur.craigslist.org/cto/4353259114.html

$600 but supposedly a good engine you can sell  trans not so good.  And according to this the weight is 3020lb. which puts it a little more or less than a yj jeep depending on year and motor, and less then the newer ones.

I'm working with Jim (FJ40Jim) right now. he's got a body in surprisingly good shape. it's still got rot, but it looks much more repairable than the Mercedes 450SEL i'm snagging the engine from.

I'm excited at the idea of using an FJ40 for this.

36 Reply by Marc (edited by Marc 2014-03-11 04:29 PM)

  • Marc
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Re: I'm a sucker for high displacement engines, this time it's a 6.9L benz

alright guys, I've made up my mind 99% unless someone came come up with a compelling argument against it. Jim is giving me an amazing deal on this FJ40, it'll need some love, but it's in much better shape than the Mercedes and it looks quite salvageable. the main area of floor missing, driver's floor is available as a replacement panel for about $120 or so and Jim is leaving more than enough room in the price to buy that panel and fit in the budget.

The pictures are big so i'm only embedding one, click the links to see the others:
http://frankensteinmotorworks.com/6.9LBenz/DSC08431.JPG
http://frankensteinmotorworks.com/6.9LBenz/DSC08434.JPG
http://frankensteinmotorworks.com/6.9LBenz/DSC08437.JPG
http://frankensteinmotorworks.com/6.9LBenz/DSC08438.JPG
http://frankensteinmotorworks.com/6.9LBenz/DSC08440.JPG
http://frankensteinmotorworks.com/6.9LBenz/DSC08441.JPG
http://frankensteinmotorworks.com/6.9LBenz/DSC08445.JPG
http://frankensteinmotorworks.com/6.9LBenz/DSC08446.JPG

I just have to check with TEO to confirm that the rear frame repairs won't affect the crumple zone rule.

(oh and the killer price is just for the frame and body, he's keeping the other bits)

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Re: I'm a sucker for high displacement engines, this time it's a 6.9L benz

FJ40? $500 CAR MY ASS!1!

http://bringatrailer.com/2012/08/01/bat … iser-fj40/

All in fun!

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  • FJ40Jim
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Re: I'm a sucker for high displacement engines, this time it's a 6.9L benz

No kidding.  I used to be able to round up $400 rustbuckets like this every week.  Not anymore.

This article gives me a sad.,  Especially #3.
http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2014 … ming-year/

Jim C.
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  • From: Columbus, OH
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Re: I'm a sucker for high displacement engines, this time it's a 6.9L benz

Who could come up with a compelling argument against a road race FJ40?  It doesn't exist.  If you're comfortable with the amount of work required then it is the best option ever.

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  • Marc
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Re: I'm a sucker for high displacement engines, this time it's a 6.9L benz

yeah, honestly i can't believe i can get into an FJ40 for this cheap. it was something me and my teammates had discussed a while back but abandoned the idea due to the high price.

road race FJ40 smile

I think i'm just going to call it Frankenstein's Monster (my company is Frankenstein Motorworks)

So far we have:
Toyota
Audi
Porsche
Mercedes

But i suspect we can get a few other manufacturers in there before the thing is done smile

41 Reply by BoB

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Re: I'm a sucker for high displacement engines, this time it's a 6.9L benz

My only argument is I want to see the Jetcar, once that is done I really don't care.

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  • Marc
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Re: I'm a sucker for high displacement engines, this time it's a 6.9L benz

BoB wrote:

My only argument is I want to see the Jetcar, once that is done I really don't care.

The jet car will come. but right now i don't have the facilities to work on it effectively. the FJ40 is something i can do in the garage.

as soon as i build a proper shop again, the jet car build will resume.

  • Registered: 2010-09-14
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Re: I'm a sucker for high displacement engines, this time it's a 6.9L benz

Would vote a higher weight on the engine, closer to 700 would be my guess.  Mechanic had to borrow a stouter engine lift as his was bending, and if we set my 6.3 engine on the ground it would crack the oil pan (again).  Star Motors in NY, that restores the 6.3s and the 600 Pullman "the phone in my limo's is busted" Limos uses a forklift to pull the engines.

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  • From: Land Of Subarus, Colorado
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Re: I'm a sucker for high displacement engines, this time it's a 6.9L benz

I guarantee you that many Car and Driver readers will be outraged by the OBVIOUS VIOLATION OF THE $500 BUDGET RULE in this car. I still get angry emails about what bullshit it was that we allowed the Cessna and the Rolls to race.

Something is wrong with people.

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  • Marc
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Re: I'm a sucker for high displacement engines, this time it's a 6.9L benz

Judge Phil wrote:

I guarantee you that many Car and Driver readers will be outraged by the OBVIOUS VIOLATION OF THE $500 BUDGET RULE in this car. I still get angry emails about what bullshit it was that we allowed the Cessna and the Rolls to race.

Something is wrong with people.

good news to those bitching about expensive parts!

the hydropneumatic system is in mint shape! and the ride height adjustment system is stupidly simple. it's just a clamp that goes on in the middle of the sway bar. move the clamp and the car maintains the new height.

This car is a mess of hydraulic, fuel and vacuum hoses. this may be the genesis of the flying spaghetti monster.

  • Marc
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Re: I'm a sucker for high displacement engines, this time it's a 6.9L benz

rare 2.65:1 limited slip diff:
http://frankensteinmotorworks.com/6.9LBenz/ls%202.652.JPG

+$300 to budget, looks like $500-600 is market value for these, but someone approached me and i'd rather take it now than hold onto this forever.

Total budget so far: ~$350 ahead, $850 left to spend.

Now, to see if i can find a taker for the transmission smile

  • Marc
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Re: I'm a sucker for high displacement engines, this time it's a 6.9L benz

I'm sorry you guys can't hear this thing yet. i had to cut the mufflers off to remove the differential and i went ahead and started it without mufflers. it's just an amazing sound and i will do my best to preserve it on the FJ40.

on the last two cars i've built I put a resonator instead of a muffler. centered around 135Hz you can eliminate a bunch of sound pressure without affecting the note. I'll probably try the same thing here, one on each bank.

  • From: Villa Park, IL
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Re: I'm a sucker for high displacement engines, this time it's a 6.9L benz

Is there a particular race that you're hoping to debut this thing at? I want to be there for it.

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  • Marc
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Re: I'm a sucker for high displacement engines, this time it's a 6.9L benz

It's a rough guess, but probably the 2nd gingerman race this year. but if it works as intended, we will campaign this vehicle for several races.

  • Marc
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Re: I'm a sucker for high displacement engines, this time it's a 6.9L benz

well, the local trans shop is offering me $250 for the trans core. I'm hoping for a bit more, but i'm not sure it'll happen. and the chassis is worth 11.25cents a pound right now minus the $20 for 4 tires. so around $375 if i can get the title. otherwise i found someone that will deal with that mess and give me $100 for the chassis.

so at worse i'm looking at $1200 left to spend on the build. i need to tune up the 6.9L engine, potentially do a timing chain change. i'll need to buy some axles to modify to make the miata/944 transaxle work together and i also need to patch the floor of the FJ back together. i also need a miata steering box and a steering column. i think it's enough money but not 100% sure and i won't have any other opportunities to bring more money for the budget in later. here's hoping the title can be found, it'll bring the number much closer to $1500 and i know that is enough for this build.

there's also a bunch of budget exempt stuff that needs to be spent. the miata suspension has no brakes, i need a pair of seats, the cage, steering tie-rods, a front bumper, wheels, tires and a bunch of other things.