Jim Kelly's V8 re-conversion Options

[scotty b]

Jim dropped his car off to have me re-do the V8 ( 307 ) install he and Rod did a few years ago. This time around it will be getting the complete Renegade treatment, a new set of Dr. Sheas handi work. Elephant poly bronze bushings, sway bars, 108 c.v.'s. Some BIG ass sway away axles, and a lot of cleaning / detailing. I got started last friday pulling the engine and trans at the last minute before leaving for Matts party. Dr. Evil was going to do a quilie rebuild prior to the party's start. Once we opened up the box, the truth became known. Unfortunaely Jim's intermediate plate was shot. One of the worst Mikes has seen, so Mike took the stack back home to install a good plate, and do the gear swapping. I got to the shop today to find most of the area was tornm to shreds from Irene, so without power or water I couldn't do much other than tear the engine most of the way down. No way to get the flywheel ff until I have power back on so I can' mount it on an engine stand yet (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) I was in such a rush on friday I didn't get any pics of the whole car so you'll just have to deal with what I took today (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I must say, this car IMHO has the PERFECT amount of horsepower. Enought to smoke the tires for the redneck in all of us, BUT it is very controlable, and can take off from a dead stop without lighting the rubber up. BOLTS in a straight line and still hangs onto the apex like a 914 should and sounds like a mythological beast in heat. This is the best of both worlds (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif) I am hooked (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[jimkelly]

it is definitley best to do it right the first time.

i'll be about about $12k into mine after scott is done.

look at this list - not of my car but in general to do a 914 v8.

numbers are a mess and do not include most labor.

$2000 914 roller
$2000 complete sand blast
$2000 metal work
$3000 paint and body
$2000 suspension and brakes parts
$1000 all new weather rubber
$300 front and rear sway bars
$500 fiberglass bumpers
$500 new tires
$500 polished wheels
$3500 complete crate sbc 350
$3000 renegade kit and cooling
$200 elec fuel pump and filter
$300-$600 headers exhaust and mufflers
$290 engman inner long kit
$500-$800 rebuilt trans

$21k+- total cost for narrow body, stock suspension
$26k+- total cost for wide body, 911 front suspension

for wide body add ... $3000 steel flares - or - (about $1500 fiber flares)
$1000 911 front suspension
$200 914 rear drilled for 5 lug
$1000 metal flares (plus install)
$500 5 lug wheels

+interior
+headlight mechanism rebuild
+new glass
+new lenses
+new harnesses - find fabricator

[stewteral]

it is definitley best to do it right the first time.

i'll be about about $12k into mine after scott is done.

look at this list - not of my car but in general to do a 914 v8.

numbers are a mess and do not include most labor.

$2000 914 roller
$2000 complete sand blast
$2000 metal work
$3000 paint and body
$2000 suspension and brakes parts
$1000 all new weather rubber
$300 front and rear sway bars
$500 fiberglass bumpers
$500 new tires
$500 polished wheels
$3500 complete crate sbc 350
$3000 renegade kit and cooling
$200 elec fuel pump and filter
$300-$600 headers exhaust and mufflers
$600 engman inner long kit installed
$800 rebuilt trans

$21.7k total cost for narrow body, stock suspension
$26.7k total cost for wide body, 911 front suspension

for wide body add ... $3000 steel flares - or - (about $1500 fiber flares)
$1000 911 front suspension
$200 914 rear drilled for 5 lug
$3000 metal flares $800 and installed properly.
$500 5 lug wheels

+interior
+headlight mechanism rebuild
+new glass
+new lenses
+new harnesses - find fabricator

Hi Jim,

It appears you're doing a great job on your conversion car and willing to invest the $$

A couple questions:
-with only 200 HP, aren't you itching to pump a few more out with a mild cam?
I've heard a rule-of-thumb that the 901 can take 300 - 350 reliably.

-Of course, the next question: do you have any idea how your trans plate was beat up so badly? I'm interested in your experience and what you think is the max safe HP (Torque, actually) that the 901 trans can take.

Also, if you've chewed up a stock plate, and say you want to do things right the first time, what about going for the much stronger after-market bearing plate?

Best,
Terry

[scotty b]

[quote name='stewteral' date='Aug 30 2011, 03:24 PM' post='1532342']
[quote name='jimkelly' post='1532123' date='Aug 30 2011, 06:52 AM']


A couple questions:
-with only 200 HP, aren't you itching to pump a few more out with a mild cam?
I've heard a rule-of-thumb that the 901 can take 300 - 350 reliably.

-Of course, the next question: do you have any idea how your trans plate was beat up so badly? I'm interested in your experience and what you think is the max safe HP (Torque, actually) that the 901 trans can take.

Also, if you've chewed up a stock plate, and say you want to do things right the first time, what about going for the much stronger after-market bearing plate?

Best,
Terry
[/quote]

Terry if you took a ride in Jim's car I doubt you'd feel the need for MORE h.p. With these cars as light as they are, and Jim running stock 4 bolt Fuchs on relatively skinny tires, much more power and you wouldn't get it to hook up. I am going to get Jims car on a dyno before it goes back to him because I am very curious as to the actual h.p. he has. I'm guessing it to be close to 230, maybe even a bit more. I'm also going to give it a shake down run with the go-pro so you guys will have some good video to judge by.