Re: Wow! I coulda had a V-8...

["Graydon D. Stuckey" <graydon@apollo.gmi.edu>]

On Fri, 12 Sep 1997, Unka Bart wrote:

> Pardon me, Sean, but the chebby V-8 has one of the better pedigrees in
> racing history.  An Aluminum Block Chebby makes perfect sense and is
> lighter that the I-5 to boot (as has already been noted here).

I can't help but think of the 6.5litre chevy V8 that ran in the Chevy 
Intrpeid GTP car a few years ago.   That thing was probably the most 
advanced form of the Chevy '350' V8 that ever flew.   It had splayed 
valve heads to provide equal length intake runners, real exotic EFI, PI 
data acquisition, and it was relatively cheap and easy to build.  It also 
trounced on the Nissan/Porsche/Jaguar exotic engines of the time, until 
Jaguar brought out their 'Formula one' GTP, and then Toyota's all-conquering 
4-banger.


> > 928 engine?
> 
> Rotsa Ruck.  That porker is one *Wide* mutha!  And it may interest you to

Yes, very wide.

> know that the *Iron* block chebby is about 50 lbs *Lighter* than the
> Porker.

Haha, that I didn't know.   And, the Chevy alumninum block takes another 
60 pounds off that.

> A contender, but kinda small and no (afordable) aftermarket hop-up goodies.

True, but I tihnk anyone intersted in stuffing a non-audi engine in an 
Audi is probably quite capable of building an Audi V8 so that it makes 
good power.    It just takes a basic understanding of how engines go 
together.  It is a little small though.   I figure if you're going to go 
to the trouble of swapping an engine, you might as well make it well 
worth the effort.

> But our brother Ben Howell, he of Pike's Peak organizing genius (thanks
> again, Ben!) is stuffing an Audi V-8 into his URQ, even as we speak.  He
> might throw some light on this option...

We're all anxiously awaiting this car...

> > Northstar V8? Yes.
> 
> Yeah, Graydon, that's a corker of an idea.  What's the availability of
> these beauties (including co$t)?

Fairly plentiful in wrecking yards from what I can tell.  Still rather 
expensive though.   Apparently mid 2000s and up.

To me, the two top choices are the Northstar and the Mazda 20B 3-rotor 
rotary.  Both make 300hp in a very sedate state of tune, and both are 
very capable of making 450+hp with little work.   Also both are about the 
same price.  The 20B would be smoother, lighter and more compact.  The 
Wankel also is a distant cousin to Audi.

Later,
Graydon D. Stuckey 
'89 Thunderbird SuperCoupe
'86 Audi 5000 CS Quattro
'86 Mazda RX7 GXL 2+2
'85 Mazda RX7 GS