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Ricer motor in old iron?

5K views 61 replies 20 participants last post by  texaschevy 
#1 ·
Has anyone ever put a "ricer" type motor in old iron like a 57 Chevy or something? And by "ricer" type motor, I don't mean LS-1 or a fuel-injected SBC . . . I mean an actual ricer motor ripped from the belly of an winged and smooth-lacquered movie-cover car?
 
#2 ·
Why would you? You can buy a Chevy 350 and make it out perform any 4 banger, not have to worry about custom mounts or custom anything, and still have money to put into the body, suspension, etc. Why would you spend a ton of cash to get less performance? Seriously, if someone has money like that just laying around and they want to get rid of it, I'll gladly take it off your hands!

Just be prepared, because a topic like this is definitely going to take some heat.
 
#3 ·
Yeah this ones gonna get hot, a esteemed member once said "throw on your flame retardant suit" ALA MK2MR???. I think that applies here. Where is that guy anyways.
Anyways my question would be WHY? Why would someone put a low torque four banger in a classic car, which would weigh near twice as much as any Honda. "Cuda" has a good point you could easily build a way higher horse power small, or big block for that matter Chevy for half the cost of a rice burnin' four banger. And the V8 would be able to get the old iron rolling. I'm sure some guy has or is doing it to old iron, but that guys not too smart.


bonuts
 
#4 ·
Originally posted by initzero:
<strong>Has anyone ever put a "ricer" type motor in old iron like a 57 Chevy or something? And by "ricer" type motor, I don't mean LS-1 or a fuel-injected SBC . . . I mean an actual ricer motor ripped from the belly of an winged and smooth-lacquered movie-cover car?</strong><hr></blockquote>

I THINK YOU SHOULD SHOVE A RICER MOTOR UP YOUR *** !!!!
 
#6 ·
i agree with bonuts. if you did such a thing, it would be so slow, so why do it?

i once read a magazine article where some guy used a slant 6 to make his dart do high 13's @ 99mph. i know that's not a ricer engine, but it is only 225 ci pushing a 3,500 lb car pretty fast.

the guy used a cold air intake through an off-center hood scoop. it was very different, and i thought it was very cool.
 
#7 ·
There used to be a guy who would come up from Spokane to our circle track with a old Dodge with the 225 6 and would do real well, I think he even won a few races. Anyways like 98 said its not the same, not a ricer motor, but the same principle. He said he did it to be different, and it did work, but I'll guarantee that motor costed 3-4 times the money to go like my 350. A waste of money if you ask me. On the back his car said "Six in a row can go". The Chevy gods would probably have you struck with lightning if you did it.
Chevy in a Ford OK, but Honda in a Chevy thats not acceptable.


bonuts
 
#8 ·
Originally posted by roys63:
<strong>

I THINK YOU SHOULD SHOVE A RICER MOTOR UP YOUR *** !!!!</strong><hr></blockquote>


Dude, chill. These types of responses are often indicative of some sort of inferiority complex. The whole idea of transplanting modern, efficient power plants into older body cars is interesting to me. Although an LS-1 approaches efficiency, too much displacement is still required to make adequate power. First to go was carbs . . . next was displacement (although that appears to be making somewhat of a comeback in higher-end automobiles) . . . it won't be long before your 63 model gas guzzling, atmosphere polluting engine is outlawed and you're forced to drive some little ripper rotary or something.

You think traditional hotrod engines will never be outlawed? Think that legislation like that is too draconian to be passed or that oil companies will direct the appropriate amount of funds into campaigns for elected officials to sway the vote? It'll happen eventually because the whole concept of the oil-driven motor will be forced to change. You'll still have monstrous companies controlling the power sources, but your big, shiny engines will be gone. One day, if you want to drive that old iron, you'll have to put a small-displacement, turbo motor in it. Who knows . . . you might be happier.

[ April 16, 2003: Message edited by: initzero ]</p>
 
#10 ·
Well, according to your theory we'll no longer have trucks or SUV's either. They'll take away semi's and then people will be forced to ship stuff via trains, which will eventually be outlawed as well, along with boats and planes. The whole economy will go to crap and then we'll all have to cruise around in gutted cars pulled by horses because they don't pollute as much. Then the government is going to put restrictions on how much your horse can poop. Then all the horses will be outlawed and we'll have to walk everywhere. :rolleyes:
When do you actually think that our engines will be outlawed? You do realize that GM still uses pushrod engines just as they did when big blocks were regular runners on the street? Yes, new automotive technology has been invented, but so has new computer technology, cell phones, satellite and cable TV, the Internet, etc. I know people who still don't have a touch tone phone or an answering machine. I just don't think that they will completely outlaw the vehicles in question.
If you want to drive a turbo 4 banger and insult our engines and cars, then I don't really think this is the board for you.
 
#11 ·
Originally posted by 1meancuda:
<strong>If you want to drive a turbo 4 banger and insult our engines and cars, then I don't really think this is the board for you.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I didn't insult anyone - well, maybe with the exception of Roy, who pulled that trigger first. Gas guzzling and atmosphere polluting are not insults, they are facts. All I did was ask a question. A question! So far, two people have either insulted or border-line insulted me. Why is that?

Zealotry in any form defeats intelligence. Those rice-haters that spout out the vitriolic insults are of the same caliber of mind and narrow thought as suicide bombers.
 
#12 ·
A Ricer motor was put in a hot rod a few years ago by Boyd Codington when he used a mitsubisi(sp) in the alumacoupe. East west engines do not work well in a rod due to the width. That is why the aluma coupe became a museum piece. Some of the reason you do not see front drive 50's cars with Northstars and such is the amount of work and engineering that would be needed. Northstars can be used in a north south configuation with a 700r and make good rod engines and some of the little toyota hemis (V8) have also been used. I am sure someone will want to disagree with me, but this is only my opinion, which is what much of this forum is about, do not make it all about killing everyone opinion or no one will post. Nuf said. :cool:
 
#13 ·
Hmmm, I thought this was a hotrodder's website? My way of thinking means that ANYTHING is fair game for building a rod...no matter where it came from and where it ends up.

In my humble opinion, Initzero asked a legitimate question. Instead of just making an engine change, go for a swap in suspension or driveline too.

Regards,
Gerry Dedonis
Kansas Racing Products Inc.
 
#14 ·
Originally posted by initzero:
<strong>
it won't be long before your 63 model gas guzzling, atmosphere polluting engine is outlawed and you're forced to drive some little ripper rotary or something.

One day, if you want to drive that old iron, you'll have to put a small-displacement, turbo motor in it. Who knows . . . you might be happier.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Right there. On a hotrod site, that is an insult!

I'm not trying to insult you, so don't take it that way. The reason that people here get a little defensive is because it seems we have been coming under attack from trolls in the recent past that seem to have been very import oriented. Now, if you are not a troll, then you need to realize that you are on a hotrod site and here we talk about a lot of things. However, the majority of the stuff we talk about are hotrod related. Big engines, beefy tires, low gas mileage, etc. <img src="graemlins/drool.gif" border="0" alt="[drool]" /> :D We have a guy here who is an "import enthusiast" and has a MR2 with some serious equipment in it. He isn't a "ricer" but he still catches some flack for driving an import.

All I'm saying is that people here don't really want to here another person spouting off about how modern engines are so much better. If you look, you can build more powerful V8's for less money than you can build an import. That is a straight fact. I still say, why spend more money to get less power?
 
#15 ·
Originally posted by KSGerry:
<strong>Hmmm, I thought this was a hotrodder's website? My way of thinking means that ANYTHING is fair game for building a rod...no matter where it came from and where it ends up.

In my humble opinion, Initzero asked a legitimate question. Instead of just making an engine change, go for a swap in suspension or driveline too.

Regards,
Gerry Dedonis
Kansas Racing Products Inc.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Yes, a "hotrod" is generally any type of modified car. However, when the word "hotrod" is mentioned, what do you think of? I think of street rods and muscle cars. People come here to talk about cars like that, generally not imports.
I still go back to my original question and stance. Why? The typical SBC can be built to run faster/stronger than an import and for a fraction of the cost.
 
#16 ·
I'm all for taking the trucks off the road and shipping everything by train. It might have something to do with me running trains myself though, oh wait it has everything to do with that :D I'm kidding so all of yall truckers out there don't your CB's in a bunch, both industries can survive.
As for the other guy, stop talking rice if your a hotrodder, and you'll have a lot more friends around these here parts now ya here.


bonuts
 
#17 ·
Bzzzzzzz...plunk...[crank][crank]...Ohhh?! I think I got a big one!...feels like a 30 pounder...[crank][crank]...someone hand me the net!...[crank][crank]...z..z..z...zzzzz..zzzzzzz...look out he's diving for the bottom!...zzzzzz...zzzz...[crank][crank]...MOVE THE BOAT I think I got-em...zzzzzzzz...z...zzz...[crank][crank]...oh man I got him hooked good!....zzz..zzzzz...zzzzzzz...must be a muskeye or a pike...zzzz....zzzz...lots of fight in him...zz.zzzzz...[crank][crank]... :p :D
 
#18 ·
Originally posted by 1meancuda:
<strong>

Right there. On a hotrod site, that is an insult!
</strong><hr></blockquote>
Why? Why can't a smaller 4 cylinder motor be considered a hot rod powerplant? Some here would argue that a Chevrolet 305 can be a hot rod power plant, although stepping up to a 350 yields much greater results. Perhaps the focus of hot rodders should widen. Modern technology yields more horsepower per cubic inch than older technology.

<strong>All I'm saying is that people here don't really want to here another person spouting off about how modern engines are so much better. If you look, you can build more powerful V8's for less money than you can build an import. That is a straight fact. I still say, why spend more money to get less power?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Sure, it costs less to build a SBC. Does that inherently make it better? Does that eliminate all other motors from the field of hot rodding? It shouldn't. I think that there will come a time when the cheap SBC will be outlawed. I don't know what the future is, but it isn't rumpity big blocks. It's quite a paradigm shift, I'll admit, but one that is coming no matter what strong nostalgia directs you.
 
#19 ·
Originally posted by 4 Jaw Chuck:
<strong>Bzzzzzzz...plunk...[crank][crank]...Ohhh?! I think I got a big one!...feels like a 30 pounder...[crank][crank]...someone hand me the net!...[crank][crank]...z..z..z...zzzzz..zzzzzzz...look out he's diving for the bottom!...zzzzzz...zzzz...[crank][crank]...MOVE THE BOAT I think I got-em...zzzzzzzz...z...zzz...[crank][crank]...oh man I got him hooked good!....zzz..zzzzz...zzzzzzz...must be a muskeye or a pike...zzzz....zzzz...lots of fight in him...zz.zzzzz...[crank][crank]... :p :D </strong><hr></blockquote>


LOL, now that's funny!
 
#20 ·
Originally posted by 1meancuda:
<strong>

Yes, a "hotrod" is generally any type of modified car. However, when the word "hotrod" is mentioned, what do you think of? I think of street rods and muscle cars. People come here to talk about cars like that, generally not imports.
I still go back to my original question and stance. Why? The typical SBC can be built to run faster/stronger than an import and for a fraction of the cost.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Sorry, not me. I think a hot rod as anything not off an assembly line. A true rodder is anyone who wants to take a different course than something traditional. If you feel that
a street rod or muscle car is an SBC with big tires, that's OK too...just a bit limiting.

Regards,
Gerry Dedonis
Kansas Racing Products Inc.

[ April 16, 2003: Message edited by: KSGerry ]</p>
 
#21 ·
Originally posted by KSGerry:
[QB]

Sorry, not me. I think a hot rod as anything not off an assembly line. A true rodder is anyone who wants to take a different course than something traditional. If you feel that
a street rod or muscle car is an SBC with big tires, that's OK too...just a bit limiting.

Regards,
Gerry Dedonis
Kansas Racing Products Inc.<hr></blockquote>


I totaly agree!
We would all agree I think that the motor should be a V-8 for a Rod, but if you could pull it off, and make it work, and look good too, sure it would be a waste of time and money, but hell, we all got our faults! :p



/me waits for the flames
 
#23 ·
Seems to me I seen a little Track T with a Toyota limo motor in it.It was a v-8 and like on the 4 cylinders the spark plugs were in the middle of the heads.It made it look like a small HEMI.It was in severail mags.Kinda of neat looking.
 
#25 ·
Seen That track T with the Toyota Hemi in OK City this last weekend and it is very cool. I have seen hot rods with everything from Model A motors to LS1's out of new Vette's and most of them work, Remember you old timers the v-rods (before harley used the name)? The ricers can make decent power if you turn them fast enough, however in my opion not much can beat low end tourque and to get that not much can beat a good old american V8. The car in my avatir(sp) is mine and it has a tuned port 350 overdrive trans and a nine inch with 3.55 gears, make them safe (I am a member of the Kansas NSRA safety team) and fun, use whatever power you want and keep the shinny side up and the rubber side down.Nuf Said. :cool:
 
#26 ·
Originally posted by initzero:
<strong>Sure, it costs less to build a SBC. Does that inherently make it better? Does that eliminate all other motors from the field of hot rodding? It shouldn't.</strong><hr></blockquote>

No, cost doesnn't eliminate anything. Here's what I'm saying though. If you take a 3000lbs rod as the base model for your swap and compare the two engines in it, what will you find? Let's just set a number at 350HP. How much work do you think it will take to get the import engine to crank out 350HP? I know it can be done, but it will be pretty expensive. So if you have that kind of time and money to pull it off, by all means, go right ahead. I'm not saying people should pick one motor over the next (I'm a Mopar guy also. I don't even have a SBC). I'm just saying that from a cost stand point I don't see why it would be worth it.
Please bear in mind that this is just my personal opinion just like it's your opinion that someone should do this swap. Neither of us are right or wrong. Let's all just chill out and we'll all have more fun. :cool:
Besides, opinions are like @$$holes. Everybody has one and they all stink! ;) :p
 
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