Alternative engines

[Anonymous]

I have been trying to come up with the best plan for my 65 Falcon Ranchero.

It currently has an 83 302 in it that the previous owner installed and a 4 speed manual I installed.

I want replace the whole drive train... all the way to the rear axle (want to go to 5 lugs, same as front end.. did the font disk conversion).

I have been taking a serious look at the 200/250... particularly with the Auzie and south american heads.
I also have looked at the 2.3 turbo... but something about it doesn't appeal to me...

Are there any other alternative engines... I have heard mention of the Toyota Supra having an inline 6... possibly even with a turbo 8) ... Would this be a difficult swap?... are there any other suggestions?

 

[weeds]

What are your goals?

Power

Speed

Uniqueness

Wow factor

Drivability

 

[Anonymous]

Yes all of the above

It is going to be a daily driver. I want to lighten up the front end and get away from the whale feeling in corners, have an enjoyable amount of power and decent gas milage. Uniqueness and wow factor are apriciated but not important.

I have owned and driven several older toyotas with manual transmissions... they always seemed bulletproof... thats why the thought of the supra engine appeals to me.

 

[rbohm]

8) i change engine plans about as often as some people change underwear, but i am planning either a 200 or 250 for my falcon, likely turbocharged, and a C4. a 250 turbo with an aussie head and a good 2bbl with the right cam would be a screamer that would still deliver good drivability and mileage. these little ford sixes are tough to kill. so dont worry about leaning on one.

 

[Anonymous]

sounds good, but I'm guessing that a turbo system isn't as is easy to fabricate as you make it sound?

 

[rbohm]

8) for a six the fabrication is fairly easy, but getting it to work right can be a pain in the backside. the biggest problem is deciding whether you want a draw through or blow through system. both have advantages and disadvantages. also tuning a turbo motor can be a pain as well as you have to consider the somewhat drastic changes in the fuel curve when the engine is under boost and not under boost conditions. the timing curve is easier to figure out.

 

[Thad]

And when you really want all of the above and kick a little dust, make a little tire smoke and embarass the 5.0 crowd, go with the BBF-6 the mighty 300.

 

[Anonymous]

I got your pics thad... they look pretty good.

Thing about the 300 is the weight. I already have a fat beast of a motor under the hood. I am actually happy with the power i am getting out of it now... although if I end up rebuilding it... I'll definately warm it up a little.

But I hate the weight of it... thats why I started looking at the 200s in the first place... I am looking for a light weight option that will give me good power and be reliable...

 

[fastback69]

My vote goes to the turbo 2300. I would like to build a '65 Mustang coupe with one of these engines. It's easy to pull 400+ hp out of these little motors.

 

[StrangeRanger]

It's not just the weight, it's the weight distribution. It's been pointed out in earlier posts that because of the length of the I6, a greater portion of it's weight is on the front wheels than is a 302's. The net result is that weight distribution front-to-rear remains about the same. To gain a real handling advantage from the lighter weight, you have to take weight out elsewhere and most of those tricks will work as well for improving the V-8's handling.

 

[aussie7mains]

Sprintex supercharged, OHC 4 litre with T50, LPG fueled.
300bhp, inline six with cheap to run LPG.
You make a light "chook tin" ute go like a "cut snake'!
Try that!
A7M

 

[Anonymous]

Sprintex supercharged, OHC 4 litre

Exactly what engine would this be? I'm afraid i am a bit of a beginner at all this?

and LPG is not exactly the best choice for a daily driver here in south Texas (Houston).... Sources of LPG are more limited than might be practical...

EDIT: translating it from my own juiberish to readable english

 

[XFlow_Fairlane]

I think a 2.3L turbo swap would be nice. lots of room for big intercooler adn water injection tanks. the 2300 will sit farther back (maybe almost all behind the front wheels?) it will like to rev higher and weighs about the same stock. but if you get a fabbed header that drops some weight (will need one to fit it in) and there are aftermarket AL heads for them (from street spec to sprint car) you will need a hydraulic clutch or a cable conversion. t5 bolts to it as can a c4 (bell from a 70-73 pinto automatic) will need a 8" rear though.

nick

 

[68coupe200]

Thats where i'm headed with my Ranger project, a 200 in a 80's model Ranger. I'm not sure on the specifics yet, but according to measurements it should fit in there rather well and my only problems will be finding a bellhousing adapter if i use my mustangs 200 or, if i use the later big bell from a 'Mont i have my hands on, ill either use a Mustang t-5 with a GM spec top plate, or the 'Monts' c5 trans.

I'm also looking to modify the intake runners and add six individual nitrous foggers and adding about a 50-75 shot of the good stuff, and 2 1bbl carbs, more than likely either YF's or Holleys. Failing that, i'm going to use 1 Motorcraft 2bbl. (autolite, whichever you prefer to call it.)

Sounds like an interesting ride you are buildin there Topo, can't wait to see pics!