Perfect daily driver engine???

[brian e]

Hello,
  I have been a lurker here soaking up info.   I am in the process of finishing up my car.  I am not trying to build a spot on period correct Cal-looker, just a perfect daily driver.  I grew up in Socal in the 80's so these cars are what I remember.  I will drive the car everyday unless there is snow on the ground.  It will be getting heated seats and maybe a gas heater.  I would like to drive it north a few times on a three hour trip, and maybe a 6 hour trip once a summer.  Never raced.  Not usually above 90 degrees here but for a week.  I am used to the torque of a mild 2054 and would like something a little bigger.  I do drive it hard around town.  Here is what I am working on.



I just sold my last car with a mild 2054 and I am ready to start putting together something for the new project.  Here is a list of what parts I have.

Complete 1835 I didn't build.  It came with a car I traded for
new case, gusseted
042 Mofoco 40x35 heads
hyd cam,
32 psid's
german CW crank
light flywheel
1 3/8 header

Extra parts I have acquired.
CB Aluminum raised roof case, bored for 94's
used 120 cam
new Spanish 44idf's
good used AH stock case
german CW 69mm crank

I also have about $2500 to spend.

So..  what should I build??  Mix and match parts, or start all from scratch??  I was thinking 2165, in the AH case, steve tims welded stage2's, 86b, and the 44 idf's.

Or if I am buying a crank and have the aluminum case, should I just throw a 84mm and a 86c in there??  But will the 44 idf's be too small??

I am thinking 165hp would be great.  Big torque is important.

What do you guys think??  What is your ultimate FUN daily driver engine??

thanks,
Brian

[Matt H]

2110, you got an engle 120 so use it wtih some 1.1 rockers, Some nice unwelded ported heads, 40 x 35 valves, 1 5/8 header, 8:1 comp, your 44's will be fine. This will be a nice daily motor have about 130 hp and still put a smile on your face when you hit the gas pedal. If you remember the old Berg Cruises Rick Mortenson drove his 2110 67 from AZ to MI and back. Sell the 1835 to some yahoo building a baja bug or sand rail. BTW Love your car, looks like it could be rolling through the gate at OCIR in 1979. You have hit that later 70's look I love so much.

Crank and Rods 700
 cylindars / Pistons - 200
Heads 1000
Header and Muffler 200

and enough money to buy some other stuff

[Rennsurfer]

Brian, good looking car. Are you planning to use bumpers, t-bars, or nothing in the bumper slots?

As for the engine, keep the compression low enough to run pump gas and a cam with a decent idle, inch and five eighths exhaust, not too crazy on the head work, and you should be set for a fun daily driver engine. Sounds like you've got most of the components to make that happen. Good luck and please post up some pics and updates of what you decide on.

[brian e]

Brian, good looking car. Are you planning to use bumpers, t-bars, or nothing in the bumper slots? 

Thanks, that pic was taken just before i brought it home.  It is someone else's abandoned project I picked up for less then the parts that are in it.  And it is just like what I was going to build.  It now has chrome T-bars.  I have a set of 205/65's on the way, and a set of clear lens lucas lights on the bench.  I am sorting out the wiring trying to make it look decent, adding some amenities, and then i will start the interior.  I also have a really good glass guy determined to make the one piece widows work and seal correctly.  He and his dad used to do alot of one piece conversions on early 40's hot rods.

A 2110 was also on my list of options, along with a 2276 or 2332.

Should I use the aluminum case since I have it, or just save it for something even bigger another day?? 

Couple more items I forgot to add to the list:
-I have a complete type 4.  i still turns over, but I haven't pulled it out of the bus yet to see if it is a 1.7, 1.8, or a 2.0.  I also have all the extra tins and the ability to do an upright conversion.  I would want to build it before it goes in.
-A full setup for EDIS-4 crank fire and a few different throttle bodies to do Megasquirt EFI.

i have been leaning towards the little smaller 78mm crank in a stock case.  Then I can do the clearancing at home.  I will do the deck and bore it on the mill at work, and a local guy has a line-bore tool.

Still tons of options, just wanted to hear a few different suggestions, keep 'em coming.

[Zach Gomulka]

Mark Herbert style 2276 or 2332. Cubic inches is what you want.

[Rennsurfer]

Lose the 1,835cc & build your daily driver engine with the magnesium case to your liking. Then, take your time and build something really potent with the aluminum case.

[javabug]

Nice car, should come together real well.

I'm no engine expert, but I'll support some of the advice already given. If the mag case is good, run that and sell the alum case to help fund.

The 120 cam is probably a great choice especially since you have it. I'd also be inclined to think about a 125 like in Sarge's engine. Can probably get away with less compression with those than the 86b.

Nice 40x35 heads are a really great choice.

Good luck, sounds like it should be a real enjoyable car!

[Rennsurfer]

Good point on that Engle 125 cam.

[HKoch]

2110, you got an engle 120 so use it wtih some 1.1 rockers, Some nice unwelded ported heads, 40 x 35 valves, 1 5/8 header, 8:1 comp, your 44's will be fine. This will be a nice daily motor have about 130 hp and still put a smile on your face when you hit the gas pedal.

I have to agree totally. I have used this same combo on several DD and it always performed well. In fact my wifes bus runs this combo right now. She drives it all over with the kids and I never worry about it leaving them stranded.

[Torben Alstrup]

2165
Stock length rods.
Web 86B w. 1,4 rockers
Tims Stage 2 or CB Mini wedge. Since youre in CA The CR needs to be a little less than I normally set them up for. I think 9,3 is what to aim for with premium fuel (I set them up to 10,3 on Shell V power)
1 5/8" header as said.
This will easily pull 150 hp and loads of torque if you put a little attention to it.

My 02c.

T

[brian e]

2165
Stock length rods.
Web 86B w. 1,4 rockers
Tims Stage 2 or CB Mini wedge. Since youre in CA The CR needs to be a little less than I normally set them up for. I think 9,3 is what to aim for with premium fuel (I set them up to 10,3 on Shell V power)
1 5/8" header as said.
This will easily pull 150 hp and loads of torque if you put a little attention to it.

My 02c.

T

This is almost exactly what I was thinking.  I am actually living at 3300 feet in South Dakota now.  I was thinking 9.5cr.

Will my 44idf's still be ok on this combo?? 

thanks, Brian

[TexasTom]

On the other hand, perhaps the PERFECT daily driver engine would be stock!
No carbs to synch and adjust, no idiosycrasies to adjust out or 'deal' with, no heightened maintenance program, no worries over transmission mods, and the heater still works! ... 

But, where's the fun in that, right?

[Torben Alstrup]

OK
Then 9,5 will be fine.
At least the old Italian 44´s hang on to about 170 hp when theyre stretched. So 150 is no problem.

T

[Jim Ratto]

94 x 78 Rimco or Berg VW rods
Engle 130 stock rockers
Jeff Denham 42 x 37
9.2:1
44idfs on good manifolds
get smallest ports that will flow the most

[DKK Ted]

Good point on that Engle 125 cam.

I agree with Mark on the E125, my 2nd motor I ever built was a 74X90.5, with a E125 with 1.1's, Auto-Craft heads, 40X35.5, but with IDA'S, was in my 67'. Use to take it to Phoenix Arizona and back at least twice a year plus the everyday driving. The thing ran like a clock and STRONG. The E130 that Jim mentioned is a nice cam also. I believe Steve W. (DKK) ran that cam in his Ghia back in the day when he worked in the shop next to me. THAT thing ran strong. I never ran a E130 but been tempted.

Ted

[Bryan Nunes]

I had 2165 78x94 stock rods with CB ultra wedge ports with matching manifolds, (best for your bang) with a vz35 cam (should have been a engle 125-130) 9.1-1 comp 1 5/8 header it ran on pump gas never over heated drove it to the classic and back, bug-o-rama in over 100 deg heat didn't ping, was a good little street engine i would jump it hard until i lost a rod (that was my bad ) with a stock trans gear ratio i would cruz 75 mph on the free way getting 28-30 mpg.

[Fiatdude]

94 x 106 pauter -- great street engine

[Jim Ratto]

94 x 78 Rimco or Berg VW rods
Engle 130 stock rockers
Jeff Denham 42 x 37
9.2:1
44idfs on good manifolds
get smallest ports that will flow the most

just realized.... I think this was Jayburn's daily motor before he went to 84 crank and big boy heads and 86C. I know the above in his car went 13.00 on radials, right John?

[John Rayburn]

94 x 78 Rimco or Berg VW rods
Engle 130 stock rockers
Jeff Denham 42 x 37
9.2:1
44idfs on good manifolds
get smallest ports that will flow the most

just realized.... I think this was Jayburn's daily motor before he went to 84 crank and big boy heads and 86C. I know the above in his car went 13.00 on radials, right John?

                                                                     Very close, but my heads were 44 X 37, and the compression was only 8.6. Also, it was with the 48 Dellortos. The car saw 40,000 miles a year for many years. Very easy to maintain, and it did go 13.0 on the radials.

[brian e]

I had 2165 78x94 stock rods with CB ultra wedge ports with matching manifolds, (best for your bang) with a vz35 cam (should have been a engle 125-130) 9.1-1 comp 1 5/8 header it ran on pump gas never over heated drove it to the classic and back, bug-o-rama in over 100 deg heat didn't ping, was a good little street engine i would jump it hard until i lost a rod (that was my bad ) with a stock trans gear ratio i would cruz 75 mph on the free way getting 28-30 mpg.

This sounds like exactly what I am looking for.

So far I think this is what I want.

DPR 78.4 crank
94mm mahles or AA's
DPR balanced, clearanced rods
Web 86b or 130 cam
CB lightweight lifters
DPR 12.5 lbs flywheel
CB straight cuts
CB 1.4 rockers
AS41 case, all the normal stuff
spanish 44 idf's
1 5/8 sidewinder w/ muffler
KEP Stage 2 w/ kushloc or other

I have a 010 and a 034.  My idf's have a vac. port.  Should I run the vac. advance or the 010?? 

Still need to decide between the wedgeports, Steve Tims's welded stage 2's, or some from Jeff D. ( I sent him a message asking questions).  I like the idea of a hand ported head way better then the CNC stuff.  I work with CNC machines all day and they are BORING!!!

Also, Jim R., are the rimco or Berg rods better then getting them from DPR??  I was thinking all the rotating assy. form one place would be nice. 

[brian e]

94 x 78 Rimco or Berg VW rods
Engle 130 stock rockers
Jeff Denham 42 x 37
9.2:1
44idfs on good manifolds
get smallest ports that will flow the most

just realized.... I think this was Jayburn's daily motor before he went to 84 crank and big boy heads and 86C. I know the above in his car went 13.00 on radials, right John?

                                                                     Very close, but my heads were 44 X 37, and the compression was only 8.6. Also, it was with the 48 Dellortos. The car saw 40,000 miles a year for many years. Very easy to maintain, and it did go 13.0 on the radials.

Wow, I think that would be plenty in this little town.

[Torben Alstrup]

Wedge ports ara WAY too large on a set up like that. the only thing that happens is that it´ll rev to the moon, but will never make much usable power. (That´s why I recommended Mini Wedges too.) So Denham handported on that choice.
Why the straight cut´s ? They are not needed and will only make the engine noisier. - OK they will free up about 1 hp or so.
T

[brian e]

Wedge ports ara WAY too large on a set up like that. the only thing that happens is that it´ll rev to the moon, but will never make much usable power. (That´s why I recommended Mini Wedges too.) So Denham handported on that choice.
Why the straight cut´s ? They are not needed and will only make the engine noisier. - OK they will free up about 1 hp or so.
T

Opps, I missed the Mini part. 

Story time.  Some time ago, when I was a small boy at a cruise in on a warm summer night, a light green late Nova pulled in with a gear drive timing setup. I thought it was the coolest thing ever.  I know they are different than an American V8, but I have loved the noise ever since, and that is my dumb reason for wanting straight cuts.

[Matt Tobias]

I really like the FK8 in my 2276 with 9.5:1.  Easy on the valvetrain and makes such NICE power.

[Bryan Nunes]

Ya it did rev to the moon it was cool when your on the high way at 65-70 mph it wasn't in the power band so you drop a gear and you pass what you need to pass and it didn't hurt anything. i liked it because i had a stock gear ratios no 5 speed here. i like the CB heads when you maybe a little over kill but when you need them they were there and hell there cheap for what you get, i wouldn't put some hand ported expense heads to put in a daily driver, so when the jerk off behind is texing and rear ends you and crushes your engine, you not out that much, or if some thing happens you can give cb your number off the side and replace one head if you need.

[brian e]

I sent Jeff. D a PM yesterday, and this morning he called me and we talked for awhile.  Great guy who taught me lots in a short time.  He feels big cc's (82 or 84 crank) and stock rods are the way to go for a daily engine.  So now I really don't know what to do.  I am concerned my little 44's wont keep up on a 2276 or 2332. 

Do I really need 175hp on the street?  I have never been in a bug with more then 100hp, and there aren't any around here to take a ride in.

Maybe build the smaller 2165 now with a little bit milder heads (under $1000), and build the aluminum case another day with the 200+hp heads.

[Zach Gomulka]

If you're building a lower rpm torque engine, the 44's will do just fine.

[Jim Ratto]

2276 = 569 single cyl cc, 36mm venturi (std issue in 44IDF's) good for 5800-6000rpm. More importantly, it will run sweetly where you need it- idle>progression>4500rpm. Not really where CNC wedgeports work.

[Bryan Nunes]

that explained alot lol