What would you do?

[goose-em]

Finally starting the engine.

1938 Pontiac straight 6, stock hp 85

Once complete around 200 hp

I have an original Edmunds custom manifold running two Stromberg 97

Custom exhaust

Cost to build around $2500 + $1000 already invested. Will run original axle and tranny.

Option 2:

Engine builder offered a 400 Pontiac making 400 hp on the dyno for $2500.

Would have to upgrade tranny and rearend.

I like the idea of running the original engine with the speed equip.

However the 400 would be easier to find parts for, etc.

What would you do.

 

[Tripper]

$2500 = 200hp or $2500 = 400hp

Need I say more!?!?

 

[2muchtorque]

I LIVE for horsepower, but that old 6 has SOUL, and you have go-fast goodies already, put me down for the 6, { FWIW praying for you folks also }

 

[BigIrish]

Put me down for the six! Even at 85 hp its just cooler than an SBC. There's alot of flattie v8 rods that only have 85 hp! Just make is sound cool.

 

[the reverend muddy grimes]

Anytime the question comes up about v8 vs i6, I just look at the i6 guys and shake my head. V8s almost always have more power, ALWAYS look better, and are cheaper to work on. As far as I can tell, the only really cool 6 was the dodge 225 slant 6, and thats because it was trully different. The old saying goes..."there is no replacement for displacement."

 

[Sniper]

If you want to go faster from a stop, then the 400 is the answer. If your looking for the 'cool' factor, then the six is the way to go. What do you want?

 

[goose-em]

I made this decision once and decided to go with the six. I have made the same decision again.

Too rare a motor to not rebuild, not only that it will look just plain cool.

And I hate the "350" look. Every car I see has one.

Thanks for the reaffirmation of my decision.

 

[2muchtorque]

Mr. goose-em, good decision, signed Mr. Torque[cl P.S., I would just be little more realistic with the gains in H.P. when your done, so your not disapointed or build a firecracker just looking for a match.

 

[Willowbilly3]

My 2 cents? The V8 Poncho. First off, I seriously doubt the 200 hp figure and if you did squeeze that kind of power from the old girl, it would be on the ragged edge and not reliable at all. Plus there's just no way to make a 6 banger sound as good as a V8. I run a warmed up 300 in my truck and I keep it through stock mufflers because I think loud 6 bangers sound like crap. Well, except for a couple Miller Offy six bangers I've heard at full song.

 

[42chevy]

The Pontiac, twice the power and less money. I also think 200 horse out of that I6 will be a lot of maintenance. I also think the 6 is cooler but I want quick, cheap power every time.

 

[Rat'l Trap]

My 2 cents? The V8 Poncho. First off, I seriously doubt the 200 hp figure and if you did squeeze that kind of power from the old girl, it would be on the ragged edge and not reliable at all. Plus there's just no way to make a 6 banger sound as good as a V8. I run a warmed up 300 in my truck and I keep it through stock mufflers because I think loud 6 bangers sound like crap. Well, except for a couple Miller Offy six bangers I've heard at full song.

I gotta agree. V8. 6s may look cool if you can gather the right bits, but I've only heard one that sounded worth a...hmmmm...worth a darn. Yeah, darn!

 

[goose-em]

One of these motors was used in a bonnevile car by Eddie Miller. It made 200 hp.

We are basing the modifications off that engine and adding a few modern twists. We actually think we might get a little more the he did back in the day.

Maybe not, not just about the HP, also about keeping it somewhat original.

The Pontiac 223 has a very unique sound. This one was running when purchased.

Priced out the parts today. Right now parts will be around $900.00

Have a friend who runs a babbitt shop, he will do my bearings for free.

This makes the engine $1900 including labor but not counting the Edmunds manifold and Strombergs which add another $850

I can also run the current tranny and rear end.

Not only that, but when I am parked next to that 350 chev or 400 Pontiac, I bet even the horsepower guys will be checking out my engine.

 

[Willowbilly3]

Well, the $$ won't break the bank and the wow factor can't be argued. You better have a couple spare trannys if you walk on it much, doubt that old stocker would handle the horsepower being more than double what it was designed for.

 

[rainman]

One thing to take into consideration, we build these vehicles to be different than anything else, the inline 6 is much different and could be the focal point of the ride. My two pennies.

 

[the reverend muddy grimes]

Sounds like you have made up your mind already. I gotta ask why you are asking then?

 

[Cadman]

A friend of mine put over $4000. into building his Ford Flathead V8. I was looking at it and telling him how great it came out and he said "I never spent so much money to go so slow".
I'm running a 250 Chevy inline 6 that I think looks great and will make my little roadster go as fast as I want to go in a RAT. There is always going to be someone that has a faster car with a bigger engine, more horses, Go with what makes YOU happy not someone else...

Cadman

 

[hotrod preacher]

i'd just like to see pics of this motor you're gonna use

i'm not so much about horsepower in a rat--some are--but the difference in people is what makes the world go 'round

that being said, i put a sbc in my old ford truck, not b/c everybody else does it, but b/c back in '65 my dad did it and that was what i wanted to "duplicate"

have fun w/ it, that's what it is about

 

[Sam_Fear]

Simple.

If your not gonna use that extra 200hp for more than bragging at a show, why bother? Go with the cool looking I6. If your plan is to melt a lot of tires at the lights, go with the power.

 

[goose-em]

HRP you are right there. I had a 56 Chev with a 327 that made some ponies when I was younger. Wore out several sets of tires. If I ever buy another I would put in another 327.

The 38 GMC was the only year that GMC used a pontiac motor so there is that. Also the Edmunds intake is very rare, I probably have one of only a handful if not the only one.

To my knowledge only one of these engines was ever hot rodded, mine makes #2. So I guess there are some things that make it worth it.

I love horsepower, but I also love having something you don't see everyday.

I will get some pictures posted as soon as I find my camera cord. I have some pics from before I pulled the engine. I will get some of the build process also.

Just thought I would see what everybody else thought. I was 99.9% sure I knew what I would do but I thought I would ask.

 

[BigIrish]

You had me until you said "babbit". They were still doing babbits in '38?? Having a model A and researching hopping up the stock banger, the biggest weak point with those motors is the babbit bearings. They have a hard time handling high compression so most guys that want big power have modern insert bearings installed.

If you want to stick with the babbits, might want to consider staying a little more tame. But I'm guessing that motor has 7 main bearings so may be OK? [S