345hp v. 550hp in Wasp & Jet

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These two Chevy 6.0L, 364 cu in engines I have purchased:



1. Cadillac Escalade V8 for a 2-door Jet (have 2 54 Super Jets, a 2-door & a 4-door)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320176725547&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:us#ebayphotohosting



2. SS Silverado V8, "Dale Earnhardt Intimidator Edition" for the 54 Super Wasp

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320176314071&ssPageName=MERC_VI_RSCC_Pr4_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT&refitem=320176725547&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=active_view_item&usedrule1=StoreCatToStoreCat&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget#ebayphotohosting



The Wasp won't be run that hard, but the Super Jet (2-door) will be street/strip, and if I can get it to "hook" and it can handle 345hp easily & begging-for-more, then I shall step it up 205 MORE hp, to 550hp; see the following article.



http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320176314071&ssPageName=MERC_VI_RSCC_Pr4_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT&refitem=320176725547&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=active_view_item&usedrule1=StoreCatToStoreCat&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget#ebayphotohosting



Maybe I'll have something ready for the 2008 annual meet, NHRA Hot Rod Reunion. Is it still in Bowling Green or is it now Columbus??



I abandoned the V6 idea for the Super Wasp; maybe for the 4-door Jet w/continental kit-ought to be a nice, "sleeper' ride.

essexcoupe3131

Any of those engines will mw\ake the old girls fly LOL

Mike

Sarah Young

54 HSWH wrote:

I abandoned the V6 idea for the Super Wasp; maybe for the 4-door Jet w/continental kit-ought to be a nice, "sleeper' ride.

My question is... How do I convince my husband that our second Jet is worth restoring? He considers it just a parts car that he would sell for a $1.00 just to be rid of. (My husband is a white collar kind of guy would rather just buy an already restored car, rather than go the restoration route that I chose with our driver.) The engine and transmission were already gone when we bought it with our driver, so I'm thinking, hey, this is a good opportunity to place something into.



How did you decide on these engines? What needs to be considered when trying to find something that will work for your vehicle?

mars55

Sarah Young wrote:

How did you decide on these engines? What needs to be considered when trying to find something that will work for your vehicle?

Stock is easier and cheaper and the result has great public interest. When it comes time to sell, stock is much easier to sell and for much, much more money then a modified vehicle.

[Deleted User]

How did you decide on these engines? What needs to be considered when trying to find something that will work for your vehicle?[/QUOTE]



That is an excellent question! If I would have been smart enough to ask that same question, I wouldn't be sitting here trying to figure out what to do next on the Jet motor and 3 spd O/D swap into a '39 112 coupe! ( JUST KIDDING!!!)



Of course, original is the easiest route but since you have a Jet with an original type engine and another that needs a drivetrain, maybe something more modern might be the better (and less expensive) route. Since the above mentioned swap is my first with a Hudson, my qualifications are about nil. Some fabrication will most likely be required in just about any swap. However, my advice would be to look for an engine/trans combo that is NOT longer than the original drivetrain for the Jet.



Have you done much work with auto electical systems? Since I just got the motor and trans mounts fabricated, I haven't given much thought to the electrical dilema that is just over the horizon. (Oops! the generator bracket won't go back where it belongs because the front motor mount is in the way!!! 6V or 12V? What about the gauges? Floor shift or column shift?)



For the more experienced folks out there, these questions are pretty routine. But for us first timers they can be quite unsettling. However, the folks that frequent this forum have shown countless times that they are willing to share their knowledge with those of us that are looking for help.



Hope this helps......but if it didn't, it at least shows that you are smarter than me.........but then again..........maybe that isn't saying much! LOL

[Deleted User]

Sarah Young wrote:

My question is... How do I convince my husband that our second Jet is worth restoring? He considers it just a parts car that he would sell for a $1.00 just to be rid of. (My husband is a white collar kind of guy would rather just buy an already restored car, rather than go the restoration route that I chose with our driver.) The engine and transmission were already gone when we bought it with our driver, so I'm thinking, hey, this is a good opportunity to place something into.

How did you decide on these engines? What needs to be considered when trying to find something that will work for your vehicle?

That don't get much respect around here, but a friend of mine just got a nice brand new crate sbc 350 for around $1,400. The last guy I know that had a flathead rebuilt paid around $3K. 700R4 can be had for cheap money as well. They fit in practically any application and parts are cheap and easy to find. An EZ Wiring harness can be had for around $180 and will rewire the entire car. Gauges can be made to work with a 12volt system. Lower the car a bit and you could have a nice little sleeper. Shave it and remove a lot of the trim. You could put bucket seats and a console in it. If its basically a parts car, you could have a lot of fun customizing it. Jets aren't typically high in demand, so I don't think you are going to command high dollar by putting a flathead in it.

Didn't Dany Spring's daughter put a SBC in a Jet? If my memory isn't too bad, I believe its a very nice set-up. I think someday it would be a fun project for me (though now I have more than I can chew anyway). They're kind of cute little cars in a way.

If its a parts car, I don't think you'd ever get your money out of it doing a full restoration.

Why not have some fun instead! LOL