[alfa] Re: RE: V6 Engine Swaps - Another Rational Idea...

[Joe Elliott <jee@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>How 'bout a Ford 5.0 into a Jag E-type?  It's been done.

...and it's disgusting.  Why replace a historically-significant engine
that can be tweaked to put out 300 smooth, reliable horsepower with a POS
pushrod V8 of little or no historical or technological significance?  It
seems to me that the out-of-the-box power output is lower than the OEM Jag
engine, and while three 45DCOEs might cost more than the upgrade
"carburetors" available for American engines, you've probably got some
money to spend if you're building your own car, or restoring an E-type.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm anything but a purist when it comes to
originality, but destroying the value, performance, and charm of an E-type
with the wrong engine just doesn't make sense.

Practicality isn't as much of an issue with kit cars as it is with Camrys,
right?  At least use an engine that sounds good.  Some heritage wouldn't hurt,
either in my opinion.  And a replica should be as true to the
original as possible, right?  If you're doing a Stratos, use a more common
Ferrari engine, or a more readily-available Italian V6 (Fiat 130, Alfa
164, etc).  Maybe I'm just a weirdo, but to me there's a big difference
between a Hawk Stratos with a 308 or 164 motor, and a Stratos body on a
Fiero.  Obviously most kit/replicar builders don't feel this way, so
making a design compromise just because it's common practice doesn't mean
it's a good idea, IMHO.  VW and Pinto-based kits are so common because
that's what was once readily-available.  If you're more of a driver than a
poser, wasting money with a VW-based kit car today seems rather foolish,
doesn't it?  If they can use Alfa and Japanese twincams and Alfetta
suspensions in Europe and Australia, why can't we?  I've even thought
about building a mid-engine car around a SAAB 900 Turbo drivetrain just
because it's a good engine that's never been used in a serious RWD
performance car.  It would also allow for a longitudinal mid-engine setup
relatively easily.  If I actually had the money for such a project, I
don't see any reason why I'd want to use an American pushrod V6--what's
the point?  Now the Yamaha V6 from the Ford Taurus SHO, on the other hand,
THAT is a technologically and historically-significant power plant that
deserves something other than a FWD sedan attached to it!

Just my two cents,
Joe Elliott
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