One thing for you to keep in mind, Scott, is your altitude. Broomfield is a mile high and NA engines take it in the pants with altitude. That said, just trust the above advice, it's all good.
angela
Dan,,
It sounds like your stroker works well with that 3.44 r/p ratio. And the cruising rev's are certainly in the comfy range. Do you find it pulls strongly in top gear during freeway passing,,, or do you drop it down to third ??
Also, you mentioned about separating the engine compartment into hot/cold air zones. Do you have that on your spyder ?? What brand is your 911 shroud, and how happy are you with it ??
Sounds like your 180 hp is more than enough for a lightweight 550. Ever wish for the extra cc's that the next larger sizes of crankshafts would provide ??
Nuff questions for now,, thanks,
Alan
It sounds like your stroker works well with that 3.44 r/p ratio. And the cruising rev's are certainly in the comfy range. Do you find it pulls strongly in top gear during freeway passing,,, or do you drop it down to third ??
Also, you mentioned about separating the engine compartment into hot/cold air zones. Do you have that on your spyder ?? What brand is your 911 shroud, and how happy are you with it ??
Sounds like your 180 hp is more than enough for a lightweight 550. Ever wish for the extra cc's that the next larger sizes of crankshafts would provide ??
Nuff questions for now,, thanks,
Alan
Alan, I think more power/cc's would be counterproductive to my health! The suspension is setup as well as it can be, but it is still a ball joint beam in the front and swingaxle in the rear! Brakes are good, but I don't want any more power in this car. REAL easy to get over your head as it is. I think I have a pretty good balance of power to weight, handling, and braking as is. Maybe better tires, but that's about it.
RE the gearing/power: below 60 mph, I'll downshift to third when putting the power to her. It will pull just fine, plenty of torque, but I don't want to chug it too much. Above 60, just floor it. 2500 rpm and up, pulls well. From 4000 to 6500 redline, wooooooohoooooo! 3rd is of course more fun, and is good for 95 mph @ redline.
The Spyder is all wide open under the rear clip. I am thinking of how to get fresh cool air the fan with maybe a duct or two and some electric fans. The 911 shroud uses a real Porsche fan and alternator, the ring is cut down on a lathe so it fits the type 1. The shroud is from Vintage Spyders. It works well for me, but is not consistent as far as head temps for all 4 cylinders. Stock or DTM is the best.
RE the gearing/power: below 60 mph, I'll downshift to third when putting the power to her. It will pull just fine, plenty of torque, but I don't want to chug it too much. Above 60, just floor it. 2500 rpm and up, pulls well. From 4000 to 6500 redline, wooooooohoooooo! 3rd is of course more fun, and is good for 95 mph @ redline.
The Spyder is all wide open under the rear clip. I am thinking of how to get fresh cool air the fan with maybe a duct or two and some electric fans. The 911 shroud uses a real Porsche fan and alternator, the ring is cut down on a lathe so it fits the type 1. The shroud is from Vintage Spyders. It works well for me, but is not consistent as far as head temps for all 4 cylinders. Stock or DTM is the best.
Believe what Danny says. He took me for a ride in Carlisle and it is seriously "scarey fast" Like being ejected from a slingshot!
Damned fun!!
Thanks Dan,,
I do believe Jack's assessment,,, that your 550 launches like a "Hornet off the main catapult" !! One last question (for now),, how much does it weigh ?? And, if you know,, what is the front/rear distribution.
cheers,,
Alan
I do believe Jack's assessment,,, that your 550 launches like a "Hornet off the main catapult" !! One last question (for now),, how much does it weigh ?? And, if you know,, what is the front/rear distribution.
cheers,,
Alan
Alan, 1500 pounds with a full tank of gas, spare, jack, gas heater, and Halon system. Weight distribution is 45/55 F/R.
You can never have too much power. You can have inadequate brakes, insufficient chassis, and be lacking in driving skills but you can
NEVER NEVER NEVER HAVE TOO MUCH POWER!!!!!
angela
NEVER NEVER NEVER HAVE TOO MUCH POWER!!!!!
angela
The problem with lots of power is getting it to the ground effectively. My Spyder had 205's, the largest I could fit into a standard 550 body with short swing axles. With 220hp+/- the car was a bit treacherous when "jumped on" at just about any speed, most gears, unless in a straight line. 4th was ok over 80 or so. But in 3rd or 2nd cornering required some care....full throttle would bring the rear end out in very short order....just had to drive it more carefully. The car was more "fun" to cruise in with a 160hp engine, other than in a straight line....
I now have the same 220hp engine in my Speedster, and the max tire size I can use in it without widening the fenders is 195....I do not yet have it on the road, doing other things with other Porsches this year. But, with the rear engine layout versus the Spyder mid engine, it should be interesting to say the very least. I still have EFI as well as MegaSpark to install on it....and it is still in primer...and it will need a rear camber compensator as well as a "Kafer-cup" to hold things together....too many projects, not enough time.
Angela, how big of tires do you have on your Spyder? If I were to do it again I would do more what you did with the TR wide body option and the DeDion suspension.....I was perfectly happy with my TR except for the tire issue....
I now have the same 220hp engine in my Speedster, and the max tire size I can use in it without widening the fenders is 195....I do not yet have it on the road, doing other things with other Porsches this year. But, with the rear engine layout versus the Spyder mid engine, it should be interesting to say the very least. I still have EFI as well as MegaSpark to install on it....and it is still in primer...and it will need a rear camber compensator as well as a "Kafer-cup" to hold things together....too many projects, not enough time.
Angela, how big of tires do you have on your Spyder? If I were to do it again I would do more what you did with the TR wide body option and the DeDion suspension.....I was perfectly happy with my TR except for the tire issue....
Angela, I can want more power, but like I said, not a good idea in this car. Jake wanted me to send my heads back for some massaging, but I didn't send them, and don't intend to. I really like the balance of the car, it is a FUN car to drive at 8/10s to 9/10s. I know you know what I mean!
The 911 will be different, as it will have the 4-pot Brembos all around to haul it back down from speed, and the ride and handling to go with it. That car will be ALL outlaw lightweight hotrod. Then it'll be MORE power please!
But the Spyder as is does have a reasonable limit to how much power you can apply, and get away with without being bitten. Remember, mine has a swing axle and ball joint beam, not 911 front and DeDion rear, different animals they are.
My friend Jim says he hates me as my Spyder is way faster than his SC, and even though we like power, he drove my car several times and has always said it has too much power. I don't agree, it is just right, like porridge!
The 911 will be different, as it will have the 4-pot Brembos all around to haul it back down from speed, and the ride and handling to go with it. That car will be ALL outlaw lightweight hotrod. Then it'll be MORE power please!
But the Spyder as is does have a reasonable limit to how much power you can apply, and get away with without being bitten. Remember, mine has a swing axle and ball joint beam, not 911 front and DeDion rear, different animals they are.
My friend Jim says he hates me as my Spyder is way faster than his SC, and even though we like power, he drove my car several times and has always said it has too much power. I don't agree, it is just right, like porridge!
Like Angela once said..."Aerodynamics is for people without enough horsepower"!
Danny,
Your car is waaayyyyy faster than my SC for sure!!!
I think it's safe to say we all like horsepower it just depends on how much and what it's used for. $hit, my kart has 27hp and that thing kicks ass! I'd put it up to any car I've ever driven, in certain situations. On the other hand, my SC screaammms in 3.4.5 gear at 4-6+K rpm and it's alot of fun to drive there but sadly I don't get the chance to drive it there much because la polizia are everywhere around where I live. I dirve my kart 10/10ths and my SC 7/10ths, at best. Any more ponies would be wasted $$$ for teh way I drive it. That said, someday.....someday......something wicked this way comes, for fun at the track :)
Your car is waaayyyyy faster than my SC for sure!!!
I think it's safe to say we all like horsepower it just depends on how much and what it's used for. $hit, my kart has 27hp and that thing kicks ass! I'd put it up to any car I've ever driven, in certain situations. On the other hand, my SC screaammms in 3.4.5 gear at 4-6+K rpm and it's alot of fun to drive there but sadly I don't get the chance to drive it there much because la polizia are everywhere around where I live. I dirve my kart 10/10ths and my SC 7/10ths, at best. Any more ponies would be wasted $$$ for teh way I drive it. That said, someday.....someday......something wicked this way comes, for fun at the track :)
Bad Boyz, What ya gona do ---
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Daniel,
What are the specs on your engine-ie heads, cam, compression, carbs, header...?
Thanks-just curious.
What are the specs on your engine-ie heads, cam, compression, carbs, header...?
Thanks-just curious.
Heads are from Jake Raby's head guy. 44 X 37, 9.8:1 compression. 1.5:1 Pauter roller rockers, Webcam 86B, chromoly pushrods. Weber 44 IDFs, CB space-saver manifolds, CB hexbar linkage modded with rod-ends for no wear and no play. Exhaust is 1 5/8" ceramic coated, 4 into 2 Magnaflows, 2 mufflers to 1 central exit. Almost 18K on the motor, still humming along nicely, just drove it today.
Danny, Glad its doing such a fine job... Thats such an old combo, but it still works really well!
Well, it was not meant to be. We had a beautiful day here on Saturday, so instead of going to the shop to
Yeah, the varnish and goop thing is likely. It is often worsened by the ethanol as it dissolves just about everything. Once it is running properly, make sure you drive it regularly to keep the fuel system clean.
If those were later Kardrons or copies, it's most likely that they have plastic floats. The additives in today's fuel, that damage the fuel lines, seals, and gaskets, also melt the floats.
We had a huge problem with the lobster and fishing boats, even the Whale Watchers and pleasure boats, at the marinas last Summer due to the fuel. Same with all of those doing landscaping and such.
When you change to Webers, see if there is an option for getting them with brass floats. Maybe?
We had a huge problem with the lobster and fishing boats, even the Whale Watchers and pleasure boats, at the marinas last Summer due to the fuel. Same with all of those doing landscaping and such.
When you change to Webers, see if there is an option for getting them with brass floats. Maybe?
That's a good question. I've already replaced the floats in my Webers once, due to dissolving of the plastic outer layer.
Scott: bummer!
Are you working with Painter's Grinding to dial in your motor? (just guessing, since they're big Weber proponents) I've had really good luck with them after looking around a bit & making a few mistakes. seems like the best Type I tech source in our area (my experience, at least).
I'm putting in a pair of 40's on my 1904, so we'll see how this all goes. good luck!
Are you working with Painter's Grinding to dial in your motor? (just guessing, since they're big Weber proponents) I've had really good luck with them after looking around a bit & making a few mistakes. seems like the best Type I tech source in our area (my experience, at least).
I'm putting in a pair of 40's on my 1904, so we'll see how this all goes. good luck!