Joe West
05-30-2005, 03:56 PM
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 25 Dec 2000 13:59:14 -0500
From: Joe Curran <espace@MIT.EDU>
Re: <VV> Ideal Tires for EMs, Highway Travel, and Otto 4x1 kit
Ian,
Here are my thoughts on:
IDEAL TIRES: I don't have an early, but I would not suggest getting anything
narrower than what you have. It's nearly impossible on an early, but 14 or
15" wheels will be a huge improvement for smoothness and drivability (you
won't fall into potholes anymore). I have a set of 185/70R13s (on late
wheels), which were nice and zippy, but were a bit too small for the car.
HIGHWAY TRAVEL: In top gear (2nd on PG's, 3rd on 3 speeds, and 4th on 4 spds),
the transmission gear ratio is the same for all cars, all years, 1:1. The
only difference is your tires (which you've said may be too tall, but in fact
are pretty much the same as stock), and the differential. Your car should
have either 3.27 or 3.55 gears, but who knows. Was the previous owner an
autocrosser? You may have a set of 4.11 gears. A tach can be set up fairly
easily. Maybe you can borrow one from your favorite mechanic? 4K RPM is
high, though, for most cars. Are you sure you're not stuck in 3rd? Also,
certain exhaust configurations (or problems) can make the engine sound like
it's working harder than it is.
OTTO 4X1 KIT: You will end up with 100% more carbs than you have right now.
It will do little else, so you don't have to worry about beefing up the
engine in any way. If you are in a position to beef up the engine in the
first place, you should do that instead, and you should probably start with
a 140 engine (or a 65' and up 110 with 140 heads). Ordinarily I'd say that
compared to the trouble of just upgrading the heads, the 4X1 conversion is
a waste of time, but since you can't really use LM heads with a '62 engine,
I'll just say it's a waste of money. The 140 makes most of its power with
much bigger valves, and a slightly more aggresive cam. A 140 with two
good carbs will drive circles around a 110 with a 4X1 conversion.
Good luck,
- -Joe Curran
espace@mit.edu
'66 Corvair Monza coupe w/'67 110, '66 PG/3.55 posi diff
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Date: Mon, 25 Dec 2000 13:59:14 -0500
From: Joe Curran <espace@MIT.EDU>
Re: <VV> Ideal Tires for EMs, Highway Travel, and Otto 4x1 kit
Ian,
Here are my thoughts on:
IDEAL TIRES: I don't have an early, but I would not suggest getting anything
narrower than what you have. It's nearly impossible on an early, but 14 or
15" wheels will be a huge improvement for smoothness and drivability (you
won't fall into potholes anymore). I have a set of 185/70R13s (on late
wheels), which were nice and zippy, but were a bit too small for the car.
HIGHWAY TRAVEL: In top gear (2nd on PG's, 3rd on 3 speeds, and 4th on 4 spds),
the transmission gear ratio is the same for all cars, all years, 1:1. The
only difference is your tires (which you've said may be too tall, but in fact
are pretty much the same as stock), and the differential. Your car should
have either 3.27 or 3.55 gears, but who knows. Was the previous owner an
autocrosser? You may have a set of 4.11 gears. A tach can be set up fairly
easily. Maybe you can borrow one from your favorite mechanic? 4K RPM is
high, though, for most cars. Are you sure you're not stuck in 3rd? Also,
certain exhaust configurations (or problems) can make the engine sound like
it's working harder than it is.
OTTO 4X1 KIT: You will end up with 100% more carbs than you have right now.
It will do little else, so you don't have to worry about beefing up the
engine in any way. If you are in a position to beef up the engine in the
first place, you should do that instead, and you should probably start with
a 140 engine (or a 65' and up 110 with 140 heads). Ordinarily I'd say that
compared to the trouble of just upgrading the heads, the 4X1 conversion is
a waste of time, but since you can't really use LM heads with a '62 engine,
I'll just say it's a waste of money. The 140 makes most of its power with
much bigger valves, and a slightly more aggresive cam. A 140 with two
good carbs will drive circles around a 110 with a 4X1 conversion.
Good luck,
- -Joe Curran
espace@mit.edu
'66 Corvair Monza coupe w/'67 110, '66 PG/3.55 posi diff
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