Mods, since this isn't a truly 'help me fix X problem' post, if this needs to be deleted please do.
Ok, bear with me as this is purely hypothetical, would cost more than its worth, I'm an idiot for posting this question, etc etc but I'm really curious and may actually try to do something like this at some point when I start cruising into retirement. I truly miss the old days when I could change mechanical fuel pump in 10 minutes, an alternator in 15 minutes, and never worry about a mega expensive computer going out.
If you wanted to take a modern-ish vehicle with a solid frame, body, etc and basically take it technologically back a few decades so you would have something simpler to work on with few or no electronics, etc., how would you go about it? Here are my thoughts and I'm really curious to see what folks would do, and what vehicle they might do this with.
- Find a semi modern (and probably Rear wheel drive) vehicle (past 20 years) that did not have ABS, the braking system would not be tied into a computer, etc. - What vehicle would that be?
- Replace the engine with a carbureted engine that has at most a simple electronic ignition (maybe even points) - What engine would you choose?
- Replace the transmission with one not tied into any electronics...could be manual or automatic. What transmission would you choose?
- Plan on replacing all of the dash and electronics inside with simple gauges, mechanical speedo, etc.
- Plan on replacing/fabricating motor mounts, transmission mounts, etc.
I'm probably forgetting more things so please advise on others if you think of them.
Any thoughts on what vehicle this might be a good idea on and how you yourself might go about it? With the variety of experience on this forum I would enjoy seeing what you guys can advise.
I think I get what you are saying but I think there is a much simpler way to go about it. You know how they have those kit shelby cobras for like 15k? And you need a donor car and what not. Do that. But with what you are saying. I wouldn't go so far as carb but that's cause I'm a millennial and have no idea how carbs work lol. So here is my take. Say you really like the Audi look. For simplicity say you love the A4. Take the shell of it, and just plop it onto another older car. Say a 1990 Lexus SC. Boom. You got your frankenstein.
Btw I know the wheel base ain't the same in the two cars and the frame will need to be bent and cut and adding supports and all that. Just that's what I can think of atm. Don't @ me lol.
lol no worries BruceREE, I really appreciate the answer! I'm familiar with kit cars and have considered going that route. But my thoughts are is using a stock vehicle so you wouldn't have to mess with cutting the frame, getting a body to fit... I'm much better getting things working mechanically than doing cuts and body work 🙂 I would love, for example, to take a 2007+ Jaguar XK, remove the drivetrain and all electronics, and build back something mechanically simple. It would be a horrible choice because of so many electronics though, but I'd love to have one and know I could repair it!
It's all doable with enough money that it's going to take to do that. That's why a lot of hot-rodders like putting in a Chevy small block into (Project X) is so popular. You can go old-school small block or more modern with an LS swap. Lot's of options out there because there's a ton out there and parts are available.
Thank you toyotagrl! I curious to see what specific newish vehicles folks come up with and why they choose it. I've seen folks put a chevy 350 in a first generation Rx7...not a lot of electronics in those but man you would definitely need to beef up the suspension.
Mark...I've seen an LS1 in a older Miata at a local car n coffee a few years ago. Or Chevy 350 in old Ford Model A, T's hot-rods etc... Limited by your own imagination and $$ or lack there of. lol