whether you are using the MSD ECM or a re-programmed factory unit, you are still pluging into the crank and cam sensors, so you still have have of a full EFI setup.
Ebay has gotten really expensive for motors as I see used go for more than new. A local yard charges $300 for running engines irregardless of size, make, displacement, etc. I keep checking for a 98 or newer F-body. The LT1's and L98's go quick as others watch as well.
I still say, polished 215 with the 340 crank, mild port work, cam and a 471 with a 600CFM carb. You will have old-school coolness. downside is the 215 only flywheel housing bolt pattern.
If you want pics of a vortec 4200, email me at
[email protected]. I pulled some off the net. However DIYEFI can measure his in the AD. The engine should be about the same length, however a little wider (especially stock accessories) and a lot lighter being aluminum.
I have been trying to get to the chat room on inliners, however something keeps timing out. otherwise I would have more links to share.
I even thought of a Jag 4.2 liter engine as I really like the look of the old Jag engines with the double-hump valve covers. The good news is the later Jags had GM bolt patterns as they switched to 700R4 transmissions for a while. I would ditch the SU's for a set of Webbers. The 4.2 engine would propel an AD quite well. The later supercharged versions are hard to get for a good price as these are usually transplanted into other Jags.
I went Northstar for my Opel project's next engine simply because if I change my suspension to Cadillac CTS, I then have a full OPEL sourced street rod. It then fits the homogination update/backdate rules for SCCA - (The GT was based on the Kadett. The Kadett became the Calibra. The Calibra chassis was stretched to the Astra. The V8 Astra was powered by Northstar. The V6 Astra became the Cadillac Catera. The Catera became the CTS.
