4.0L drag car shell suggestions

[BPXR6T]

I have a turbo 4.0 SOHC motor sitting in the shed begging to go into something. So I'm looking to build a budget drag car. I want something small and light so it's easy to tow long distances, and something that I can get the six into and out of without too much fuss. Not having to recess the firewall would be a bonus. I'm not keen on a cortina size car, preferrably something smaller like a little toyota or the like. Anyone have any ideas on what might be an easy fit for the 4.0?

[mickyyyy]

Capri or cortina but u dont want a cortina plus the weight of a TE isent much at all.

[GTP owner]

Run it on methanol so you don't have to run a radiator and it will fit in an escort.

[mickyyyy]

GTP owner

Thats a good idea but alot of work too.

[4Vman]

360z.

[Iggypoppin']

Gemini on methanol

[Bushbasher]

There's not a whole lot of choice out there in a small shell with a long enough engine bay to shoehorn an I6 into without some cutting and shutting. RX7 perhaps if you can get the donk sitting low enough. How about go completely left field and put it in the back of a stripped out Tarago van or something, that should be good for a laugh.


Bushbasher

[outback_ute]

LC-LJ Torana

[ehast13]

A quick list of cars that can fit a biggish inline six with a conservative weight (stripped of interior stuff like speakers, sound proofing etc but including weight of ford six and turbo stuff). You could easily make them lighter than what I've recorded but it's a quick list


1980 ish Bmw 3 series. I've seen one with a BA turbo in it. (under 1000kgs)

190e mercedes (under 1100)

torana (under 1100 LH/UC or LJ shape under 1000kg)

early commie (under 1200)

centura (under 1100)

early cressida/corona mkII (under 1200)

Celica (they fitted the ma28/ma30 inline sixes in the late 70's to mid eighties shapes)
(under 1100)

240/260/280z/zx/k (under 1200)

bluebird/sigma (under 1100)
/pintara/skyline(under 1250)

Volvo 2 series (probably too big - under 1300)

[LOCO XP]

TE Cortina. Stripped should be able to have it around 1100kg or less. Cheap and easy to come across, and although you don't seem interested in one, it's gonna be tough to find much else on a budget that isn't gonna require a ton of mods to squeeze an inline 6 into.

[LOCO XP]

That is unless you're on a mission to upset purists by slipping a Ford 6 into something like a Centura or Torana lol

[ebxr8240]

Don't do a Celica.. That's my project lol....
Looking at drags the other day ...Cougar with 2JGTE beat the Gas Celica..
Fords Cougar, Focus,.. Something late model light and streamlined..
You have to check the rules about chassis rails in some classes..
They can be notched for suspension and tyre clearance.
Crossmember can be cut / modified to allow sump clearance etc..
Fwd to rwd is not too much trouble as in most cases it needs changing any way..

[slo_crossflow]

A Nissan Patrol :

[XR6_190]

I know it's a bit obvious, but what about an early falcon (XK-XP), they were pretty light and will definitely fit a Falcon 6 in, or even an XD/XE? They weren't too heavy either, and pretty easy to fettle with.

[Nikked]

EA falcon

[Elks]

Originally Posted by Nikked

EA falcon

x2 Strip it out. Light, Cheap, reasonable aero for to end, easy to work on (engine bay big enough to fit a spanner in). Could look tuff low with mini tubs etc.

With such a short wheelbase, some of the small stuff such as Escorts, Gemini etc. will be a handfull. Hope your reactions a quick if you go that way.

[Sorted]

Escort

[BPXR6T]

Some good ideas. Main reason I want something compact and lite is it won't take up too much extra room in shed and it's easier to tow. My tow car is an XH panel van.

Last resort would be stripping down the EF falcon I have sitting out back. Doesn't get me around the physical size thing but the build would be a matter of stripping the car initially. How much weight do you think can be dropped from an EF noting that it would never see the street again.

Another option I'm considering is a little 2WD hilux. Either tray or tub back. Having a full chassis makes it a bit porky but the stiffer chassis will help me out down the track right? I've seen one of these with a supra motor that fitted easily.

[Cam]

mitsubishi scorpion!

[GTP owner]

Originally Posted by BPXR6T

Some good ideas. Main reason I want something compact and lite is it won't take up too much extra room in shed and it's easier to tow. My tow car is an XH panel van.

Last resort would be stripping down the EF falcon I have sitting out back. Doesn't get me around the physical size thing but the build would be a matter of stripping the car initially. How much weight do you think can be dropped from an EF noting that it would never see the street again.

Another option I'm considering is a little 2WD hilux. Either tray or tub back. Having a full chassis makes it a bit porky but the stiffer chassis will help me out down the track right? I've seen one of these with a supra motor that fitted easily.

Efs weigh about 1550kg. Removing seats, carpet, door liners, window mechanisms, spare wheel, air con, cutting out bonnet and boot supports etc will get rid of around 300kg. So figure on 1250kg and .5 sec quicker. This still sounds too heavy though.
The hilux is more work, which you seem to want to avoid. Given the lack of experience, i would stay away from it.

[cuz]

What about a X-series ute??

[justa6]

i know it's not what you first wanted, but i think the easiest thing would be an ea or if you had one sitting out the back the ef. surely you could get enough weight out of it.

[schnoods]

Another vote for the EA.

easy to chop and change anything, spares can be had from anywhere, you can pick up a shell for next to nothing too.

[Mont5.0]

Sigma Ftw!!

[Rev28K]

Work out which issue has the biggest priority for you:

A) Want to have a small car that you can tow with your Falcon ute
B) Want to put a turbo straight 6 in a drag shell

And that will determine what you’ll end up doing. Anything that will fit a straight 6 in an engine bay without too much cutting is by it’s nature going to be a big car.

Maybe think about putting the turbo 6 in the ute and keeping the stock engine as a spare.

[GASXR6]

why not just put it in an altered. The easiest option by far and the lightest, easiest to work on and the least room in th eshed!!!!

[schnoods]

^^ Though it is Ironic that your old capri will be given the 4Ltr treatment.

[GASXR6]

Originally Posted by schnoods

^^ Though it is Ironic that your old capri will be given the 4Ltr treatment.

I know it is very ironic. can't wait to see it in it's new form. Hope Matty doesn't go near that snake pit with it though!!!!

[schnoods]

I reckon, how close was it!

[GASXR6]

Matty's pretty cool, but I reckon some bowell movement took place!!!