Automatic Transmissions

[ggl205]

I would like to thank everyone who offered their experience and opinions. Believe it or not, they were all valuable and additive to my decision. I had to balance what would be ideal, with what I could afford and what sounded most practical as a best solution. This was not an easy decision to make. Tons of compromises no matter how I looked at it.

So, I pulled the trigger on a very low mile 2013 Corvette Grand Sport 6L80E with 2.73 rear carrier. Originally, I wanted to use my Toyota 2JZ race engine but that became too much of a project. I have about 85% of the parts to assemble a turbo Cosworth YB but even that was beyond my budget to complete. Parts I am missing are plentiful but very expensive.

Oddly, I went back to the engine I built for my first lakester. It is a 235 hp, NA SOHC 2.0L Pinto engine I plan on turbocharging. HP and torque from a turbo version of this SOHC engine should fit perfectly within the limits of my stock 6L80E. But before the 6L80E is used, a detuned engine producing around 400 hp will be used with my existing Hewland Mk9. If that works, the 6L goes in and hp is turned up. What remains to be seen is if the RPM drops between gears will work. My gearing software says yes, but the great white dyno may have other ideas.

John

[racergeo]

  I have owned 4 of the Caprice PPV. These were imported from Au. and were only used as police cars. The engine is either a high performance 300hp V6 or a detuned LS3 that only has 360 hp. I have taken people on rides that believed the engine to have 400+ hp because the way they were pinned back in the seat. First gear is basically useless as it is 4.0 to 1 but after that you are always in the power curve and accelerating because of the excellent gear ratios. I have gotten into 5th under power but never 6th. They have been timed at over 160mph. Great trans.

[ggl205]

It sounds like I am making a big move down on power but that little SOHC engine can produce 500 hp in turbo form. A turbocharged DOHC YB version can up that to 700+ hp. Not bad for a diminutive 2.0L. The best part is both DOHC and SOHC engines bolt right into my chassis. The 6L80E needs another structure but that has already been designed.

John

[Queeziryder]

John,
If you have the iron block it can be boosted to well over 700 BHP.
When Cosworth developed the 2l engine for the race cars with the 16 valve head they used the block from the Ford panel van that we call a Transit this side of the pond.
Double fuel injectors, a big turbo and an intercooler, definately a quart into a pint pot

Neil

[Happy Pappy]

Hewland Mk9, Pinto engine... Brings me back to my Formula Ford days! Good times for sure.

 Chris

[ggl205]

Chris, it was a Formula Ford that got me into LSR. Well, actually Formula Continental. I had so many parts left over after calling it quits with road racing, I thought, what the heck, let?s build a mid engine lakester.

Neil, yes, those little beasties made real horsepower. I am trying to be conservative so as to make the engine(s) live for more than five miles. Much better parts these days, however. My 2.0L block is a 205. A good one but the 200 is better. I can sink the head studs deeper. But 200 blocks are hard to come by here in the States and are a bit pricey across the pond.

John