Hi folks,Just thought I'd introduce myself before I no doubt pick some brains on the nailhead...I've got a 58 special here in the uk which I believe is a fairly unique thing.Needs a lot - especially the interior... Oh you can call me Ben (because that is my name)Hello all!
Welcome Ben. Scroll down on the forum page till you hit Da Nailhead section. The take a stroll through the "halls of knowledge" there in. Tons of info,pictures, and sources. Your car is a beautiful beast of a car. Enjoy your time here on V8. :TU:
Thanks for the welcome folks.It just occurred to me that my other project may be of interest here.It's an old mx5/miata with a tvr/rover v8 nailed in there, with a 471 blower on the top.I believe the rover lump is actually a Buick? ---------- Post added at 11:13 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:52 AM ---------- Ps if my Mazda / rover v8 supercharged mongrel is not in the spirit of the board, I'll not mention it again...New here so not sure what the reaction to this sort of abomination is?
Sure.So the engine is a 5ltr or approx 305cu evolution of the rover v8, which I believe was bought by rover from Buick - I'm sure others will know more... But in the uk they are fitted to all sorts, from range rover to saloons and then in warmed over versions they were used and developed further by TVR for their sports cars.These TVR versions were strengthened with cross bolted mains - and more carefully selected as taking the bore size up was very close to the limit.So my engine is a TVR block with forged rods, balanced etc, nailed together with a bit of care using arp studs and bolts.Here's a early mockup.The blower was brought back from the states in bits and rebuilt with new seals and bearings.No kits are available so I machined the top of a single plane manifold an welded a big alloy plate to the top of it to mount the blower.Then the drive snout for the blower was machine from billet to suit and a tensioner system laser cut etc.It's running a 500 cfm carb, with choke removed and modified to mechanically operated secondaries.First dyno run results were 400hp at the rear wheels - which is not amazing for a Chevy - but pretty good for a rover lump.Since then I've messed with cams, blower pulleys etc and its now pretty much maxed out at 500bhp to the wheels ---------- Post added at 06:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:54 PM ---------- The car was in pretty lousy condition But it was quick and a lot of fun.The rover v8 is all alloy, so the new v8 was only about the same weight as the old iron 4 banger!It ran a 12 sec quarter at about 125mph wheels spinning pretty much the whole way down the strip.After driving the car around for a while like this...I decided to rebuild the car.So I replaced a lot of rusty steel And sourced some huge flares from a race car in Japan - to make way for some more serious rubberAnd mocked up..With flares on I believe I'm running some of the biggest boots on any miata in the world now
So a lot of coats... (About 30) of house of kolor, kandy apple red over a gold base, with some extra sparkle thrown in, and it looks like this now...Not to everyone's taste- but fun anywayAnd pretty much a Buick V8 (I think?)Oh best et is 10.2 - going to bolt some slicks on and shoot for a 9 next month...
IMO if no one respects the car then too bad. Most important thing IMO is the fact you did all the work, design and even customizing of not only the body but the engine too. Anyone can buy a pile of parts, slap them together in a nice body. But i have more respect for someone who actually does their own work from start to finish and actually knows what is in the car. When going to car shows i always stop and look at the car with the large photo album, that is when i know someone has done the work and is proud of it. I would look at a car like your Mazda before i looked at a showroom quality car that the owner with a fat wallet had restored by a body shop. Nothing disappoints me more than to strike up conversation with a car owner to hear how he pad this guy to do this and that guy to do that, has no clue what the cam specs are, what head work was done, details of the primer/paint/clear or even what problems had to be overcome during the build. Just my opinion. Nice rides, lets some more pics of that classic. That car has style!
Thanks! im just starting to do a resto job on the 58 - not sure exactly what direction I'll take it yet. will start a build thread during the week
Here's a couple of must read threads for someone restoring a '58 http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?158120-1958-Limited-Four-Door-Riviera&highlight= http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?259146-Laurel-Mist-58-Roadmaster&highlight=
Cheers for the links Bulldog! The limited thread is a great read - and the photos pretty much tell the story of how I spend my life... (up to my ass in rust) Here's a couple more pics of my old gal... she's getting there, but I wont show you under the bonnet (or inside) just yet - because they are an embarrassment. Check the FINS!!! I love this car
Look at all that chrome and trim!!!! Good thing its all in real nice shape,,,you have to rob a bank to finance an overhaul on just the trim itself!!!! Sharp ride!!!! What are your plans for it??
