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Forum Newbie
Last Login: 2 days ago @ 5:08:43 PM
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. Has anyone considered making the Tumbler with a diesel engine, say from a Ford pickup with turbo. although it's heavy, it would supposedly get better gas mileage, say 8 MPG as opposed to 7 MPG, and more power but with less acceleration. Any thoughts?
It's not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me.
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Has NO LIFE!!
Last Login: Today @ 4:35:23 PM
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| Hey Kaminomai, yeah I think a diesel would be cool. A friend of mine has a Duramax turbo diesel in his 4x4 truck and gets about 22mpg. But the amazing thing about the diesels is the amount of torque generated. I think if someone is going for the best fuel mileage a diesel powered engine would be great in addition to lightening the vehicle, manual gearing through the tranny and a 2 speed rear end could make a big improvement in overall fuel mileage. My Rumbler has a Cadillac 500 cubin inch engine. I've done a lot of modifications for power such as an Edlebrock intake manifold and carbuerator for better mixing of the fuel. A Crane cam for better horsepower, beefed up Turbo 400 tranny, Sanderson headers and 3 stage Flowmaster muffler. I've added electric fans to gain some horsepower. Having an engine that is high performance will use less effort to move the vehicle around. But I have to admit fuel mileage was not a big concern for me. I'm more interested in quick acceleration and torque..... If I were really interested in fuel mileage I would consider a Chevy Duramax turbo diesel. Maybe with a 6 speed manual transmission and possibly a 2 speed rear end......An all aluminum chassis and other items to lessen the weight of the vehicle. It would be an interesting thing to try and figure out........Just some thoughts......BWD
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Forum Member
Last Login: Today @ 2:47:43 PM
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| I'm gettin at Lane automotive what is called a "crate kit". a plug-n-play deal that has air,alt.,water pump, fuel pump, dist. cap. 5.7 ltr, 350hse. v-8, 405ft. torque, plugs, wires, air cleaner, carb, and a turbo tci 3 sp. for all of 6700.00 out the door. So all the stuff is close to the original. I back my truck up to the warehse, and they drop it all in. the engine is edelbrock. I am lucky in that I live less than 30 min. from lane automotive. which is this big race car parts place. like a huge grocery store, with nothing but circle track, open wheel, hotrod, drag, stuff. So I get to see it before I buy it. like BWD, I'm more concerned with init. speed and torque. not that it has to lift the front end, or anything. these cars will probaly not get driven at lot. (or at least that's what I think...)
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Forum Newbie
Last Login: 2 days ago @ 5:08:43 PM
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SWEET! If i ever get this off the ground I'm definitely going to go with diesel.
It's not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me.
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Has NO LIFE!!
Last Login: Today @ 4:35:23 PM
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| Hey Kainomai, I finally figured out that you have to think of building the Tumbler like building a dump truck. The rear axle has to be heavy duty to support the duallies. Each tire with a steel rim weighs approximately 150 lbs.....That's a lot of weight.....When you figure 300 lbs per side and a 200-300 lbs axle...With the fourlink suspension you got to be over 1000 lbs......When you figure my first tubular VW dune buggy weighed in at under 1400 lbs that gives you an idea of why the Tumbler has to be built like a dump truck.......There's a lot of dump trucks running diesels....hahaha....Dave
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Forum Newbie
Last Login: 2 days ago @ 5:08:43 PM
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Haha, that's a really good point Dave. The Tumbler looks amazing as it is, but with a plume of black smoke behind it, it may look even better...... cough cough
It's not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me.
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Junior Member
Last Login: 12/11/2008 8:48:59 PM
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| I know this isnt at serious as the engines your discussing, but what are your thoughts on converting a '97 gmc suburban into a mock-tumbler. Its got about 265hp and we use it for towing almost everything. Its at 295,000 miles on it and the transmissions starting to fail. the problem is a replacement is about $3k, and its about a foot to long. but otherwise were gonna be getting rid of it... Im dreaming big - im working on a 1:20 model now. Im almost done with the frame.
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Has NO LIFE!!
Last Login: Today @ 4:35:23 PM
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| Hey Drew2, yeah I think that engine would be fine....One of the things to consider though is that you may be able to buy a running Surburban or truck that still has a lot of life left on it......Many times with 295,000 miles many parts on the drivetrain may simply be worn out...I'm not even crazy about buying a vehicle with a rebuilt engine because you don't know how well it was rebuilt... My 89 Batmobile will have a 2004 Cadillac CTS engine that was installed by the dealership into a 98 Camaro. The guy had all the receipts and even had a limited warranty from the dealership....The engine has 17,000 miles on it and the receipt shows the previous owner paid $8500 for it installed by t | | | |