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Re: 1970 SPL resto finally started...
Posted: Mon May 10, 2021 6:44 pm
by RustyBucket
What kind of rear shocks are those ?? Are you doing a front brake upgrade to Volvo rotors and etc...
Re: 1970 SPL resto finally started...
Posted: Mon May 10, 2021 8:18 pm
by funkaholik
The rear shocks are JT's Bilsteins. I also put his Bilstein conversion on the front, and yes, I did the Volvo upgrade using a kit from blue hands fabrication. Pretty easy swap using modified Nissan Altima vented rotors. There is a good pic of the front brakes at the top of page 5 of this thread.
Re: 1970 SPL resto finally started...
Posted: Thu May 13, 2021 4:04 am
by RustyBucket
Erik, Thanks for the information. Looking good!!
Big progress - engine is done!
Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2021 12:44 am
by funkaholik
Got to watch my engine get dyno tuned at Rebello Racing today. This has been a long time coming, and feels like such a milestone. It was amazing! The guy running the dyno, Dave (not Rebello), is super cool and very meticulous. He talked me through everything he was doing, and why. From jet and air bleed changes to carb syncing and timing adjustments, it was very educational and interesting. He let me stand inside the dyno cell with hearing protection and shoot some video, too.
Without giving away any Rebello secrets, here are some details:
- My original R16 engine block.
- 2L crank with the journals ground for different rods and a longer stroke, for 2155cc total displacement and 10 to 1 compression.
- Ported and polished head with big valves.
- Very healthy cam and springs.
- Dual 40 Mikinis built by Dave Premo.
Best dyno numbers were 199.7 hp at 6500, 185.6 tq at 5000. There are those who are skeptical of the accuracy of these numbers, but either way, this is a beast and is going to be a riot in a 2000 lb car.
Now for the fun stuff: video of the engine screaming up to 7000 rpm under load...
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8z14jzMR7O8
Re: 1970 SPL resto finally started...
Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2021 12:58 am
by funkaholik
Re: 1970 SPL resto finally started...
Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2021 2:37 am
by Alvin
Exciting!
Let's put it on the dyno at ZCG!
Re: 1970 SPL resto finally started...
Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2021 8:14 am
by notoptoy
Wow, that sounds amazing and out of a pushrod motor too. Impressive!
Re: 1970 SPL resto finally started...
Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2021 11:13 am
by nismou20
I’m impressed!

Re: 1970 SPL resto finally started...
Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2021 6:47 pm
by RustyBucket
That is amazing it could produce that much power out of an antique designed block and head ( despite the mods) and it didn't blow up !!!
A Stout Beast
Re: 1970 SPL resto finally started...
Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2021 1:02 am
by SPLutah
Excited for you Erik! That car is going to be a blast!!!
Re: 1970 SPL resto finally started...
Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2021 8:51 am
by funkaholik
Made some big progress yesterday. Got spacer plate, flywheel & clutch on, trans bolted to engine, and whole assembly installed in the frame. This really feels like a milestone.
Special thanks to JT68 for expediting me a set of flywheel to crank bolts, which I guess I had never ordered, and to Dave Premo for helping me figure out the trans to rear mount bolt size. Since I swapped to a 5 speed, the old 4 speed bolts wouldn't work, and my thread checker only goes up to 10mm.
Other than that, things went pretty smoothly for doing it all by myself.

Re: 1970 SPL resto finally started...
Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2021 1:30 pm
by iloveredmeat
Absolutely gawgeous!
Re: 1970 SPL resto finally started...
Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2021 3:53 pm
by RustyBucket
Erik,
It looks better than New !! That is one beefy front sway bar too!
I have my car apart and down to the frame.
How much of a PIA to convert over to a 5 Speed ?
Re: 1970 SPL resto finally started...
Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2021 3:55 pm
by RustyBucket
What HP do you think you'll get out of it now ?
Re: 1970 SPL resto finally started...
Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2021 4:02 pm
by eye
I'd be curious to see what it puts down to the tires. Sounds good for sure. Nice work.