Sad but true
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Here's another thing about the Camry- it's going to have a 5- or 6-speed automatic transmission with a lockup converter that locks out under full throttle. With a modular V6 belting out torque in a small car and a tight gear spread you walked into a gun fight with a Ka-bar. I love my Ka-bar, but there's limitations to all of our tools.
johnboy makes a solid point about the family cars not being so slow anymore!
I bought my truck because of the I-6, and I knew that there's almost nothing I could ever do it that would be worth the hassle of upgrading (I knew that I would research, then decide to leave it alone). To date, all I've done is put a Flowmaster-50 on it with a downturn, then drive it north to south, east to west, and next week the truck is going to Hawaii on a ship where it will continue to serve as the worthiest beater and the best truck I've ever driven.
You'll never win a race with an I-6, but you'll always finish the race!
Just think of how much fun you had building it!
johnboy makes a solid point about the family cars not being so slow anymore!
I bought my truck because of the I-6, and I knew that there's almost nothing I could ever do it that would be worth the hassle of upgrading (I knew that I would research, then decide to leave it alone). To date, all I've done is put a Flowmaster-50 on it with a downturn, then drive it north to south, east to west, and next week the truck is going to Hawaii on a ship where it will continue to serve as the worthiest beater and the best truck I've ever driven.
You'll never win a race with an I-6, but you'll always finish the race!
Just think of how much fun you had building it!
New User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach
I am not an expert on performance by any means, but I dont worry much about newer cars being faster then my old truck. I have a 352 y block in my 66 F-250, and I get people passing me up all the time. sometimes even getting a little upset at me for not doing 90-100 on the 405. However, i take great pride and pleasure in knowing that i have the sufficiant torque that i could push, pull, or drag their pathetic little cars at my whim. its a truck, its going to act and perform like a truck and thats that. do you race your truck? if you do im sure that you could figure out the right formula for that engine. If not, just enjoy it. hopefully this is encouraging, like i said not an expert in mechanics or performance. I just love old trucks.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
I am not an expert on performance by any means, but I dont worry much about newer cars being faster then my old truck. I have a 352 y block in my 66 F-250, and I get people passing me up all the time. sometimes even getting a little upset at me for not doing 90-100 on the 405. However, i take great pride and pleasure in knowing that i have the sufficiant torque that i could push, pull, or drag their pathetic little cars at my whim. its a truck, its going to act and perform like a truck and thats that. do you race your truck? if you do im sure that you could figure out the right formula for that engine. If not, just enjoy it. hopefully this is encouraging, like i said not an expert in mechanics or performance. I just love old trucks.
BTW: The 405 is a crazy road! There's not enough drainage to handle even a slight drizzle- it turns into a death-slide from wall to wall and the traffic is lined up from Santa Barbara to Oceanside. I've enjoyed the past 2 years I've been on and off in So-Cal but these roads are insane! The weather is amazing here and the strawberries they grow in Oxnard are the world's finest. It will be nice to not have to suit up in neoprene to get out in the water though.
Cheers!
-TK
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,556
Likes: 5
Wow, to completely stray from my normal responses, that the I-6 is a turd...Im gonna have to change my stance like a politician.
Just looking at your generalized list of engine modifications, there are some key factors missing that might indicate why you feel you dont have the power you think you should.
I think if they were corrected, you could give the chick in the import a run for her money.
But yeah, the v8 is the way to go as far as, bang for the buck and performance....I wish it werent true, and I wouldnt use a v8 from anything earlier than a 2000 model and I wouldnt limited my powerplant options to ford either....would be nearly a plug and play deal.
With that said, I wouldnt give up just yet, theres still potential in your engine...especially your engine, since its already had money thrown at it.
Just looking at your generalized list of engine modifications, there are some key factors missing that might indicate why you feel you dont have the power you think you should.
I think if they were corrected, you could give the chick in the import a run for her money.
But yeah, the v8 is the way to go as far as, bang for the buck and performance....I wish it werent true, and I wouldnt use a v8 from anything earlier than a 2000 model and I wouldnt limited my powerplant options to ford either....would be nearly a plug and play deal.
With that said, I wouldnt give up just yet, theres still potential in your engine...especially your engine, since its already had money thrown at it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,021
Likes: 5
From: Almost Heaven
Mr. Kevin, I am sorry you are disaointed. I have never won a race with my truck. However, the darn thing starts every time I turn the key.
The 300 is a tractor engine. It's not a V6, it's not even an average I6. It's a purpose built diesel-like engine designed to last and work to death.
Not race chicks in friggin' Toy's.
Mr. Kevin, perhaps it's time you sold me your 300 and consdered building a V8. Personally, weather or not you want to admit it, I think you really want a hot-rod pickup truck..
I say all of this with respect. You know that.
The 300 is a tractor engine. It's not a V6, it's not even an average I6. It's a purpose built diesel-like engine designed to last and work to death.
Not race chicks in friggin' Toy's.
Mr. Kevin, perhaps it's time you sold me your 300 and consdered building a V8. Personally, weather or not you want to admit it, I think you really want a hot-rod pickup truck..
I say all of this with respect. You know that.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 566
Likes: 1
Back to the 300, I hope F250 restorer keeps at it, I know it's a bummer when you put money and time into things and they don't go as planned.
Be interesting to see what a modern day turbo and fuel injection system could do to a 300 power wise.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 537
Likes: 0
From: LaGrande,Ore
Personaly I don't think the limits of the 300 have been fully explored. As have been pointed out many times it's a narrow nitch. Not realy that many out there. parts not available, and no aftermarket support. "IF" the same amount of R&D were put into the 300 as has been put into the popular Vs we wouldn't be able to keep a frame or drive train together. Hey just go to the local parts house and ask for cross flow, penta roof, 4 valve, aluminum cylinder head for the 300.If they sell you one I'll start praying to you insted of the all mighty. No slam, flame, disrespect,or blasphemy intended or implied.OBCB
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 444
Likes: 4
My good friend had an I6 back in the early 1990s. It was a strong motor for what it was. Nice a torquey but not a rocket sled.
I wouldn't be disappointed. Did you build the thing to be a Camry killer?
The new Camrys are pretty peppy. The V6 has almost 300 HP (280). I wouldn't expect to beat a camry in most 4x4s. It is lighter and probably has more power. Let alone its ability to get it to the ground is much better.
I wouldn't be disappointed. Did you build the thing to be a Camry killer?
The new Camrys are pretty peppy. The V6 has almost 300 HP (280). I wouldn't expect to beat a camry in most 4x4s. It is lighter and probably has more power. Let alone its ability to get it to the ground is much better.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
I can't wait to build another project truck- I'm going to do a Short-box F-100 of 73-79 style, and build a 351W-based stroker, something like a 393, then put a 4R70W behind it pushing 3.90's in the rear and a big 4-barrel carb. A carb with an electronic trans- it'll be fun to build and it'll be way faster than I need it to be....
...but I've got a feeling my 300 will still be there, faithfully fetching parts with me!
...but I've got a feeling my 300 will still be there, faithfully fetching parts with me!
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
OBCB- I think you bring up a good point about the power potential. My wife's BMW 325i has an inline-6 and it is supremely powerful and loves to revv up. It rips 25 MPG's even with me driving way faster than I should. That's with a DOHC valvetrain and modern fuel injection, but the potential is definitely there for any I-6. Also, the 6-speed automatic trans keeps it right in the sweet spot. I am also curious just how great the 300 could be with the same level of research!
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 480
Likes: 0
From: Hudson,Michigan
Put that Camry up against a car in it's class,like a 2010 Taurus SHO,V6 with 365hp and watch her get her doors blown off.And as far as I6's,I'm sure she would have been looking at tail lights on the old '68 Jag XKE 120,Twin OHC I6,it was a real hauler in the day.As was said before,horsepower to weight ratio,it determines who wins the race,and your putting a Zippo up against a Bic lighter,in the end the Zippo always wins and the Bic gets thrown away.It would make you feel better if you would hook on to her rear bumper and drag her half way across the state,but you can't legally do that,so just be happy knowing that you could.I think you did a great job,and your still dialing it in.Remember what your original goal was?If you wanted to go out and beat everything from light to light,you should have built your 390,but that wasn't your goal was it?Be happy and proud of your work,I would be.
New User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach
right on torqueking
Hoo-Rah, Torque! Mine still gets 20 MPG and I have enough tools in my toolbox to dismantle and reassemble the smaller ones on the side of the road. For whatever reason they always need the Metal Beast whenever they've killed a battery, blown a tire, you name it. Nothing beats the utility of a big, old, Ford Truck.
BTW: The 405 is a crazy road! There's not enough drainage to handle even a slight drizzle- it turns into a death-slide from wall to wall and the traffic is lined up from Santa Barbara to Oceanside. I've enjoyed the past 2 years I've been on and off in So-Cal but these roads are insane! The weather is amazing here and the strawberries they grow in Oxnard are the world's finest. It will be nice to not have to suit up in neoprene to get out in the water though.
Cheers!
-TK
BTW: The 405 is a crazy road! There's not enough drainage to handle even a slight drizzle- it turns into a death-slide from wall to wall and the traffic is lined up from Santa Barbara to Oceanside. I've enjoyed the past 2 years I've been on and off in So-Cal but these roads are insane! The weather is amazing here and the strawberries they grow in Oxnard are the world's finest. It will be nice to not have to suit up in neoprene to get out in the water though.
Cheers!
-TK