Going to test the straight6 claims.
 

Ok so here is the deal. I have grown up hearing the claims from my dad, grampa, and other "older gentlemen" that you can build a straight 6 that will "walk all over" mild V8's. So my thought it, lets build one and see what it does. I have built my 350 to be a rather potent little street block, so I think I might be knowlegable enough to take this on.

Take a 250 inline 6 and built it to be as nasty as possible within an everyday budget, like it used to be done. I do understand that nothing costs the same as it used to, so I am accounting for that.

I am sure I can find the block or even the whole motor, my question is what am I looking for as far as the best one to build. The Truck block or the car block? And from there what are some tips, ideas and advise that everyone here has for me. I am not worried about fuel mileage or everyday street ability as it will go into the light rolling chassis I can find, and be backed up with a TH350 or TH400.

So far I know, offy 4bbl intake
split longtube headers?
max bored
shave head to increase comp
upgrade cam.lifters.sprins.and push rods
what else???

Thanks

Re: Going to test the straight6 claims.
 

http://stovebolt.com/

why a 250 and not 292?

Re: Going to test the straight6 claims.
 

ummm really just because i had always heard of the 250 and ford 300. it will be wichever is easiest to find. I know my loval pick and pull has atleast 6 of them sitting in the yard in trucks and some in cars. Just have to find one that is worth buying.

what is the physical diffrence between the two? what do I need to look for?

Re: Going to test the straight6 claims.
 

was just over at clifford, most likely going to go with the 1,200 for the mani/carb/header kit.
If i cant find a better set up go with the 272 cam and lifter hit aswell.

Re: Going to test the straight6 claims.
 

looking forward to this.......

Re: Going to test the straight6 claims.
 

Re: Going to test the straight6 claims.
 

250's are a dime a dozen here in central TX. I can get one already rebuilt with the split headers for 600.

rather build my own tho. and I had a 250 in my nova in highschool and i beat on that motor for a year and it never gave up.

Anyone know were I can get new pistons in over bore sizes from?

Re: Going to test the straight6 claims.
 

Used to be a 68 Camaro bracket car down hear called the buzzin-half-dozen . Had a 250 and th350 . Really consistant ran like 14.10's

Re: Going to test the straight6 claims.
 

I had a real nice 292 short block that included a steel crank, gas ported forged pistons, aluminum rods and main studs. I didn't have any use for it, so I sold it to this guy that runs www.12bolt.com

He said that my shortblock was designed for a head that was actually 3 small block chevy heads cut up and welded back together, pretty trick stuff. He builds turbo engines and all kids of neat things.

Re: Going to test the straight6 claims.
 

The guy that runs the local hydraulic shop has an anglis with a 292 in it . Had it since the 60's

Re: Going to test the straight6 claims.
 

as of right now I am scouting for a solid block, I am going to go with a 250 as from looking around it is the one with the most options and aftermarket parts available.

I really am looking forward to ripping it up with a 6 instead of my sbc.

Re: Going to test the straight6 claims.
 

Back when I was in high school a guy had a chevy II that he street raced with an inline 6 and it was pretty hard to beat.

Another guy in town had a t bucket with a 6 that would pull the front wheels off the ground when he launched it on the street!

Re: Going to test the straight6 claims.
 

First, if you are serious, you need to buy Santucci's book, be sure to get the second edition. You are better off starting with the 292, that 40+ CID really helps, just stay out of the harmonics. Takes the same intake and exhaust and head, allows better carb selection.


Next, define your budget. Six parts are not 'cheap'.
1. Rebuild short block - cheap, use sealed power 307 pistons, mild upgrade cam, good timing set, new oil pump, turn crank, etc. About $1200 inclusing machine shop.
1a. Use forged pistons and upgraded rods, add Fludidampr, studs, align bore - add $800
2. Rebuild stock head - $250
2+. Swap to 194 head for better compression - $300
2a. 250/292 head but Increase valve size, lump ports (read the book), screw in rocker stands, roller rockers - add $5-600 depending on how much you do yourself
3. Intake and exhaust - Clifford manifold, Holley 390, Langdon's headers, electric fuel pump, custom exhaust - $800

So for about $3300 you can have a 292 that makes gobs of torque and will give a stock SBC a bad time.

now let's get serious.
T4 SPA turbo manifold, turbo, HP head gasket, methanol injection, intercooler, blow thru carb, boost adjusted FPR, custom exhaust and BOV -$2000

So can you make 400 HP with a turbo, carb, and some tweaks? yes. Will it be as cheap as a 383 Chevy? no.

EFI $1500 (megasquirt, port fuel log, controlled timing, knock sensor)
Hybrid head based on LS or big flow SBC, lay back cylinder bore walls, BIG cam, etc - $5000 is depending on what/how.

Now you're pushing 550+ HP, up there with some stout SBC's, but you're close to the limit of a six.

If I wanted to beat up on SBC's I'd pick up a 5.3 LS motor (under $1200 with harness), add a chip, and you'll pund 305's and STOCK 350's, and give mild 350's a good run.

When I have time to be truely different I'll finish my 250 and swap it for the tired one in the 77 and cruise in an ungly old truck that I fit in. But it's not likely to win many races. The LS motors are just too good, my 1999 3/4 ton xcab weighs 5400 dry and is much quicker than my 1990 454 SS was.

Re: Going to test the straight6 claims.
 

D13- Damn good info and the prices you are quoteing are near spot on. i was budgeting for about 3500. This is really going to be a long term build so it will be pieces by piece. Also it will be going into something along the lines of a chevette/pacer/p**to, small and RWD.

I am going LS with the truck hopefully next year after the body is in final primer and sealed.

Re: Going to test the straight6 claims.
 

Just build a Cummins, thats a 6 and can make 1000hp. lol

Re: Going to test the straight6 claims.
 

haha naw i dont like the smell of diesel

Re: Going to test the straight6 claims.
 

check inliners.com for there forum. There are a few turbo cars in brazil with 250 and turbos that go fast, like 8 seconds fast!

Re: Going to test the straight6 claims.
 

Any updates here?

Re: Going to test the straight6 claims.
 

Yeah I'd like to know as well.

Sounds like this would be very cool to have a hot lil' 6 banger!

Re: Going to test the straight6 claims.
 

Yeah, I've got a 250 in mine and I have Santucci's book, was thinking of doing this myself, not sure yet though.

Re: Going to test the straight6 claims.
 

Updates?

Car Craft did a feature some time ago about a guy who took a blue oval 300 6, slapped a turbo on it from an old dumptruck or something and was running 10 second 1/4 miles in a Maverick on a pretty cheap budget. Obviously that car is lighter than a truck but if the enemy can do it why can't Chevy guys do it with a 250 or 292?

Re: Going to test the straight6 claims.
 

My 64 has the 292 in it. I'd like to know the options as well.
I'm leaning towards a big block, but this 292 has 22,000 documented miles on it.
Was installed in 1980. Stock bore WAR engine.
http://sinistersistersyndicate.com/6.../atsb00022.jpg
http://sinistersistersyndicate.com/6.../atsb00020.jpg