My "Operation Frankenstein" project idea...

knightmare1015 · #1 05-28-2011, 09:27 PM

Well after some serious thought and a little bit of both good and bad luck I decided to switch to plan B on this upcoming project. I managed to find 2 things while out looking for parts. Plan B involves about 10 times less fab work than the original plan and is alot easier to obtain. I will not mention Plan B or post the actual project until it's completed so there won't be any debate about it. The original plan was to use an old 1983 Ranger cab that I found that needs minimum work. That part has not changed. The engine and tranny choice has. I managed to find an actual "P-51 Mustang Aircraft Merlin engine and transmission". I got extremely lucky on this one, but soon ran into bad luck shortly afterwards. After looking at it and the old ranger that I found, I realized it wouldn't work no matter what I did, including just buying the cab and building a tube chassis around it to get the merlin engine and tranny to fit. The guy said he'd hold both of them for me and would give me the engine for free since it seized up and would require alot of work to get running, but I would have to buy the tranny since it was just rebuilt. I went today after the carshow to let him know that he could keep it, but he'd already sold it. Someone had made him an offer he couldn't refuse which does happen from time to time. The original drivetrain choice I had was just too unrealistic to say the least.

Here's an old photo of the ranger I found which is still there today:

STL · #2 05-29-2011, 06:22 AM

Moved to the project section.

knightmare1015 · #3 05-29-2011, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STL

Moved to the project section.

Well thank you. I was wondering if I put it in the wrong spot after I posted this. I appreciate it. This will take a while, but I have began aquiring parts. So far everything is looking good. I just spoke to my machine shop and they told me that what I have chosen will be alot easier to do.

knightmare1015 · #4 05-30-2011, 01:07 AM

Well after much debate and what set up to use I've finally decided on an engine and tranny choice. I've decided to use this evil monster with a 700R4 tranny, but unlike this one it will use pump gas and have an exhaust cut out system so I can cruise through town, without getting a ticket. this one has no muffler at all, just open headers and that's it. It doesn't even have any exhaust pipes at all. So enjoy this evil monster that I found on youtube.

I did find another one listed in there but it's in another thread I posted and this one has a better camshaft choice.

STL · #5 05-30-2011, 02:32 AM

That is one loud Nova

knightmare1015 · #6 05-30-2011, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STL

That is one loud Nova

Yes it is. Here's what I plan on doing about that in my upcoming project. I originally wanted to do something different and something like Darth Vader would drive, but since I have made my engine and tranny choice I won't be able to do all that I wanted to originally in terms of fab but most of it. I plan on using a side pipe exhaust system because no one has done that yet on a ranger. I haven't found one on the web either. I'd have to use side pipes anyway cause of the size of the engine. About all I can really do is go with a flat black with clear coat paint job over something like LineX spray on bedliner over the entire truck. That and a custom hood and grill, along with different details such as headlights and tail lights. Of course everything would be blacked out grill and all. The interior is where I really want to make some changes and design my own, because it is needed very badly.

knightmare1015 · #7 06-02-2011, 05:28 AM

Well shit, I just got a call from my machine shop. I have to find another engine and tranny to use for fuck sake. I'm getting tired of making changes to this plan. I've already been busier than a one legged waitress at an IHOP restaurant just looking for parts which was done in vain. Damn it it I says. For those of you wondering the cost is what killed this engine idea. I aint got $16,000+ to buy this damn engine and I aint got another 2 grand to buy the tranny either. I'm starting to get pissed off.