GhostRider84

D'You mean a Chevy Vega like this one?
Put a "piece o'$hit" - 2.8 L engine in a 76 Chevy Vega?
That's the most unheard of thing, I ever heard of !!!

The Registration sez: WEIGHT 2641, Thats what, about 1000 lbs less than a 3rdGen?
A little V6, a little car, a little NITROUS - could be a beautiful thing!

Joe_L

Huh? What does this have to do with anything.

KED85

I like using what I have left over.
I wanted to get a Vega.
Toss in the little 2.8 and give that engine a chance to do something, with a lot less weight.
It would be fun.
The narrow V-6 would be a very good fit under that hood.
Really power to weight ratio may be just right!
Fun to dream!
I had a new 1975 4-speed hatchback and.....
Yes, Hot Rod even did a V-6 under one of those hoods.
4.3 w/5 speed! late 1970-early 80's
Yes we all know the Motion cars of the V-8 Vegas.

GhostRider84

I agree with you, my friend. I like using what I have left over. That's why when I finish rebuilding th' Bird, I'm gona drop that little V6 into that Orange Blossom Special (that's the original paint color), add some street slicks,& some other tricks and have some fun. (the truck headers will fit too). The Duffi (what is the plural of Duffis?)around here (who seem to all drive Mustangs) won't even know it's not the stock engine!

Wish I could read that Hot Rod article, do you remember what year?

KED85

The LATEST issue of Hot Rod has the story of Don Hardy who did ALL THE VEGA V-8's swaps. Made the stuff for Motion/Joel Rosen, too.
Other articles, I discovered all these old Hot ROds Car Crafts, etc from the 70's/80's.
I moved, got to see what I got!
I even discovered how to hop up In-Line 6's with GM parts from yards (trucks have larger 1 bbl carbs)!
That one issue of the 6 cylinder stuff is the one with Jungle Pam in front of Jungle Jim Libermans Funny Car Camaro of the 70-71 vintage on the cover.
For the 4.3 that was when GM just released it late 70's. They used a 5-speed, etc. it was a cable clutch set up, as the stock one.
With todays aftermarket, you can get anything, almost all of todays hot rod stuff was so unheard of back in the 70's/80's.
You're right, tho.
Engine, make motormounts, add headers any tranny (I'd used an auto just for the ease), add the AC (conversion).
Upgrade one day with a 85 MPFI unit. Just add gas lines on the tank and also add a hi-pressure electric fuel pump.
I envy ya, that'll look SO GREAT!!!
DON'T GO WILD ON EXHAUST pipe size. These little things need small-ish pipes for torque off line.
Unless you go to MPFI, then can go larger (their fuel/intake make up for inefficent intake set up of carb).
I want to make a Vega El Camino
But, I'd have to butcher a Vega Wagon for that.
I think your project wil turn out so much FUN!!

KED85

I owned a 1975 Vega, new.
I put 63,500 miles on it in 2 1/2 years.
Before Isold it, I took on a Trans Am from the late 70's on 495 in Maryland.
I beat him at over 95 MPH.
I added Gabriel shocks, radial tires a Weiand Air cleaner (foam one) and made a rear spoiler outta sheet metal for those rainy freeway drives.
Added Tach, oil, temp gauges in that area for the AC vents.
I LOVED MY VEGA!
One timing belt, a water pump, one set of tires and one set of brake pads. Oh, a set of plugs, cap & rotor, too. Yes oil filters.....
That was the extent of the parts I ever bought for that car.
I blacked out the louvers in the rear window area (left paint on top, blacked recessed part) did same trim paint trick to grill & blacked out headlights, shined chrome ring.
Pin stripped. The Metalic Green/tan interior was my color.
I LOVED MY VEGA

Project: 85 2.8 bird

mustofbeen a 301 T/A, all show, no-go. here's a little known history: the most powerful "stock" domestic vehicle in the late 70's wasn't the T/A or the vete..........Dodges' Lil' Red Wagon. yes, a truck. If I remember right it had the 318 or 360, but because it was a truck , fewer emmissions to worry about & thus no smog police to rob the power.

KED85

What little known fact.
I LIVED IT!!
It was 1978, I did that run...
IT was WAY DARK, saw it as it came aside me.
Fastest was also a T-bird, late 70's
That Little Red Truck was a 360 engine.
The Corvette was still the fastest.
Quarter mile, etc, was slightly different.
NOTHING WAS FAST FROM THE FACTORY BACK THEM.
17 secs was fast, 16 was astounding, 15 was an old magazine article!!
Most ran about 18-17 secs.
BUT for the FIRST TIME, America knew how to turn the steering wheel as radials were introduced as standard equipment.
I enjoyed my 70's very much

Project: 85 2.8 bird

you're old

late 70's T-bird? I had one for a while, 351 2bb. hood was too long, & steered weird. maybe a modified one but stock was a dog. My bonnie has more *****. & a shorter hood.

KED85

I just met this guy that works at Performance Years in Hatfield, PA. next door to where I grew up in 1965-1975.
I chatted to him from Sunny LA.
He's pretty amazed what one could do in a few years.
I'm more amazed all the stupid things I've done & lived to still talk about it!
I mean, I did have a 1966 Corvette, when I was 16, curvy back road of Eastern PA, when it was all farm land. And the Corvette cost on $1,750, loaded and in original condition with Cragar mag wheels, two tops.
Wanna talk about Riots and Robberies and Earthquakes and Floods and Fires and Hurricanes and Celebraties, too?
Old?
You don't even know..........