Been lurking on here for a while trying to decide what direction to take my 86 2wd. I got her brand new when I was 16 and have logged over 350,000 miles. Sticker price was $5995.This truck has never let me down and was my only vehicle for over 12 years. It has survived graduating high school, a marriage, a divorce, brought my newborn home from the hospital and countless trips to work and thousands of other places over the years. About 8 years and 2000 miles ago I decided to rebuild the tired 22r and turn up the wick a little. A local engine shop that builds most of the mini stock race engines around here installed Wiesco pistons, a crankshaft scraper, oversized valves, LCE stage 2 cam, 3 angle valve job and balanced everything. I then installed a 38 Weber carb and Headman header. I was thinking I was gonna get a big gain in hp but was very disappointed when the stock engine had more power. It sounded great but was so weak it wouldn't pull a greasy string out of a cat's butt. I tried ignition timing, bought an adjustable cam gear from LCE and that didn't help, carb jetting, changed cams, everything, still nothing so I gave up. Its been sitting there ever since just rotting away. I really love this truck and can not stand to see it just sit there any more. Now that I have been doing some research on here and other sites I think I may have the wrong pistons. I'm pretty sure the guy put flat tops in my lazer block. Would that cause my problem? Any info would be greatly appreciated. If I can't figure this thing out I'm probably gonna swap in a 302 Ford.
Just swap in the 302 if you want real power. Thats what I'm eventually going to do!! BTW Welcome and let's see some pics!
Yay for something other than a 350! When you go for a rear end, look for the 8.8" ford, theyre pretty well always LSD. Can't wait to see it, how bout some pics? Got any of it when you first got it?
Yeah that whole 350 thing has been done to death. Someone even suggested a 4.3 and I laughed because I could outrun the s-10s with the 4.3 and auto back in the day. 4.3 5-speeds where a little more than I could handle though. This little truck is somewhat of a legend from the local mini truck wars of the late 80's and early 90's. The s-10 2.8 5-speeds were its arch enemy so no chevy motor is going in there.
I say put an LS1 in it. That's what I am doing! But if you are dead set against a bowtie, I'd say go with a newer mod motor 4.6 out of a Mustang. I wouldn't even think about a carb...
LS1s are good engines. I had one in my 01 ws6 Trans Am. If I had the time and resources I would put a 1jz or a 1uz in it but there's no really good info on the net about everything that needs to be done. Just think I would be in way over my head with wiring, fuel system, clutch set-up etc. I don't mind spending the money to either redo this engine or even do a efi swap but there are too many unknowns. A carb setup is about 5 wires and a fuel line. I wish I knew what to do.
ah, thats far away.. I feel like all the GA minitruckers are really spread out and the starions are already sold sorry
You're not TOO far from me. We need to organize a toyota meet in atlanta one day to get everyone together.
