Healey Sports Cars

mods & upgrades for Healey (Nash, Austin, or Jensen) cars, including engine swaps

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ccsct203
Clay Smith

(17 posts)

Registered:
12/12/2012 11:26PM

Main British Car:


Almost done V8 Bugeye SBC 383ci
Posted by: ccsct203
Date: July 16, 2015 10:57PM

After 2 1/2 years of work my 1961 Bugeye drove and stopped on its own power today
Chevy stroked 350ci to 383ci
TH350 Trans
Ford 9" rear
Wilwood MC
Fiberglass nose
Box frame
SSBC rear brakes
MGB / Spitfire front brakes
Much more [www.ahexp.com]

20150716_130612.jpg
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[attachment 16736 20150716_130622.jpg



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/16/2015 11:00PM by ccsct203.
20150716_130622.jpg


DiDueColpi
Fred Key
West coast - Canada
(1365 posts)

Registered:
05/14/2010 03:06AM

Main British Car:
I really thought that I'd be an action figure by now!

authors avatar
Re: Almost done V8 Bugeye SBC 383ci
Posted by: DiDueColpi
Date: July 17, 2015 12:19PM

I like it!
Looks as if it will have no problem keeping the entertainment meter pinned.

Live like you mean it
Fred


ccsct203
Clay Smith

(17 posts)

Registered:
12/12/2012 11:26PM

Main British Car:


Re: Almost done V8 Bugeye SBC 383ci
Posted by: ccsct203
Date: July 18, 2015 09:56PM

I'm afraid the gas gauge will be at pinned at "empty" too
With a 1800 lbs car which has 400 hp
scary fast to say the least


Anarchy99
Jim Purdy
Memphis, TN
(156 posts)

Registered:
12/06/2013 03:54PM

Main British Car:
61 austin healey sprite LS6

Re: Almost done V8 Bugeye SBC 383ci
Posted by: Anarchy99
Date: July 20, 2015 06:00PM

But soooo much freaking fun. Ease into the 400 hp thing... It gets fast in a hurry with a super light car


ccsct203
Clay Smith

(17 posts)

Registered:
12/12/2012 11:26PM

Main British Car:


Re: Almost done V8 Bugeye SBC 383ci
Posted by: ccsct203
Date: July 20, 2015 07:16PM

I wish I knew how much the car actually weighs
I'm guessing 1800 Lbs but it might be less


Anarchy99
Jim Purdy
Memphis, TN
(156 posts)

Registered:
12/06/2013 03:54PM

Main British Car:
61 austin healey sprite LS6

Re: Almost done V8 Bugeye SBC 383ci
Posted by: Anarchy99
Date: July 21, 2015 03:19AM

It's probably less with the fiberglass bonnet. I'd like to see how the engine fits specifically in the hood area... I'm always looking for ways to lower mine to put another good on the car


Jim Stabe
Jim Stabe
San Diego, Ca
(829 posts)

Registered:
02/28/2009 10:01AM

Main British Car:
1966 MGB Roadster 350 LT1 Chevy

authors avatar
Re: Almost done V8 Bugeye SBC 383ci
Posted by: Jim Stabe
Date: July 23, 2015 12:28PM

Don't be surprised if the car ends up weighing a little more than you think, little things that you don't think about add up. For example, on my car the coolant capacity increased from 12 pints to 5 gallons and the fuel tank went from 12 to 16 gallons. That accounts for over 60 lbs of extra weight just from additional fluids. But the good news is that even if your car weighs 2000 lbs you still have a better power/weight ratio than the new Z06 Corvette and Viper. I also wouldn't be surprised if that 383 makes more than 400 hp. No matter what it weighs, with an 80" wheelbase it will hold your attention.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/23/2015 12:48PM by Jim Stabe.



88v8
Ivor Duarte
Gloucestershire UK
(1041 posts)

Registered:
02/11/2010 04:29AM

Main British Car:
1974 Land Rover Lightweight V8

Re: Almost done V8 Bugeye SBC 383ci
Posted by: 88v8
Date: July 26, 2015 04:41AM

...with an 80" wheelbase it will hold your attention

It certainly will. Especially in the wet on what look like wide rears.
You might like to take it somewhere and practice spinning it, before it happens for real :}

Great to see a car nearly finished. So many stalled projects.

Ivor


Anarchy99
Jim Purdy
Memphis, TN
(156 posts)

Registered:
12/06/2013 03:54PM

Main British Car:
61 austin healey sprite LS6

Re: Almost done V8 Bugeye SBC 383ci
Posted by: Anarchy99
Date: July 26, 2015 06:26PM

I've got wide Mickey thompsons drag radials on mine and have driven a handful of times in the rain no problem. I have to drive mine like a motorcycle because it's tiny and people will run you off the road. Handles great for what it is, but suspension is the key. I started to read all the stuff on ahexp and I just quit reading because of the "what a waste of a car" comments. I think it's awesome and owning one with similar power, I can tell you, you'll reach for the keys to that car every sunny day, I know I do... The weight thing should be below 2000 lbs, especially with the fiberglass bonnet. Hell, the all steel, gt6 I just bought with ford 9 inch, th409, and iron headed 350 comes in at 2022 lbs and its a bigger car.


Sidecardoug
Doug Rowe
Northern Nevada
(51 posts)

Registered:
07/04/2012 05:09PM

Main British Car:
1969 TR-6 Ford 302

Re: Almost done V8 Bugeye SBC 383ci
Posted by: Sidecardoug
Date: August 27, 2015 08:14PM

Clay - beautiful car ! There was a guy named Larry Oda in Monterey, CA that had built one with a 327 & B&M Hydro back in the early 60's...it was a pale yellow, had minilites on the front & 14" Halibrands on the rear, shod with Bruce's Tires cheater slicks. He was a student at the local community college, and it was his only means of transport. I remember it being the "Isky Car of The Month" in Hot Rod, as he regularly drag raced it.

Doug


Thor
Al Wohlstrom
Tucson AZ
(11 posts)

Registered:
05/05/2015 11:44PM

Main British Car:


Re: Almost done V8 Bugeye SBC 383ci
Posted by: Thor
Date: September 08, 2015 12:25PM

80" wheelbase, good Lord! I had a Kirkham Cobra with 90" wheelbase 496" aluminum side oiler, 717hp. 2150lbs. It really liked to get sideways or backwards, but it was fun as hell to drive. Be careful, have fun.


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