Discussion
CAPP0 said:
Me again with my weekly dumb Yank motors question 
I have a lead on a possible sale of a 2003 Dodge Ram which seems to be up for a good price and is said to be running well, although I have only seen a picture so far. Thing is, it's the 5.9 engine but not the Hemi. I believe that puts it c.100bhp down on the Hemi lump? Is the non-Hemi lump any good, or is it regarded as something of a boat anchor, and hard to shift?
I assume with it being a newer car that an engine swap isn't an option due to all the ancillary systems and electronics :shudder: that would entail?
Wouldn't worry to much about it not being a Hemi,it's not a muscle car Might be more of a problem if a later more expensive truck where I have a lead on a possible sale of a 2003 Dodge Ram which seems to be up for a good price and is said to be running well, although I have only seen a picture so far. Thing is, it's the 5.9 engine but not the Hemi. I believe that puts it c.100bhp down on the Hemi lump? Is the non-Hemi lump any good, or is it regarded as something of a boat anchor, and hard to shift?
I assume with it being a newer car that an engine swap isn't an option due to all the ancillary systems and electronics :shudder: that would entail?
the buyers would be fussy as they would have more choice ,
Your right you do not want to get involved in a unnecessary engine swap just for the sake of 100 bhp
unless you blow it up and you have to then maybe update it..
Not like swapping a simple 50's or 60's V8 , to much electrics involved ,
If it's driving well just enjoy it for what it is.
LeighW said:
I've been looking for some parts for the Firebird, outer and inner window felts, dome light, seat foams, rear view mirror and what not. I found firebirdcentral.com who seem to have just about everything. Total cost for the parts I want is $353, but the calculated shipping is coming in at $750! 
It does say 'don't be alarmed by high international shipping quotes, we'll only charge you what it actually costs, and you may get a refund'. Yeah, well I am alarmed so I've emailed to ask what the shipping will be. I know shipping costs are high at the minute, but Jesus Harry, that's a lot. Bearing in mind I'll still get clobbered for VAT and duty, that makes the cost of getting trim parts ridiculous!
On a lighter note, I qualify as winner of the tit of the month competition. Went to stick some fuel in at the local Shell garage yesterday, my usual pump was closed, so I went to the nearest pump with V-Power. I duly pumped £30 in, then looked up and realised I was holding the V-Power diesel pump. Cue a very embarassed middle aged man pushing his not exactly subtle car to the side and getting his phone out.
Anyhow, no damage done, apart from the £250 it cost me to have someone come and pump my tank empty, thanks to doing it on a bank holiday weekend Sunday. 
What a bummer! glad you got it sorted, It does say 'don't be alarmed by high international shipping quotes, we'll only charge you what it actually costs, and you may get a refund'. Yeah, well I am alarmed
so I've emailed to ask what the shipping will be. I know shipping costs are high at the minute, but Jesus Harry, that's a lot. Bearing in mind I'll still get clobbered for VAT and duty, that makes the cost of getting trim parts ridiculous!On a lighter note, I qualify as winner of the tit of the month competition. Went to stick some fuel in at the local Shell garage yesterday, my usual pump was closed, so I went to the nearest pump with V-Power. I duly pumped £30 in, then looked up and realised I was holding the V-Power diesel pump. Cue a very embarassed middle aged man pushing his not exactly subtle car to the side and getting his phone out.
Anyhow, no damage done, apart from the £250 it cost me to have someone come and pump my tank empty, thanks to doing it on a bank holiday weekend Sunday. Hellcat, i'l bear that in mind, pretty sure the V power stuff is 5 % Ethanol? £1=50 a ltr getting scary, makes the Dodge almost as expensive as getting a bus!
Hav'nt pulled the plugs for awhile, it may be running a tad lean , put it on the list!
And ive been saying this for ages, running/restoring an American is far from cheap! its a total myth! always has, back in the day just turn $'s to £'s
but now its almost $50=£150 FFS..................................................................................................................
Whats made it even worse is prices having gone ballistic in the US, so we are completely screwed
And god help you if ones buys something that dont work or dont fit, you just have to swallow it
Ive brake pipes, brake Calipers, plus loads of other stuff!
but now its almost $50=£150 FFS..................................................................................................................
Whats made it even worse is prices having gone ballistic in the US, so we are completely screwed
And god help you if ones buys something that dont work or dont fit, you just have to swallow it
Ive brake pipes, brake Calipers, plus loads of other stuff!
Edited by newsatten on Monday 3rd May 21:57
[quote]
On a lighter note, I qualify as winner of the tit of the month competition. Went to stick some fuel in at the local Shell garage yesterday, my usual pump was closed, so I went to the nearest pump with V-Power. I duly pumped £30 in, then looked up and realised I was holding the V-Power diesel pump. Cue a very embarassed middle aged man pushing his not exactly subtle car to the side and getting his phone out. Anyhow, no damage done, apart from the £250 it cost me to have someone come and pump my tank empty, thanks to doing it on a bank holiday weekend Sunday.
[/quote]
I've done that with the Vette stupidly 4 or 5 years ago - for me I had used put the fuel in a 4 gallon Jerry can and filled the car at home. Car already had 3 or 4 gallons of petrol in it. It was only early one morning going to a local car show as the contaminated fuel got through to the carb a couple of hundred yards up the road that the problem showed itself. It was like one of those old black and white WW2 naval warfare films where the detroyers and gunboats throw up a smoke screen. In my case the smoke was white and it totally obliterated the whole road behind me. Doubt if a stock ignition system would have dealt with it - even the MSD really struggled, engine pinking like hell. Still have 3 1/2 gallons of that 50/50 Derv/VPower mix left (great for starting bonfires)
On a lighter note, I qualify as winner of the tit of the month competition. Went to stick some fuel in at the local Shell garage yesterday, my usual pump was closed, so I went to the nearest pump with V-Power. I duly pumped £30 in, then looked up and realised I was holding the V-Power diesel pump. Cue a very embarassed middle aged man pushing his not exactly subtle car to the side and getting his phone out.
Anyhow, no damage done, apart from the £250 it cost me to have someone come and pump my tank empty, thanks to doing it on a bank holiday weekend Sunday. [/quote]
I've done that with the Vette stupidly 4 or 5 years ago - for me I had used put the fuel in a 4 gallon Jerry can and filled the car at home. Car already had 3 or 4 gallons of petrol in it. It was only early one morning going to a local car show as the contaminated fuel got through to the carb a couple of hundred yards up the road that the problem showed itself. It was like one of those old black and white WW2 naval warfare films where the detroyers and gunboats throw up a smoke screen. In my case the smoke was white and it totally obliterated the whole road behind me. Doubt if a stock ignition system would have dealt with it - even the MSD really struggled, engine pinking like hell. Still have 3 1/2 gallons of that 50/50 Derv/VPower mix left (great for starting bonfires)
rat rod said:
CAPP0 said:
Me again with my weekly dumb Yank motors question
I have a lead on a possible sale of a 2003 Dodge Ram which seems to be up for a good price and is said to be running well, although I have only seen a picture so far. Thing is, it's the 5.9 engine but not the Hemi. I believe that puts it c.100bhp down on the Hemi lump? Is the non-Hemi lump any good, or is it regarded as something of a boat anchor, and hard to shift?
I assume with it being a newer car that an engine swap isn't an option due to all the ancillary systems and electronics :shudder: that would entail?
Wouldn't worry to much about it not being a Hemi,it's not a muscle car Might be more of a problem if a later more expensive truck where I have a lead on a possible sale of a 2003 Dodge Ram which seems to be up for a good price and is said to be running well, although I have only seen a picture so far. Thing is, it's the 5.9 engine but not the Hemi. I believe that puts it c.100bhp down on the Hemi lump? Is the non-Hemi lump any good, or is it regarded as something of a boat anchor, and hard to shift?
I assume with it being a newer car that an engine swap isn't an option due to all the ancillary systems and electronics :shudder: that would entail?
the buyers would be fussy as they would have more choice ,
Your right you do not want to get involved in a unnecessary engine swap just for the sake of 100 bhp
unless you blow it up and you have to then maybe update it..
Not like swapping a simple 50's or 60's V8 , to much electrics involved ,
If it's driving well just enjoy it for what it is.
roscobbc said:
rat rod said:
CAPP0 said:
Me again with my weekly dumb Yank motors question
I have a lead on a possible sale of a 2003 Dodge Ram which seems to be up for a good price and is said to be running well, although I have only seen a picture so far. Thing is, it's the 5.9 engine but not the Hemi. I believe that puts it c.100bhp down on the Hemi lump? Is the non-Hemi lump any good, or is it regarded as something of a boat anchor, and hard to shift?
I assume with it being a newer car that an engine swap isn't an option due to all the ancillary systems and electronics :shudder: that would entail?
Wouldn't worry to much about it not being a Hemi,it's not a muscle car Might be more of a problem if a later more expensive truck where I have a lead on a possible sale of a 2003 Dodge Ram which seems to be up for a good price and is said to be running well, although I have only seen a picture so far. Thing is, it's the 5.9 engine but not the Hemi. I believe that puts it c.100bhp down on the Hemi lump? Is the non-Hemi lump any good, or is it regarded as something of a boat anchor, and hard to shift?
I assume with it being a newer car that an engine swap isn't an option due to all the ancillary systems and electronics :shudder: that would entail?
the buyers would be fussy as they would have more choice ,
Your right you do not want to get involved in a unnecessary engine swap just for the sake of 100 bhp
unless you blow it up and you have to then maybe update it..
Not like swapping a simple 50's or 60's V8 , to much electrics involved ,
If it's driving well just enjoy it for what it is.
@Rosco - I have no idea. It must be very simple to get an extra 100bhp out of a large-displacement V8 these days just by connecting a computer to it so that's probably the sum of it.
An early Ram isn't the most exciting drive but this one might prove to be a short-term toy with a potential small financial gain at the end.
I've recently been driving a mate's 2020 Ram, the current version, and I have to say that's a lovely thing indeed. I'm under no illusions that a 2003 version will be similar in any way other than the badges on it! The only downside to the 2020 one is that it clearly has some sort of eco device on it whereby if you accelerate gently, it doesn't run on all 8 until you put your foot down, and as a confirmed petrolhead I don't like the sound when it does that, made worse by the fact that you can hear the "dead" cylinders puffing against the valves.
I'll wait and see whether this one materialises.
LeighW said:
I've been looking for some parts for the Firebird, outer and inner window felts, dome light, seat foams, rear view mirror and what not. I found firebirdcentral.com who seem to have just about everything. Total cost for the parts I want is $353, but the calculated shipping is coming in at $750!
It does say 'don't be alarmed by high international shipping quotes, we'll only charge you what it actually costs, and you may get a refund'. Yeah, well I am alarmed so I've emailed to ask what the shipping will be. I know shipping costs are high at the minute, but Jesus Harry, that's a lot. Bearing in mind I'll still get clobbered for VAT and duty, that makes the cost of getting trim parts ridiculous!
Sadly, until all the trans-atlantic scheduled airlines start flying again the air-freight shipping costs will stay staggeringly high I'm afraid.It does say 'don't be alarmed by high international shipping quotes, we'll only charge you what it actually costs, and you may get a refund'. Yeah, well I am alarmed
so I've emailed to ask what the shipping will be. I know shipping costs are high at the minute, but Jesus Harry, that's a lot. Bearing in mind I'll still get clobbered for VAT and duty, that makes the cost of getting trim parts ridiculous!roscobbc said:
Someone 'educate' me - why is it that the 'modern' Hemi engine visually looks f all like what I think a Hemi should look like? - is it simply a Chrysler marketing thing - like it has hemispherical combustion chambers (as per most modern engines)?
In the same way a Chevy LS doesn't look like an old sbc.....All the electrics and individual coil pack ignition gubbins and sensors and whatnot affixed to it...its why they get covered in all these plastic covers to hide all the mess - horrible.
CAPP0 said:
It must be very simple to get an extra 100bhp out of a large-displacement V8 these days just by connecting a computer to it so that's probably the sum of it.
Next to impossible to get an extra 100hp out of any naturally aspirated engine by connecting a computer to it. A computer controlled forced induction engine certainley, but not an n/a one without internal changes to cams, heads, pistons etc.,etc.
aeropilot said:
Next to impossible to get an extra 100hp out of any naturally aspirated engine by connecting a computer to it.
A computer controlled forced induction engine certainley, but not an n/a one without internal changes to cams, heads, pistons etc.,etc.
Yep, better heads, cam intake and exhaust seem to be the way to go for 100hp addition with older engines but a 2003 probably has a lot of that on already. How many ponies is the 03?A computer controlled forced induction engine certainley, but not an n/a one without internal changes to cams, heads, pistons etc.,etc.
Ever noticed the modded USA Z06's and the like on Youtube - they seemingly use quite radical cams which if used on an 'old school' engine probably would be unusable - modern electronics get over those issues, just.......they still seem to have a performance 'hole' in the lower rev range though.
aeropilot said:
LeighW said:
I've been looking for some parts for the Firebird, outer and inner window felts, dome light, seat foams, rear view mirror and what not. I found firebirdcentral.com who seem to have just about everything. Total cost for the parts I want is $353, but the calculated shipping is coming in at $750!
It does say 'don't be alarmed by high international shipping quotes, we'll only charge you what it actually costs, and you may get a refund'. Yeah, well I am alarmed so I've emailed to ask what the shipping will be. I know shipping costs are high at the minute, but Jesus Harry, that's a lot. Bearing in mind I'll still get clobbered for VAT and duty, that makes the cost of getting trim parts ridiculous!
Sadly, until all the trans-atlantic scheduled airlines start flying again the air-freight shipping costs will stay staggeringly high I'm afraid.It does say 'don't be alarmed by high international shipping quotes, we'll only charge you what it actually costs, and you may get a refund'. Yeah, well I am alarmed
so I've emailed to ask what the shipping will be. I know shipping costs are high at the minute, but Jesus Harry, that's a lot. Bearing in mind I'll still get clobbered for VAT and duty, that makes the cost of getting trim parts ridiculous!LeighW said:
I've just found some parts (full set of window felts) through a classic parts seller on US Ebay. It was showing that they partake in Ebay's Global Shipping Program, so carriage and import charges are calculated and paid via Ebay at checkout. Parts cost $129.99, shipping to UK $23.96, import charges $36.68, total $190.63. Happy with that. Delivery scheduled for between 14th and 20th May - we'll see!
That's useful to know - who's the seller? Asking for a...friend who is collecting a big ole chevy in a few weeks time.some bloke said:
LeighW said:
I've just found some parts (full set of window felts) through a classic parts seller on US Ebay. It was showing that they partake in Ebay's Global Shipping Program, so carriage and import charges are calculated and paid via Ebay at checkout. Parts cost $129.99, shipping to UK $23.96, import charges $36.68, total $190.63. Happy with that. Delivery scheduled for between 14th and 20th May - we'll see!
That's useful to know - who's the seller? Asking for a...friend who is collecting a big ole chevy in a few weeks time.https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/speedway_motors?ul_noap...
If they turn out to be useless, it's not my fault.
LeighW said:
Here you go, show your... friend... this:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/speedway_motors?ul_noap...
If they turn out to be useless, it's not my fault.
Speedway are huge, and have a decent enough reputation.https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/speedway_motors?ul_noap...
If they turn out to be useless, it's not my fault.
Calling rat rod, calling rat rod - slight Italian diversion ahoy.....
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164848588940?hash=item2...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164848588934?hash=item2...
Sell the Lambo and buy those two, you know it makes sense
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164848588940?hash=item2...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164848588934?hash=item2...
Sell the Lambo and buy those two, you know it makes sense
aeropilot said:
LeighW said:
Here you go, show your... friend... this:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/speedway_motors?ul_noap...
If they turn out to be useless, it's not my fault.
Speedway are huge, and have a decent enough reputation.https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/speedway_motors?ul_noap...
If they turn out to be useless, it's not my fault.
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