I stopped by Erson Cams today and sat down with Steve Tanzi for about an hour. We discussed the 153 project and he came up with 3 different profiles. Now it's up to me to honestly look at what the car will really be doing. I need to weigh my pile of componants and seriously look a wheel choice and tire size. Whatever Erson will be grinding the cam locally. Beater

Howdy ! New guy here. I am thinking about putting together a project car using the Chevy 153/181 family. The problem is - what body to use ????? The most common vehicle with the 153 is the old mail jeeps and I have been watching CL for a few months. I would prefer something smaller, sleeker and lighter but a mail jeep would do for initial tinkering.

The Vega - Monza, etc H-body cars would be an obvious choice but something a bit newer would be easier to find parts for. RX7's seem to be good candidates for American engines and auto trannies.

I thought about Plymouth Arrows as I am familiar with Mitsu motors and the Arrows, Colts and mini trucks came with 904 auto's but I really want to stay with Chevy's.

My plan is to eventually turbo the engine. How about some input ?

Thanks
Ray

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/help-using-shop-forum/272663-image-hosting-thread.html
this is what im doin.

Are there 4 cylinder Colorado/Canyon 4X4s? I may have ti check that out.

Spent some time today checking out used Colorado/Canyons. How'd I miss them? Too new I suppose. I'd like to find a used 2.9, 4X4, Standard trans, extended cab, and locking rear end. What are the best engine years?

Are there 4 cylinder Colorado/Canyon 4X4s? I may have ti check that out.

Spent some time today checking out used Colorado/Canyons. How'd I miss them? Too new I suppose. I'd like to find a used 2.9, 4X4, Standard trans, extended cab, and locking rear end. What are the best engine years?

did you happen to ask about Hydraulic ROllER CAMS and if he could supply Hyro Roller lifters for the 4 cyl?

The comp eliminator guy are making >400HP NA with these engines. Mind you they don't have to run them for long.

It's great to see all the interest in the the 153/181 L4 engine. I may as well throw in my two cents. I am currently building a 153 for a front engine dragster. It has been an education, and I'm willing to share what I have learned, and will learn. I had the head modified by Mike Kirby at Sissel's Automotive. He did all the good stuff: Lump ports, port and chamber work, 1.94/1.60 stainless valves, screw in studs, guide plates, springs, retainers, etc. Mike's work is top shelf, and he is one heck of a nice guy. He is the final word when it comes to head work on the L4/L6 engine series. I highly recommend him. I am working on the short block now. We'll end up with around 12.5/1 compression, and have a custom cam ground to match what we're doing. The object of this whole exercise is to run at our local 1/8 mile strip in brackets, and make some nostalgia and inline events as well. Of course, the main objective is to have fun. I'll post some pics of the head, and give more details later.

Alan, That sounds like a great project. Your head sounds a lot like the head that Tom Lowe built for me. Lumps, port and chamber work, Shaved a bit, 1.94/1.60 stainless valves, screw in studs, etc. My purpose is different. Mine will be in a street driven roadster, just a fun hot rod.

My heads are all the stock 181 type, i really want to find a cam maker who will sulpply hydraullic roller lifters--I know of off the shelf cams avalable-perfect for a turbo.

You can or could get a GM hydraulic roller lifter at any Chevy dealership for the 4 cylinder engines with no trouble. I don't think getting any cam company to make them for the 6 cylinder will ever happen, most of them don't even have solid rollers for these engines, and most of them used to when these were more popular engines for racing 20-30 years ago. So getting them to create a new product when they themselves have no desire or interest in them is not likely to happen. Your just going to have to be the Lone Ranger and do it yourself or have someone make them for you custom like Kirby did. Also, don't assume the SBC lifter is the one to use, even if the oil groove is in the right location.

OK, I hoped Oiler would come back and post this here but here is his link to all sorts of Iron Duke information and parts swapping. Be careful it ate my whole Saturday and I'm not done yet. Also interesting the interaction between members of the S10 BB. Can you imagine the response here to the manner in which the Stroker10 guy treats the others? Or the Mystic person? They put up with it and get a lot of information. We are pretty laid back here but someone would have called these guys on attitude and we most likely would not have all this information.