I am in the process of building a 1950 Mercury custom lead sled. I am at the point where I need to decide on an engine/trans combo. I purchased the car with a gm350/350 and that has got to go. I like the idea of a modern computer controlled engine with fuel injection etc. I am not sure if I want auto or manual trans. I am considering the v10 and trans from a quad cab. I am looking for some input regarding this combo. I know there is a significant power loss between the 6spd and auto. Are there performance upgrades to the trans to limit the parasitic power loss? Be kind, as I am new to the forum, and thanks for any input!:rock:
Engine swap for my 50 Merc? Auto vs 6spd?
- Thread starter Muck
- Start date
it's a lot cheaper to work on other motors...
are you prepared for that?
a set of 350 headers are 300 bucks...viper headers are 1500+ for instance...
and there isn't MUCH loss of hp with the auto trans with a tuner that's removed the torque management...
are you prepared for that?
a set of 350 headers are 300 bucks...viper headers are 1500+ for instance...
and there isn't MUCH loss of hp with the auto trans with a tuner that's removed the torque management...
I know that a 350 is cheap to mod, but its still a 350, or 355, or 383 etc. They are a dime a dozen. I have spent ton of $$$ on the body mods, and want an engine/trans combo that will stand out from the rest of the crowd. I don't want to just wiz away money either. I am in the initial phases of picking a motor. I looked into putting a Ford in a Ford also. However the Gt500 comes only in manual and I could get a controller to run auto but we are adding thousands to the build by doing that and the GT500 engine is more expensive to begin with. I am also slightly concerned with mpg too. I know that the 6spd is better in that department but is there a way to get better mpg with modding the final drive ration of the auto?
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SNAKEGUTS
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I love lead sleds!:rock:
How bout a Toyota Supra engine with a big Turbo. Never seen it done.
You could have lots of power and plenty of room to work around the engine.
How bout a Toyota Supra engine with a big Turbo. Never seen it done.
You could have lots of power and plenty of room to work around the engine.
trubuilt
Full Access Member
If you like ford with a ford do a lightning 5.4 put some bolt ons and you will have tons of power cheaper than our engines.Muck said:
is a 6spd out of the question?
VENOMOUS1 RACING
Has Left the Room - Banned from VTCOA!
viperhauler said:it's a lot cheaper to work on other motors...
are you prepared for that?
a set of 350 headers are 300 bucks...viper headers are 1500+ for instance...
and there isn't MUCH loss of hp with the auto trans with a tuner that's removed the torque management...[/QUOTE]
NOT TRUE!! The Automatic will always rob more power than a 6 spd regardless of tranny mods or tuning. It all lies in the principals of how an auto works and there is no direct coupling from flex plate to tranny. Fluid coupling is happening here and this is a substantial part of why an auto gobbles up power. Not to mention everything internal is fluid charged and not directly driven like a manual.
To the OP, I would still go Auto for your build just do to the car and style. The QC Viper combo would be sick. Imagine what an equally prepped Viper would run like with an Auto?
i didn't say they were equal...but 5% hardly constitutes as a lot in the big scheme of things...VENOMOUS1 said:NOT TRUE!! The Automatic will always rob more power than a 6 spd regardless of tranny mods or tuning. It all lies in the principals of how an auto works and there is no direct coupling from flex plate to tranny. Fluid coupling is happening here and this is a substantial part of why an auto gobbles up power. Not to mention everything internal is fluid charged and not directly driven like a manual.
To the OP, I would still go Auto for your build just do to the car and style. The QC Viper combo would be sick. Imagine what an equally prepped Viper would run like with an Auto?
assuming the average is 15% loss of a manual, and 20% in an auto...
i think a donato with a 350/400 turbo with a gear vendors is the way to go...
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Try a Cadillac engine mucho HP and very proven, PM Prof aka Roy sure he can enlighten you.
toofast_28
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I am using an SRT-10 engine in a 49 chevy pick up build i am doing now. Its very expensive any time you need something for the motor. I understand the uniqueness, but if i had to do it again i would buy an LSX crate motor and LSX controller, cam it, and call it good. They are decently priced, and you can buy a crate one from GM performance with 485 HP, and parts are cheaper. Id take a look at that, and if you wanna go real big, for about $30k you can buy the new supercharged LS9 out of the ZR1.
ARRESTmeRed04
Active Member
what about a 4.6L ford form an 03-04 cobra? or could just build a N/A big block chevy/ford and call it good
The cost of building a big block Ford with EFI then getting a trans that can handle it will be greater than a salvaged drop in set up. I looked into a 408 stroker, however it would cost 7k plus for a carburated set up w/o any accessories. I want the Merc to be streetable and reliable. A 4.6L will not have enough hp/tq unless really worked or s/c, and I would question the reliability at that point.
FerrariTruck
Full Access Member
Best bet is to get a LS motor as mentioned. They have tons of aftermarket accessories for them to dress em up real nice. Not only easier to make as much if not more power then the viper motor.
yellowfever#154
Full Access Member
6.1L Hemi with the modern auto behind it (whatever numbers they are?) would be perfect for your sled.
toofast_28
Full Access Member
FerrariTruck said:
There's a reason that nearly every street rod you see anymore has an LS motor in it... They are cheaper, dependable, powerful, and lots of mods/accessories for them. By the time you buy everything (new not salvage) motor, trans, accessories, you are going to run $10-15k though...
Aw, there's so many fun things you could do. Even for a hotrod though, I like the match....Ford with Ford, Chevy with Chevy. But I'm kind of a traditionalist(that means old ) I'm all for max horsepower but you can get a lot for reasonable bucks out of a crate engine, but an old Cobra rat motor would be fun, relatively cheap, and easy to work on. Just my 2cents. Have a great time and best wishes with all your fun decisions and the build.:rock:
) I'm all for max horsepower but you can get a lot for reasonable bucks out of a crate engine, but an old Cobra rat motor would be fun, relatively cheap, and easy to work on. Just my 2cents. Have a great time and best wishes with all your fun decisions and the build.:rock:
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