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Thread: High torque, low revving Pinto - ideas?

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    High torque, low revving Pinto - ideas?

    The next generation (=my daughter) is entering the car world, and at age 15 in Sweden, you can take a license to drive a speed limited car. At only 30 km/h it is painfully slow but better than walking. We have a vast array of rules but in short, the car can be electronically limited to 30 km/h and using some tricks I can to a degree choose the rpm it will run at.

    She has bought a Sierra that we will use, and the idea is to replace the worn out DOHC/I4 with a Pinto. I have some blocks to build on.

    But I would like to build a Pinto that is optimized for torque at rather low rpm. Say around 2000-2500 rpm or so.

    It will have EFI, aftermarket management, but I would like to not spend too much on machine work.

    My own thinking is that a ported head with standard size valves, and possibly a 1600/Transit cam would be a way forward.

    But do I want standard (9.2:1), higher or lower compression ratio? Any other things I could work with?

    Gustaf

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    Re: High torque, low revving Pinto - ideas?

    low compression will not move power down the rev range it will just give less, although it does enable an engine to happily run at high load ( both weight and throttle) at very low speed which is why van engine were always low comp.

    i would raise cr a bit, and use an fr30

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    Re: High torque, low revving Pinto - ideas?

    i would just leave the i4 in, whats the point with a 30kmh top speed ? more value in gearing change ?
    Last edited by alladdin; 05-09-2018 at 21:18.

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    Re: High torque, low revving Pinto - ideas?

    Personally I hate DOHC 8V engines a bit but they are better at low rpms than Pinto

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    Re: High torque, low revving Pinto - ideas?

    Sorry, I should have been more specific - the I4 smokes heavily, it rattles pretty good and when we got it, the oil pressure light would come on at idle. We changed the oil and filter, oil was very thin. Now the light stays off but the 3-4 empty oil cans in the car (along with a clamydia test!!!) signals there might have been issues before.

    I suspect both valve guides, valve stem seals, rings and probably bearings are shot. So I thought I might make use of one of my old Pinto blocks and some parts I have laying around.

    FR30 looks interesting for this. Of course, it is all overkill for 30 km/h but it's fun to try and make the best thing possible from it :-)

    Gustaf

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    Re: High torque, low revving Pinto - ideas?

    FR30 and standard EFI works very fine, I was taking in a kitcar with that engine and it was very fast (in my opinion). It pulled from 1000 rpm …. Don't know what compression ratio that cam wants ?

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    Re: High torque, low revving Pinto - ideas?

    Quote Originally Posted by racing escort View Post
    FR30 and standard EFI works very fine, I was taking in a kitcar with that engine and it was very fast (in my opinion). It pulled from 1000 rpm …. Don't know what compression ratio that cam wants ?
    I run an FR30 in a mildly tuned engine at 10.5:1cr.
    This idles nice and pulls well from low down.
    I've heard that the FR30 doesn't like too much compression, but this starts on the button every time, with no issues.

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    Re: High torque, low revving Pinto - ideas?

    Gonna sound daft but what about turboing it? Use a really small turbo that builds boost just off idle and max at 2500-3000 rpm - something from a small diesel might do what you want? Crazy but that's what turbos do - increase airflow = torque

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    Re: High torque, low revving Pinto - ideas?

    I was thinking about turbo but the thought of building a Pinto that will be on boost 100% of the time to do 30 km/h is a bit strange :-)

    In reality, there is no need to go overboard, a stock Pinto would be fine - but I would like to optimize for low revs in the "easy" ways possible.

    Gustaf

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    Re: High torque, low revving Pinto - ideas?

    Really...if only limited to 30kph..I'm sure whatever torque a standard engine makes is more than enough. Unless she'll be towing with it lol.

    I'm sure you might get a cam that would help, some very mild headwork, exhaust, all the usual stuff really. Bore/stroke to a larger engine, and of course the best bit is add boost.

    Or leave it standard.

    Or...sacrilege...diesel lol
    9.85 @ 145mph 202mph standing mile

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss_c7fML3rw

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    Re: High torque, low revving Pinto - ideas?

    When I read this post I thought it was April 1st. Why would anyone want to tune an engine that has a maximum speed of less than 20 mph unless I am missing something.

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    Re: High torque, low revving Pinto - ideas?

    I see it from a number of perspectives. I have Pintos in pieces and when putting it together I want to try and use the things that are most likely to give the best results given the special application. Or scavenge parts from friends if need be (single choke manifold? Transit/1600 cam? 1600 head with the small valves?).

    The other perspective is that I have my 14 year old daughter, who wants to spend time with me working on her car, learning to wrench. The entire project is sort of an education and training for her - and if we can have that course also cover an engine build, so much better. I really want to invite her into this wonderful hobby :-)

    Gustaf

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    Re: High torque, low revving Pinto - ideas?

    Quote Originally Posted by therealpinto View Post
    The other perspective is that I have my 14 year old daughter, who wants to spend time with me working on her car, learning to wrench. The entire project is sort of an education and training for her - and if we can have that course also cover an engine build, so much better. I really want to invite her into this wonderful hobby :-)

    Gustaf
    I wish I could do that with my 19yr old daughter. But apparently I get a bit boring explaining why I'm so meticulous over the way I do things. She gets bored an wonders off....

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    Re: High torque, low revving Pinto - ideas?

    Quote Originally Posted by therealpinto View Post
    The next generation (=my daughter) is entering the car world, and at age 15 in Sweden, you can take a license to drive a speed limited car. At only 30 km/h it is painfully slow but better than walking. We have a vast array of rules but in short, the car can be electronically limited to 30 km/h and using some tricks I can to a degree choose the rpm it will run at.

    She has bought a Sierra that we will use, and the idea is to replace the worn out DOHC/I4 with a Pinto. I have some blocks to build on.

    But I would like to build a Pinto that is optimized for torque at rather low rpm. Say around 2000-2500 rpm or so.

    It will have EFI, aftermarket management, but I would like to not spend too much on machine work.

    My own thinking is that a ported head with standard size valves, and possibly a 1600/Transit cam would be a way forward.

    But do I want standard (9.2:1), higher or lower compression ratio? Any other things I could work with?

    Gustaf
    why don't you use the 2.3 16v I4 engine? they have stacks of torque use a 2l VIS inlet and add an ecu job done.
    Last edited by freddy686868; 12-09-2018 at 20:16.

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    Re: High torque, low revving Pinto - ideas?

    Quote Originally Posted by freddy686868 View Post
    why don't you use the 2.3 16v I4 engine? they have stacks of torque use a 2l VIS inlet and add an ecu job done.
    Actually that's not a bad idea! Have to look into that. I would probably have to remove the balance shafts though...as the thing is planned for 4x4 :-)

    Gustaf

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