1973 Midget build by ianjoub

3 minute(s) of a 203 minute read

There should be very little 'cutting up'. The new motor/trans will need some motor mounts welded up underhood. I will make some rear fender flares. I will probably have to improvise on a radiator, intercooler, oil cooler mount and configuration. I plan to use the bike radiator, oil cooler, and intercooler though, not the midget radiator. The bike stuff is much more compact. I have considered the 185 front tires instead of the 205's, so I may not need to modify the front fenders....

Besides, for you purists, there will be a stock motor and trans in good order for sale soon

EBC slotted/drilled rotors and EBC pads up front, stainless braided lines replacing the 3 rubber ones on the car, and stock drums/shoes in the rear. I am unsure if I will need to upgrade the master cylinder or not. I have considered some air ducting for cooling purposes on the front.

The bike motor has a clutch and 6 speed transmission built into it. I will run a driveshaft yoke off the bike countershaft (that is where the front sprocket bolts on for motorcycle drive)).

I read that the 73 midget was 1510 lbs. I am going to remove the stock engine (iron block/head/exhaust/radiator/expansion tank/ and all accessories) when I install the bike motor.The bike transmission/motor assembly weighs about 150lbs. I should lose several hundred pounds there alone!

A 550hp turbocharged motor will make over 300 ft lbs of torque from 4k rpm up, it redlines at 11.5k

1-9-2011

Rough (very rough) calculations of gear ratios and wheel diameters have a top speed in the neighborhood of 150 mph. With a 6 speed trans, 1st gear should be plenty low to get going easily... If not, I could always burn the heck out of the tires to get going

As a general rule, bike radiators provide about twice the necessary cooling capacity. The are lightweight aluminium units and curved to clear the front tire. Oil coolers come stock and I will use the bike one as well. I may have an intercooler custom fabbed to fit in my available space. It will be aluminium as well and likely weigh in the neighborhood of 3 lbs....

Here is a hayabusa motor, clutch, transmission setup including the generator and starter motor..... I can pick it up off the floor by hand and place it on a workbench!

Here is one in a gocart!