V8 REGISTRY - 31 YEARS OF CORVAIR DRIVETRAIN CONVERSIONS
  • Home
  • Membership Application
  • Members Only Area
    • Registry Roster
    • Bank Statement
    • Financial Statements
    • Member Policy
    • Family Memberships
    • ID Tags
    • Newsletters & Newsletter Links >
      • Newsletter - November, 2022
      • Newsletter - July, 2022
      • Newlsletter - May, 2022
      • Newsletter - March, 2022
      • Newsletter - January, 2022
      • Newsletter - October, 2021
      • Newsletter - April, 2021
      • Newsletter - March, 2021
      • Newsletter - January, 2021
      • Newsletter - November, 2020
      • Newsletter - May, 2020
      • Newsletter - March, 2020
      • Newsletter - January, 2019
      • Newsletter - November, 2019
      • Newsletter - May, 2019
      • Newsletter - March, 2019
      • Newsletter - February, 2019
      • Newsletter - November, 2018
      • Newsletter - Oct, 2018
      • Newsletter - May 2018
      • Newsletter - Mar, '18
      • Newsletter - Oct, '17
      • Newsletter - May, '17
      • Newsletter - Mar, '17
      • Newsletter - Feb, '17 - #2
      • Newsletter - Feb, '17
      • Newsletter - Jan, '17
      • Newsletter - Jan, '15
      • Newsletter - Jan, '14
      • Newsletter - Dec, '13
    • Annual Meeting Minutes >
      • 2022 - Peachtree City Georgia
      • 2019 Annual Meeting Minutes
      • 2018 - Annual Meeting Minutes
      • 2017 Annual Meeting Minutes
      • 2016 Annual Meeting Minutes
      • 2015 Annual Meeting Minutes
      • 2014 Annual Meeting Minutes
      • 2013 Annual Meeting Minutes
  • History
    • Bob Sottos - 1st V8 Vair Builder Known To Man!
    • Crown Manufacturing Co. >
      • Ted Trevor >
        • Trevor Hangar Party - August, 2014
      • Crown Literature
      • Crown Installation Instructions
      • Crown Performance Handling Kit
      • Crown Manufacturing Catalog 15
      • #2 Crown Shop Car
      • 1968 Hot Rod Mind Bender Article
      • 1969 Car Life Crown Corveight Article
      • CorvairCorsaCrownCorv-8
      • Early Crown Article
      • Trevor Harris
    • Kelmark Information >
      • Kelmark Buyers Guide
      • Kelmark Build Illustrations
    • Art Silva CorV8 Conversions
    • GM Prototype V8 Vair
    • CORSA Communique Articles on V8 Vairs
  • Members Vehicles
    • Randy Abercrombie - Gray, Ga
    • Jim Acker - Seattle, Wa
    • Joseph Acquisto - Stone Ridge, New York
    • John Albera - Mohnton, Pennsylvania
    • Quinton Alcorn - Hilliard, Ohio
    • Darwin Allbritton - Jonesboro, Arkansas
    • Mark Allen - Decatur, IL
    • Bob Ambrose - 66 LS1 Coupe
    • Alllen Amrine - Colorado Springs, Co
    • Doug Andress - Madeira Park, B.C. Canada
    • Bill Andrews - Saraland, AL
    • Rick Andersen - Bonita, California
    • Rob Anderson - Springville, Tennessee
    • Curtis Armstrong - Spokane, Washington
    • John Arnold - Reno, Nv
    • Rafael Arroyo - San Leandro, California
    • Brett Aston
    • Brett Aston Powertrain
    • Brian Awde - New York, Ontario, Canada
    • Duncan Awde - Mount Albert, Ontario Canada
    • David Baeckelandt - Glenview, Illinois
    • Steve Baeckelandt
    • Michael Baka - Dayton, Pennsylvania
    • Michelle Balch - Tacoma, Washington
    • John Balon - Petaluma, Ca
    • Adrian Baltgalvis - Newport News, Va
    • John Banks - Hernando, Mississippi
    • Ed Banas
    • Ron Barbee - Pasco, Wa >
      • More Ron Barbee pictures
    • Tim Barrie - Peterborough, Ontario
    • James Bastian - Bridgeport, Texas
    • Bob Bauer - House Springs, Mo
    • Sydney Baumgartner - Hallsville, MO
    • Kevin Baxter's V8 Coupe
    • Paul Beck - Pearl, Ill.
    • Alan Bell - North Bend, Oregon
    • William Beltz - La Mesa, California
    • John Bennett - San Dimas, CA
    • Bill Bertram's V6 Coupe
    • John Bianchi - Pasadena, Ca
    • John & Cory Black - Moon Twnshp, Pa >
      • John & Cory Black - Transaxle
      • John & Cory Black - Hot Rod Magazine
    • John Blagg - Pendleton, Oregon
    • Mark Blakey
    • Larry Boardman - Weatogue, Conn
    • Roger Boisjolie's Crown Corsa
    • Ben Bonaminio - Lorain, OH
    • John Borkowski
    • Trey Bosson - Wellsville, NY
    • James Bottoms - Kamloops, B. C., Canada
    • Russ Brandenburg >
      • Russ's new Project - Starting October, 2014
      • Russ Brandenburg's Kelmark V-8 Coupe
      • Russ Branderburg's V8 Convertible
    • Jim Briggs- Visalia, California
    • David Brown - Lexington Park, Md
    • Toby Brown, Santee, Ca
    • Bob Brownell - New Project >
      • Bob Brownell - Laramie, Wy
      • Bob Brownell-Street Thunder
    • Michael Bruno
    • Sam Buck - Prescott, Arizona >
      • Sam Buck's Kelmark V8 Coupe
      • Sam Buck's Cadillac Transaxle V8 Coupe
    • Ron Butera - Rochester, N.Y.
    • Dave Button - Groton, NY
    • Mike Callahan - Anderson, South Carolina
    • Billy Cannon - Goodwater, Al
    • Douglas Carlson - Eau Claire, Wi
    • Keith Chafin
    • Jay Champigny - Edmonton, Alberta Canada
    • Owsley Cheek
    • Jon Christianson - Negaunee, Michigan
    • Dan Chudy - Yucaipa, CA
    • Mike Clark - Stockbridge, GA
    • Ralph Cline - Tulsa, Oklahoma
    • Tom Cody
    • Bob Coffin
    • Harlan Colburn - Littleton, Colorado
    • Scott Cooper - Bainbridge, N.Y.
    • Eric Cooprider - Terre Haute, Indiana
    • Mike Corbett - Miles City, Montana
    • Jeffrey Corton - Chesapeake, Virginia
    • Marty Cosgro - Fletcher, N.C.
    • Ryan Counterman's Kelmark Coupe >
      • Counterman Corsa Project
      • Counterman GTP Monza Projectctct
    • Karl Cozad - Rear Engine V8
    • Bill Crawford - Oak Ridge, North Carolina
    • John Cummings - El Paso, Illinois
    • Ron Currier - Pace, Florida
    • Phil Dally - Paso Robles, Ca
    • Scott Dames - Phoenix, Arizona
    • Michael Darby - Clark, Missouri
    • Chris Davis - Olive Branch, Ms
    • James Davis - LaPorte, Indiana
    • John Dayton - Parkville, Maryland
    • David Dean - Mesa, Arizona
    • Dave Decker - Kamloops, B.C. Canada
    • Richie Deiter - Rockford, Ill
    • Albert De la Pena - Camarillo, Ca
    • Robert Depalo - Hot Springs, Arkansas
    • Guy Desjardins - Quebec, Canada
    • Craig Doner - Ekron, Kentucky
    • Jay Dover
    • Tyler Dover
    • Mark Dragonette - Novato, Ca
    • Raymond Duerig - Switzerland
    • Spence Duffey - Hamilton, Ohio
    • Lowell Duncan - Monument, Colorado
    • James Dunham - Canyon County, Ca
    • Jim Dunn - Hopewell Junction, New York
    • Scott Earehart - Indianapolis, Indiana
    • John Eck - Tehachapi, California
    • Dick Edwards - Alberta Canada
    • John Edwards - Beaverton, Oregon
    • Lee Egleston - Marshalltown, Iowa
    • Steve Elliott - Buena Park, California
    • Cary Eisenlohr - Signal Hill. Ca
    • Seth Emerson - San Jose, Ca
    • Archibald Evans >
      • Archibald Evans
      • Archibald Evans's Mid Engine V8
    • George Evans - Franktown, Co >
      • Car and TV Shows
      • Interior
      • Suspension
      • Engine
      • Cooling System
    • Kevin Fahy - Huntsville, Alabama
    • Dennis Feragen - Anacortes, Washington
    • Mike Firestine - Grayling, Michigan
    • Gerald Fisk - Auburn, Washington
    • Mike Floyd - Frisco, Texas
    • Don Frank - Kaukauna, Wisconsin
    • Ken Freeman - Tulsa, Oklahoma
    • Charlie Friend - Alamogordo, New Mexico >
      • Charlie Friend' s 200+ mph Corvair
    • Chet Galek - Randolph, NJ
    • Randy Garren - Victorville, California >
      • Earl Fetterman - Dauphin, Pa
    • Dennis Gauerke - Hortonville, Wisconsin
    • Dean Gemberling - Columbus, Georgia >
      • Dean Gemberling - '65 Monza
      • Dean Gemberling - V8 Rampside
    • Dan Getchel - Stanton, California
    • Lonnie Gilbertson - Milwaukie, Oregon >
      • Lonnie Gilbertson - Wheel Clearance Measuring Device
      • Lonnie's Sheet Metal
    • John Given - Oak Hill, West Virginia
    • Troy Glenn - Scottsdale, Arizona
    • Bob Glick - New Hartford, Iowa
    • Al Goldstone's V8 Coupe
    • Jaime Gonzalez - Alta Loma, California
    • John Goodman - New Market, Alabama
    • Steve Goodman - Golden, Colorado
    • Charlie Gould - Muskegon, Michigan
    • John Gould -Freelton, Ontario
    • JB Granger - Cumming, Georgia >
      • J.B. Granger's Awards and Articles
    • Dennis Gray - Mukilteo, WA
    • Daniel Grimestad - Moorhead , Minnesota
    • Russ Grossen - Brooklyn, Wi
    • Roland Gruber - Germany
    • Windell Gustama - West Palm Beach, Florida
    • Jeff Guzzetta - Dana Point, Ca
    • Bob Haas - Longview, Washington
    • Alex Haber - Stella, No Carolina
    • Bill Hadley
    • Patrick Hagerman
    • Greg Hall - Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Canada
    • Michael Halsey - Chillicothe, Oh
    • Ken Hand
    • Chuck Hammond - Santa Rosa, California
    • Frank Haney - New MIddletown, OH
    • Mike Hannon - De Pere, WI
    • Karl Hardy - Deltona , Florida
    • Doug Hargrove - Modesto, CA >
      • Doug Hargrove's Heating & A/C
      • Doug's Mission To Proper Cooling
    • Rick Harland - Trenton, On Canada
    • David Harrower - Phelan, California
    • James Hart - Redondo Beach, Ca
    • Dale Hartley - La Verne, California
    • John Hawley - Crown V8 Coupe
    • John Hawley - St Joseph, Mi
    • Richard Haworth - Midlothian, Virginia
    • James Hayes - Dallas, Texas >
      • Jim Hayes's Monza Project
    • Scott Heller - Burlington , Wa
    • Robert Hendrickson - Medford, NY
    • Brandon Henny - Nobleboro, Maine
    • Jason Hewitt - Easton, Pa
    • David Hill - Bristol, Connecticut
    • Ronald Hill - Queensland, Australia
    • Roger Hillestad - Lodi, Wisconsin
    • Joe Hilton - Damariscotta, Maine
    • Randall Hinkley
    • Gary Hoffman - Lakewood, Colorado
    • Scott Holland - Charlotte, North Carolina
    • Ken Holm - Whitefield, Maine
    • Warren Holt - Parma Heights, Oh
    • Charles Hoppe - Palm Beach Gardens, Fl
    • Butch Horn - Versailles, KY
    • Gurdon Hornor - Rancho Sante Fe., Ca
    • Cody Hurley
    • Curt Hurley
    • Mark Irons - Waterford, Michigan
    • Ron Jensen - Littleton, Colorado
    • Daniel Johnson
    • Michael Johnson - Carnation, Washington
    • Barney Jones - Pebble Beach, California
    • George Jones - Orlando, Florida
    • Ron Jones - Kalamazoo, Michigan
    • Walter Kalbach - Bristol, Ct
    • Terry Kalp - Valley Center, Kansas
    • Fred Kappus - Eau Claire, Wisconsin
    • Nelson Keimig - Crosby, Texas
    • Ken Klassen - Calgary, Alberta B.C.
    • Adam Knoll - Fairmont, WV
    • Don Kosanka - Chapin, South Carolina
    • Alan Koharcheck - Ivins, Utah
    • Steven Kowalski - Fallon, Nevada
    • Dale Kuykendall - Washington, Illinois
    • John Lacey - Elma, Wa
    • Pat Lance - Fort Thomas, Kentucky
    • John Lanning - Crestwood, KY >
      • Lanning's Build Book
      • Lanning's Build Book - 2
    • James Lees - Ravenna, Ohio
    • Thomas Le May - Arroyo Grande, Ca
    • Charles Leunig - Williamson, New York
    • Mike Levine's V8 Coupe >
      • Mike Levine - Transaxle
      • Mike Levine - Mechanics
      • Mike Levine - Interior
    • Dan Lok - Battle Creek, Michigan
    • Jack Lynch - Rockhall, Maryland
    • Jay Maechtlen - El Monte, California
    • Joseph Magoto - Houston, Texas
    • Paul Major - Ottawa, Ontario Canada
    • Theodore Malo - Ringwood, Ill
    • Lenwood Mangham - Carmel, Indiana
    • Mike Mann - Salt Lake City, UT
    • John Mar - Sammamish, Washington
    • Gordon Marks
    • Mike Martin - Oklahoma City, Ok
    • Roland Martin
    • Steve Martin
    • Tony Martin - Independence, Mo
    • Don Marty - Verona, Wisconsin
    • Rob Massari - Napa, California
    • Aaron Maughan - Bountiful, Utah
    • Tony Maxson - New Buffalo, Michigan
    • Mike McCrae - Lemon Grove, Ca
    • James McCloskey - Centerburg, Ohio
    • Paul and Jonathan McCreery -
    • Freeman McCullough - Bellflower, California
    • Scott McVicker - Danville, IN
    • Christian Mejia - Thousand Oaks, California
    • Jim Mehrl - Burbank, Ohio
    • Kent Meyers - Sherburn, MN
    • Matthew Meyers - Moro, Illinois
    • Mike Meyers - Wood River, Illinois
    • Pat Miceli - St Charles, Missouri
    • Stephen Mikkelsen - Tacoma, Washington
    • David Miller - Westlake, Ohio
    • Jon Miller - Elma, New York
    • J.J. Miller
    • Richard Miller - West Covina, Ca
    • Bruce Mills - Pomona, California
    • Don Millspaugh - Hobe Sound, Fl
    • Greg Mitchell - Yucaipa, CA
    • Randy Mitchell - Marseilles, Illinois
    • Jeff Moore - Rogersville, Arkansas >
      • Jeff Moore, Rogersville, Mo
    • Jim Moore
    • Charles Morgan
    • Thomas K Morgan - Louisville, Kentucky
    • Robert Morris - Kimbolton, Oh
    • Dan Morrison - Louisville, Kentucky
    • Charles Moss - Sharon, PA
    • Nelson Munn - Pensacola, Florida
    • Matt Nall - Charleston, Or
    • Perry Nantz - Mooresville, North Carolina
    • Brian Nekvasil - Thornton, Colorado
    • Donald Nickel - Kenai, Alaska
    • Craig Nicol - Coeur d'Alene, Ida
    • Rick Norris
    • Drew Oetjen - Omaha, Nebraska
    • Phillip OGuinn - Livonia, Mi
    • Mike Olynnger - Orchard Lake, Michigan
    • Manuel Ortiz - National City, Ca
    • Mark Ortiz - Kannapolis, North Carolina >
      • Mark's Chassis Newsletter
    • Michael Ostrom - Manton, Michigan
    • Kerry Owen - Farmington, Missouri
    • John Palladini - Baden, Pennsylvania
    • Chance Parker - Scottsdale, Arizona
    • Frank Parker - Saline, Mi >
      • Building the Engine Compartment
      • The Rear Quarter Panels
      • Brakes, Suspension and Steering
    • Robert Parker - Abilene, Texas
    • Lynn Patterson - Bartlesville, Oklahoma
    • Ted Paulus - Scappoose, Oregon
    • Lloyd Perdue
    • Tom Perry - San Diego, California
    • Derek Peters - Newberg, Oregon
    • Bill Peterson - Henderson, Nevada
    • Louis Pinard - Bossier City, Louisiana
    • Luke Pitts - Urbandale, Iowa
    • Brian Poff
    • Don Poole - Pt St Lucie, Fl
    • Dave Poortinga - Loveland, Colorado
    • Sam Porteous - Westerville, Ohio
    • Peter Preus - Ridgefield, Ct.
    • Bernie Pringle
    • Kevin Rafferty - Raytown, Missouri
    • Jeff Rand - Wildomar, CA
    • Bob Ransom - Kenosee Lake Sask, Canada
    • Randy Redmond - Sierra Vista, AZ
    • Gordon Rexin - British Columbia, Canada
    • John Reynolds - Agua Dulce, Ca
    • Lee Richards - San Leandro, California
    • Johathan Richter - Las Vegas, Nevada
    • Dooee Riley - Garden Grove, California
    • Todd Robin
    • Carl Robertson - Springville, Tennessee
    • Larry Roe - Emeryville, California
    • Bill Rogers - Portland, Or
    • Howard Rogers - Westfield, NJ
    • Ron Rose - Littleton, Colorado
    • David Roth - Minden, Nevada
    • John Rowe - Calimesa , California
    • John Rowland Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
    • Chuck Rust - Los Angeles, California V8 Coupe
    • Joe Salmestrelli - Trenton, New Jersey
    • Scott Sanders - Freedom , Wisconsin
    • Aaron & Bob Sandrock - Versailles, Ky
    • Ethan Schoonover - Oregon City, Or
    • Carl Schulz - Bayfield, CO
    • Scott Seavens '65 Land Speed Car
    • Dan Sewell
    • Shaneman V8 Coupe
    • Dale Shanholtzer - Quincy, Illinois
    • James Shaw - Fullerton, California
    • Mason Shields - Louisville, KY
    • Curtis Shimp
    • David Short - Louisville, Kentucky
    • Paul Siano - Lecanto, Fla
    • David Simmons
    • Skip Smith - Grantville, Pennsylvania
    • Fred Smoyer - Solar Coupe
    • Bart Snyder - Stony Point, New York
    • Robert Snyder - Hilton, New York
    • Bob Sottos
    • Mark Spies - San Diego, California
    • Ed Steinhoff
    • Paul Strohl - Prescott, Arizona
    • James Stukenborg - Beavercreek, Oh
    • Boyd Summers - San Rafael, California
    • Sean Sutorius - Elyria, Ohio
    • Michael Svinth's Subaru Powered Coupe
    • Michael Sweeney - Carlsbad, New Mexico
    • Robert Tate - Seguin, Texas
    • Erin Tatlock
    • Bruce Tester - Glendale, Az
    • Dale Tester - Naples, Florida
    • Rod Tetrault - El Cajon, Ca
    • Larry Thomas - Pt Charlotte, Florida
    • Ron Thomas
    • Howard Trevor - Moultonborough, New Hampshire
    • Charles Troutman Jr - Phoenix, Arizona
    • Charles Troutman Jr - Glendale, AzArizona
    • Charles Troutman Sr - Phoenix, Arizona
    • Jerry Upchurch - Oregon City, Oregon
    • David Valencia - Monmouth, Oregon
    • Bruce VanHaren
    • Michael Wade - Las Vegas, Nv
    • Bill Warren - Decatur, Alabama
    • Keith Waters - Oliver Springs, Tn
    • Alan Way - San Bernardino, Ca
    • James Weaver - Rockingham, VA
    • Bruce Weeks - Easton, MD
    • Randall Weller - Reading, Pa
    • Dave Wenzlick, Toronado V8 Conversions
    • Phillip West - Alma, Michigan >
      • Phil West - '01 Build Photos
    • Cliff White - Litchfield Park, Arizona
    • Steve White - Brooklin, Maine
    • Ernest Whitley - Collinsville, Virginia
    • Gerald Whitworth - Kearney, Missouri
    • Wiley Wilhelm - Anchorage, AK
    • Richard Williams - Lake Worth, Florida
    • Chris Wills - Redwood City, Ca
    • Rick Wilson - Richmond Hill, Ga
    • Steve Wright
    • Wayne Yost, Kansas City, Mo.
    • Don Young - Millcreek, Utah
    • Tom Zimmermann's Coupe
    • Jeff Brekke's Buick Rear Engine
    • John Burkett's Mid Engine Buick V6
    • Larry Claypool's V8 Coupe
    • Unknown Rau V8 Coupe
    • Unknown Owner V8 Coupe
    • Jay Eitel's Front Engine V12
  • V8 Registry Blog
  • Enter The V8 Registry Forum
  • SEARCH
  • Shop In Our Store
  • Contact Us
  • Table of Contents

Paul Siano - Lecanto, Florida

Picture
This car won the Editor's Choice Award at the Rolling Sculpture Show in Ann Arbor because of the creativity and uniqueness. It was also was featured in the December 2010 "Automobile" magazine. Check out the video links found at the lower part of this web page.
Picture
Chevy alum 283 and Chevy Bow Tie heads
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Copter Tour
Siano Aluminum V8 in "Automobile" Video
Paul's Tour Of The Car
Picture
48 IDA Webers on a Moon intake.
Picture
Picture
In 1966 I was 26 years old and bought a new 1966 Corvair Corsa with a turbocharged 180 hp engine and a 4 speed transmission. Today I am 73 years old, still have the car and the same transmission but not the original engine. 

During the summer of 1969 I watched with interest as a friend, Frank Parker, assembled the first Crown conversion Corvair I had ever seen. When it was finished and after he had given me a ride I was very sure I wanted one too.  Money was tight but this was a project I really wanted to do. 
Picture
The first engine was a Chevy 327 which ran briefly but wiped a cam lobe and ruined a Crown input shaft. Discouraged but not defeated I eventually installed a Chevy 302 Z-28 engine and this time I took great pains to dial indicate the bell housing to insure it was dead on the crankshaft center line to insure additional longevity for the transmission input shaft. (Doing so must have been the answer because it has been in the car for 40+ years.) The 302 was a good choice for a Crown conversion, although it was a little down on torque which is a good thing considering the limited torque capacity of the stock ring and pinion, but man did that thing rev and sound great doing it!

I came across a Chevy aluminum 283 block and thought it might one day find a home in the Corvair and it did. I owned it for almost 30 years thinking it was probably an engineering piece used to investigate the possibility of aluminum engines in Corvettes. I guessed incorrectly. It wasn't until just a couple of years ago that I learned what it really is. It was likely ordered by Zora Duntov and/or Ed Cole for the Chevrolet Engineering Race (later Research) Vehicle number one. (CERV-1) The block was cast for GM by Alcoa in March of 1959. 
Picture
So far this story reads like a smooth continuous flow of progress but in reality there were times that it was not touched for months or years because life kept getting in the way. (I'm glad I didn't give up.) Over the years I tried lots of different things always in the pursuit of improvement. I think I've done every modification at least twice.

A friend made a youtube video about the car about four years ago. (Search: aluminum Corvair) Have there been changes since then? Yes, several. I installed a quick shift kit which made a big improvement in shifting. A Wilwood brake system upgrade lightened the car and delivers improved braking. A Pertronix III ignition eliminates points and delivers a hotter spark while keeping a stock appearance. The side windows were removed (Clark's made door panels without window crank holes.) along with the radio to lighten the car a bit more. 

In the interest of saving weight, the car has: aluminum block, heads, pan, radiator, water pipes, brake calipers, wheels, master cylinder and bell housing along with an acrylic rear window, fiberglass bumpers and the controversial engine cover delete option. It weighed 2,485 pounds (front 48% and rear 52%) before it went on a diet. I am guessing it is now very close to 2,400 pounds and probably very close to 50/50 front/rear with a driver. 

Because I believe the engine block now in the car should be in a museum, the next block is sitting in a corner of my garage. It's a Chevy aluminum 350 race block. When I bought it I was told it had been ordered by Dale Ernhardt but he died and before he took delivery. Race blocks do not have an oil dipstick hole or a mechanical fuel pump boss. I also learned that Chevrolet does not make a crank for that block as racers always install billet cranks ($$$) In order to use the forged crank I had, it was necessary to turn a little off a couple of crank throws, add heavy metal and then be rebalanced. The 283 block has a cam designed specifically for Weber carburetors. The next engine will also have a cam designed for Webers but will be more aggressive which when combined with the additional 80 cubic inches, should generate enough horsepower to be at/near/beyond the maximum the ring and pinion can handle, even with two additional spider gears. It should be a true sub 5 second to 60 mph car and corner at .9 Gs. Not bad for a 48 year old car and a 44 year old idea.  And yes I think GM should have done a mid-engine car like a Crown in the 60s or 70s. It would have been very much ahead of its time.
Picture
350 Cu In Aluminum Race Short Block
Has this project been expensive? Absolutely, but if the dollar amount is divided by the number of years I've had it, it's a bargain. I think attention to detail makes a big difference in overall outcome. A big project is nothing more than a series of small projects. I took my time on each step and the finished project is done about as well as my abilities allow. The whole thing puts a smile on my face. 

November, 2014 Update

I've removed the side glass and operating mechanisms, gone to a breaker less ignition with high output coil and installed a quick shift kit.

Weight is now about 2,440 pounds

0-60 should be very close to 5 seconds 

Still trying to find a good home for the alum 283 block...have an aluminum Chevy race 350 ready to install. 
Picture