1954 Hudson Hornet Build Thread
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1954 Hudson Hornet Build Thread
Well I guess that I have been lurking long enough and it is time to bring my frankencar out in the light of day. I have owned this Hudson for almost ten years now. I purchased it off of ebay when I was sixteen and drove it almost constantly for over a year with the stock engine. When I went out to get in the car one morning it no longer would start and so began a very long and drawn out saga that has lead me to this point and included many false starts on the project and a less the scrupulous mechanic who disappeared with my car for four years. The car currently has a second generation camaro front clip installed along with a stock rear end and 3.07 gears.
I have purchased a 2001 5.3 that is going in the car, I have completely disassembled the engine and will start putting it back together next week hopefully. I am getting a used cam from someone here on the board for an amazing price however I may not install it due to it being to much cam for the engine I am waiting on the manufacture to get back with me about the specs on the cam. If that cam does not work does any one have any suggestions as to a good 5.3 cam that wont break the bank? I am also installing flat top pistons to raise the compression ratio a little bit. I am currently searching for a set of heads as one of the ones that I have was completely destroyed in the crash, I am on a very tight budget and time schedule so I am toying with the idea of using some 243 heads that I found locally as I have not been able to find any good prices on 5.3 heads. If I use the 243's I plan on having them milled enough to keep the compression ratio up. But I am somewhat worried about PTV clearance with the flat top pistons.
Currently I am trying to decide what transmission to use I would love to use a T56 but I do not think that it will play well with 3.07 gears, so I am leaning towards using an NV3500 (I know that it is not ideal) and keeping my foot out of it until I get the money and time to upgrade the rear end. My other option would be to go with a 4l60E however I have my heart set on a manual, so barring any huge problems that is the way that I will go. Does anyone have an suggestions on other transmission options?
Finally the reason for the hurried nature of this project is that I start a new job with a large Fire Department at the end of March and if I do not get this thing on the road now I do not know when I will get the chance again, (it also helps that my current employer allows me to work on my car at the shop and to use the fabrication equipment). I am currently having computer problems but I will try and post some pictures tomorrow.
I have purchased a 2001 5.3 that is going in the car, I have completely disassembled the engine and will start putting it back together next week hopefully. I am getting a used cam from someone here on the board for an amazing price however I may not install it due to it being to much cam for the engine I am waiting on the manufacture to get back with me about the specs on the cam. If that cam does not work does any one have any suggestions as to a good 5.3 cam that wont break the bank? I am also installing flat top pistons to raise the compression ratio a little bit. I am currently searching for a set of heads as one of the ones that I have was completely destroyed in the crash, I am on a very tight budget and time schedule so I am toying with the idea of using some 243 heads that I found locally as I have not been able to find any good prices on 5.3 heads. If I use the 243's I plan on having them milled enough to keep the compression ratio up. But I am somewhat worried about PTV clearance with the flat top pistons.
Currently I am trying to decide what transmission to use I would love to use a T56 but I do not think that it will play well with 3.07 gears, so I am leaning towards using an NV3500 (I know that it is not ideal) and keeping my foot out of it until I get the money and time to upgrade the rear end. My other option would be to go with a 4l60E however I have my heart set on a manual, so barring any huge problems that is the way that I will go. Does anyone have an suggestions on other transmission options?
Finally the reason for the hurried nature of this project is that I start a new job with a large Fire Department at the end of March and if I do not get this thing on the road now I do not know when I will get the chance again, (it also helps that my current employer allows me to work on my car at the shop and to use the fabrication equipment). I am currently having computer problems but I will try and post some pictures tomorrow.
#3
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Currently I am trying to decide what transmission to use I would love to use a T56 but I do not think that it will play well with 3.07 gears, so I am leaning towards using an NV3500 (I know that it is not ideal) and keeping my foot out of it until I get the money and time to upgrade the rear end. My other option would be to go with a 4l60E however I have my heart set on a manual, so barring any huge problems that is the way that I will go. Does anyone have an suggestions on other transmission options?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TRG-4L80E-3/
.....pick a converter that matches your engine, and drop it off at a transmission center for a basic rebuild with the valve body install. Should be good for up to 700hp, and should have a great gear range for those 3.07 gears you have.
Only thing you don't get is a clutch.....
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Thanks for the suggestions, so if I went with the manual valve body how would it be shifted? Would I use a hurst ratchet shifter or something else? Thanks for the suggestion on the cam I really know nothing about performance camshafts.
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Yep, you have to manually shift it through the gears. So if you are in 3rd or 4th, and come to a full stop you need to also shift down to 1st when you start driving again.
I would not do a RMVB setup in a street car, only a drag car (I've personally had 2 RMVB setups last 7 years).
I'm personally wanting to do a 4L80E m'self.
I like my TH350 but I'd like overdrive.
I would not do a RMVB setup in a street car, only a drag car (I've personally had 2 RMVB setups last 7 years).
I'm personally wanting to do a 4L80E m'self.
I like my TH350 but I'd like overdrive.
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I have done some research on the manual valve body and after my research I have to say that I agree with you and I do not think that it would be a good choice for a street car.
My update for the day is that I scored a short block with a spun bearing on a connecting rod, two heads that I had checked today and they checked out great, and a large amount of random parts all for $150.00 so I think that today turned out pretty well.
My update for the day is that I scored a short block with a spun bearing on a connecting rod, two heads that I had checked today and they checked out great, and a large amount of random parts all for $150.00 so I think that today turned out pretty well.
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#8
Please, please follow through & complete a build of some sort. It would be a damn shame to own a Hudson Hornet & not have it out on the road. Post up some pics as well. Hudson Hornet is an aweseome historical car. Would love to see one out on the road.
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Currently I am trying to decide what transmission to use I would love to use a T56 but I do not think that it will play well with 3.07 gears, so I am leaning towards using an NV3500 (I know that it is not ideal) and keeping my foot out of it until I get the money and time to upgrade the rear end. My other option would be to go with a 4l60E however I have my heart set on a manual, so barring any huge problems that is the way that I will go. Does anyone have an suggestions on other transmission options?
Awesome build by the way. After watching Cars with my 2 year old about a million times, I've really become quite fond of Hudsons, and I'd love to do an LS swap on one.