There was a YouTube series where they put one of these in an old Checker Cab and boosted it. I don't think they got all they could out of that setup, but it was neat that they got it to bolt to a BOP transmission without an adapter.
4200 Atlas stuff!
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An LS isn't the same price - they are cheaper and more plentiful with a better batch of parts for less money. There has been some hub bub on line about the Atlas being comparable to a Barra - NOT!!!
But it's a neat platform for those that dare to be different. And extremely reliable and fuel efficient in the 400-500 whp range with a turbo - better than an LS in that territory.
I have two perspectives on this stuff, meaning LS, Atlas, Coyote, Hemi, Ecotec, etc. It seems we're in a battle to be bigger (more HP) than something else or everything else. But.....400whp is a crap ton of power for a street car. On the other hand, I'm trying to find what I have to do to be in the 4 digit area of HP to hit an ET goal with junkyard stuff. But....I have 2 complete spare motors ready and a 3rd in waiting lol.
Bottom line (too me), 30 years ago everyone would've begged for a street car that could put down 400whp (500crank) reliably - and now we scoff at it. But dang, an inline making 700+ ...... it's a head shaker to me.
A 4200 hooked to a 5 speed would be a fun one to stick in an 88-98 Chevy Truck. Kind of a modern version of a C10 with a Stovebolt 6.
This guy was spinning an Inline 292 to 10K rpm's in the 70's and whipping everyone and everything class racing. Stock block, cranks and rods - modified of course. 7 main bearings on 6 cylinders.
The FIRST drag week (04?) there was a guy that had a chevy 2 wagon with a very modified Atlas 4200 (think $50 grand of girdles, oiling and custom work) who was running 8's. Cool setup, but it never blossomed outside of that.
One of the other big issues with these engines Calvin has run into is cams. GM never released the cam cores and volumes are too low to make new cores so the only option currently is regrinds, which also take lash adjustments for the lifters. He has got a shim adjustment kit available but again, it's kinda goofy that you need to do that in the beginning.
An LS, Gen 3 hemi or Coyote is certainly a smarter option.
An LS is cheaper up front ($200-$500 engines vs. $750+ for an atlas) also.
But cool none the less.
One of the other big issues with these engines Calvin has run into is cams. GM never released the cam cores and volumes are too low to make new cores so the only option currently is regrinds, which also take lash adjustments for the lifters. He has got a shim adjustment kit available but again, it's kinda goofy that you need to do that in the beginning.
An LS, Gen 3 hemi or Coyote is certainly a smarter option.
An LS is cheaper up front ($200-$500 engines vs. $750+ for an atlas) also.
But cool none the less.
Jesus, that car hits like an angry drunk.
Too bad GM didn't do the factory turbo version, very quick. The later motors would have done that much better. Basically EcoBoost before Ford did it. I really like the flat torque curve, very good from 2500 for the cubes. Also opening the hood after you blow the doors off someone would have them scratching their head, always smile inducing. I did almost consider a used Bravada with the 4.2 but the 4L60E was enough of a deterrent.
400 HP is especally a lot of power for an antique car never designed for modern standards of performance. Most car bodies are not built to handle unlimited HP. That is one of the many reasons Corvettes and Hellcats cost so much.
HP is a lot like money in that both have a time value, that they lose value over time. With money its inflation, with HP its progress always pushing the bar of what is acceptable up higher and higher. Standards usually keep rising and rising. Even 700 HP may eventually be looked down upon as weak compared to new current standards.
Is there an economical way to mate the 4200 to a 4l80e or th400?
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