Vote Please!!!

[Clarmo]

First thing first...the story:
It’s 1989 and my father brings home my first car. I wasn’t very impressed to say the least. A very plane Jane, 1981 4 door, V6, Malibu. But when I sat in it, and realized it had a 3spd MANUAL trans. I thought...COOL! My dream as a young teenager was to stuff a 350 in that old car and keep the 3spd. manual in it. A couple years later that dream faded away quickly with the purchase of a 1969 Chevelle Convertable and the old Iraqi Taxi was forgotten.
Fast forward to 2016, I’m on Kijiji looking for my sons first car. This made me think of my very first car, The Taxi. I wondered if any had survived so I searched for “Iraqi Taxi” and this one popped up. Only 33,000km and original everything! All those good memories came flooding back...I HAD TO HAVE IT!!!
I bought this Iraqi Taxi 2,1/2 years ago and I’ve put about 10,000km on it now. It is in amazing shape, a true time capsule.
Now my conundrum...I want to fulfill my teenage dream and stuff a small block in this thing. Im not talking a high strung race engine. I have enough of those already. Just a stock L31 5.7L Vortec, Air Gap intake, Holley Sniper EFI.
My older self (not that old) thinks of respecting these cars for what there were/are. The thing is that the wimpy, 110HP V6 isn’t that much fun to cruise around in and on long trips.
This isn’t a money thing. It’ll never be a high dollar car. It’s not a rare car (about 25,000 made) and it’s not like it has a Hemi in it.

Your thoughts guys???

 

[pontiacgp]

I voted so I hope I get to ask a question.....I have read those Iraqi cars got a heavy duty cooling and ac system. Do those systems look any different or work better than what a G body usually has?

 

[Clarmo]

I voted so I hope I get to ask a question.....I have read those Iraqi cars got a heavy duty cooling and ac system. Do those systems look any different or work better than what a G body usually has?

I really don’t see a difference in those system, but honestly I’ve never really compared any side by side. I’ve heard they have a HD suspension package as well but I’m not sure of that either. The only obvious things different is They don’t have a rear window defrost, the speedo only reads Km and goes to 200km/hr and the obvious transmission.

 

[Canon_Mutant]

Though I am all for sleepers, that car looks really nice. To be competitive with a manual transmission now days you need 5 or 6 gears, different rear end, and then the motor. You are already into a sizable investment doing even all of that but then you are going to need suspension, brakes, and wheels/tires to match modern day competitive power. Ca-ching.

Yeah, I know, I'm no fun . . . sorry!

 

[BuickOldsPontiac]

May a later 90's Vortec 4.3L with the Holley Sniper EFI and a Performer intake. It would still look (mostly) stock look under the hood, and wouldn't be as wimpy as the original 6.

 

[CaliWagon83]

I kind of like BuickOldsPontiac's idea. A newer 4.3L would wake it up quite a bit. Personally, I'd probably try to get a 5-speed with it (maybe keep the original 3-speed knob). Or, go for broke, and stuff a 383 stroker or LS under the hood. Although it's so nice and clean, it's tempting to leave it original.

 

[Clarmo]

Though I am all for sleepers, that car looks really nice. To be competitive with a manual transmission now days you need 5 or 6 gears, different rear end, and then the motor. You are already into a sizable investment doing even all of that but then you are going to need suspension, brakes, and wheels/tires to match modern day competitive power. Ca-ching.

Yeah, I know, I'm no fun . . . sorry!

I hear ya. But I’m not looking to build another “competitive” car. I want a highway car that I can get in and drive cross country. The ride, handling and braking on these cars are perfectly fine for cruising around. My plan was even to leave the rear 2.73:1 open diff. alone. -

If I want an adrenaline rush I just go to the track.

 

[airboatgreg]

I would go with the teenage dream. I am doing stuff to my El C that I wanted to do years ago but could not afford. Every time UPS comes in the drive my wife says what did you buy for the car so now I have it delivered at work

 

[Clarmo]

I kind of like BuickOldsPontiac's idea. A newer 4.3L would wake it up quite a bit. Personally, I'd probably try to get a 5-speed with it (maybe keep the original 3-speed knob). Or, go for broke, and stuff a 383 stroker or LS under the hood. Although it's so nice and clean, it's tempting to leave it original.

Oh I’ve thought of the LS (these days how can you not) and I have a spare 383 in my shop that’ll makes 475hp all day long. If I did one of those options for sure I’d be into different transmissions and rear ends...But I don’t want to change the car that much.
My idea is to go for a nice drive and cruise around with the a/c on. The car is fun to drive now, but I want/need just a little more power to make it a little more fun. After driving it for 3 summers. The little 229V6 just isn’t what I want.
Putting a 5 speed in it is not an option at all. That would make for extensive floor mods. I still want to keep what makes it an “Iraqi Taxi” alone and that is the 3 speed.
As for the 4.3 idea, I’ve thought of that as well. But it’s the same money, same mods and work as the 5.7 and in the end I’ve changed the car and have less power.

 

[Clarmo]

I would go with the teenage dream. I am doing stuff to my El C that I wanted to do years ago but could not afford. Every time UPS comes in the drive my wife says what did you buy for the car so now I have it delivered at work

So true!!!
My wife works with me at our shop so it’s hard to hide anything from her. She is the coolest wife ever. She loves the racing and lets me do/buy anything I want. But it is a two way street. I let here do her thing too.