MightyMike Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 What are your thoughts on V8s in 7s? Pros and cons. Let's keep the talk focused as much as possible on the engines and not the brand of car they go in (e.g. Storkers). I am not brand-loyal to any seven (okay, slightly partial to Birkins), but do love having a V8 in my newest build. Not sure if I could go back to having an I4 regardless of the output (okay, unless wide-body Birkin). Pros of V8: cheap to buy gobs of horsepower - insane pwr2wt street cred with the muscle car crowd :drool: Cons of V8 extra weight/larger frame overkill traction Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfox Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 I would fall into the "con" category, which maybe old school. I4's at 200 brake best suited to Se7ens and megabrake V8's belong in Cobras/Ultimas. In the 70's one of the first V8 se7ens was born as the "Kiki" - it looked positively dangerous, but sure the application has improved since then. While some often enjoy bragging rights when supposedly embarrassing a Porsche at the track, I have often seen the smile disappear when a shifter Kart does the same the se7en at the same track. I guess it's a case of different strokes.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoPho Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 Nope! A 7 is supposed to be a scalpel not a hammer. street cred with the muscle car crowd That's a con to me :seeya: . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 (edited) Mike, Thanks for starting the thread. V8's in 7's!!!!! . . . . What the!!!!! . . . Well, what can I say? . . . . I own one. :jester: But I do have an appreciation of 7's with I4's, as well as the V6 Stalkers. The Birkin I owned prior to my Stalker had a Duratec (the first of two engines that was put in the car) with a Ford Motorsport head and stage II cams. It made around 220 HP, had a Quaife sequential six-speed, an IRS rear and the wide track front. The car was no slouch! :ack: Also, I had the opportunity to spend Monday afternoon with Glen and Scott Mineheart at the 'Stalker Cave' in St Petersburg, FL. I took a few photos of current events and thought I'd share a photo of the XL they are currently building sense it sports an LS376/480 crate engine. If you want to see what was going on around the shop that day, as well as a few more photos of the XL, click on the link below: http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=24553 Did you seriously use the word 'Storker'?!!!!! :smilielol5::smilielol5: Edited January 30, 2014 by xcarguy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nick47 Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 I don't think you can do this by pros and cons. It's more of an emotional decision. You're either a V8 guy or not. If you like the sound of V8s and you can't have enough horsepower, that's what you should have. I grew up around I4s and never needed gobs of horsepower to have fun in a car, so long as it whips through the turns. The only V8 car I ever owned was a '72 Pantera, and I have to admit I felt kind of embarassed every time I mashed the pedal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoPho Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 I don't think you can do this by pros and cons. It's more of an emotional decision. You're either a V8 guy or not. If you like the sound of V8s and you can't have enough horsepower, that's what you should have. I grew up around I4s and never needed gobs of horsepower to have fun in a car, so long as it whips through the turns. The only V8 car I ever owned was a '72 Pantera, and I have to admit I felt kind of embarassed every time I mashed the pedal. This! . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMike Posted January 30, 2014 Author Share Posted January 30, 2014 Nope! A 7 is supposed to be a scalpel not a hammer. That's a con to me :seeya: . V8 7 = machete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rnr Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 I havent ever driven a Seven with a V8 but I am sure it would be a hoot. To me it would come down to how it was going to be used. I'd probably prefer a high revving I4 on the track and a relaxed V8 for the street. Which is not to say that the V8 would be slow on track - instead its power would both mask my deficiencies and likely terrify me in the braking zones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoPho Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 V8 7 = machete One doesn't use a machete to be precise either . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MB7 Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 Thanks for the pics of the XL! I ordered the car some months ago, glad to see the build is progressing nicely. I'm excited to get her on the track here in SoCal. The blue Track Stalker pictured is for sale if anyone is interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMike Posted January 30, 2014 Author Share Posted January 30, 2014 A 7 with a V8 is still a 7 - precision coupled with insanity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 Heaven help us, this is gonna' be a painful thread . . . . I need an enema. :smilielol5: . . . :svengo: . . . :smilielol5: :cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoPho Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 Heaven help us, this is gonna' be a painful thread . . . . I need an enema. Would you prefer this http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41cXb%2Bd49yL._SY300_.jpg or this http://www.hosecouplingsuk.com/images/products/fire-hose-assembly_l.jpg :jester: . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 Thanks for the pics of the XL! I ordered the car some months ago, glad to see the build is progressing nicely. I'm excited to get her on the track here in SoCal. The blue Track Stalker pictured is for sale if anyone is interested. MB7, Your welcome. It's going to be a beautiful car when Scott's finished. Blue Stalker: Craig Earls old car. Mike, you should post a for sale thread in the Cars For Sale / Wanted section. I think slngsht can help you out with paid membership for advertising your car. Also, what ever happened to my 5zigen's? I think Mike Sharkey sold them to Craig after he bought my car and then . . . . ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 Would you prefer this http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41cXb%2Bd49yL._SY300_.jpg or this http://www.hosecouplingsuk.com/images/products/fire-hose-assembly_l.jpg :jester: . Your killing me!!!! :smilielol5: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaskossie Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 I'll have to register as a pro for the I4 and a con for the V-8, at least for myself. My objective was to stay as close to Colin's original inspiration, in both mechanical layout and size, as was possible with a new car -- hence my 2007 Caterham S3 with 2.3 Duratec. I have only ridden in one Stalker (a V-6), and it seemed to me that there was so much storque -- excuse me, torque -- that a transmission of any type was almost superfluous. It could have just as well had a slushbox.... Now I wouldn't kick a Caterham S3 with an RST V-8 out of bed, so long as it was an S3, and not some larger clone. (I have no prejudice against V-8s, in the proper car. I drive an Audi S4 V-8 wagon as my DD, and I'm presently having a 2004 Miata "reinvented" with a GM LS 376/525 power plant). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timax Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 Why did you buy your 7? For fun or laptimes? If its for fun then who cares. Run it with what does it for you. Me , i like high reving screamers and so a 1600 Cosworth BDA would be my pick . What ever puts a bigger smile on your face is the best engine despite what a stopwatch or anyone on the forum says. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcarguy Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 Okay, I've had my morning enema ............. Let loose the hounds of hell! Alaskossie, I'm going to tell the Miata Natzis what you've done to one of there beloved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurboWood Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 Having probably the least experience with 7's here, I'm not sure what my opinion is worth, but I'll offer it anyway. I agree with the emotional aspects mentioned by others. I've never owned any car with a V8 and only drove a few over the years. Until recently I have always been an I6 guy (Supra, M3, M5, jag...). Despite the hp/ft^3 of engine space I still have no desire to own a V8. I can't explain it clearly, but I actively avoid V8's. If I could put a turbo I6 in a 7 at reasonable cost I would do it. Unfortunately there isn't such an easy path so I'm stuck with turbo I4's. Coming from an automotive engine development influenced career I can also tell you with reasonable confidence that V8's are a thing of the past. Most of the engines I work on are I by no means intend to condemn V8's, they just aren't for me and energy savings is driving development away from them. Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lancylad Posted January 30, 2014 Share Posted January 30, 2014 I have only ridden in one Stalker (a V-6), and it seemed to me that there was so much storque -- excuse me, torque -- that It appears that the Stork, Storque has officially landed...lol. I haven't driven a V8 powered 7 yet but I would love to... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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