Thread: Starting a rat T build

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Hey Guys, I wanted to share pics from my recent project. I'm putting it under the rat category because it's a mix & match of years and parts that 1) I already have, and 2) parts I like and want to come together for my build. It's not a Rat in the sense that it can't rust because fiberglass. Not including the drivetrain I am planning on having this thing driving for ≤ $5k.

Let's start with the engine:

For the block I started with a late 90's BMW 4.4L V8 (M62B44)



I also picked up a complete early 90's 4.0L V8 (M60B40) to donate it's heads, cams, timing set up, timing covers and misc hardware.





The M62 4.4L block with M60 timing guides & dual chain idler. With RaceWare head studs.

The pistons sit .025" above deck, and I found them to be slightly dished. Measured roughly 4cc of dish.





M60 cylinder heads back from the machine shop, measured roughly 52cc of chamber volume:









With 1.74mm MLS head gaskets I've calculated roughly 9.6:1 static compression

Set cyl#1 to TDC and installed BMW cam timing blocks and locked timing gears down:







Then spun the engine over measuring cam timing events




Found that OE cam timing was a 211° I / 206° E @ 1mm lift on a 108° ICL & 108° LSA, and for some reason bank1 was 2° retard from bank2.



I ended up setting the cam timings for a 110° ICL & 112° LSA to help keep the intake charge in the cylinder from the belt driven intake manifold...



The supercharger is from a late 90's Jaguar, it's an Eaton M112 modified to sit on intake adapters to bolt down to the BMW heads using Jag intercoolers and injection.









What supercharger isn't complete without nitrous? I also figure I can get the BMW s65 exhaust manifolds to clear the T cab by flipping them around



The transmission is a Getrag 420g 6 speed manual, taken from my donor car. The donor car is my mid 90's BMW E34 540i that I've daily driven and raced for 4 years. The car was so beat up & wore out I decided to utilize as many parts as I could for the T build.





So now I've got an Engine, transmission, driveshaft, misc hardware & mounts and such.

Time to start working on the T part of the T-bucket build.

I decided on using a Jag independent rear end and located one locally.



From my initial research it appears this rear came from a mid 70's Jaguar XJ6 as it has the wider hub length (61") and 3.31 rear gears. It's an open diff but I don't mind that as much in a lightweight vehicle that will have wide rear tires and skinny fronts.

I even found the BMW wheels (5x120mm) bolt up enough to have shop rollers on the jag rear (5x4.75")



The Speedway Motors '23 T body arrived:



The build will not be show quality clean, parts will be degreased and painted but the idea is put together a fun little car that I can terrorize the streets in. It will have a custom top that adds a ton of attitude (on order) and a '32 ford grill (also on order)

At this point the plan is to use a CCR frame set up for the jag rear. But that'll take a few months of savings before pulling the trigger on that.



Once the car is built, running, driving and most of the bugs & hiccups are tuned and dialed out the plan is to embark on a road trip from where I live in Arizona over to Los Angeles, join the Hwy 1 in Santa Monica and cruise the 1 all the way north to San Francisco, or even a bit beyond...Bodega Bay.

Thanks for checking out the current progress on my project.

Welcome to CHR and very cool project! Great work on your engine. Very precise and clean! That supercharged intercooler is a sweet addition too! It looks like your body is sleeping in the horse barn for a bit?

A few more body pieces are coming in:

Welcome from the east coast. Quite a build you've got going on.

I've never "played" with any BMW's.. so it'll be cool to see yours come together.

I'm not sure I'm seeing/hearing "rat rod", but whatever. Looks like a well executed hot rod with an interesting twist.

That looks like a cool twist of a t bucket. I'm looking forward to watching this develop.

I've been collecting a few parts here and there. I'm mostly stalling until I can order a frame.



I've picked up lighting, '34 Ford commercial headlights with integral turns. Rear "STOP" tails.

Rear brakes for the jag rear end. SFI approved 2 point harness.



Rear wheels & tires, American Racing vn502's 15"x10" and MH 30x14.5 cheater slicks



Once I order a frame I'll feel much better and make some real progress.

Love the wheels.. the tires will be a b_tch in the rain! But it'll look cool til then! LOL.

Very nice parts! I agree, those tires will suck in the rain! Especially with skinnies up front.

You do not want to put 14 slicks on 10 inch wheels

Originally Posted by jerry clayton

You do not want to put 14 slicks on 10 inch wheels

.... I agree that the 14.5 measurement is misleading. That 14.5 cross section is probably for guys trying to stuff them in wheel wells & tubs.

Mykk, Your brave! I don't think I would ever question Jerry on anything drag racing or which slicks fit which wheels no matter what you can find on the net, you can read a tab bit on his history, or the fact he was their when the sport was pioneered at https://www.nhra.com/news/2013/calif...-clayton-story
But you are building a cool car, and the fact your using a BMW motor is great, something different compared to the norm of a small block! It would make me stop and look for a bit! Good Luck and have fun! Matt

Just because they fall within minimum rating doesn't mean they are a good match.

I'm thinking they will look a bit pinched when mounted.

soft sidewall dance is a horrible experience made worse by narrow wheels. inch for inch is a better choice.
kinda like the prostreet craze . lot of brown skid marks over that insanity .

Hope its a trailer queen-I wouldn't want to ride in it or even have family members on the street at the same time------