The Fastest Slow Car 

Clarkson already proved that the fastest car in the world is a cheap rental one.

You can totally get this done in 4 months! We are all rooting for you! Even though we’re assholes.

Slow car fast logic is 100% accurate!

I believe in you. It is possible to build a car in 4 months. The other 7 years are for brackets. If you avoid brackets you are golden. All hail ..

“Engineering Intuition Is Engineering the same way that Astrology is Astronomy.” I will give you full credit next time I use that.😂

My MR2 spyder was setup for autocross back in the day. I'm by no means the "fastest" car out there but I could put up the fastest time of the day consistently in the group I raced with. People with VERY expensive cars were always mad at me. I learned the "it's fun to drive slow car fast" thing early and thoroughly enjoy it. If I ever do it again I'm going go karts. They are cheaper "slower" and your able to keep it floored for much longer.

WHAT?! I COMPLETELY DID NOT EVEN EXPECT THIS VIDEO AT ALL HOW UNEXPECTED

Matt, back during 1973, when we had the "Gas Crisis", piston manufacturers sold special piston kits to convert your big, thirsty V8 into a wishfully fuel-sipping V4. The pistons were essentially open piston slugs of equal weight to the normal piston to allow air to pass through and avoid using energy to move air through the intake/exhaust of the neutered cylinders. This was needed due to the use of multi-barrel carbs (no individual cylinder fuel control unless using ITB) but with EFI it may not be an issue.

The pumping loss and extra friction will cost you. FZR400 with 600 top end gives 500cc and 100bhp when built properly, same for the zxr400 or a pair of cbr250 motors at 20,000rpm will give you 12 speeds and over 100bhp

43 and happy to follow this Old Guy doing Old Guy things. I enjoy making JDM cars go faster but this is uber cool

As you were revealing the candidate engine, I had exactly the question you mentioned "why not go with a 500cc engine instead?" I'll be waiting for that answer in the coming months. Great subject for a series!

I can't wait for this! What a cool project. I've daydreamed about joining the 200mph club in a truck. I'm definitely going to be following this big time! If there's ever an opportunity to come lend a hand wrenching, say the word!

Your channel has quickly become one of my favourites. Can't wait for this project, even if youtube says Im the wrong age for salt flats racing.

Ah, you gotta love that whole "4 month deadline" optimism. A Labrador watching their owner taking a Sunday roast out of the oven, and thinking "Ooh, I hope I get some of that......They actually MIGHT have cooked that just for me. They said I was a good boy earlier, so it's probably for me....... Yeah it's all for me !" is showing a lower level of misplaced optimism than Matt is here. :D The only way I think he'd even have a slim chance of completing this on time is if he either didn't mess about filming ANYTHING, or paid someone else to film and edit his next 4 months of uploads for him (And I think he's probably still about 400k subscribers shy of being able to consider hiring a budget grade sidekick).

I'd love to do what you do. All I'm missing is the money, resources, knowledge, and patience to do so. So in the meantime, you're my favorite RU-vid channel!

I absolutely agree with the lauging guys about the 4 months, but I do think that however far you are at that moment, you should take the car and go to that event and try to come as far as possible. You'll learn a lot, can get tips on your car from other people and know what it is key for other events.

So instead of deactivating the valves in the 2 excess pistons, use them as forced induction for the 2 firing pistons. Before the 675cc limit was imposed in SAE there was a team machining a full V8, after the rule came in effect they deactivated one of the banks and used the 4 dead cylinders as superchargers for the others. It sucked, but it was cool at least

I am completely onboard with this project, regardless of the fact that I will openly admit to being one of the crew @ 09:24. Quite frankly I don't care how long it takes as the process (I fought hard to NOT use the word "journey" and then bang on about puns) of getting this gem to the salt will be a load of fun. Go Matt go!

This small engine project is super cool Matt. I will be watching how this ends.

Holy cow, this is gonna be a good series! Thanks Matt for promising videos until August 2024!

Matt, you make talking heads videos both an art and a pleasure to watch. Looking forward to the build of this, whether or not you make your 4 month deadline. All hail the a***ole-rithm! 🤣

Having built a few Formula SAE cars (with under developed intuition), it can be done. This is a much simpler chassis and suspension and no full time classes to get in the way. Plus laser cutting services would have been amazing. Well that and parametric 3d CAD with an understanding of tolerances so things actually fit. Even if your first body shell is cardboard, getting it to roll at an early race is huge.

in the 90s the 500cc 2-strokes MotoGP bikes were going just short of 200mph ON TRACK...that landspeed record seems beatable...but i dont think half a bmw 4-stroke is the way to do it...maybe 80hp?

I've been thinking alot about "a moment in time thing, and i'm here in this moment in time", as it's given me a lot of help deciding what things i want to get into. I think that's why i'm on this channel actually. I thought standalone ECU proliferation might be a thing one day. Still haven't bought one yet though. In, er, time.

*I SWAPPED A LOTUS EXIGE* for a Mazda MX5 [Miate] Mk1 cos the Exige was damaging my back - The MX5 was WAY more fun... I NEVER expected that and it was the first of about 8 MX5's Ive had.

Your sense of humor is perfect. I found your channel when looking to build a rood rack and have not missed a video sense then. Keep up the great content. I’ll watch anything you produce at this point. The topic doesn’t matter. Your knowledge, the video quality, and sense of humor is what keeps me coming back.

As a FSAE team member i laughed loud at your 4 months plan. also cried a little...

I didn't know there was such a low displacement class for land speed racing! I might be a little young for that crowd but I'm starting to like the idea of designing a small engine craft of my own... Excited to see what you'll come up with for this one with such a short deadline.

these video have a really pleasant pacing and style, with the voice, and the cuts. looking forward to watching the series

Love the idea of this. Can't wait to see your answer to the valve deactivating issue! I know how big car companies do it like Mazda and GM but curious to see what you end up doing!

Your videos are fantastic from the humor to car history. You are one of my biggest inspirations for my car projects!

Watching this in January of 2023 and it seems like your august 2023 prediction was almost prophetic

Matt, when reading autoque make sure you blink, makes it feel more natural then the stare-down. All the TV presenters know this trick. I like the 60sec intro, it's crystalises most car enthusiasts passion and why car management systems have caused the passion to be lost. Keep up the good work!

Cannot wait to watch this evolve and come to! 😍 let's go old guy things!

looking forward to this build Matt. Really enjoyed your Jag project.

A lot of snow sled engines are about 500cc and usually come with CVT's. Most are air-cooled and 2 stroke but there's 4 stroke water cooled ones out there. Best of luck with the bmw engine!

this is awesome. I just started learning about this type of racing after seeing videos of Aardema and Braun building record setting engines. hope to see your name up there with theirs in the future.

I am doing this with a Volkswagen Karmann Ghia. We have set 10 SCTA Bonneville records. We run everything from 1000cc-2000cc. 2, 3, and 4 cylinders. I really like your videos, we are having fun watching all of the land speed based ones. Keep up the great work!

Its crazy to see how fast this channel grew, and the projects are getting better and better, cant wait to see whats next!

I hear that same laughter when I talk about putting a 5 speed into my MGB.

Just found your channel. I am hooked on this project!

Oh, I just want to say that this channel is absolutely awesome! 👌 👍 I am really looking forward to watching this project & all of the forthcoming deadpan quips.

Definitely want to keep track of this project! Will be awesome to see when it's done.

An excellent idea Matt, very much looking forward to seeing this progress

It's ok for me if Matt take his time to make this project happen faster, even if we get less videos. I'll watch the old videos again. But all hail the algorithm

I agree with that philosophy. I had a '61 Mini with a 1275 and all the suspension mods and every street was a blast to buzz around in. Now, I'm building my own retro "car" that will keep that same fun factor with a bigger displacement but half the cylinders. See avatar. Cheers.

Really looking forward to following this build!

If you need some more pit crew at bonneville, or even help outsourcing some design/CAD, let me know this project looks amazing! Bonnevilles a magical place, the people (and cars) there are unlike anywhere else! 👍👍

Land Speed Racing was a big thing in the 60's when as a grade school kid I and others like me were all wrapped up in the Breedlove/Arfons back and forth of the record. It coincided with the space program so it made for a good package.

Guys like Matt are the reason I still have hope for humanity and a bit of love for YT. In a social media sea of shills, the 'see-my-perfect-life-(that-we-all-know-is-fake)' channels him and a handful of others show us that genuine skill and knowledge and the sharing of that is how we progress as a species. Here's the thing, I am not even a car guy, not an engineer but definitely a tinkerer and just seeing how his brain works and that of such people like Patey, Two Stroke Stuffings, TOT, RotarySMC, etc (you know the type) is hugely inspirational. Thanks man, please never change:)

So excited to see how this project goes!

Once again great video, with engineering insights + comedy 👍 looking forward for more videos of the series ^^

I love this! I bought a Honda Beat (one of the kei cars you used as an example) and it is the most fun car I've ever owned. Super excited to see more!

Cool project Matt, looking forward to some great episodes

Great video and very much looking forward to you achieving your goals!

As a French viewer i have to say, you forgot the 2CV who has a displacement of 300cc / 400 & 600cc. Those car are slow asf but are incredibly fun to drive fast, "restored" one a few years back and my cousin was dailydriving it !

Your channel is underrated, you should have over a million subs. You are awesome to watch.

Loved the changed up of the ending notes. This is the first time since I was a little kid that I am interested in watching straight line record breaking.

Why not rotary? If class is by displacement, rotaries hit way above their weight. The reliability issue won't be as big a deal when you're just trying to go one run at a time. I'm sure there's good reason, just curious what it is. Edit: all hail the algorithm.

This is the part where I softly yell at Matt for not exploring the high end photogrammetry route for parts scanning. $2000 in equipment, a decent learning curve, somewhat time consuming, but gets scans much closer to the $14000 scanners than the $1000 scanners

A lot of people have the skills to build fancy things like Matt, but not many can also talk like him about the things he does. He is a very talented entertainer with his own very unique style.

I did a "no engine, fast" build seven years ago when I designed, fabricated and built a three-wheeled recumbent bicycle in only two months then rode it 2200mi. at age 56. Best part was coming off a mountain pass in West Virginia that represented a five-mile uphill to get there. My land speed record for the trip was set that day, flying downhill with my ass a mere 5in. off the ground - at 56.1mph. I have driven all sorts and manor of cars and motorcycles during my life, but flying down that mountain that day was the biggest rush of all.

Never considered this type of racing, so cool can’t wait to see what you make

Great video, thanks for sharing your ideas and design. If you don't make it to Bonneville this year, you will certainly be ready for next year.

Balancing missing Pistons has been done on some V8 to V6 conversions for saltlakes. it's pretty much just big metal discs that look like oversized conrod ends. It might also be woth to not just disable the cylinders but also plug the runners in the intake, so no weird flow issues come up.

YESSS! I'm SO looking forward to getting emotionally invested in this project! Love it!

Just plan to do it in 5 weeks so when it takes 3 times as long you’ll be right on track.

Stoked about this project!

Good luck Matt! Can't wait to see thebfinished product when it is done.

Good luck! Loved my trip there (from NZ) in 2012 to help a mate with his ZX10 (we didn't get any records), and we were going back the following years, but as you mentioned, got canned. I've not been able to make it back yet, but my mate did, a couple of times (still no records, but fun!).

Good luck! Will be waiting for rolling chassis video after 4 months! ;)

These keep getting better - good luck!

I am so glad i found your channel keep it up

I really am looking forward to seeing the progress you make in four months

I couldn't agree more. In fact, Jackie Stewart once said if you focus on the craftsmanship of performance driving, you have more fun driving precisely at a civilized speed, than you do going faster than you know how on the edge of control, and running the risk of an accident. There are many channels of "Idiots on Supercars" to prove this point. But in my case, I own a vintage Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 (the Brazilian model), with a 144 HP Tdi Mercedes-Benz engine (OM364-LA) and the car, despite its crate shape is susprizingly stable in corners because the center of gravity is very low, plus I have front and rear stabilizers and the leaf springs are pretty stiff. All this bla bla to say I do some serious ass kicking going up and down a mountain road outside Rio (BR-040), and leave a number of much faster car's owners very, very confused. Especially modern Hilux owners who think my car is a clunker and don't realize what a sleeper it is. And my years of karting in Brazil do help... ; ⁰ )

I built my first bonneville bike in 6 months from scratch. Ran it in 2019, what an awesome experience. Btw, i came up 30 mph shy of my class (A/F 175cc) record with punk rock engineering. It is harder than It looks but so much fun. I wish you the best of luck and might see you at el mirage this year. Cheers!

Great video. Thanks for making it.

The original mini used a rubber puck as a spring you can probably still get them from a classic auto parts shop. There is a company that does rubber springs for trailers but they would probably be too stiff. The rubber springs would have significant benefits in size weight and self dampening . Something I’d like to see someone try if the rules allow is steam jet exhaust. You carry a large tank of water to use to cool the engine and have it empty out through the exhaust, you also duct any disturbed or dead air into a jet nozzle that the exhaust blows through. I don’t know how much benefit this would actually give if any and any it does give will be near top speed. Most of the benefits will be aerodynamic not boost but also the extra weight at the start will give traction benefits but the reducing weight will improve top speed.

Well perfect timing to have stumbled upon this video, 4 months old, should be complete by now

I am the guy in the miata grinning ear to ear. I also have an old 300cc motorcycle I don't drive anymore that I've been thinking about making into a go-kart...

Very Cool! I guess we will see you on the line soon! Good luck and Go Fast!

My everyday car is a 2012 VW up! with a three-cylinder 999 cc engine, producing a astonishing 59 bhp. The car is so slow, it's not even sold in America. Just a typical European econobox, without any features like air conditioning, auxiliary heating, electric windows or a rev indicator, even though it has a manual 5-speed gearbox.... It is in the truest sense a box on wheels. My fun car is a 1999 Mazda MX-5 NB 1.6 and the switch from the econobox to this, is always a punch in the face every time the 110 horses are pushing you.

Your channel is the best, this should be awesome, can't wait for more videos. 👍

Q: What do you call a project that takes twice as much money, takes three times as long and achieves 90% of the goals? A: An ordinary successful project Go for it, sports!

Mentioning the displacement class restrictions had me thinking of the Honda NC30+35's 400cc v4. Fantastic lump.

I believe the Rules require Otto cycle engines, which disqualifies 2-strokes. Non-reciprocating engines carry a 3-times 'Swept Volume' penalty; 500cc Wankel classifies as 1.5L. Great project; looking forward to frequent updates!

I'm building an amateur rally car myself so the last part hit me hard 😂😂. Amazing stuff as always, keep it up 😉

Flywheel energy storage!.. be rad to add some kind of displacement cheat by revving up a flywheel during staging, accelerating as normal with push and engine, and letting flywheel rip once you hit higher speed.

So basically, it's more fun to make a slow car fast than to make a fast car fast or a fast car slow or even a slow car slow. So you're taking an engine that should be fast and putting it in a slow body to make the car go fast but still relatively slow compared to fast cars going fast, even though it should be as fast as most fast cars going fast. Some could say it will go super fast...

Coming from the 32 crowd of your viewers, never been interested in land speed records / racing, you may just be getting me into it.

scope creep hit me right in the feels

I actually think this project can work even with the short timeline.It's a very simple vehicle and getting it on the track should be relatively straightforward. I'm guessing the only real issues would show themselves when you start running.Have you spoken to experienced builders to find out if there are any potential traps to avoid? BTW,something kind of related: Last year i was lucky enough to see Burt Monro's Indian at a motorcycle art exhibit.That thing is *tiny*! He really pushed the limits with frontal area.

I can't wait to see what you do for a body. What materials are you planning to use? Aluminum would be amazing but loads of time. Carbon would be faster but you need a mould. I'm so pumped about this project.

" I'm quiet when I'm sad and scream when I'm feeling good ." The Tube's and I aren't laughing . " Stand up and shout ."

Been riding motorcycles for 30 years. I currently own a PCX 150 scooter. I have just as much fun on it and as I ever had on any of my 100 horsepower + bikes. And as a bonus it's a lot harder to lose my license :-)

Im 45 and I enjoy your content to a high degree. Keep up the great work!

great video looking forward to seeing more

@7:45 Sour punches are so damn good.....

what a challenge ! this channel was very interesting .... then jumped up several notches!

This is a very cool project. I'd be inclined to buy a short stroke crank and run on all 4 cylinders, but that's obviously way more involved. Be interested to see how you rig up the valvetrain.