Unfortunately there are no real performance parts for the GEN-1 AMC V-8 (250/287/327). You're limited to the factory iron 4V intake, but it uses a Holley carb so you're in good there. You can get a stock cam reground by any of the cam makers. You can send them a used one as long as it's in good condition. Don't forget to use new lifters or have the bottom of the used ones resurfaced. You should be able to find new ones cheaper than you can get them resurfaced though. The engine has a forged crank and rods, so you're good there too! Forged pistons are a good bit, but cost the same as custom forged for any engine. Custom forged pistons are sold by size, not make. There are cheaper "stock" Ford and Chevy forged pistons (popular sizes that sell in quantity), but I don't think the pin height is right for the GEN-1 AMC. Won't hurt to check though.  

The hood will close on a Pacer even without the "raised center hood" -- which I agree looks terrible compared to the clean smooth lines of the early ones. The six is taller than the V-8, and longer! The raised hood was just a styling feature in an attempt to make the Pacer look different from previous years, it's just coincidental that the V-8 first appeared in the same year.  This is a common misconception/urban legend about Pacers. The boost in power and changed looks was an attempt to increase sales, which didn't work. The Pacer was a great car, it was just to heavy and gas hungry for the economy of the time. Double digit inflation and gas shortages killed it more than anything else. It was short, but just as heavy as some full size cars, therefore got about the same mileage. The looks were also a bit radical for the time. The first three months AMC sold 45,000 Pacers -- they couldn't build them any faster or more would have sold! By the end of the second year the fuel crunch and novelty of the design combined to effectively kill it. Without the fuel crunch it probably would have done as well as most other cars, and the novel/cutting edge design (which is popular now) would have helped. Novelty/design isn't enough by itself though.  

Good call on the Rambler American.
I'm in North Hollywood and I have three, a 65, a 68, and a 69 wagon.  Let me know if I can help.  I've got the spring tool and extra trunnions too, and I know every inch of these things.
Mike Kindle
mike90066@hotmail.com  

LOVE IT!!  Being a Buick Nut for the last 49 years I am always drawn to the odd ball stuff.  Keep The Rambler all stock appearing and put a very reliable, built for street RAMBLER motor in it and then drive the pants off of the sucker!!  Keep up the good work and keep the weird stuff coming!     Sincerely,  Jim Kovalo

Build this puppy...us AMC guys would dig it and maybe we can add another Rambler/AMC fan or two...car would really rock...Rob  

Good info on the AMC turbo racers and Rambler/AMC V8s.  I know some of the other "orphan car" builders (i.e. Studebaker)  have overcome the lack of cheap "catalog" parts with turbocharging sturdy original-style engines.

I love to see them.

Build it! Build it! Build it!
It's in it's bloodline.

Finally something different and COOL! Lightweight, clean simple lines. Throw in a 401 with Edelbrocks new heads, injection and a AC unit. Instant commuter/ sleeper.

P.S. my buddy just bought a super clean one in gold.

Let's play some truth or dare.
Okay, you said dare.
I dare you to stick a BB Hemi with a turbo into that Rambler of yours.

Chicken!

A turbo-Hemi would be off-da-hook sick, Dawg,  but it would drive the broke@$$, no-money, no-honey, duct-tape Car Crackers on here outa they cast-iron-empty, chevy-luvin,' double-hump-chump heads.

The CC-Man'll play safe wif another ol skool, JY SBC (Zzzzzz . . . coma) to keep the empty-pockets krew on the res an' off hiz case.   Truedat!

Come on man, enough with the ghetto ####.  Even if you talk like that doesn't mean you have to type like it.  Hell, i'm a redneck and you don't catch me saying "yall" or "you betcha"

I second that...reading chevysxz's posts hurt my head um, fo shizzle.  

Don't you be dis'n me, Gasbreath!  Don't you be dis'n me!

Ain't nobody voted you th' good grammar gendarme!

I reveal what I feel. 

Gettin' off th' fence, talkin too much sense.

Tain't no crime I bust a rhyme on time. 

Those wif out my verbal power, sit back an cower.

Never gonna quit being so legit.

The ORIGINAL Grandstangmaster Buzz

Quit knockin bax them 40s and blunts and ya won't wake up w/ so many headaches.

But I gots 'ta, homie, cuz dem hoez don't unnerstizand my preezoblemz, yo.  And ya best balleev dat I B pourin' 1 owt fo ma' dizead homeeeeeezzz, my neezy, you know how we do, how I be rollin', tippin' on four-fours MIKE JONES-MIKE JONES-MIKE JONES!  Keepin' it CRUNK on the down lo!

Seriously, though.  I apologize for any criticisms leveled at you.  If you want to come across to people as an idiot, that's your business.  I bet you're whiter than Freiburger's Firebird.