29 replies to this topic

[MRLXSS]

Hey guys,

Well, I am trying to work out what to do engine wise with my Torana. I am saving like a mad-man so i can buy a house at the start of next year with my partner. So I can't really warrant spending a few thousand on a new motor for the torry. I almost bought a 308 for it the other week, but this crazy mature side of me thought otherwise...

Anyway, If i don't end up spending 2-3k on a new motor, i thought i could spend a bit of $$ improving what i have. Say $1000ish (Only if its actually going to make a difference) Thats where you guys come in!

This is the current specs of the motor

253 Stroker [290ci]

Bottom End
Holden 253 Block
Stroker Grind Crank
Balanced and Blue Printed
305 Chev Pistons
SJ Chev Conrods
Bonded Harmonic Balancer
Compression 9.5:1
Bore 3.766 Stroke 3.180

Heads
253 Holden Heads
Oversized Valves Ex- 1.550 In- 1.850
Street/Pocket Port

Induction
4" air filter
Brand New Rochester Quadrajet jetted to the engine
Adaptor spacer for holley-quadrajet (about an inch spacer)
Edelbrock Torker Single plane Manifold
L34 fuel pump

Exhaust
Genie 4into1 Extractors
Twin 2.25" exhaust

Driveline
Rebuilt Trimatic
B&M Megashifter
2500 Stall
3.55 LSD Ford 9 Inch

Ignition
Electronic Distributor
11mm ProComp Leads
Bosch GT-40 coil

Cam Specs
Cam specs- 2000-4800rpm
In 280˚
Ex 280˚
Lift .472

Total Power: 142.9rwkw @ 4800rpm

This is the old dyno graph, before i had it tuned - https://cache.gmh-to...S/Dyno142kw.jpg I have since had it tuned and gained a massive 1.2kw! LOL

This motor was originally built for Straight Gas research, So the cam is actually a mild gas cam, and the dizzy is matched to the cam as well. I also believe that the Edelbrock Torker Manifold is also better suited to gas (Being a Single Plane)

So, My train of thought is:
- Get a new cam that will better suit my Petrol Specs (Maybe rev some more!)
- Get the Dizzy re-graphed to suit petrol and the new cam
- Edelbrock Performer Manifold
- Take the heads off and clean them up, re-cut the seats etc (Heads were done 10 years ago!) Maybe shave some more off them to bump up the compression to 10:1 or something?

What do all the engine experts out there think? How much power is their to be made?

Cheers,

Matt

[76lxhatch]

I'm more of an X-spurt than an expert, but it seems like there would be good advantage to a better cam (what valve springs and rockers do you have?) and possibly the dizzy changes. Not so sure that the head and manifold changes would be very good bang for buck though.

[MRLXSS]

Should mention, I have a mate who is a machinist, so doing the heads and stuff would be a sunday job for a few beers! I may also be able to swap my manifold for a performer one if needed.

[76lxhatch]

Well that does make them a lot better bang for buck!

[MRLXSS]

The Springs would definitely be something i have to check, I'm not sure what they are... I have only had the rocker covers off once! I know the rockers are stockers... So Maybe some rollers would be handy!

[TerrA LX]

How is your compression readings?

[MRLXSS]

Yeah, should do a comp test on the sucker shouldn't I! Good idea. I think i have a gauge somewhere at home. Never done it before though.

[TerrA LX]

Yeah, if there down or all over the shop you will get a good kick out of fresh rings and a head job for not alot of dollars.
EDIT maybe throw a set of lifters and a cam in while ur at it.

Edited by ALX76, 06 November 2008 - 04:14 PM.

[lakeside]

What about a single turbo through carby, wouldn't cost that much to setup using holden exhaust manifold pointing foward. The best way is save your money to buy a house.

[76lxhatch]

If the springs are sloppy old stock ones then definitely replace them with the cam and lifters, it'll pick up plenty at higher revs. Depends on how wild you go with the cam as to whether roller rockers are good value for money

[MRLXSS]

Just scanning in the latest dyno run sheet!

[MRLXSS]

[MRLXSS]

HAHA, No NOS thanks DJ!

I am picking up an Edelbrock Performer Manifold tonight. After speaking to a few people they all agreed that the performer will better suit my purpose.

Edelbrock says the Torker is suited for 3500 - 7500 RPM

And the Performer is suited from Idle to 5500

My car really screams after 3-4000 but then dies off at 4800 as you see on the dyno graph thanks to the cam. So The Performer should definitely help me there, then maybe a cam that revs a little bit more than 4800... Maybe to say 5500.

Hopefully i can pick up some bottom end snappyness!

[MRLXSS]

Just bought a Performer Manifold! LOL

[MRLXSS]

Just need to do the comp test, to see if i need a new set of rings. Then I will nut out the best cam and stuff, get some new valve springs and go nuts!

Looking like a nice summer holiday job!

[MRLXSS]

How much did the Performer set you back?

$80 Secondhand! Bargain i reckon! Seems in good nick too!

[orangeLJ]

haha, copy cat.

The whole saving for a house, and giving the torana more power and a freshen up thing is all too familiar at this stage! lol.

Ask for some good christmas presents!

Im getting a set of roller rockers and a bunch of other car stuff from Karlie, works well for me!

[MRLXSS]

Hmmmm, EXCELLENT Idea about engine related xmas presents.... I want some new rocker covers... LOL

Maybe i should write a xmas wish list! HAHA!!

Roller Rockers
Finned Alloy Rocker Covers
Gasket Set
New Cam + Lifters!
Petrol Gift Voucher! LOL

[MRLXSS]

Makes sense why i couldnt find any info about them on the edelbrock site last week!

Would be good if edelbrock developed a EFI head manifold!

[MRLXSS]

Ok, I heard back from Crow Cams today, they suggested:

The cam we recommend for the stroked 253 is part number 5651 and lifters HT969-16. Cam specs 233/233 @ 050 and .493" lift Use valves springs 4833 Price of cam is $237, lifters $79 and springs $85 inc gst

Off the website : Fair idle, needs only limited engine modifications.

Been looking at the Crane website before as well.

They say:

Note:
1. RPM figures are for 304-308 engines, for 253 engines add 500rpm, for 350 engines subtract 500rpm.

Camshaft selection is extremely important in 253 engines. Generally stock engines run best with H254,
mild motors can use C241, modified motors can use H264 but larger cam choice requires careful selection.

Kinda a bit unsure with everything... Honestly not sure what way i should be looking. My mate who builds motors is going to investigate for me today... Because its a replacement cam (Not building a new engine) its a bit hard to know everything about the motor its going in.

What do guys like Struggler and Bottledup think?

[76lxhatch]

Looks like a nice street cam to me, if you're planning on going roller rockers get some adjustable ones and go solid cam, never have problems with lifters again