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308 build suggestions


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#1 _JJ21_

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Posted 13 August 2020 - 04:20 PM

Hi all,
After much help previously i am throwing this out there.
Am building QT 308 for my LX (1977) and already have L34 size heads (non pollution) and block will be taken out to 60 thou. Car has extractors, twin 2.5" exhaust, trimatic.

Thinking Edelbrock Performer single plane and Quady.
Could someone suggest what Quady to look for and/or where to start looking and where to find Performer manifold to suit.

Only using basic charcoal cannister and PCV valve.. no EGR etc

And any recommendations on camshaft plz!

Weekend cruiser with bit of pull, good sound.
Thanks fellas

Edited by JJ21, 13 August 2020 - 04:21 PM.


#2 yel327

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Posted 13 August 2020 - 05:24 PM

Performer is a dual plane isn’t it?

I’d fit a Holley Sniper + Hyperspark, hydraulic roller cam and electric fans.

Sort out your engine specs (valves, compression etc), intake/carb, rear axle ratio, tyre size, exhaust and converter and then go to a cam manufacturer for their recommendation on cam and springs.

#3 lakeside

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Posted 13 August 2020 - 05:48 PM

Finding another block would be a good starting point 



#4 mick_in_oz

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Posted 13 August 2020 - 06:45 PM

Blocks fine at +0.060" if its not got much corrosion or core shift!

But does it have to go +60 to be usable? I'd only go as far as needed and try to save a few lives it might have into the future.

Get the heads done by someone that knows 308 heads well, um, great!, poor heads will kill it, great heads will surprise everyone how good it ends up going.

 

Put a roller in it every time, no if's but's or otherwise, put a roller in it, its bolt in HP, and if its a Hydro its reliability and longevity.

 

Yup, Performer is a Dual Plane.

 

Probably get whoever does the heads to suggest a camshaft.



#5 _JJ21_

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Posted 13 August 2020 - 07:45 PM

Ok, this is just a cruiser, not going for performance.
As its genuine SLR (L32) i want to keep it somewhat standard. Dont want to rebuild the 253 will keep it aside, so 308 build and red motor is it.
Trimatic pattern and early heads to keep standard exhaust pipes and tri auto is important.
(Bolt in same same)
Theres frOck all better blocks around (in Perth) so this is budget build....agree last legs for this one.
I was told performer was dual...maybe i heard wrong.
Made up my mind on performer and quady just need to know which ones and where from plz..seems to be various types!
Trans/stall not far from standard, just using bango with 3.36 (at this point but could change)
Cheers again

Edited by JJ21, 13 August 2020 - 07:47 PM.


#6 Ice

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Posted 13 August 2020 - 08:48 PM

Edelbrock performer I think its model no 2194 $500 approx
Quaddy Hume performance fully recon about the same $500 approx
buying second carby will just give you grief

#7 _JJ21_

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Posted 13 August 2020 - 08:54 PM

Hey mate, yeah ok.
I did see Hume performance sell 308 bolt on kit performer and quady.
So maybe thats the go then

#8 Ice

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Posted 13 August 2020 - 09:52 PM

Look into Crow Cam Valve Train Kit model no 5770/ K502
Rev range 2100 to 5000 RPM is plenty for mild cruiser and no need for a stall

Budget build no such thing for a 308
I said the same im up to about 3.5 K just in parts so far
hope to christ the block doesn't need machining otherwise it will be another 3K with pistons rings etc etc etc

#9 yel327

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Posted 13 August 2020 - 10:17 PM

If you are using early heads you can save some $ and use a HJ intake (or a HT-HQ and drill/tap the extra bracket hole) if you have one. These are almost as good as a Performer on a mild street engine. But a Performer will be easier to get especially with swap meets closed down. A blue/black Quadrajet will work well and just convert to electric choke, they are cheap and get it rebuilt by a good Quadrajet rebuilder. There is also a KC manifold called 253308 or something like that. It is sort of a copy of a HDT one but fits all HT to VL carb engine heads.
A mild build isn’t rocket science, GMH show you the basic way with what they did with L34 (except the cam) and VC-VK V5H (except compression). You can make some more improvements with heads like Mick says and with a modern hydraulic roller.

#10 Ice

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Posted 14 August 2020 - 12:09 AM

Byron is correct in what he is saying but brand new engine dont gin around with used parts
especially 40 year old manifolds

#11 yel327

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Posted 14 August 2020 - 07:18 AM

Nothing wrong with used bits Gene like the intake if it’s good. After all the block, crank, rods, heads, carby, sump, timing case cover will all be easily re-useable if they are OK.

#12 Redslur

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Posted 14 August 2020 - 12:13 PM

There are so many simple combos for a mild healthy 308. Do some reading up. 5k will get you a nice little street cruiser engine. Built plenty of them over the years...



#13 _JJ21_

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Posted 14 August 2020 - 03:20 PM

Thanks all for your suggestions.
Already had new early L34 heads (no expense) in me shed, and by all reports from engine machinist block is in good nic and no problem taking to 60 thou for what i am doing.
Now to track down parts (quady and manifold maybe) and do some research on approprate cam to suit what i have.
Engine builder given me some suggestions as well.
Thankyou all, very much appreciate it

#14 _74LH_

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Posted 15 August 2020 - 05:18 PM

Get the block sonic tested and crack tested (core shift is the enemy). Then get heads crack tested (exhaust cross over on heads is susceptible) and the rods/crank the same.
That should be done before you start with anything else, its not cheap but in the scheme of things it kinda is

This old stuff breaks and comes with sometimes major imperfections (even virgin bore blocks) and unfortunately holden only made them to a particular standard (aka good enough)

#15 _JJ21_

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Posted 15 August 2020 - 06:39 PM

Thanks mate, everything is with a very reputable engine machinist/builder atm and from his reports all is good.

#16 _74LH_

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Posted 15 August 2020 - 11:04 PM

I am not doubting your builder for a moment, but has he said its all good? Or has he gone into specifics?
At 060 I would want to know a sonic test has been done on the block and see the results. To give an example, had a virgin bore block with 1.8mm on one of the bores, basically a coffee table is all its good for.
My engine builder has a virgin bore group a block with 1.6....core shift is the enemy of making an engine last.

But if hes a machinist worth anything it should be completed and I'm just wasting my words, along with crack testing. I'm just giving a word of warning from my own experience

#17 Ice

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Posted 15 August 2020 - 11:58 PM

Jason can i ask who is building your engine
all good if you want to keep that info private

#18 _JJ21_

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Posted 17 August 2020 - 02:57 PM

Thanks again for your input guys. The machinist/builder is guy i know on a personal level through speedway, he builds alot of front running engines and sponsors events. Certainly no fly by night business and alot to lose if did the wrong thing by me.
He knows i would go find another block for him if it was at all risky, and assured me theres no need to.

#19 rodomo

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Posted 17 August 2020 - 10:48 PM

I wouldn't tell him either.



#20 _JJ21_

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Posted 20 August 2020 - 04:48 PM

Hi again, just to get opinions with the camshaft.
The crow cams 5666-8 hydraulic tough idle cam has been mentioned, what do you guys think plz...
L34 early non-poll heads with strong valve springs (was told they might be too strong)
Extractors with twin 2.5" system
Performer manifold
Quad carby
Stage 1 trimatic
Standard stall (maybe)
At the moment 3.36 diff (could change)

Remember street cruiser...not 1/4mile car.

Comments plz!

#21 Lima31

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Posted 20 August 2020 - 09:42 PM

Will sound ok but fairly tame ... have you askes crow for a recommendation via their website, it is easy to do

#22 _JJ21_

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Posted 20 August 2020 - 10:34 PM

Hey mate yep i did that today

#23 Ice

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Posted 20 August 2020 - 11:08 PM

With all the gear you got it will be a nice cruiser
wont smash any 1/4 mile times ✌️

#24 Redslur

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Posted 21 August 2020 - 12:10 PM

Best simple street combo for a B cast style headed 308 is flat tops and a cam with about 230 @ 50 duration. So about a Crane 286. A Performer manifold, 650 holley or well set up Quady, and a good exhaust with exctractors. You are looking at around 300hp and it will be reliable and reasonably economical and enough power to have a bit of fun with.



#25 _JJ21_

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Posted 21 August 2020 - 04:52 PM

So with inputing my info into the crow cams website recomendation page, they come back with #5869-6 (Lumpy street Cam)
RPM range 2600-5500
So with the addition of flat top pistons i might be getting close.

I did input as fairly standard converter for street driving but as the RPM is higher any comments/recomendations on the stall converter???




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