50 replies to this topic

[DanWA]

You're not going to get 400hp from a 308 for $7k

 

My LS1 conversion has been a headache from the start and over tripple your budget

 

The easiest thing you could do with your small budget is 308 conversion which is super straight forward, just forget the 400hp part

[rexy]

The Holden V8 install will be much cheaper, particularly if you have to pay people to do a lot of the custom fiddly things that an engine swap requires. Will also not require engineering.

[dattoman]

Double your budget

 

There is not much chance of achieving what you want with what you have

Unless you have already sourced the big diff, brakes, radiator , gearbox/clutch/convertor etc thats all required to go along with the engine of your choice

 

I could spend $7k on the supporting parts without spending a cent on buying a motor 

[ls2lxhatch]

I would compare the price of the rebuilt 308 vs a new small block chev crate motor with a carby.

[rexy]

I would compare the price of the rebuilt 308 vs a new small block chev crate motor with a carby.

And when you do the sums make sure to add the cost of engineering the engine swap to the Chevy price.

[ls2lxhatch]

Engineering a SBC should be less than $500. You will need engineer for the brakes, gearbox and diff regardless of your engine choice.

Edited by ls2lxhatch, 04 August 2014 - 08:58 PM.

[torana_nick]

Engineering a SBC should be less than $500. You will need engineer for the brakes, gearbox and diff regardless of your engine choice.

Is this true for Melbourne?

[ls2lxhatch]

It is true in all states. If you fit and engine, brakes, gearbox or diff that was not factory option for your car then it needs to be engineered. 

[rexy]

Not true. In vic if you fit a 308 to a LH/ LX it will not require engineering. Nor did fitting a nine inch diff or 5 speed gearbox on direct advice from vicroads technical department.

[ls2lxhatch]

Not true. In vic if you fit a 308 to a LH/ LX it will not require engineering. Nor did fitting a nine inch diff or 5 speed gearbox on direct advice from vicroads technical department.

 

You either spoke to the wrong person or the information is out of date. Have a read of the VIC Roads Modification Guide.

 

Any engine, gearbox, diff or brakes that were not a factory option on the Torana require engineering. If you want 350+ HP then you are going to want to fit a stronger gearbox, diff and better brakes all of which will require engineering.

 

Fitting a 308 in a LH/LX does avoid the cost of engineering the engine as it is a factory option.

 

However new SBC components are cheap. It could work out that even with the additional engineering cost you could build a SBC or buy a SBC crate motor cheaper than the cost of sourcing a suitable 308 and building a 355.

 

Eagle Auto Parts Australia

[rexy]

Instead of reading guides you should try talking to people. I have nearly always found them reasonable and helpful. The last time of several times I went through this process the vicroads technical staff, the RWC inspector and the vicroads inspection team were all on the same page. No engineering required for straightforward mods such as a Supra gearbox swap or nine inch conversion.
None of the fine officers of the law who have looked at any of these have mods have raised an eyebrow either.

[ls2lxhatch]

Instead of reading guides you should try talking to people. I have nearly always found them reasonable and helpful. The last time of several times I went through this process the vicroads technical staff, the RWC inspector and the vicroads inspection team were all on the same page. No engineering required for straightforward mods such as a Supra gearbox swap or nine inch conversion.
None of the fine officers of the law who have looked at any of these have mods have raised an eyebrow either.

 

Are VIC Roads are currently enforcing engineering requirement for a brake upgrade that was not a factory option? 

 

If you need an engineer for a brake upgrade then you may as well get them to sign off on the gearbox and diff as they are only visual inspections. If you have a engineer for the brakes then it shouldn't cost much more to get them to sign off on a SBC engine swap. VIC Roads could decide tomorrow to start enforcing their rules so you may as well make the most of the engineer while they are there.

 

The OP could budget $1000 for engineering the SBC and then compare the cost of fitting SBC verses the cost of building and fitting a 355.

Edited by ls2lxhatch, 05 August 2014 - 11:59 AM.

[DanWA]

Brakes and diff are definate engineering 'have to's"

 

Me personally i regret going the LS route and should have put a chev in it

[rexy]

Are VIC Roads are currently enforcing engineering requirement for a brake upgrade that was not a factory option? 
 
If you need an engineer for a brake upgrade then you may as well get them to sign off on the gearbox and diff as they are only visual inspections. If you have a engineer for the brakes then it shouldn't cost much more to get them to sign off on a SBC engine swap. VIC Roads could decide tomorrow to start enforcing their rules so you may as well make the most of the engineer while they are there.
 
The OP could budget $1000 for engineering the SBC and then compare the cost of fitting SBC verses the cost of building and fitting a 355.

It depends on what you consider a factory option. I have had both the milled down HQ disc conversion and the HQ stubs and brakes versions passed in vic without incident.

Most of the V8 conversion items for a Holden are readily available to the patient builder second hand. This also widens the price gap.

[DanWA]

you can build a 355 Holden that will out perform them

 

Yeah somehow i don't think thats going to happen

[myss427]

I have done a few LS1 conversions, best bang for buck. To put in a stroker 308, you end up replacing most of the driveline anyway for all the additional power, why not get a better mannered, higher econnomy and smoother running engine that probably have more go as a bonus.