Again, just my opinion. Even if the LS1 is better bang for buck & gets better economy etc, they are not a simple bolt in fit to a Torana & will need someone with good mechanical & auto electrical knowledge/skills to make one work in a Torana. A 308 was a factory fitment, so anyone with basic mechanical skills can fit one with a myriad of factory & aftermarket parts available. As for the improbability of a Holden 355 out performing a LS1 or SBC, nothing is impossible. A cast EFI head 355 built by my engine builder & fitted to a road registered street trim LX Torana runs 9.89@135mph on PULP all day long, lifting the front wheels four foot off the track on launch off the start line. Even though the engine was built nearly ten years ago, it is still going strong & on average the car will do 20+ passes back to back at a weekend street meet when the owner races it without even lifting the bonnet. Each to their own, but in my opinion, that isn't too bad for a "plastic" engine.
LS1 conversion to LH
#27
_victor_
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Posted 06 August 2014 - 07:22 PM
What is the car going to be used for ? Road, race or as a drag car?
If it a road car that your going to drive around in , then do you really need 400hp?
I think speaking to a good engine builder is the first step . The last thing you want to do is push it to far and spending every weekend under the bonnet, rather than driving it.
The other thing is what the plain for the car old skool or modernize every thing.
How do you want it to sound?
Me, build a good strong 308/355 that's going to last.
But in the end it up to you.
Victor
#28
_LH SLR 3300_
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Posted 06 August 2014 - 07:37 PM
This was taken back in 2008, the car is still going today running the same engine etc as you see it here. If you look close at the windscreen, you'll see the dial in time of 9.90. This car runs a Holden V8 355 with cast iron EFI heads, no nitrous, no turbo, no super charger. N/A street driven, only slicked up for the track. This is the only pic I could find, but it launches harder than this. Not the fastest car on the street & for sure there are faster SBCs & LS1s, but never the less is proof that the "plastic Holden engine can be built to run hard & fast.
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#29
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Posted 06 August 2014 - 08:32 PM
Mumbo's 308 runs in the high 10.s
So it can be done and street driven (not a daily driver anymore)
#30
_LH SLR 3300_
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Posted 06 August 2014 - 08:49 PM
Not daily driven anymore for sure, but then a SBC powered Torana running those times wouldn't be a practical daily driver either. The point I was trying to make is that you don't need to fit a SBC to get decent power in a Torana & that those who don't believe a 308 can be built to run with or quicker than a SBC obviously haven't been in a car fitted with a well built one. Can't wait to put mine down the quarter, with a similar engine to what is in the blue LX, I think I'll be able to give a few SBC & LS1 powered cars a good run for their money. and I'll be driving it to the track & home when I'm done.
#31
_victor_
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Posted 06 August 2014 - 09:12 PM
400hp might sound Like a good number, what do you really need.
Are you going with 9" , auto , manual , flares need some good rubber to get that power down.
Victor
#32
_LHSL308_
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Posted 06 August 2014 - 10:32 PM
Mumbo's 308 runs in the high 10.s
So it can be done and street driven (not a daily driver anymore)
Man that is quick for a 308 isnt it, what sort of HP is that putting out at the flywheel, must be around the 500's as well?
#33
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Posted 07 August 2014 - 12:03 PM
Still reckon you will be better of with an easy 308 based combo. Likely to be easier for you to do and cheaper for the same power than the other options discussed here.
#34
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Posted 07 August 2014 - 12:35 PM
It all comes down to what someone prefers/wants at the end of the day. And everyone has had differening experiences. I am a strong advicate of the old 308/355 as that is the period correct engine for a Torry (my personal view). And as said, a simple 355 conversion can give you both a well behaved reliable street engine, or a rip snorter track master. I have just built myself a car that has an injected 355 with an overdirve in it so I could get reasonable economy yet still be a quick car. I returned 11.5 litres per 100 ks on my return trip to All Holden Day. Yet my set up has the potential to run high 11's.
#35
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Posted 07 August 2014 - 01:03 PM
Man that is quick for a 308 isnt it, what sort of HP is that putting out at the flywheel, must be around the 500's as well?
Not for 135 mph, would be getting closer to 600 or more!
#36
_LH SLR 3300_
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Posted 07 August 2014 - 05:29 PM
Hang on a moment, how did the comment go "yeah somehow I don't think that's going to happen". 600HP out of a Holden "plastic" engine without the aid of forced induction? As for true 308 power, not 355, there will be a few forum members who may remember a Persian Sand LX hatchback that participated in a GMH Torana private track day at WSID a couple years back. Owned by one of my best mates, it ran a EFI head 304, Top loader four speed & 3.7 geared 9 inch. Said members may recall the car was driven to the track & ran best of 11.2@124mph with a slipping clutch, before being driven home. But then there is no way a 308/355 will out perform a SBC or LS1 right?
#37
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Posted 07 August 2014 - 05:32 PM
I think he has done a 10.2 nowMumbo's 308 runs in the high 10.s
So it can be done and street driven (not a daily driver anymore)
#38
_LS1 Taxi_
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Posted 07 August 2014 - 06:24 PM
This has turned into a bit of a pissing contest.
Who gives a shit!?
To the OP, if you sink decent coin into either 308/304, SBC or LS series engines you are going to go real hard and make good figures.
In terms of bang for buck, the extra power the LS (or SBC) will make in stock form is offset by the cost of getting it to work in your Torana. By the time you get the LS working it may well be cheaper to get the 308 up to or beyond the same power level.
I'm sure someone has done a full comparison of the 3 options and all associated costs.
#39
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Posted 07 August 2014 - 07:03 PM
MPH shows horsepower, Et shows chassis and weight. We were talking about 400 horsepower for $7000 budget, not that it could not make it. You throw enough money at any engine you'll make high levels of horsepower! But it will need to rev to super high levels and will not be a streeter!
#40
_Hussyslr_
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Posted 07 August 2014 - 07:54 PM
Victor, I am turning my LH into an slr 5000. All the guards will be cut to fit some big rubber. We will be using the car for weekends and shows! I would love a tuff sounding engin, reliable and fun to drive! I just picked 400hp as a possible option. I have talked to some engin builders and at this stage I have made up my mind to build a 308/355 motor which I was told would give me 350/400hp.
At this stage I will be running a standard diff until I get some more coin so I will need to be kind to it!! I will be running an auto either a T400 / 700.
I have standard front disc brakes all new . I will,also need to upgrade my brake booster as I only have a six cylinder brack booster. I am getting an aluminium drop tank made with a serge tanks and electric fuel pump. Moving forward I will put a 9inch with disc brakes to finish it of..
This has been a long build! I promised my son that we will be cruzing together in our Torrie by Christmas! He is 14 and his wall is full of toranas which includes my 2 ORIGINAL SLR 5000 cars which I sold 20 years ago! Not happy!! Anyway need to look for an old 308 to start with!!
Thanks guys! The feedback has been great!
#41
_victor_
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Posted 07 August 2014 - 08:42 PM
I've been around looking at working a 308 red with red heads.
Went to Pavtek $7500 turn key 355 - 450 hp
Flowcraft good strong 308 - 350/400 hp -$5500
Both are for street diving , not drag or race cars.
Sircar around the same price.
Don't know to much about Sircar but highly recommended by Come racing.
Victor
Victor
#42
_Hussyslr_
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Posted 08 August 2014 - 07:25 PM
I have called Sircar and they said $5,500 for a fully rebuilt long motor with 350/400 hp!!
Flow craft sound good! I will call them also.
Just need to pick up a good motor!
Thanks mate!
#43
_homer_
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Posted 09 August 2014 - 01:23 PM
I probably should have stayed with the 308. I am putting the LS1 into my hatch now and have already spent over 5k and the engine isn't even sitting in the car yet. lol
#44
_Hussyslr_
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Posted 09 August 2014 - 08:42 PM
What have you spent the 5k on?
#45
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Posted 10 August 2014 - 12:06 AM
LS Gen4 has so many more advantages than outright hp and 1/4 mile times.... so frOcking smooth, responsive and well behaved !.... and then there's the weight difference...Roller cam, efficiency...400hp&6800rpm stock, 550-600 with cam kit. No contest to a cast iron lump of agriculture.
... Can be a Bitch fit but !
#46
_homer_
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Posted 10 August 2014 - 01:09 AM
Engine, Box, engine mounts, transmission mounts/crossmember, wiring and removing the vats, sump/oil pickup and oil filter relocation kit, new clutch, and the list go's on. I haven't got extractors yet but there is a guy in town that custom makes them for around 2-2.5k.
I did have an injected 5l and T5 but I changed my mine to go something a bit more fun out of the box. Lol. Plus I will also be running a/c and hopefully p/s.
#48
_Hussyslr_
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Posted 10 August 2014 - 08:17 PM
I see you picked up a new front end from the rod shop. How much did that set up cost?
I understand all the advantages of an LS1 however I am limited by a budget!
#49
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Posted 10 August 2014 - 10:56 PM
Front end complete was $4500.....
+ many puzzling and perplexing phone calls, several freight trips back and forth across the country.
$1500 in sump & mounts to make it all "Fffit" together .....
6+ months to finally get a usable item...
Then a grinder and welder to make it fit correctly !!
Budget smudget 
I just slapped an LS2 in my old landcruiser(originally a Injected Gen1 small block & Various turbo configurations ending GT4294R 327), picked up a low Km 2007 L98 6.0 complete for $3500, $1285 for rerto fit wiring harness ECU O2 pedal etc.... bargain for what you get, you could not build an old carby motor up to 400hp for that price. Shitter LS1 can be had for not much more than $1K and wiring etc is far cheaper than drive by wire Gen4 engine.
#50
_The Baron_
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Posted 12 August 2014 - 09:54 PM
I have always fancied this conversion (not to the A9X God forbide) but there are always other ideas floating around in my head
Here's an idea. What would it take to compile a list of parts/suppliers/costs.etc
Engine (Only)
Supplier new
LS2 = $4,000
L98 = $3,800
Supplier Second hand
LS1 = $1,500
LS2 = $4,000
L98 = $3,800
Sump
Supplier X = $250 comment shit/slow/didn't fit
Supplier Y= $300 great fit with mounts from supplier blah.
Engine Mounts
Supplier X = $150 comment shit/slow/didn't fit
Supplier Y= $200 great fit
Transmission (only)
New
Manual = $x,xxx
Auto = $x,xxx
Second Hand
Manual = $2,300
Auto = $2,500
Cross member supplier
Supplier X = $250 comment shit/slow/didn't fit
Supplier Y= $300 great fit with mounts from supplier blah.
Tails shaft yoke
Supplier X = $250 comment shit/slow/didn't fit
Supplier Y= $300 great fit with mounts from supplier blah.
Exhaust/headers
Supplier X = $250 comment shit/slow/didn't fit
Supplier Y= $300 great fit with mounts from supplier blah.
Wiring harness / ECU /other electrics
Airconditioning??
Power steering pump solution?
Fuel pump solution?
Cooling system?
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