20 replies to this topic

[dattoman]

I'll let you know once I'm finished (started)

[LS1LX]

The weight is about the same between a SBC and a Holden V8.
These days though it comes down to what your bolting on, SBC you can get alloy heads cheap, alloy heads for Holden V8's aren't exactly cheap when you compare.

But lighten the thing up with alloy manifold, mini starter, alternator and alloy water pump, you dont need any other accessories, no P/S or A/C and you've got a light enough V8.

There's heaps more thing you can do to lighten a SBC and it will always be cheaper and make more HP per $ then a Holden V8.

You have the same choice of transmissions between the 2 engines, assuming the holden is turbo pattern if not you could always run a mighty trimatic or super strong aussie 4 speed behind that 308.

Go the SBC you won't regret it, you'll never build a 308 again though. Once you go with the chev's you generally for some dumb reason just get hooked, I think its the name.

[Racehatch]

Prob the only thing you have to watch out for is extractors, a few blokes on here have had a few issues with clearance near the steering knuckles and also the sump (if its a hi energy style).

I spent the cash and got a custom made setup, that can be dismantled, well worth the money, esp if u need to do a clutch or gearbox...

[355LX]

The old 253/308 was based on the chev originally for some of it's inspiration, one of the goals i think was lighter weight. I think it was about 20kg's lighter than the chev, or was it 40kg, I can't remember.......I think 20kg's.

Dave

[TerrA LX]

it is actually based on a buick, and depends if you talking old or new for weight as a red 308 is easy 20kg lighter than an equivilant chev (with cast iron water pump etc) but an alloy head later chev will be lighter than a VN headed 308.

[makka]

of its going in a circuit car, why not go a 302? you want something that revs!

[bryanw]

just put the ls1 in it.

streetmachine has 325 hp at the wheels on their project car, has tune, extractors, otrcai, mafless, baby cam, new valve springs as it is a 160k plus engine.

thats with the power sapping auto.

would be interesting to see the results with the 300kw intake manifold, 90mm intake, std is 75mm.

this engine in a full weight LH would be in the low 11 sec, if not high 10's with a little diet and traction.
and behave like a stock engine! economy not bad either on pump fuel
this is still a std motor with bolt on's and cam.

complete ls1 motor/auto/computer etc sell for less than what you would spend on your chev/holden to get similar power, and sm are not finished.
maybe just buy a complete write-off with manual trans.
sell off what you don't want

then there is the 6spd.

am thinking of the same in a lc/j. rather than stuff a 308 in the gtr.
possibly low 10's without pulling the heads off!

or a 150hp shot of gas in a dry system, keep the maf. would have to be the cheapest 9sec car you could build.

or you could just stick with the old heavy chev, they do sound better.

[bryanw]

rory will have finished his before I have decided on a colour!

may not be the quickest in unopened configuration, but sure to be the most drivable.

ls1's have got cheap, try ebay, last week one didn't get a bid at $2000, low kays, auto, comp and all accesories. complete damaged cars are under 5k.
easy sell off 2-3k in parts, if not more.
then you might look for an ls6, as holden fitted lots of those as they ran out of ls1's for a while.

was just giving other options since you were asking about weight.

hope the chev works out well