fbekholden.com

Actually the Holden is easier to fit than a chev, even though the block is slightly narrower than the holden, the angle of the holden heads make for a better proposition to run exhaust at the rear with more clearance. Holden also have smaller mounts to provide better steering clearances.

But if Ratbox throws his views on here, he may have a insight and a basic instruction manual on how to shoehorn a Holden V8 into an FB/EK pretty easily. You just need to decifer the locked code that lies beneath that scalp of his.

fair enough...

something new everyday!

Cheers
NoMAD

im pretty much after the cheapest v8 (both to purchase+most labour), or a hot 6 that you guys can recommend?

Cheapest V8 you could get would be a 253 Holden V8.Can vary in price from giveaway up to about $500 dollars in useable 2nd hand condition or more if recent reco/very good condition or modified etc.

Some blokes don't like them ( too small ) but they are an economical V8 in standard form and can be made to go OK with mods.

Next step 308, bit more expensive usually and obviously go better because they are bigger.Chev V8 usually a bit more $$$ than 308 to buy but parts supply and prices can be relatively cheap depending on what you want.

Red sixes are still able to be obtained at times depending on engine size you want and whether you want standard or modified.

You can still find freebies or very cheap red sixes mainly standard ones ( I've found good running freebies at my local dump at times over the years ), modified ones from approx $500 ( 2nd hand ) to thousands of $$$ depending on modified work.

Hot Holden six's are still popular motors and I personally like 'em.

You could probably also very nearly put a V6 Commondoor motor in for price of V8 which could be another avenue.Older V6 Dunnydoor motors can be bought near as cheap as red sixes can sometimes.

The V6 Commowhore's go very well.

There's my thoughts and some cheap fitment options when you are budget constrained but still want a fun toy to play with.

Other blokes here could add some more options.....

all i have to say at the moment is can FCOV6 explain why a chev is better than a holden V8

Here are some red motor alternatives and shiny too

http://www.primefabrication.com/product ... agodMX9u_A

ratbox wrote:all i have to say at the moment is can FCOV6 explain why a chev is better than a holden V8

I think it all comes down to personal preference , Trev .

that's it trev, it's just a big wank i was waiting for the easier to get parts go better blah blah blah thing then was gunna come back with well might aswell fit a HEMI

ratbox wrote:all i have to say at the moment is can FCOV6 explain why a chev is better than a holden V8

I never said a chev is better, i just said they are a more common swap.
Personal preference i would fit a carb SBC over a 253/308 but an EFI 304 would be a good swap. I just bought a chev/holden to celica 5spd bellhousing so i'm trying to decide on a SBC /5LTR over a buick V6 - decisions,decisions. My biggest problem is the car that the holden V8's were fitted to, i dont like HK-WB's or commonwhores, but their parts are handy.

FC0V6, I would go for the V8 over the Buick V6, I know a bloke that has one in an FC and the engineer said he could have done the 350 with the same mods, so why wouldn't you?

RB, I also thought it might be easier to fit a Chev over a 308, just for the physical size being a 60 degree V and the 308 being a 90 degree V, it sounds like you would have a bit more room to play with, keeping in mind I have never done this myself , love the Hemi idea aswell , Trev .

FCOV6 wrote:

nick_sixx wrote:is a 308 a popular/common swap? it appeals to me

I would say a SBC is more popular than a 308 as if you are going to all that work may as well put a decent donk in it,

yor words not mine "may as well put a decent donk in it"

i'm lucky i have no preferance other than &*#@ motors

FCOV6, don't know where the sump drop is on the buick V6 and if it's carbied or not but if they're like a commodore (sump drop in front and computer) to me the V8 is easier based on you can get just about everything needed at the wreckers

plus i've never heard a V6 that has a decent exhaust note unless it's really quiet

i definately would use a V6 if it wasn't such a drama, cheap to run and go good

ratbox wrote:

FCOV6 wrote:

nick_sixx wrote:is a 308 a popular/common swap? it appeals to me

I would say a SBC is more popular than a 308 as if you are going to all that work may as well put a decent donk in it,

yor words not mine "may as well put a decent donk in it"

i'm lucky i have no preferance other than &*#@ motors

FCOV6, don't know where the sump drop is on the buick V6 and if it's carbied or not but if they're like a commodore (sump drop in front and computer) to me the V8 is easier based on you can get just about everything needed at the wreckers

plus i've never heard a V6 that has a decent exhaust note unless it's really quiet

i definately would use a V6 if it wasn't such a drama, cheap to run and go good

Buick is rear drop sump carbied and i have an edelbrock 4brl manifold for it so its ready to drop in, i just have to redrill the holes on the bellhousing to suit the celica 5spd as Dellows want $450 for one

I meant decent (above quote, as in power wise) i just figure that if you are going to that much trouble you may as well go all the way. My buick will be fairly unique and i can use some commo parts on it if i want EFI and dizzyless ignition.

at the moment a 308 is looking good. what do i need apart from engine+transmission?

i'm used to hearing: "you need engine, gearbox, wiring loom, ecu, driveshafts, engine mounts, and remove aircon" - mainly because i've only owned jap cars.

how much should i budget for labour? i can remove the grey motor+gearbox myself, so yeah, labour costs apart from that? my local mechanic has a resto'd fx (maybe earlier?) ute, so im hoping he would give me a special holden discount

Trev wrote:FC0V6, I would go for the V8 over the Buick V6, I know a bloke that has one in an FC and the engineer said he could have done the 350 with the same mods, so why wouldn't you?

RB, I also thought it might be easier to fit a Chev over a 308, just for the physical size being a 60 degree V and the 308 being a 90 degree V, it sounds like you would have a bit more room to play with, keeping in mind I have never done this myself , love the Hemi idea aswell , Trev .

Chev is 90 degree V8, no such thing as a 60 deg V8 except in some of those euro exoticars, V6's are usually 60 deg as 90 is not an ideal configuration as it invokes balancing problems - buick and chev got around this by splitting the conrod journals 30 deg to allow for even firing spacing. This is why pre mid 77 buick V6's are called oddfire as they are literally a 350 with 2 cylinders cut off, the later buick/holden V6 also used a balance shaft above the cam to smooth out the pulses even further - here endeth the lesson

Doesn't matter which engine gets fitted...........Whether V6, V8 Hemi 4.5 Toyota, Windsor, Turbo Diesel..

Out of all these, "the easiest engine to fit" is to let someone else fit it.........