Messages

 I'm pretty sure you'll need hr disk brake wheels (or centres at least to make new wheels) to clear the calipers.

With a bit of luck you might be able to source the tub panels you need from someone who is wrecking a rusty ute.

If you know of someone locally with a bead roller you should be able to make up something decent looking from a couple of cardboard templates from your ute.

Cheers, Rob.

 g'day Damo,

A lot will depend on what your states registration requirements are.

A mate of mine here had a friend (in Vic) that was having trouble with an engineer changing his mind part way through a conversion (SBC into 49 pontiac).

I helped him find a sympathetic engineer that allowed him to use the original kingpin frontend with a hq rotor conversion and boosted dual circuit brakes as the sidevalve 6 was of similar weight to the small block (with a few aluminium parts added.)

Keeping the kingpin frontend may be a workable option but if you can source a hr frontend you will probably be better off in the long term if the car sees a fair bit of road time. Easier to service and get parts (balljoints) for.

Cheers, Rob.

 Yeah, 3" single is best for high boost turbo 6.

I forgot about the 4 link (too many cans, on holidays still ;D)

I'm keen to keep leaf springs for low maintenance. If I were to minitub it, i'd go 4 link myself.

Yours is looking pretty neat.

Cheers, Rob.

 Looking good mate,

Been thinking about folding up a different tank mount for a while, to allow a dual system to fit inside the springs neatly and to repair the carnage to the tank my ex wife caused by backing into a tree stump out the bush. :'(

 No worries mate,

I learnt from a young age that you don't find the boundaries until you push them a bit. Copped a fair flogging from the old man along the way. ;D

It might be a slow process (due to time and funds) but I'm pretty keen to do a build page, not just as a record of my own vehicle but possibly help others that may be considering taking the plunge themselves, undertaking their own mods or restoration work.

The standard of work presented here from the 1st timer to the pro is generally top notch, It's probably what makes this site the premier (pardon the pun) early holden website.

Cheers, Rob.

 Thanks RET,

You've clarified the overall picture quite well.

I hope I haven't come across as ignorant or arrogant by not responding to this post straight away, just wanted to have a good think about what to say as to not put my foot in my mouth again. :-[

Cheers mate.

 Hi John,

If you're keen on sticking with a hot grey they work pretty well at highway speed with 3.36 gears on 13" wheels.

A mate of mine had a grey powered ek ute as a daily driver for a few years.

It was running a ported head with red valves and double springs, 35-75 cam and triple 1.75" side draught (lc gtr) stromberg carbies. Column 3 speed (crash box) with 3.36's and 13" rims. Went really well for what it was and we had a heap of fun in it. It could do near on 110mph flat out, outrun a stock 186 and got close to 28mpg on trips.

Without trying to smoke the tyres the drive train took a fair pounding without giving much trouble.

Rob..

 Hi Ken, sorry but I never meant this post to head down that path.

I suppose I was just venting at after heading in a certain direction at considerable time and expense, having to change direction and spend more time and money to achieve a goal I've had for a long time.

In as much that I think it's important to question the powers that be over certain decisions made for the people, I agree that this is no place for politics.

Cheers, Rob.

 If they make it too hard I'll probably go 253, always wanted to clone a commodore cup car engine.

300hp 253 would be heaps of fun in the fe with a 4 speed and hose the 5litre anyway.

Not prepared to give up just yet as I already have the 5.0.

Cheers, Rob.

 I've considered a few of those options.

There's a heap of holden v8 stuff kicking around at home and at the moment there is an efi 5 litre in the engine bay.

The engineer said that it's not totally out of the question at this stage, just depends on how picky vicroads want to be.

The table on the vicroads website is headed Maximum "recommended" engine capacity and since the fe is barlely 2/3 of a tank of fuel away from being in the next weight class, he reckons I have a good case to argue especially with many modern 4.0 litre engines making more power.

What's the difference between pulling up a 253 or 308 from 70mph?

It's a moot point for sure but I guarantee these buggers will make life difficult. >:(

 That's about the size of it,

Some boffin with a clipboard making decisions based on statistics gathered from a totally different demographic.

 Hi Deano,

The late great state of Vic.

Rob.

 G'day John,

I didn't have any pics on here in the past but will in the near future.

My poor old f.e is just a bare shell at the minute, about 1/2 way through a v8 conversion to find the rules have changed again.

We've found a sympathetic engineer who likes to see this sort of stuff on the road, just waiting on him to get back from holidays to start working out what sort of direction this project will take.

Rob..

 Hi everyone.

After a long absense, not having a computer at home for quite some time (long story) I'm back.

I couldn't remember how I spelt my username or what my password was so I'm starting from scratch again. :-[

I hope everyone had a great christmas and new years.

Cheers, Rob..