FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

Hi all have been away for a long time with work and family since 03
i have a 1959 FC sedan "Special" car is in mint conditions its a bit of a sleeper sun visor rear venitians has most nasco accesories
has been in australian muscle car issue 1 and in zoom has been running a nissan 3 litre RB30 for 13 years
car was fully restored 9 years ago
centura diff running parralell 4 link with spax coil over shocks
Commodore discs all around
3/4 chassis
torana rack
Rb30 has GTS cam balanced blueprinted ported polished head 21/2 inch exhaust
walkinshaw wheels.
i stripped the car down last week to start on a bigger and better car it has a RB26Dett twin turbo godzilla motor half cut had 40 thousand ks on it.
I had built a powerglide with 3 grand stally fully manulised bigger pan dellow bellhousing turbo 400 input shaft.
I have shortened a VS commodore diff fitted 307 gears LSD centre billet axles.
Just started a alloy fuel tank fitted with a internal swirl pot carter lift pump bosch 044 fuel pump high pressure.
work slows me down but have got a fair bit done so far in a fortnight.
Cheers FCHOON

Sounds good - can you post some progress pics.

Ken

will post some pics of the car tommorow and start some progress ones.

Geeez,sounds like a pretty boring car,don't bother posting pics............. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D Obviously I'm joking,where's the pics,where's the pics!!!!!

G'day FC hoon, welcome back, sounds like a wicked project, as someone who is currently building an FC wagon with an RB30 engine i would also be "very" interested in seeing some pics, might help with a few issues I'm dealing with ;).
                 Pedro

No worries whats your problem

I cannot upload pics have no idea what im doing thats my problem.

Oh nothing too much, just a few simple things like sump, engine mounts, radiator, exhaust, fuel tank, diff, brakes, wiring, etc. ;D, nah, actually I've got most of it figured now, did you use a VK radiator with thermo fans ???, I'm using the commodore fuel tank and had that pretty sussed until i realised there was nowhere for the exhaust to go, had to stop working on mine for a while but I'm about to get back into it, you can see what I'm up to in cars being built under "el-cheapo rebuild".

As far as your problem goes I had the same problem when I started(as do most of us who aren't computer nerds), I presume you can put the photo's into your computer, if so go to photo bucket and join(free), then upload the photo's from your computer to photo bucket, when that is done bring up this site as well and start a new post on here under cars being built or cars finished, then go back to photobucket and click on the bottom line that comes up under you photo and press ctrl c(cut), go back to the FE/FC site and press ctrl v(paste) and the writing will come up on your post, add comments and repeat until finished, when you press post it will come up as pictures, hope that helps.
                                        Pedro

old fuel tank ran a internal swirl pot in a standard tank with a VS fuel pump mounted in the front of the tank worked great (new alloy tank has more baffles swirl pot external surge tank.
radiator i use a VL 5 core now using GTR skyline with 1 16 inch thermo
Sump i cut the vl one about 30mm down the whole way around and re fabricated it from there (i own a large sheetmetal shop)
engine mounts i just V,d them and bent them inwards towards the block and made new mounts off the crossmemeber all VL no old red motor mounts on mine.
Brakes i run VL discs all around using a vl master cylinder on a Datsun 200B booster they are tiny in size and are double diaphram all hot rodders seem to use them now.
If you get stuck for wiring i can tell you which wires are what they are very basic ones you work out the pins you run just the engine harness side of a VL and it only needs ignition ,main power,fuel pump relay with power out to the pump, speedo signal needed for auto which mine has and doesnt need so i found out after grafting a VL to fc speedo so it looked original.
If you get stuck i can take pics as its all out of the car.

 :o OMG Pedro - you sound so knowledgeable! I'm very impressed!  :)

Oh, yeah and welcome to the forum fchoon!  

(http://<a href="http://s943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/petes%20photos/?action-view&current=Picture008.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/petes%20photos/Picture008.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>)

(http://<a href="http://s943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/petes%20photos/?action-view&current=IMG_0515.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/petes%20photos/IMG_0515.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>)

(http://<a href="http://s943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/petes%20photos/?action-view&current=Picture011.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/petes%20photos/Picture011.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>)

sorry for the mess up trying to learn how to upload see if this is any better

(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/petes%20photos/Picture008.jpg)

(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/petes%20photos/Picture011.jpg)

That worked. I think I may have seen this car before at Wickham a number of years ago?
                    Cheers Glenn

Yep use to work at hannel street that was before it was re built.

hey Pete, i think last time i saw your car was at kooragang!
 that was after you got your p's and took out the grey.

 is the commodore diff cut down yet, if so how much did it cost?
 we will have to race one day, ive still got the same 179 block i had then.

it cost me a carton of beer for the diff i shortened it myself i own a sheet metal business respline long axle for short side 130 bucks and new billet axle for long side 360 i had my gears changed over you could do a diff for under 500 just. Would love a run when she hp done should have about 260kw at wheels with my set up.

Thanks for the info fchoon, all much appreciated, I've already picked up a couple of ideas from that pic,  looks like a nice car, very neat and tidy under the bonnet and the RB30 looks like it was meant to go there.
 I tried using the VL radiator but the bottom inlet is too low and hits on the subframe rail, I tried putting it forward but it sat too high for the bonnet catch and i've also discovered that if it is too low you get air pockets in the top of the engine and they crack heads, apparently it was a problem they had in commodores with the RB30 engine, other people have used vk radiators as the inlet is higher, only prob. is the outlet is on the wrong side and the hose has to be run from one side to the other, I've done the sump but am wondering if i should have left the baffle plate in and what pick up to use, apparently the GQ Nissan patrol with the RB30 has a sump and pick up that will fit ???, sounds like a much easier way to do the wiring I thought i was going to have to buy a full harness, thanks again.
                                       Pedro

Baffle plates is highly advisable my first sump i made at the age of 16 cornering real hard you would have to back off as it dropped oil pressure.
Modify the original pick up they are not that difficult from memory i had some 19mm OD S/S tube and a mandrel bend i just welded it all together
I have a pick of what i did around my radiator put some new rails up the side for it to sit between but mine has a full smooth cover to go over the top of the whole radiator looks a lot better.
You can run a standard fc radiator seen it before but you would have to fit a thermo on the front and it would be very close to harminic balancer the way i have done it its reccessed forward more giving more clerance
(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/petes%20photos/12012010076.jpg)
(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/petes%20photos/12012010073.jpg)
(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/petes%20photos/12012010074.jpg)

Remeber this was done when i was 16 but its still effective i am just tidying up and re spraying engine bay.

It was in Harrisson st., I saw it (and you) I thought. The nissan motor was fitted, If it's the same car. Had tri-y headlight covers? We spoke for about 10 mins. I was doing my fc ute at the time.
                 Cheers Glenn

Yeah thats the one Glenn was before it was re built had the standard vl crappy exhaust and 350 thousand km engine in it i was on a budjet cost me under 3 grand to do the first conversion (Triple that now)

I worked at newcastle electrical services did my trade their then started my own company which was a massive step and have not looked back we have just installed a water jet cutter full CNC and a router engraver so their will be a lot of foreign orders in beetween jobs.

Pete

Where is your workshop located? The last time we spoke you were going to Singleton.

Yep near singleton beutiful MT Thorley

Surrounded by beutiful open cut mines.  (i moved from absaloute waterfront at Wangi to be here)

The only thing i like about here is i have a 1 acre block to store toys and projects on.
I miss the water but this is where the money is.

Pete

 :o :o :oTalk about making a bloke feel inadequate, when i was 16 i thought it was a big deal helping an older mate fit an engine :-[ :D :D
                         Pedro

Heres a pic of the RB26 in the fc put it in tonight to measure up engine mounts and sump fits pretty good need my gear box back to check all clerances but.
(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/14012010083.jpg)

(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/14012010085.jpg)

That will pull like 14 year old

I supposse thats a good way to describe it.

hi mate love your car will be keen to see how well it goes .good choice of motor i am currently running a rb20det in my fc special and it is alot of fun to drive.good luck with the build

Cheers bloke you will have to throw some pics up of the old girl.
I have RB,s everywhere 3 30s 1 20 1 25 and a 26

hi again ive put a link for photos not shore how else to get them up but this is me pride and joy hope you like

Took me a bit to work out the photo thing use photo bucket for it i have it sorted now.

My old fc is at the point now its in a million pieces i am unsure weather i want to soda blast and start from scratch
 I have all the parts but am tossing up weather to put back on the road or do the full re build now.
I want to make all new floors new boot section tunnel ect my company has just purchased a new techni water jet cutter and a multi cam CNC router so i am unsure weather to go all out on it now or wait a few years then do the rotissere re build.
I make parts for hot rods trays firewalls tubs body parts i also do beading cut steering arms ect i am very confident building anything but seem to struggle when it comes to my own projects i start then look at something and think i can do better and after a while it gets the better of me and i stop thinking ill do a better job when i get more time and nothing gets done.
i think i might judt fit the motor get it sorted then do the full re build later on.

i agree fit motor and give yourself time to change things  before you go all out  trial and error god im always looking at changing things .next mission is a new inter-cooler and turbo set up hard part is finding the time

Here you go Wiggs.....looks neat.
(http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac346/wiggsfc/DSCF3462.jpg)

Hoon.....yours is coming along nicely.
I would be interested to know what sort of times/HP this set up produces.
Regards
Alex

How nice is that, everything under the bonnet, intercooler tucks up behind the grille, it all looks stock, what a sleeper!

I like it alot

Keith

 keith a sleeper it is haven,t been pulled over by boys in blue yet they think its a stockie just out for a drive with the kids .thanks alex for enlarging photo still trying to nut out posting them

(http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac346/wiggsfc/DSCF3464.jpg)  here is a full shot of the old girl

Hey Wiggs

Nice work. Very unassuming.

Cheers

Craig

Hi Wiggs looks good.

I am running a water to air intercooler in the inner guard fitted with a cooler and electric pump there is no room for anything with the twins.
Even air flow meters wont fit thats why i have opted for a haltech 2000 series computer and run map sensors.
I had the RB25head 30bottom end  on mine with a T3/T4 top mount turbo fitted very nice but i want a more clean look and the power and sound of a RB26.
I have never been pulled over in 9 years (i think) of the car being modified even with FCHOON number plates the sun visor and rear venetians must give them a laugh.
I have wised up a bit now and have removed the plates just go for a stock look all over the wheels are coming off as well and getting a set made up and will fit the hub caps back on it.
I got carried away on the weekend chopped the whole rear floor out and re manufactured another one and a  alloy kinda  drop tank but more so for extra fuel and to fit a internal swirl pot with a internal pump running to a bosch 044 the tank should not look out of place its 40mm deeper than standard but a little wider so should be about 55 litres now.

Pete

sounds like a busy weekend .agree with you going back to the stock look you cannot beat it your photos made me get my album out and my last fc looks very similar to yours .intend to go all out  one day even get the spats back i reckon . Here is a pic of her    (http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac346/wiggsfc/hfc059-1.jpg)                                                                                                                             

looks sweet
reminds me of when i bought my old girl

my old girl bent the standard visor to much air pressure now has a moded eh one.

COULD YOU POST A PIC OF YOUR INTER-COOLER SET UP WHEN YOU HAVE GOT IT IN INTERESTED TO SEE IT  CHEERS BROWNY

Will do

Intercooler turned up am just waiting on piping had a lot of work on at the moment so havent been doing much on my old girl (effie)

CAPA now runs these water to air intercoolers on all their supercharger systems you get the unit and the water resivoir and the pump have a look on their website.
Ill post a pic of the core tonight if i get 5.
I questioned a friend who is a air con mechanic weather you plump the air con compressor to the core and he said yes he has seen it done before so the extra 8-10HP you lose driving the compressor you should gain nearlly double with the cold air?
I have no worries about that nothing else is going to fit in my engine bay.

Finally got my gearbox and diff  back havent got a invoice yet  for the box but looks good B&M larger pan full manulised 3500 stallie aftermarket flex plate said it would handle over 800hp shame i cant fit big enough turbos in the engine bay to make them numbers diff was a disaster my so called fully rebuilt e bay diff turned out to be a piece of crap welded up 3.45 shitter was supposedly fully reco 3.70 LSD with less than a thousand KS on it how do you check it without requesting to pull it apart??

good old ebay never now what you will get. some times you get a bargain .Would be nice to get 800 hp but im shore what ever set up you go it should go pretty hard good luck with it .                                          regards browny

At the end of the day the eh sun visior shakes really bad over 120 but its how fast you get their that counts.

true i would love to get a set up that would punch out about 400hp just to match it with my mates v8s nothing better than beating them in a six

I use to beat my mate in his VN SS up to 100 and he had me then
 then he bought a new GEN1 VT i could not touch that thing.

Hopefully starting to get closer to getting a decent workshop at home to do my cars and model planes

slab is poured shed arrives next week 30mtr X 10.2mtr X 4.2mtr eaves

(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/2011-06-06153517.jpg)

And had to finish the cubby house for the kids.

(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/2011-06-11162043.jpg)

Thats one flash cubby house there Pete.

Regards

Wayne B

Shes gyprocked and lined painted cornice fitted
 chalk board
 full jarah deck.
Just got to fit the mini corro water tank  carpet and its done.
Had to build a ramp as dollies in prams dont like stairs.               


They love it so far.

Well that cubby house will be a good dog house if needed.  Shed should be great

I found that if you have a big shed like the one you are building you will get to enjoy the cubby house a lot more than you think   ;D ;D ;D
                                                Grubby

So close
 starting wire it next week
full surround sound system wiring fitted.
Im making the distrubution board next week for circuit breakers.
Just gotta start shelving and unpacking shipping containers.
(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/2011-08-25162341.jpg)

Now that's a shed!!

That shed is bigger than most houses, and with surround sound just to add envy to us all   ;D

enjoy it mate !!!  It's a shed, a car house, a man cave..its got enough room for everything

FE 4 ME

Finally time to start playing on the old girl again

A hoist makes life very easy
(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/2011-10-18205638.jpg)

(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/2011-10-18205652.jpg)

Now you're just showing off!!
Nice set up.
I wish I had that set up in my yard.
Is the house next door for sale?  ;D
Regards
Alex

Actually yes it is and she has a smick SLR (shes a bit rough) that will probablly end up for sale.
The husband traded her in for a 20 year old she looks hot on the back of his harley.

Great set up, looks like a lot of time will be spent out there. Also noticed the pic on the hoist, the grey flash can you tell me the paint code & colour.
Regards Jim































Regards Jim

well it ant my old misses on the harley.... ;)
l have someone elses wife on mine.... ;)

Nice ;D women just cost money except my missus so ill stick with her .
as for the paint all stock colours indian ivory and volcanic grey.

Had a sickie today joys of being the boss.
Got rotisserie done finally its on castors with brakes.

(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/2011-11-12192201.jpg)
That lip down the bottom was all bodged up top and bottom so cut whole top out and welded new patch in the bottom and put new top bit in only thought to take pics after i finished it.
(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/2011-11-17142124.jpg)
(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/2011-11-17142115.jpg)

Finally removed that stupid lip from the edge of where to old offset fuel tank was.
Filled all old speaker holes from the various models and just left 6X9 oval cutout also welded up all old seat belt mount holes that were in parcel shelf.

(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/2011-11-17142103.jpg)

Well another day of ordering bits
Have gone another way for intercooler (again) ordered a PWR water to air intercooler full kit.
Also ordered a custom alloy radiator
And a Oil cooler with thermo fan mounted to it so after that lightened the wallet i ordered a set of QA1 coilovers from Mcdonald bros.
As per jamie buying a set (365 days) they measured up all good.
And then to top it off i ordered all 4 link rods with bushes ect ect.


Pete

Well some work done on the old girl

And merry christmas to me from the courier chick..

(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/2011-12-11173521.jpg)
(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/2011-12-11173548.jpg)
Barrell water to air intercooler
(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/2011-12-11173539.jpg)
Radiator for intercooler
(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/2011-12-11173627.jpg)
Radiator for intercooler
(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/2011-12-11173627.jpg)
4 link bits and coilovers
(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/2011-12-11173707.jpg)
Nearlly ready for blasting
(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/2011-12-11173445.jpg)
(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/2011-12-11173459.jpg)

(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/2011-12-10190240.jpg)

Nice Chrissy presents. Love the Coilovers.

Also nice solution with welding in the flat bar first in the floor pans. makes it a lot easier for the cross pieces.

What is a Barrell water to air intercooler?

Keep up the photo's.

Regards


Wayne b

Its not actually a flat bar its 1.2mm zinc folded in a channel so it is fully welded on either side and steps down to the RHS as it was very rusted under the channel.


Water to air intercoolers are the new hit especially with 4wd and drag cars as they sit  for a fair amount of time  but are so much more efficent than a front mount.

The air passes thru the fins which are water cooled so in the kit you get a small radiator which can be mounted under the guard a high volume water pump and it passes thru the barrell. you can run a header tank of water to keep even lower intake temps.
Some run ice cooled header tanks..

I ordered one of the bigger ones guarenteed stable temps up to 650RWHP and its measurements are 150mm diameter and 380mm long and i plan to run it under the grille shell behind the lower valance panel i will weld a radiused sheet section in there so you wont see it hanging lower than the bumper bar.

"And merry christmas to me from the courier chick.."

I hope you got an early Christmas present  ;).....and I bet you are happy with the stuff too!  :D

Got stuck into the 4 link bits today cut it to width squared it all up on the bench tacked it all checked ten more times then i tigged it all up.


(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/027.jpg)
(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/026.jpg)
(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/029.jpg)

Now its looking like my go kart  :D

Nice work Pete.

Cheers
John

More done today

Got the tunnel and stiffener all finished.

(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/2012-01-07193640.jpg)

And the rear rail section was all bent and battered and was shitting me so i cut it out straightened it and welded back in should have some rails in tommorow after i roll it over and do the same repairs on the opposite side.

(http://i943.photobucket.com/albums/ad278/fchoon/2012-01-07193625.jpg)

 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. :'(

Mine will be running a single 3 inch system  with a remote solenoid operated muffeler so its quiet when i want it to be.
My tank im making will have 3 inch up either side clearance and no springs to get in the road just the small 4 bars.

 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.

Slow and steady between work and familly its taking time.

Ill get there.

looking good 8)
nice progress
didnt want to try an awd setup?
you keeping the running gear stock other then that?
do you have the standard block or N1?
there a few around my way in vl's modded to 2.7lts with twin t25's very quick cars (i think 2.8ltr was too expensive)

Stock block probablly a big single chasing 500 rwp roughlly.

Had thought of Awd but I thought if I go to far I would never see the end.
might do 25 on 30 block in panel van as I have a complete set up.

you tryin to be the first street reg fc in the 10's
hope the seats are up to the power,

Nice tunnel mod.
Regards
Alex

3 goes later and i finally got it looking how i want it.

The first one i tacked the strip all the way around the outside until i realised it had to be on the inside >:(

Pete

The 4 link and the tunnel look great Pete.

Regards

Wayne b

Hi Pete,
          What turbo are you thinking, the choice seems endless with a lot of opinions between lag and totall hp for rb's.
gt3788r will get you there  ;D. I had a talk to profc when he was at the 6banger nats he runs a gt35r with 1.06 housing @ 30psi so you would need to flow a bit more with less psi for a streeter. i am running same turbo with .82 but am chasing far less hp.
So far all your chassis mods look great will be interesting to see how the four link handles. Look forwars to updates.
I am a bit slack on posting pics on my build but your diff brackets that you made for my hilux diff are all in , fitted great. Will post are few when front end and diff are fitted.
cheers
grant

John253a , search "profc" on youtube for a awsome fc 1/4 miler

Not sure what to run yet just want it on the road and to get the 4 link done properlly.
 it will be external wastegate  shouldnt have any dramas getting on boost with a single
 powerglide 3500 stall 3.70 lsd should be hanging just below boost until you punch it.


Hurry up and get some pics up would be good to have a look.