original fc to V8. where do i start

[danarchy]

i have recently purchased a second FC and want to convert it to a V8, with a view to building a unique street machine. I'm guessing i need to start with a chassis and need advice on where to start. I live on the mornington peninsula in Victoria and would appreciate some direction. I have owned FC-EK over the last 10 years and love my Holdens. Anyone who has done similar or is in relevant industry woul be great to hear from.

[FC-V8]

          The best place to start is right here on this forum, I have just completed my V8 conversion & if it wasn't for the fellow members on here I would be still scatching my head wondering where to start.
    Here's my advice to you on where to start.
1, Do your home work on what type on conversion eg chev, or holden v8 as both have there pro's & con's. work out if you want a front or rear mounted rack & pinion.
2, check what modifications/ cubic in limits are required in your state to meet rego standards. Here in NSW they required the car to be fitted with a chassis kit, ventalated front disc's, collapsable steering column, 2 speed wipers, heater dimister, seat belts in all seating positions.
Cheers
Glenn

[Sarge]

Firstly welcome to the forum.
If you are going to start a project like this then reseach it as much as posable start to finish. Before you even buy the first part. If you have any concerns about what part to use where, then come on here and ask this will save a pile of part's left over at the end. Cut once measure twice. Dont start the project  then change your mind on things, as each mind change is normally means more dollars. So have a plan and stick to it.

Cheer
Sarge

[sgo]

While doing your research check out the V6 info as well.
I think that for a v6 you do all  the same mods to the car as required for an 8, so it should be a source of more info for you.

[mcl1959]

Join the Vic car club - here you will be able to meet and talk to members who have built and driven FE's and FC's with V8's in them.  They will also be able to show you how they have done things as well as describing them.

Ken

[Glenn 'Stinky' Stankevicius]

Easy way out?
The August Just Cars has a legally Rego'd (SA) 308 FC for sale  

[Ed]

Hello danarchy,

FE/C to V8..

I have 99% completed the conversion of one of these, just finishing up the loose ends now...

1st up.. decide what combination of driveline, brakes etc you would like.

It is easier to take all the matched compoents from say a VN to V-whatever commodore and use all that.

If i were to start again, I would buy one donor vehicle and just systematically transfer those bits over to the FE.  A good example of this is Jason's v6 van or Sgo's V6 sedan.  I believe fatboy is taking this approach too with his V8.

I on the other hand did things piece-meal and the amount of time I have spent trying to match different components has wasted time, $$$ and effort... things are getting there now, but they could have been done ALOT easier... u live and learn I suppose.

so in a nutshell..
have a clear objective of what you want.
get a donor car that will help you acheive most of that.

Hope this helps

Ed

[holdek]

Listen to ed he knows what he is talking about.

I don't know how long ago his project went from one of love to pure fanaticism, but it must be a while...........

Hey ed this is daz, and I have been having disturbing thoughts about the ek lately and did a search for V6 in here.....................

[Ed]

Hey Daz,

Welcome, impure thoughts about an EK with a V6.. I like it

Cheers

Ed

[Glenn 'Stinky' Stankevicius]

Going a little O/T, but a modified wagon none the less -
http://www.geocities.com/rawls57/
A V6 into an EK wagon, with an LJ Front End!
not a lot of progress lately though.