39 replies to this topic

[Ando]

So for a high performance 355 for 90% street duties & say 10% for club days at the strip or circuit fun, am I going over board with the dash 3 / torque power set up?
My train of thought was to future proof engine & drive-train upgrades where possible. The ported red heads & performer will reach its flow limits & the "out of the box" torque power / dash 3 combo will go further, if I wish to chase more power in the future.
I don't wish to go through a dozen red heads to find the right pair to port up to its limits. That could be expensive & time consuming itself alone.
I want my car to look old school to a point but include the present technology for strength & practical power.
At the moment I want the car for touring duties so obviously cam choice & flow comes into play. So far I've have only purchased a rebuild-able standard bore VL engine & the Tremec tko 600.
Choices, choices! Parts & combinations! What really works? The more engine builders I speak to, the more it gets confusing so I must get back to being practical. Set me straight guys!

[jason365]

The dash 3s will endup being no dearer than a fully ported red head and will have more potential.I only run the reds because tony knight is a real good friend of mine and takes a personal interest in my car.if you plan on doing any circuit work at all be sure to pay attention to the oiling system.

[myss427]

Buy the dash 3's and then paint them red! Would not be easy to pic, but shiny aluminium looks nice...

[76lxhatch]

There are a few people around who like to paint alloy heads, you've gotta look close to see what's hiding under the bonnet sometimes...

[Ando]

I think I'll be looking closely at engine bays at Toranafest this year!

[jason365]

just to update this thread i just saw a 355ci holden running ported red heads by tony knight, was also running a solid roller & 12.0;1 comp and a peter michaels strip master manifold make 305 rwkw on the chassis dyno last nite at bruce heindrichs.ignition problems cuased by a crook alternator stopped it running past 6300 rpm, the cam goes to 6800.by the time a got them another alternator the dyno was tyed up with another car.this engine is in a hq gts 4 door race car and it running through a pfitzner straight cut aussie 4 speed and a 3.5:1 tru trac 10 bolt.

[AbsynthHatch]

Awesome information there Jason, thanks so much for sharing

[jason365]

happy to share, im a bit of a early head holden v8 stalwart.i know from expierience there is easier ways to make power but you gotta love the sound of a high winding red engine.not to mention peoples faces when they take a look under the bonnet and see a red headed engine and go what the **** no vn heads!

[AbsynthHatch]

I'm glad someone else thinks the same as I do

I know you can make easier power from VN heads, stroking etc

But for me there's something a little special about making decent power from the old red heads and a standard stroke crank as per old school

I guess I appreceiate the engineering, fineseing, and knowledge required to make the old gear go

[Redslur]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I'm also with you Mark. I just built myself a very staunch little 308 using 308 red heads, decent cam etc. I am keen to see what sort of RWHP I will get. I built mine wanting the "ol skool" 308 raw carby grunt that I used to see 20 years ago in my earlier Torana days...I know there are better alternatives nowadays but I love the 308 for what it is....

Cheers, Redslur

Edited by Redslur, 20 August 2011 - 08:40 PM.

[TerrA LX]

^ Agree, long live the red heads.