So this topic is not really for opinions, this topic is for people who want to do something similar. When I started this project as far as I know I am the first one to modernize a holden 304 block to have drive by wire and all the other fancy features that modern cars have. When I started this project I would spend several hours just trying to figure out what connectors I need to wire the whole thing up. Anyway I will be constantly changing my posts as things get updated as this is still a build in progress. I will be breaking each part into segments such as hardware, tech specs, software, installation and etc. If you have any questions, leave them below and I will try and update any technical information
Intentions and story:
When we bought this car from the previous owner it was all about a clean look, hiding anything that is not necessary especially in the engine bay. It was never original and probably hasn't been since the first owner (We are at least the 4th owner). So when we bought this car it had a 308 (originally a 253) engine however it was running terribly, it would missfire and it just never felt right. We found out that it was a chain of problems and as we fixed one thing another thing was also faulty. We changed distributor first which fixed the missfire, changed the shitty carby that was on it to a decent one to fix the fuel problems, however it was still leaking fuel into the oil. At this point we decided that a engine swap was going to be the best bet.
We scored a freshly built 304 that someone had skipped the bill for and stuck it in, however this is where we learnt the biggest mistake of all, trusting clowns with your property. We had several people all telling us that they could do the work and get it running. We would get slapped with a massive bill and the car ran like shit. So after the first lot of clowns we decided to take it to a "expert" and in the process do a few top end engine upgrades which were the whipple, heads, rockers and a cam along with all the stuff in between. When we got the car back it was undriveable, they had put a cam from a drag car that you would use for a 383 not a little 304. I could spend all day listing every bit of dodgy work they did however life must go on.
We took it to a guy called Marks Workshop where he managed to make this system work until we could begin changing things. So at the start of November we started doing everything our self this time except for small jobs that go over our head such as wiring, tuning and bottom end engine building. So the 304 is now 355 stroked (We really did not want to stroke it as every man and his dog as a 355 however it was going to cost the same or more to build a good bottom end for a 304).
Pictures:
This is what she looks like.
This was the 308 it came with, while it was dressed nicely it used very cheap parts, I still don't know how the original owner could drive it as it was a pig.
This is the 304 fitted.
Last picture after the "Experts" fitted the top end. Do not have a finished product as we are still wiring up a few things.
Hardware:
Engine:
Holden Torana LX SLR 5000 replica
Holden 304 VR engine stroked to 355
Yella Terra 2.4L Whipple Supercharger with intercooler
Yella Terra Alloy Dash 9 heads
Yella Terra Platinum roller rockers
Cam Tech Hyd Roller Cam CT224849919
Bosch Holden VT Distributor (This is important with an aftermarket ECU)
GM Throttle body off a LS3 (GM 12605109)
Driveline:
Turbo 400 Auto standard pattern.
2500 stall converter
Ford 9inch diff
Electronics:
Dakota Digital VHX-1018
Dakota Digital GPS Speedo unit
MSD 6AL2 (Used this instead of a 6al to save room)
Haltech Elite ECU with wiring harness
Holden VE Electronic Accelerator (Connector: ACDelco PT2631)
Edited by arkwolf, 04 December 2014 - 02:47 AM.
