michael50786

Hey, yes i know this is for V8's but im thinking of buying a 1976 LX Torana with a 173 in it. And thats kinda gutless so i was wondering what kind of things i could do to it to give it a bit more grunt.

Either that or am i wasting my time and should think of doing a V8 conversion and how much would that cost approx??

cheers for any help,

michael

Oldman

if you put this up in aussie 6s you might do better & i'll think about how to realy modify it depending on how much you want to spend

davidburns

Like oldman said, sky is the limit! how bigs ur wallet and how much work can do yourself, If i was you I would build a turbo kit.

__________________
I AM A AUSSIE V8 HERO
Matt told me so it must be true, haha.

Oldman

in a street car i'd go the suoercharged way power from idle to full revs unlile turbo you don't need to wait for boost to come in

michael50786

oh yeh, hmmm well im 17, and my budget was 8 grand, and this car is for sale for $3900. So ive got fair bit of money in 17year old terms. I've got over 15 grand all up but i wana go on holidays and stuff too while im still young.

so yeh i was wondering if i got upgraded exhaust system and extractors would that gimme some more power. 86kw or something stock the 173 is apparently, pretty weak, so do you reckon it would push it over 100?

and how much would a supercharger cost and is it easy to come by??

Oldman

michael before i start i have one question are you going to be sensible with the car once you get more power because certain ppl on here only wanted the information to be able to act like an idiot with the money you have to spend & doing the work yourself were you can you'll get a lot out of a six enough to make the car dangerious if not used correctly i may sound like i'm being a bit like fuddy duddy but i don't want to be responsible for helping someone your age hurt themselves

Oldman

if you read What To Do in holden v8 you'll see my reason for the above post

Mopar Steve

It all depends on your definition of sensible Oldman.

I've never met a 17 year old with a powerfull car that hasn't tested their car on a public road at sometime.

Micheal you really need to have a clear idea of what you intend to use the car for before you modify it and then develop a build plan. Are you going to run your car at the strip, in sprints or enter burnout comps?

The problem is performance becomes an addiction, you always want more no matter how much you allready have.

So you would start off with extractors, carby and cam. If the motor is healthy you can exceed the 100kw mark, the car is a bit more fun to drive but a lot of late model cars would leave it for dead.

You could Turbo and I will admit turbo 6's are very impressive but it will end up costing more than a V8.

I'd personally recommend going the V8 route. I have owned plenty of quick 6's and it's never been the same as a V8. Just don't forget to budget to upgrade other areas of the car to match the power increase.

And use some common sense, don't play up in built up areas, there is a time and a place for everything, if your going to play up in your car on the road, at least go someplace that is isolated and don't do it with passengers in the car.

Good luck with the build.

Steve.

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I'm only alive when I'm racing, everything else is just waiting.

davidburns

I dont think you could convert it to a v8 for less then slappin a turbo on the current engine I personaly wouldnt ever wanna find torana parts. If you do all the manifolds urselfs, its very cheap most expensive part is the turbo its self, and being a 173 wont be a big turbo, Everyones seens v8 toranas! how many turbo 6 ones do you see. I Just like to be differant! Also michael dunno if you know or not but there is more to making a car quick then just buiding a powerful engine, Most of the bang for buck mods will come from the transmission and diff. simple diff gear change will make it feel like the engines just doubled in power!

__________________
I AM A AUSSIE V8 HERO
Matt told me so it must be true, haha.

Tiny

If your legally allowed to drive a V8, then your best bet would be to buy a torry of the same model with the V8 in it ( possibly with a stuffed body) and swap over all the mechanicals! that way youget EVERYTHING you need for the V8 conversion.

TO be honest for your first car ( my first car was a 202 LX 4 door), putting on a bigger carby, set of extractors and exhaust, a good electronic ignition and a bigger cam will see you with about as much grunt out of the engine as you will get effectively. I did all these things to my LX (along with rebuilding and shift kitting the trimatic) and it cost me $3000 all up!

Have your fun with something like that, Enjoy yourself, LEARN, make your mistakes in something that you wont be devastated if you crash or ding, and then look at the big stuff like supercharging ( turbo or blower) or the V8 conversions!

Cheers

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Tiny's 400 Cube HQ
Australia... LOVE IT OR LEAVE.
Proud Aussie.

Oldman

mopar david & tiny i appreciate the way ppl here in general back others up with the sensible aproach to things

davidburns

I dont understand what you just said oldman, but i think it was a compliment.

__________________
I AM A AUSSIE V8 HERO
Matt told me so it must be true, haha.

Tiny

I'm pretty sure that Oldman was referring to the way we've given the young bloke ways to do his car up.. SENSIBLY! and advise on the "better" things to do rather than all out power.

It's all about helping the guy make the right choices instead of giving ideas of building a powerhouse death trap like some people *MIGHT* recommend.

Cheers!

__________________
Tiny's 400 Cube HQ
Australia... LOVE IT OR LEAVE.
Proud Aussie.

Oldman

yes david it was a complement & what tiny says is right what most pll here try to do is give advise that will help the young ppl not dictate to them

michael50786

hey yeh thanks for all the replys, and yeh valid point oldman, i learnt my lesson after 2 weeks of having my P's tho, got done under the Hoon Laws in mums astra for goin round corners a bit too fast and having the wheels screech. Mums car impounded etc, so yeh im not like that anymore.

I just want some more power so its a bit more fun to drive you know? like more acceleration all that kinda stuff, not so i can race people or that thing.

So you guys reckon extractors, carby, exhaust and cam would put it over 100 esaily?? Yeh i dont want a deathtrap like someone said so before all this happens im most likely, if im going to do anything, upgrade the brakes and suspension first so its a nicer drive.

if i get the car i might actually do none of this but if i do feel like i want a bit more power then id like to know which options i have, any more help for which places to go/search to find these mods and a likely budget??