Best of the old skool V8's

[Guy]

Of all the older small block V8's what one would you rank as the best for a ligntish 4x4 ..
And what is the difference between a windsor and a clevland ?
On the list so far is
253
308
302w
302c
rover p40 (I think thats the 3.5)
350 ?

[HSV Rangie]

CHEVY

only way to go

MIchael.

[Guy]

CHEVY

only way to go

MIchael.

why ?

[bru21]

chevy is my vote also. similar in size to a windsor without the oil probs, lighter than a cleavland and easier to get parts for and conversion kits are more common s/h. i would not touch a 253 as they are all the negatives of a v8 - fuel consumption, v8 rego, increased insurance, with none of the advantages eg no power, sound Grimace, no torque compared to a big v8. i would buy a brand new crate 350 for $3400 complete with hei ignition, unleaded. 295 hp. 1 year warrenty. i bought one for the boat and haven't looked back. messing around with old shite will cost more in the long run

cheers bru

[droopypete]

Guy, when you say lightish, what exactly are you refering to,
Hilux running gear, SWB sierra tub with the rear cut off and a tray on 35"s?
Peter.

[HSV Rangie]

CHEVY

only way to go

MIchael.

why ?

Light.
great power weight.
parts both genuine and aftermarket.

easy to work on.
ect ect

Michael.

[DaveS3]

I asked this question to a mate who was putting a 350 in a 109 LR.
He said he loved tourque of the engine compared to a 308. Power is similar but the torque difference is massive.

350 can be built reasonably cheaply too.

Dave

[scorched]

chevy is my vote also. similar in size to a windsor without the oil probs, lighter than a cleavland and easier to get parts for and conversion kits are more common s/h. i would not touch a 253 as they are all the negatives of a v8 - fuel consumption, v8 rego, increased insurance, with none of the advantages eg no power, sound Grimace, no torque compared to a big v8. i would buy a brand new crate 350 for $3400 complete with hei ignition, unleaded. 295 hp. 1 year warrenty. i bought one for the boat and haven't looked back. messing around with old shite will cost more in the long run

cheers bru

Where bouts is the motor for sale from?

[-Scott-]

The 253 would be the best boat anchor. Outside that, it ranks last.

[MARKx4]

Dont forgat the good old 307 chev if you dont want a 350. But the 350 is the best of the lot.

[ludacris]

Go the Windsor EFI 351 with Clevo heads and twin Turbos and a big arse Intercooler. .

[viperguy]

can i throw a spanner in the works? i wouldnt go past a 340 chrysler..unless i was going for a 360 chrysler..

my old quad webbered 360 powered 66 model dodge phoenix was good for over 450 bullet proof hp and would pull 12 second passes in full bodied yank tank all day long..i still wonder why i dont own that car no more..

[360 scout]

can i throw a spanner in the works? i wouldnt go past a 340 chrysler..unless i was going for a 360 chrysler..

SSSSh! don't give away all our Horsepower Secrets ! not everyone knows chrysler built the best engines!! out of the big three.

[r0ck_m0nkey]

can i throw a spanner in the works? i wouldnt go past a 340 chrysler..unless i was going for a 360 chrysler..

Thats not a spanner, thats fixing the problem

[Dee]

351w....


probably not the best engine for your situation at all, but im a ford man so

[toughnut]

If you want something common then go the chev, if you want something that can rev like a chev and is lighter then go the windsor. If you want something you can't kill then go the mopar / chrysler.

[hotrod4x4]

just to make comment

the Windsor motors dont thave the oil problem as mentioned

its the clevelands that do.......but that is generally an easy fix

and for 4wding , u want torque
i've had both ford n chevs , so not overly biased
but i'm sure a 351 clevo would have more torque than a 350 chev

but also depends how u build them

wouldnt bother with holden or rover

[alchemist]

Got that right guys, 360 mopar power all the way... this is what I've got in my FJ40 They are damn well bullet proof, heaps or torque, too much power... you do the math

[Maggot4x4]

can i throw a spanner in the works? i wouldnt go past a 340 chrysler..unless i was going for a 360 chrysler..

my old quad webbered 360 powered 66 model dodge phoenix was good for over 450 bullet proof hp and would pull 12 second passes in full bodied yank tank all day long..i still wonder why i dont own that car no more..

Have to agree with this.

[skootin]

You will never be late with a 5.8
Get a clevo 302-351 it don't matter.
Their only downfall is pionts ignition in any v8.
What is your budget.

[Guy]

You will never be late with a 5.8
Get a clevo 302-351 it don't matter.
Their only downfall is pionts ignition in any v8.
What is your budget.

Budget not set .. I have modded 4x4's to long to worry\plan budgets
Of course I would like to do it for as little as possible and have a snoflakes chance of an engineer passing it. But I would like to have something to take to him to pass (ie .. I would like to fit fit v8 XXX to a hilux with X sized rubber .. blah blah ). Realistically this is a 5k project at least .... most likey it will be twice that
After owning my Zuk with a screaming 1.6 and then stepping into my GU with a 4.5 .. I have fallen in love with torque.. So the next toy needs torque ..
Anyone have a link to the dimensions of some of these motors (as in physical sizes and weights)

The 350 is looking good ... I am not concerned with a zillion HP stock I am sure is enough to begin with..

[djr320kw]

can i throw a spanner in the works? i wouldnt go past a 340 chrysler..unless i was going for a 360 chrysler..

my old quad webbered 360 powered 66 model dodge phoenix was good for over 450 bullet proof hp and would pull 12 second passes in full bodied yank tank all day long..i still wonder why i dont own that car no more..

I have to wonder why you still dont have it as well..... What made you get rid of it?

[Screwy]

massively depends on wat u mean by light.

if u mean hilux then go a toyota V8 or a 308 holden....

if its something bigger like an SWB patrol or cruiser...

then 350 chev is my pic, then 351 clevand is similar....

308 will also have no problems at all doing the job, and they are far cheaper in comparison to buy and for parts.

screwy

[V8Patrol]

Of all the older small block V8's what one would you rank as the best for a ligntish 4x4 ..
And what is the difference between a windsor and a clevland ?
On the list so far is
253
308
302w
302c
rover p40 (I think thats the 3.5)
350 ?

Ya list should look like this .......

350Chev
common, readily availiable, cheap, excelent supply of spares, huge range of horsepower mods availiable, easilly converted to HEI ignition, stacks of power in std form, & a Long history of excelent service.

308Holden
As common as assholes, & all of the above from the chev stats.

360Hemi
Pure grunt and easilly modded to get huge amounts more, but availibility is limited as is the spares, largely used in the drag scene so watch out for flogged motors...... although they take a good flogging and come back for more

340Hemi
Good luck finding one, but if you do then PM instantly and I'll take it off your hands.
Absouletly the most grunty donk on my list but few n far between, the E55 will be rare as rocking horse shyte..... and NO your not getting either of mine !

Phord V8s
You'll get exactly what you deserve if you take that road, personally the 253 rates higher here !.

253Holden
I'm old enough to remember the release of these things in holdens..... that was back when a 186 was considered huge !
Tried tested & true is the only comment worth making here, but in a lightweight rig they will perform really well...eg hilux

Rover V8
....your kidding right

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other options.....

265 Hemi
Here's a 6 cylinder that will stay with quite a few V8's and with the correct $$$$$ spent in the right places will blow away nearly all the V8's on the list !......
fond memories of a 6 cylinder hemi (E49) blowing away a GTHO phord
Easily turbo'd for more grunt and better ecconomy,
Will leave stacks of room in the enginebay,
Can be injected @ some cost using the plord 250 setup.
Loves a LPG conversion.

250 crossflow
Although I hate phuckin phords this is one motor that I would add to your list.... I'd even rate it higher than their V8s...... only just tho !

Leyland 4.4litre V8
rare as hens teeth but in their day they were a great motor....
being an all alloy motor you'll get your lightweight V8 but you'll be in trouble spares wise.
easily injected, loves LPG better than petrol, the best thing pommies ever built ....... pity that Rover didnt borrow the design

400Chev
Not a well liked motor by the Chev lovers but more than adaquate for a 4x4, not as good as the 350 in std form and didnt like modifications much. A very cheap option over the more "common" choices & will serve you well so long as its serviced REGULARY and not given too much of a hard time.

307Chev
Excelent motor but few n far between in good nick. Your dollars can be spent in better places.

Kingy

[80UTE]

Guy, when you say lightish, what exactly are you refering to,
Hilux running gear, SWB sierra tub with the rear cut off and a tray on 35"s?
Peter.

Pete how much did you sell your soul for i hope it was worth it!!!!!!!!!

wally

[droopypete]

No Wally, my soul is still intact
Guy is full of shit about coming around to my place and picking up a straight SWB sierra, and I think he may be including it in his plans, but if he dosn't pull his finger out and come and get it he may be looking for another one!!!!!
Peter.

[bigmick]

chevy is my vote also. similar in size to a windsor without the oil probs, lighter than a cleavland and easier to get parts for and conversion kits are more common s/h. i would not touch a 253 as they are all the negatives of a v8 - fuel consumption, v8 rego, increased insurance, with none of the advantages eg no power, sound Grimace, no torque compared to a big v8. i would buy a brand new crate 350 for $3400 complete with hei ignition, unleaded. 295 hp. 1 year warrenty. i bought one for the boat and haven't looked back. messing around with old shite will cost more in the long run

where abouts was that at.

[djr320kw]

What about a 305 chev? Are they newer than the 307?

[CRUSHU]

A 351 Clevo with nothing more than a cam change, will make more power than any of the others. It will make power down low due to it's cubic capacity, and more power up top, as the heads have decent size ports, that let you make good power. All the other engines will need some sort of head mods to make similar power. A 351 will also be cheaper to buy than a 308 or 350 or 340/360. Electronic ignition was available Factory from XC thru to XE, so are plentiful at wreckers. Also aftermarket electronic dissy's are only a couple of hundred bucks.

Chevs are only cheaper to make power with after about 450hp.

[bru21]

if he has 253 on his list what makes you thing he is interested in 450+ hp

i got my chev from a guy working out of superformance. i think its called direct marine. he sells into the marine/hot rod market. so they have brass welsh plugs etc. i bought the long for $3400 then the s/h hei with all new working parts and cap was $180 leads were $100. then you will need a water pump $140, fuel pump ($ depend on eletric or mech), harmonic ballancer $30, starter $300, carb $300 odd, and pwr steer etc etc all of your old motor or go chev.

the motor is a big valve, realitively low compression (for hp) so a normal starter is fine, 295hp unleaded, old bolt pattern, rocker cover bolts around outside. made in mexico. 04 model

cheers bru