Outer Limits 4x4 Board

I know ya sick of polls but like to know what is the beter V8 engine, from a discusion from another thread. I know what i would choose but haven't kept up with the newer injected engines so thing have changed.

What would you choose for a conversion ?
(forget about price & avalability issues)

This varies greatly depending on Vehicle.

It also depends on what type of use you are planning.

For a Hilux i wouldnt use any of the Above.For anything.I dont realy even know yet if im happy with My 4.4 conversion.

For a cruiser that i wanted to just Thrash and have some fun in or maybe some rock work. The INJ Holden 5ltr.
For Touring a BB Chev Turbo deisel.

Newer injected Chev V8 (Gen 3)

I think the Chevs have different gen numbers.. I have an early 90's TBI Chev and from memory it's a Gen 5..

Be carefull of the GEN 3's most are requiring a rering around the 40,000k mark, especially fullyimported "crate" motors.....these are largely the rejects from the USA market.

Other things to consider....
if its going off road alot can you fix a computerised EFI motor in the back blocks of nowhere ???
More importantly ....can the bush mechanic fix it if you cant ?
Whats the availibility of spareparts,... and the time for them to arrive from overseas if unavailible in Aussie.
What considerations are needed for the correct voltage/curent setup for a computer and will the curent system cope?

As for my vote.....
1st...350 chev ( carby model )... parts are everywhere and any one can fix it.... easy to adapt to LPG.
2nd 6.5 diesel....... but requires big bucks to purchase !!! ( big power )
=3rd 308 EFI..... they are starting to be common in the wreckers so parts arent a prob and 99% of mechanics can fix em
=3rd 308 Blue motor holden with the electronic dizzy and carby... problem is they are getting a tad long in the tooth and would nodoubt need a rebuild.
last place ....holden red motors ( 253 or 308).... they are past their "useby date"!!!.....but damn cheap .

Kev80 - if you are gonna do an 80 series - maybe go the lexus V8 with a 7psi Vortech supercharger to getthe neddies going?

Rod shop sells teh bellhousing and everything in between, toyota sell teh enguine mounts and you wont need an engineers as teh motor was fitted as standard option on teh same chassis!!!

Bolts up - instant power and way fun....

Total cost after you sell what's under the bonnet now - probably $1000.00

Good luck but - more info would be good dude!!

I have no intentions of a conversion on the 80 series, just a topic of discusion from another thread.

I am very interested in this thread also as I want to convert to a v8 petrol once my diesel dies.
I thought there are a lot of other factors to consider also, like if your truck is post 90 or 92 model you have to have an injected motor or it has to run on gas full time (pita) due to pollution laws????
I liked the idea of an injected chev but the availability of holden motors and service would probably get the nod in the end.
Would definitely get an auto box behind it also.
I don't think I will ever be able to afford a 6.2 or 6.5 diesel

What would you choose for a conversion ?
(forget about price & avalability issues).....




the chev due to it all alloy construction
better heat disapation and lighter overall weight (which would then reflect better in a better COG in the truck.

factory torque/power output level would be higher as well

but i still like my 5 ltr holdens

I like the idea of the lexus engine as there is heaps of relative cheap upgrades. And really as far as parts go it doesnt take that long to ship bits around the country (as far as I know). Also most of the importers carry spares now as there is a large number of jap imports running these motors.
But since I got a GQ will have to put in a VH45 infinity motor. Not as cheap but it is nissan still.

also I believe you will have to install a same year or newer engine to comply to emmisions standards etc for ease of engineering. I would probably consider talking to an engineer before anything to ensure what you are doing is going to be up to spec. maybe get in touch with mark's Adaptors and find out what they have found to be good legal swaps, granted they will try and sell you their kits but they may be a good thing in regards to legality.


I'd go with a mopar 440 big block or maybe an Olds 555, mmmm lumpy

Go for Technology...... Nissan or Toyota V8...... I may be biased but why not have the best of both worlds, plenty of revs, torque, power and fuel economy in a relatively cheap motor! Not to mention how good a V8 sounds at over 7000rpm!!! And the best thing is if you break it... rip it out and replace!!