CommodoresPlus

Love the starforms!

Yeah I’ve no idea what difference it will make. It won’t make it any worse, though. So that’s the main thing.

I’m trying for 180rwkw N/A with the manual. That should mean I can exceed 300rwkw on 10psi boosted on a stock bottom end. Not sure why but that’s the target for now.

Also decided I’ll go roller cam on this.

Been a while. Have been on the go slow as I keep saving for the bike. Licence booked for this weekend and hopefully pick up the bike a few weeks after so probably July I can start spending money on this again (maybe).

In the meantime, I thought I’d finish off the manifold. In the end I was not able to find any way to hone each of the runners…[Read more]

Not sure if you watch the Sloppy Mechanics channel, but Matt is running a dead stock 4L80e with a Transgo shift kit the only mod with 1075rwhp.

He claims to have never used anything other than stock OEM high km trans with a shift kit on any of his builds (multiple turbo LS combos over 700rwhp).

An easy google search found the book: “The Step-by-Step Guide to Enginer Blueprinting” by Rick Voegelin

Might be helpful for more in-depth discussion on general engine principles, rather than specifically the HV8. Still a good read (I remember learning about piston gas ports on this when it came out, for example).

There’s also an engine blueprinting book I bought a few years back that has good general information in it. I’ll try and get the name of it at home.

I’ve got a VN 63L tank at home in really good shape (no marks), probably doesn’t help you because I don’t know of the differences in the floor and it’s also in Melbourne!

Fitted the sway bar Friday night, ran it up through the hills towards Yea Saturday morning.

I should say that I changed the link bush arrangement after this photo as I stuffed it up.

Obvious first impression – my tyres a a bit average. They at least let you know before they’re about to let go, but they’ll need to be replaced soon. Stock…[Read more]

Fitted the sway bar Friday night, ran it up through the hills towards Yea Saturday morning.

Obvious first impression – my tyres a a bit average. They at least let you know before they’re about to let go, but they’ll need to be replaced soon. Stock steering wheel sucks, both in size and position. Factory seats are comfy but don’t do much in the…[Read more]

Replacement swaybar showed up today.

Oooook,

Thanks to Kroozer for supplying the strut tops (and the free stuff).

After fighting with the courier for the delivery of the Whiteline swaybar, it finally arrived on Tuesday Night – Except I don’t own a HD/HR Holden so obviously it wouldn’t fit! So now have to try and get another one (thanks to the supplier for sending completely the…[Read more]

Thanks mate – figured that out when I was less tired and looked at it again!

The primary reason I plated the front arms is for removing and replacing the bushes – In the past I’ve had issues where the arm effectively crushes when pressed to get the bush out. So instead of making a removable spacer for the press work, i just welded said spacer…[Read more]

Talking to myself here. Other side done. I think it looks better than the first one. Also cleaned up the passenger side inner guard. Strut boots and bump stops arrived, Whiteline blade adjustable sway bar arrived today but then the courier took it back because I wasn’t home. Should arrive Monday (again). K-Mac strut tops should be here Tuesday.…[Read more]

In my usual approach of jumping between jobs before they’re finished, I started on the front suspension yesterday.

Only did the passenger side but from what I learnt the driver’s side should be much quicker.

I welded in a piece of plate to tie the two sides of the control arm together. Probably not necessary but what the hey. I also put in a…[Read more]

3.45 diff gears arrived on Friday.  Will source a Trutrak also then shoot it off to the diff builder.

Almost done with the lower runners of the manifold. Awaiting some round tube stock to weld in a valley breather, finish the runner inlet smoothing then hold off finishing it until I decide on a Starr Throttle neck or not.

I also made a…[Read more]

Halfway done with the manifold to head transitions.

Probably half of the swarf from 4 x ports

Stock for comparison.

Also ordered some thick wall aluminium tube stock to make my valley breather, and contemplating a Starr performance weld-on neck and 90mm TB. Not sure yet…

OK so this week’s progress has been pretty average due to work.

What I have had time to do is try and figure out a hone for the curved runners. And I’ve figured out three different ways that won’t work…

Anyway, started port matching the manifold to the head runners. A very long way to go. But at least I’ve both improved

– The runner to head…[Read more]

Not a big change this weekend but one more thing off the list. After trying a couple of times to get the paint right, I eventually found a Nissan touch up paint that matched what I wanted for the grille and garnish. Both are now de-badged, with a replacement 5.0 badge to go on when the engine is converted. I played around with the mounting…[Read more]

Nope – still factory hardlines, just replaced the soft lines.

I’ve got -6 alloy line and fittings for that that if the time comes.

Nope – still factory hardliens, just replaced the soft lines.

I’ve got -6 alloy line and fittings for that that if the time comes.