OK I thought that I would start a new topic as I quite enjoy dabbling with the odd engine conversion especially if it improves any or all of the following: performance, economy, driveability, parts availability and/or reliability of the vehicle in question.

So here are some conversions that I have either done or had a major hand in doing to completion. I would love to hear what others have done and what obstacles you hit whilst doing them plus what you gained from the conversion besides skinned knuckles 8-) .

265 Hemi into my VE Valiant. relatively easy except that about the only thing connected to the engine that could be re used was the dipstick. The engine bay was also too short to accommodate a fan between the water pump and the radiator. Car was later converted to a 318 V8.

948cc A series into Austin A30 not quite as good as Brocky's A30 engine conversion but a massive leap in performance over the original 803cc and it still looks original unless you know exactly what you are looking at.

Converting a mates early Mazda 929 (RX4 shape) from an 1800cc VC series engine to an MA series 2000cc engine. Although these two engines look almost the same almost nothing such as exhaust, radiator hoses and inlet tract fitted in the car without modification. The car went better but the engine didn't rev as well so it chucked a rod after a few weeks of his abuse.

Three VC valiant 318 V8 conversions using fabricated engine mounts. A nice conversion as a VC weighs about as much as an LH Torana and we all know how well they go with a 308.

273 V8 into VJ Charger. Pretty much no advantages over the original 265 but it became registered as a V8 for a while until it received high performance 383 big block and A833 four speed. Still a work in progress after many years.

Austin A40 Farina out with the 948 (and into the A30) and in with a 12A rotary. Virtually no traction in any gear with the original diff & skinny tyres but it could pull wheelstands once it was fitted with a narrowed RX2 rear and fat tyres. Unfortunately rego was never attempted on this beast.

Warmed over 179, Celica 5 speed, 3.36 diff, single piece tailshaft, FE2 suspension and 15" Volvo wheels onto what was originally a 4 cyl VC Commodore. Made for a much improved vehicle. However it was quite an expensive conversion in the 80's as a lot of parts had to come from a Holden dealer and not the wreckers. The 3.90 diff was later fitted with a V8 yoke, rear axles and disc brakes and dropped under a mates 253 powered VC for good acceleration but rather poor economy and 100kmh cruising.

289 and auto into an XW ute which was originally a 3.6 (221) three on the tree. Later became 351W powered and then a 302C. All bolt in easy stuff.

6 cylinder auto Leyland Marina converted to a Toyota 18R and five speed. Vehicle was improved in every respect mentioned at the start of this thread plus it obviously handled better too. Done because it was a female friends car and the original engine died two weeks after the rego was paid up for 12 months.

Wife's Valiant ute converted from a 245 3 on the tree poverty pack to a 265 auto with air and a CM Regal interior and wiring, a nice comfy cruiser. Another relatively easy conversion as it was all bolt in except for the wiring. Also runs a Weber off an XE with adapters designed and fabricated by myself.

V6 5 speed Capri converted to a 1600 auto. Why? because the Capri was a bogged up mess but the running gear was all good gear and I had a written off 1600 auto Capri so I kept the good running gear and sold the Capri off as a going car (in hindsight a mistake).

Currently working on putting an injected Ford 5.0 and four speed auto into my Capri (wife refuses to drive a manual 8-( ) as well as helping a mate convert an XT Fairmont from a 302W c4 to a 5.0 and four speed.
He can't fit the 4 speed into his transmission tunnel where a C4 used to live and I had big trouble getting a C4 into the Capri trans tunnel so I fear that most of my trans tunnel will soon be history.

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If at first you don't succeed then skydiving is not for you.

Edited by user Friday, 10 April 2009 10:23:56 AM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

At the moment dad and myself are putting a 1600cc out of an austin cambridge into his A40 highlight ute.

And I've got plans to put 1500cc motor out of our rusted out series 2 austin lancer and it will be going into one of my A30 4doors with farina bra

Not mine but seen it close up and wouldn't mind it.

Austin A40 (fairly sure) trayback with 5 Litre injected Commodore and auto. Last time I saw the owner he was doing some little Pommie van with a 350 in it too. Must go visit again and see how that thi

I remember seeing a FC ute i think it was for sale with a 6 cylinder diesel fitted

Near on 20 years ago, for Vic readers, at the CCCP car shows held at the Blind Institute in Burwood, a guy rolled up a Nissan Gazelle. Pale metallic blue. At the time, the car was less than 2-3 years old. Under the bonnet he had managed to slip in a Winds

thats brilliant tex!!!
where do i get a fish sticker?? or maybe a jesus is coming sticker?? and, and anda flower sticker?
cheers
bcb

it was but yesterday, i thought myself a fragment, quivering without rythum in the sphere of life.
now i know i

I was over in Carlton (NSW) one day a few years back waiting for the NRMA and wandered into the closest workshop. He had one of those ugly 1980s 2 door Volvos in there - the ones with the black vynil "Bertone" roof on them.

It was a great sleeper - fi

Volvo's don't carry that stigma any more as all the aspiring and past Volvo drivers have become the drivers of urban 4WD's.

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If at first you don't succ

It was a medium-dark blue(not metallic)was regoed in NSW and the owner lived in Airds(Campbelltown),he went by the name of Beetle!Remember this was about 1983-4 so it was a while ago.

Cheers

In a 60s Aust car magazine there was an FB/EK with a Jag straight six and 4 speed.The strange part was that the motor had a very deep sump and to fit the motor the drag link passed thru the sump.There was a picture and the sump had a tube fitted with the