C.O.M.E Racing package for my VT Clubby 5.0LT

[VTClubby98]

I am looking at rebuilding my mostly stock 304, atm i have the getrag 5 speed with a twin plate clutch, an M80 diff with 3.91 gears, upgraded dizzy, coil and leads and such and a
Mace air intake.

I have decided to go with mostly come racing products, i have a rough pricing, such as:

1) 383/396 forged piston stroker kit, "I" beam rods, nodular cast crankfully balanced...$2500.00
2) COME Racing 600 Series alloy heads complete suit flat tappet solidor hydraulicv roller cam...$3800.00
3) Head completion kit including billet roller rockers, screw in studs,guide plates...$770.00
4) COME Solid cam and Edge Orifice lifters (many choices)...$600.00
5) COME TTB EFI intake with fitting kit...$2250.00

i am keeping the block (if all is well) just getting it bored and honed, can i expect problems with this? and if so what can be done to strengthen it?

Im not an expert on any of the above and would like any information/ help with what would be best for me, im after a streetable ride, up to or close to 300rwkws
any help on a cam selection would be great and anything else i would benefit from with this combination

after all this, would i be better off buying a new or near new crate motor?
Cheers.

[nasty1]

good to see a 5ltr and not an ls1.

[ari666]

'seasoned blocks' are better IMO just make sure it's all good by getting the bores sonic tested and mave it all magnafluxed before you start. It's not cheap, think about 30 bucks per bore and maybe 150 for magnaflux, but if you are spending the coin on quality bits then it's worth making sure you have the right core.

Also I believe the springs on your heads are beehives, so make the most of them by going roller cam

[VTClubby98]

yeah its costly but im lucky enough not o have a budget so i dont mind spending on something that is worth while, cheers ari666

[Darren_L]

good combo, I think 300rwkw is a realistic target

[CPC]

Sounds like it will be a good combo. Who will be doing the work in Brisbane for you? Thanks.

Chris.

[flanker]

whats your budget?

I've researched this a bit and theres holden crate motors to be had at around 12 - 16g, with everything done, ready to drop in. So add in the labor on top + freight, and you'll see change from 20g I would imagine. That was my original budget, until it skyrocketed to almost 30.

[VTClubby98]

Yeah i dont have a budget, but im willing to pay whatever it needs, i'll take it to chip torque for the tune, but as for bulding it i dont know yet, still looking around, any suggestions CPC?
yeah i looked into crate motors but gave up, what were you planning to get flanker?

[Ian Johnston]

If its a VT Clubby engine, it will be roller cam as standard. It will take a 355 stroker kit, but may need relief work on the bottom of the bloke if you go any bigger.
Keep us up to date on your progress.

[flanker]

Yeah i dont have a budget, but im willing to pay whatever it needs, i'll take it to chip torque for the tune, but as for bulding it i dont know yet, still looking around, any suggestions CPC?
yeah i looked into crate motors but gave up, what were you planning to get flanker?

Pavtek or Advanced engine performance.

Both have good reputations, both do 500hp+ crate motors. You'll still have to sort out your intake, ECU and fuel system however which will be thousands + labor putting it all in, dyno tuning, and extras we all forget. Don't expect the getrag to live long either, the torque from a 383/396 will give u a box of neutral gears in no time. So a budget of 30g with change like I was saying is the reality

If I had a VT clubby 5.0, i'd sell it and start with a LS1 VT or later model. You get better potential for power, and a stronger box. At the very least I would think slotting one into your bay is straight forward and perhaps worth thinking about. I'm no expert of course, but i am in the same position u are now. Stock 304, cashed up and mulling about whats best.

[VTClubby98]

Yeah flanker, i know what you mean, i have enough money to have a few too many options, i thought going LS but i really like the 5.0Ltr, its a bit less common then a stroked LS, just after something different, im no expert either, but taking all of your suggestions into consideration, and deff not rushing into, i want to have everything thought out like as you said all the extras we forget.

[VTClubby98]

COME racing aren't very helpful either, very slow at getting back to me, very dull answers, i would have though they'd be more enthusiastic with someone planning on spending 10-15k in their shop lol

[juiceie vh sle]

i would just install a 355 kit with strong internals and swap that C.O.M.E TTB for a yella terra top mount charger if you have no budget

[SM1D3Y]

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[TI3VOM]

Would it be an option to look at some of the racing forums and pick up a freshly rebuilt V8 supercar engine? Should be able to get one for $18-$25,000.

[Ian Johnston]

Everyone has an opinion on the stroker 304 v LS1 engine option in VT Commies. We had this delemer with my daughters VT Clubby, and went the stroker 304 route, mainly because we wanted to retain the stock vehicle specs, and the last of the Holden V8s "may" have some value down the track. She had the option to buy either a 304, or get an LS1. She wanted the Holden engine. So, I know where VTClubby is coming from.
A good 355(as ours is) goes very well, even though you are playing catchup to standard LS1 power.

Go which ever route you want, and dont be swayed by others opinions. It is your choice, and your money.

[yxyx64]

................. upgraded dizzy, coil and leads and such ..........
Cheers.

what is an upgraded dizzy ? what does it do and how much $$$$$ ?

[Battler82]

Very good thread guys. New to vis forum, but not new to commodores, in the same boat as you flanker. So many options filter through my head then after half a day you get a head ache and try again tomorrow! No matter the amount of thinking and planning that goes in to the project its still one hell of a ride from start to finish! Gotta love the passion from guys minded very similar!

[Battler82]

By vis i mean this. Oops :/

[VTClubby98]

what is an upgraded dizzy ? what does it do and how much $$$$$ ?

Its a Distibutor, its apart of the ignition system, its what puts the high volts in the right firing order into the spark plugs price all depends on what you want

[VTClubby98]

I think ill rake my car to come racing in vic in a few montsh and go with what i originaly posted, would stroking to 396 make the walls too thin? maybe 383 would be a safer bet

[DAKSTER]

Dont know if you consider this a good option, but I have an LS3 crate motor currently enroute from the US. Its a long motor, still need to add air and fuel systems etc.. but they claim I should get 330kw (at the flywheel) with standard fuel, air and electronic systems. I know its no race motor but it should be strong and streetable and I am considering a whipple to fill the valley, which they say should cause no problems

$6500 landed in Brissy as below.. should be a good base for a nice engine. Of course, then you still need all the other stuff to make it go, and a gearbox conversion..

Power: 450 HP @ 5900 RPM, 444 ft. lbs. of torque @ 4600 RPM
Displacement: 376 CID, 6.2L
Bore x Stroke: 4.060” x 3.620”
Compression Ratio: 9:1
Recommended Fuel: 92 Octane
Block: LSX Cast Iron with 6 bolt cross bolted main caps.
Crankshaft: Nodular Iron, standard 6 bolt flange
Connecting Rods: Powdered Metal Steel
Pistons: Forged Aluminum
Camshaft: Steel Hydraulic Roller Tappet
Cam Lift: .551” Intake / .522” exhaust
Cam Duration @ .050”: 204 deg. Intake / 211 deg. Exhaust
Lobe Separation: N/A
Cylinder Heads: Aluminum LS3 Rectangular style ports.
Combustion Chamber: 68cc
Valves: 2.160” Intake/ 1.590” Exhaust
Rocker Arms: Cast Roller Trunnion, 1.7:1 Ratio
Balance: Internal
Reluctor: 58X
Maximum GM Recommended RPM: 6600

[juiceie vh sle]

I think ill rake my car to come racing in vic in a few montsh and go with what i originaly posted, would stroking to 396 make the walls too thin? maybe 383 would be a safer bet

all the stroke comes from the crank not by expanding the bore. the only reason the bores should be touched is to go to the next piston size if the bores are scratched or damaged. if you stoke a 304 block to 396 you'll find that the piston skirt will exit the bottom of the bore on BDC allowing the piston to kick slightly wearing out the piston so youll be replacing them every year. so if you want a reliable engine keep the stroke to 355 or 383.

[yxyx64]

Its a Distibutor, its apart of the ignition system, its what puts the high volts in the right firing order into the spark plugs price all depends on what you want

simple question...what does a UPGRADED DIZZY do for your money?
Is the hall effect unit better? or a better rotor than a 901? or a better cap than a 926? or is it shiny? or is it a compulsory part of a complete new system that is somehow better than OEM Bosch in some way.........please explain if I should be looking at this modification.

[Munz]

if it ain't broken I wouldn't bother - its just spark