Best bang for buck? Roller rockers vs. SC14 vs. selling and buying a 5ltr

[Andrew426]

So I have been getting a bit of an itch for more power, and was first thinking of getting a set of YT roller rockers. Now with the fact that Im in NZ and all that, with shipping and the exchange rate they will end up costing me around a thousand bucks. Now I have no problem paying that, they are a good quality product and thats a fair price for them. However, they would be worth almost as much as the whole car (VR exec auto with 260Ks and shagged paint) So I have decided to look at a couple of other options.

First option is, of course 1.8:1 ratio roller rockers. Probably the most reliable and simplest of the 3 options, but are worth almost as much as the whole car

The second is doing an SC14 conversion. I can make the brackets myself, and probably get the injectors for next to nothing so I would guesstimate around $1200 to do this. I realize though, without a shiftkit my trans wont last long, and it would cost me another $400 or so to get the mod certified (not urgent though)

The third is selling the VR V6 and getting a 5L. I might (optimistically) be able to get $1300 for my car after a bit of a tidy up, and I have seen a couple of higher Ks VN V8s on trademe for around the $2500 mark.

The Main thing holding me back from just going to the 5L is the fact that my VR in in mechanically very good condition, while I would expect a higher ks 5L to have been thrashed.

Any thoughts?

No P plate rules or anything over here, so I dont need to worry about any restrictions like that. And I get reamed on insurance for having a commodore anyway, so its not really a factor in the decision.

[VrWagz1]

supercharging your 6 is gonna get you moving faster than a v8, but you will have less issues and less headaches just buying a 5ltr.
Also 1200 bucks to supercharge is a bit optomistic, the charger itself is the cheap part, its all the dyno tuning, custom headers, intake piping, engineering, strengthening g/box ect.. that starts to add up

[eaton v8]

no matter what you dish out to a 5l it will take it, or put a turbo kit togetherfor the v6 and get a tune of foam for it that would be cheap too. and they fly

[stocky]

ive had a sc14 and a 5 litre, so i can give an opinion on this.

sc14 = fun. i had more fun with my sc14 v6 than i did with the v8. im not talking about burnouts or that shit. it was just cool having instant torque download as soon as you put your foot down. the downside was that it was noisy, but it always gave people that "wtf" look on their face, and could usually get to 100km/h in less than 6 seconds. a lot of people have gotten good results from them. i reckon its the best value mod you can do for a v6. you can pick up a 3 psi kit for the same price as a decent exhaust, and i can guarantee you would get a better power response from the sc14. 3 psi = approx 120rwkw. 8 psi ~ 150+, 11psi intercooled = closer to 200rwkw. if you were in vic i could sell you my setup

v8s are good too. theyre more epa and defect friendly than a blown v6, and will always sound better. from standard they arent that quick, but a few mods can get them going, and i have noticed that 5 litre modifications really arent that expensive if you know where to look. unfortuantely i havent had my v8 run quicker than my sc14 v6 just yet.

[Reaper]

This is how it goes. Note that there are exceptions but overall.....

Roller rocker 6 cyl faster than stock 6 cyl
Stock 5 Litre faster than RR 6 Cyl
Stock 5 Litre faster than a stock 6 cyl
sc14 faster than a stock 5 litre
Modified 5 litre faster than a sc14.
Gen III murders all of them

Reaper

[ScoHar]

I've got a VP with a 5L with bugger all mods and I can't find a stock gen3 (bar the HSV's) that beats it, but they are a far superior engine being alloy but same design overall.

[PanthaVS]

i reckon its the best value mod you can do for a v6. you can pick up a 3 psi kit for the same price as a decent exhaust, and i can guarantee you would get a better power response from the sc14. 3 psi = approx 120rwkw. 8 psi ~ 150+, 11psi intercooled = closer to 200rwkw. if you were in vic i could sell you my setup

Just curious... what's your setup include? What you asking for it? and what internal mods have you mated with this setup?

[Cobez]

This is how it goes. Note that there are exceptions but overall.....

Roller rocker 6 cyl faster than stock 6 cyl
Stock 5 Litre faster than RR 6 Cyl
Stock 5 Litre faster than a stock 6 cyl
sc14 faster than a stock 5 litre
Modified 5 litre faster than a sc14.
Gen III murders all of them

Reaper

ROFL!!!! That's an awesome way of putting it

[plymouth_hemi_69]

sale on trade me at the moment for cheap brackets and all holden commodore aftermarket supercharger for sale - TradeMe.co.nz - New Zealand

[ScoHar]

sale on trade me at the moment for cheap brackets and all holden commodore aftermarket supercharger for sale - TradeMe.co.nz - New Zealand

Can put out 16psi and commy engines can handle it

[Niggadore]

This is how it goes. Note that there are exceptions but overall.....

Gen III murders all of them

Reaper

Yeh true, but GEN III will give you more of a headache if pre 2001

[JA2Z]

Can put out 16psi and commy engines can handle it

Is that with all stock internals?!

[Reaper]

Yeh true, but GEN III will give you more of a headache if pre 2001

Why? Any of the piston or oiling issues would be long sorted out by now.

Reaper

[ScoHar]

Is that with all stock internals?!

apparently lol

[JA2Z]

16psi on stock internals!!

Ha! i'd like to see the n00b that can make that happen. :P I reckon it wouldn't even get to running temp before ..... *BANG!!* followed by....*tears*

lol

Maybe if they looked into a decompresion plate, to drop it to about 5:1 cr, some forged pistons, worked rods and the like....

awe.. nah i still reckon there's no way the bearings and such would take it.

If anyone's tried let us no..

Cheers

[ScoHar]

Just so you know, I was taking the piss. But there is an auction right now running where the guy is telling people this check it out its up further on the page

[delcowizzid]

if the buick can handle 20psi then the ecotec should handle 16 easy enough

[Niggadore]

Why? Any of the piston or oiling issues would be long sorted out by now.

Reaper

My brothers VU SS has had 2 rebuilds and it's still not getting enough oil, and now warranty is out.

[Andrew426]

Cheers for all the opinions guys. After going through this thread, and some careful thought I have decided that within the next 6 months, I will be selling my VR exec and buying a VN or VP calais 5L or SS.

[H1GHROLLR]

My brothers VU SS has had 2 rebuilds and it's still not getting enough oil, and now warranty is out.

well i would not be using that engine builder no more maybe its had a weak oil pump to start with