355 Stroker VS 97' S Pack Utility

[betts]

Actually, I think he only put the brake upgrade on the front, just took a couple of pictures then. The first is the front, and the second is the back. Hah, what a stingey bastard

[stocky]

nah thats common. fronts are more important. i only have VT fronts on mine

[betts]

Yea thats true, and I guess you couldn't really notice unless you looked really closely.

[betts]

Had the car detailed today, I'm pretty impressed with how it turned out. Cost me $180 and it took him around 2.5 hours. The only problem is that it won't look this good for long.

[Jo3_Blo]

Looks heaps tough dude.

[betts]

Cheers mate!

[betts]

Thought I would update, haven't done so for a while. I've got to the point where I am sick of driving around a stock 5 litre, it just doesn't satisfy my lust for grunt anymore haha. I will be taking her off the road in the next month or so and buying a little run around cheapie for daily use. The plan at the moment is either a vortech or raptor supercharger later this year, but still haven't decided on which kit to go with yet. Any information or reasons to go with either vortech or raptor would be appreciated, it looks like they are both putting out around the same power levels after a good tune, but I have heard that the raptor kits don't go too quick on the quarter mile for some reason....

[blaze]

nice car! i remember the s pac v8 manual utes held there price really well. how much do the autos go for these days

[betts]

Cheers mate. I didn't know that about the manual utes, I picked mine up for $13000. How much would you expect to pay for a manual?

[blaze]

cant remember last time i noticed they were the same price range as a vs ss ute. been a cpl years tho

[betts]

Ah yea ok, bet they would have taken a price drop in the last 6 months though, like everything else. I bet if I had held off on purchasing this when I did and waited a few months I probably could have got it for a couple of grand less at least. Hindsight is a terrible thing haha

[crewsy]

hey man
was reading up today on chargers and apparently the vortech's produce a bit more heat than a raptor or powerdyne. the powerdyne comes with a billet compressor wheel as well, should have a look further into it.
maybes see you later on tonight and have a chat

[betts]

Yea I have been reading up on the Powerdyne chargers and can't find many good things written about them. Have read lots of customer reviews and not many of them are positive. Seems that they don't produce anywhere near the advertised 9psi, and have problems with the impeller and bearings crapping themselves. The raptor kit is looking more and more like a better way to go.

[crewsy]

oh true yeh i didnt have time to read up on it but everything seems to be leaning towards raptor!

[betts]

Another update, took it to the drags at Quit Motorplex last week, managed a best time of 14.7 on the quarter. I was getting 14.9's with 18's on the back, but switched to stockies and knocked .2 off, I'm hoping to knock close to another .2 off by changing the fronts to stockies as well next time. As for upcoming mods, I will be booking it into Formula Tech in the next month or so, getting a Crane 286 cam, double row timing chain, antipump uplifters, valve springs, retainers, collets etc, and possibly take '40 thou off the heads at the same time. Should be putting out roughly 220rwhp afterwards. Will also be installing a 3000rpm stallie, with plans for a roots style blower for later this year. I'm aiming to run a 13.0 with all the new goodies, and after the blower then who knows. Any feedback is appreciated, attatched are some pictures from the drags.

[betts]

....................

[stocky]

i would be picking a cam that is suited for a blower if thats what youre planning on eventually

[betts]

I've been told that the 286 is boost friendly....well that's what the guys at formula tech said anyway.

[crewsy]

Another update, took it to the drags at Quit Motorplex last week, managed a best time of 14.7 on the quarter. I was getting 14.9's with 18's on the back, but switched to stockies and knocked .2 off, I'm hoping to knock close to another .2 off by changing the fronts to stockies as well next time. As for upcoming mods, I will be booking it into Formula Tech in the next month or so, getting a Crane 286 cam, double row timing chain, antipump uplifters, valve springs, retainers, collets etc, and possibly take '40 thou off the heads at the same time. Should be putting out roughly 220rwhp afterwards. Will also be installing a 3000rpm stallie, with plans for a roots style blower for later this year. I'm aiming to run a 13.0 with all the new goodies, and after the blower then who knows. Any feedback is appreciated, attatched are some pictures from the drags.

you can get virtually stock 5L's to make almost 220rwhp lol you'd definately make more than that

[betts]

Another update! I have decided to plonk a new engine in her instead. I put down a half payment this afternoon at the engine builder. It will be a 355 stroker, built using mostly scat and come parts. Its going to be pretty mean when it's finished, I will be posting up pictures regularly as the build takes place, so people can follow along if they wish. Stay tuned

[ParkwayDrv]

sounds fkn sick mate..nice ute btw good to see some mad ute action in perth lol

[betts]

Hey thanks mate, just had a look at your ute, love the woodgrain interior and your soft cover, it looks really smooth. Keep up the good work!

[crewsy]

ok so when you get it. i'll be designated dave... and drive you around in the ute, how does that sound? :P

[betts]

Righto, have got some pictures of the engine build and how it's coming along so far.

Some of the new parts







Rockers 1.7 ratio


Bearings


Double Row timing chain and race harmonic balancer

[betts]

Acid bathing the block


Working on the block




Decking the block


Working on the heads




Heads after machining


Ported




Heads finished







Manifold