VL 308 V8 into VN SS - will it bolt straight in?

[Ssambo]

Hey all!

I'm about to embark on a VN 05 Brock racecar replica build and the VN SS I'm using currently has no engine, so I'll be looking to buy one soon.

Because the racecars of that era used carburetted engines, I'm thinking that I might go with an older 308 and auto for the driveline. Only problem is, I have no idea whether or not the older engine and box will bolt straight in.

Does anyone know if this will work? I'm trying to avoid having to get the thing certified if I can help it, so any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers!

 

[SLE-883]

Can be done but not sure if you can register the car with a carby engine. In NSW you can't.

Engine and gearbox will bolt straight in from a VL but I'd suggest just thowing in a VN-VS V8 engine with efi and registering the car with the new engine, then changing the standard banana manifold to carby or running one of these

Looks like carby but is efi


I think the VL V8 were also trimatic pattern not turbo so you'd have to find the right gearbox to suit too.

 

[EYY]

I agree with everything above. The most cost effective way of doing a conversion is buying a complete vn-vs v8 and selling everything else. Often you can recoup your money from the initial purchase by selling the parts you won't need (statesmans are good for this due to their higher trim levels etc).

 

[Jxfwsf]

Vl 5.0L is a 304ci (4987cc)

So it's just using a crappy old carby 304 with less power than a newer better efi 304.
As above, just use a newer engine and trans and buy a new inlet manifold and throw TBI on it.

 

[Circlotron]

So does a carby VL 304 have 308 carby or 304 EFI valve layout?
If the latter, are the heads unique to the VL engine?

 

[EYY]

VL's have the old style port layout with l34 sized valves and hardened valve seats for unleaded fuel. But the compression is also lower and is choked by emissions gear. Despite the good heads, they were pretty much the most gutless 5L's from the factory.

 

[Jxfwsf]

Same port layout as 253/308 heads.
Including the egr port from the exhaust to the inlet manifold.

Another reason it'd be better using EFI heads.

 

[Ssambo]

Awesome, thanks for the input guys. I guess I'll be sticking with the EFI engine! Cheers!