Wb 253 Stroker to 5L

[WBmadman253]

I've been building my WB for four years now, which was originally a 202. The whole time I was wanting a v8 and a nice priced 253 popped up so naturally I bought it, and the whole time since I've been wanting to see what I can do to the 253 to make it truly sing and pack a punch as I've only done a backyard rebuild to get it running again.. Stroking the 253 has always seemed the logical choice, and many piston and rod combos have been considered, from offset grinds with Chrysler rods and Holden pistons, to chev rods and chev pistons, but I've finally settled on all Holden internals, as it should be.
The final build I'll be doing once it reaches rego will be:
3.5inch stroke scat stroker crank
5L 304 rods with ARP rod bolts, small end offset bored +0.025 to take floating piston
x8 3.6 std LEO vz alloytec pistons for 0.080 overbore
50% balance factor within 3g
10-1 comp ratio
VN style heads with std valves and rockers
Std 304 or similar performance new cam
Best value for money rochester carb style inlet manifold atm
Repro Rochester carb that currently works well for 253 application 308 OS valves
Bodgey custom fabricated 2.5inch dual exhaust
dummy assy block for clearances and valve reliefs.
I am an engine machinist by trade so this is something I've been wanting to do for a long time, and I'm planning in dynoing the end results to see what power I end up with, to share the build and the potentially new way to make power with a 253 that isn't just swapping it for a 308.

 

[Reg Sharpie]

can 304 heads go on a 253? I couldnt find 253 head gaskets last time we played 253 put a decent cam in the 253 and be done with it .
It doesnt matter what you do to a wb ute its never going to be fast everything modern will destroy it in a drag race, isn't the stroke the same between 308 and 253?

 

[keith reed]

About the max you can get with a 253 is about 308. Dump it and get a 304-308, preferably the 304.

How many years will it be before you can drive a v8 or is this only intended for off road?

At what age did you start your apprenticeship?

 

[bluehighway]

Id just put the 253 in and be done with it ... 202 diff probably wont handle the extra torque as it is... better off just getting it roadworthy...

 

[Smitty]

can 304 heads go on a 253? ................

no.. is the answer

 

[EYY]

no.. is the answer

They can, with .030” overbore or slight notching of bores.

I put one together but never ran it, since a complete vehicle with 304 came up way too cheap for my conversion at the time.

 

[keith reed]

Op is 15, won't have a licence and it is the school holidays.

 

[Jeda]

Op is 15, won't have a licence and it is the school holidays.

An engine machinist by trade at 15! Parents must've brought this lad up the right way.

 

[gtrboyy]

Vn heads will go on if bores are notched for valve clearance but if you're really just trying to get car on the road I'd be doing super cheap tightarse rings & bearing job on 253 slapper BUT also have another one to build on the side over couple of years.


From what I've seen posted on couple of stroker 253 built these days were scat crank,vn rods with chev casties roughly 310 cubes.

One that I do remember was for numbers matching vh sle owner wanted it to still look factory with bit of pep....another was put together by w.a engine builder with vn heads made 350hp plus but was grumpy as expected.

Won't be putting stock or baby cam with 10.1 cr but if put together in low 9's slap stock or baby cam in then.

Roadstar Autoparts sell cheap copy intakes but on my junker 308 chinawinder was bought as 100% knew that would fit under vk commo or torana bonnet.

 

[WBmadman253]

About the max you can get with a 253 is about 308. Dump it and get a 304-308, preferably the 304.

How many years will it be before you can drive a v8 or is this only intended for off road?

At what age did you start your apprenticeship?

lol im 27, i think its just randomly generated my age when i made my account, as i missed that part
Wont be dumping the 253 as i love a challange and i like doing something unique, so i will be making a franken-v8 as a fun project