Holden 304 Specialists Brisbane  

It really depends what you want to achieve, your power and rev range limitation is the original manifold, but by doing a basic reco, 355 stroker kit, reco the heads, 3 angle valve job, port and polish, free flowing exhaust, roller rockers and a larger hydraulic cam. It should easily be in the 300 -350 hp range, this matched with a stall converter and rebuilt auto and lower diff gears should get the Statseman going ok.

They are not a race car, they never will be, just keep that in mind, also the magic question, what is your budget??

6th October 2013 - 10:20 PM  Reply  Quote

Or give the 5L some boost. I put a vortech V7 on my VS Clubby and it's happily making 409 hp at the wheels.

7th October 2013 - 02:35 AM  Reply  Quote

im not so much looking for big power. i was thinking of putting a cam package and rockers,memcal but i just want the thing to last and be reliable. in the last 2 weeks its been idling rough when started. goes away after a few mins. around 2000 kms ago i had it serviced.

the stato only has 166600 kms on it, doesnt burn oil and stays pretty clear.just had the gearbox rebuilt corvette servos,performance bands etc stage 2 shift kit. also put a lsd from a series 3 stato (not sure on the ratio) got a full twin 3' exhaust..

.looking for a honest shop that won't beat around the bush.

7th October 2013 - 04:13 AM  Reply  Quote

To do a stroker your looking at big dollars to do it right. I'm talking 6 to 7k plus. Blower is about 6k done properly. After all that you will still get smoked by people with LS motors who have spent half what you have.

7th October 2013 - 07:20 AM  Reply  Quote

can anyone recommend some workshops to take it to?

7th October 2013 - 04:31 PM  Reply  Quote

All I could recommend is for about $400 in quality tools and a few books, you could do it yourself. Removal is straight forward, drain coolant and oil, remove fuel rails, electrical, label as you go. remove manifold, then heads, keep all in order in cheap plastic storage bins, then radiator out, front of engine apart, it would be due for new waterpump and prob harmonic balancer by now, remove lifters and cam (they are bin jobs).

Clean heads, and take degreased cleaned heads to someone like PLR at Brendale and talk over options, basic reco, to mild work, explain cam specs, springs, driving style etc. While they are away, clean gunk out of manifold get injectors reco, order VRS set and Cam lifters and roller rockers, fit and degree cam, use rollmaster dual adjustable (look on youtube degree cam v8) heaps of lube. when you get heads back, install using correct torque sequence and good gaskets, install roller rockers and check pushrod length (once again, book or youtube), order correct length heavy duty pushrods, install it all together again, taking great care with torque wrench settings and cleanliness.

Add coolant and new oil, fire it up, running at a high idle for 20 mins to run the cam in. You will be more meticulous and detailed with your own car than what you can afford to pay someone to do it correctly. The money you save can be spent on other things and great to learn a new skill.

7th October 2013 - 05:19 PM  Reply  Quote

thanks for that, but as much as i'd like to do it myself, i dont think i could..

7th October 2013 - 05:28 PM  Reply  Quote

Ok fair enough, where are you based then?

7th October 2013 - 05:53 PM  Reply  Quote

morningside

7th October 2013 - 06:01 PM  Reply  Quote

im building a 304 with cam atm and im going to be taking it to western suburbs mechanical, Ive heard they are good with tunes, hope that helps

11th October 2013 - 01:29 AM  Reply  Quote

Or try capalaba motor repairs. They bid the blower install on my clubby. Can't speak highly enough of their workmanship and are awesome with the tuning too.

11th October 2013 - 03:14 AM  Reply  Quote