The V8 Corolla Project - Official Thread

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guska

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I have a project in mind that involves putting either a 4.2 (253ci) or 5L (308ci) holden V8 into an AE71 Corolla.

What I need to work out, is quite a few things really.

How close will the engine mounts be?
Will the Holden 4-speed fit in a useable position?
Will I need to notch the shock pillars, or will the standard exhaust manifolds fit, or can I get a custom set of extractors made up?
Will the Corolla speedo cable attach to the Holden box?

I already know that the donk will physically fit in the bay, and that I can use R31 Skyline suspension to be able to handle the weight. I also know that I can use a shortened R31 Silhouette LSD to be able to take the power. I also need to find an automotive engineer willing to sign off on the job (unless I just drive it until defected, then work out what to do...).

Can you guys, in your almost infinite knowledge, give me any ideas about these things, or think of anything that I haven't thought of. Without just telling me to forget the idea, because I really want to do this.


-edit-

Long posts from mobile phone = really bad!

The 253 and 308 Holden motors share essentially thew same block, with minor differences in the heads, it's the stroke that makes it, which is why I am leaning towards the 253. With its shorter stroke, it revs a lot harder, and is about AU$200 cheaper.


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Of course it will be rear wheel drive, but the AE71 is already RWD, so that won't be a problem.

I just thought of another issue, the height of the engine, I am not sure if it will fit under the bonnet (hood). If it doesn't I will have to crack out the fibreglass and balsa, and make me a bonnet hump (similar to the A9X Torana).
 
We'll, I'd have to say that I have absolutely no idea how this would work out without seeing the stuff in front of me. Assuming that the two Holden engines in question are similar to our favorite Chevrolet 305 and 350, you should theoretically be able to cram it in just about anything, so I doubt there will be a problem.

...Chances are that you're going to have to fabricate your own engine mounts, headers, etc unless there are kits to do this conversion available in Australia. I think the big trick is going to be getting all of the plumbing to fit under the hood given that the V8 will require a bit more radiator in a smaller space, etc.

Good luck with the project. I hope to see some photos sometime soon!
 
Well Holden used to bung 350s in the same bays as 253s and 308s, so yeah, they are fairly similar.
 
I hope you're going to upgrade suspension at the same time...
 
Yeah, R31 hardware will fit on all 4 corners.
 
I'm not sure if the Rolla gearbox will go onto the V8, so I'm going to use a holden 4-speed, but for the time being it will be the stock diff and shaft, adding an R31 diff and holden V8 shaft later on.
 
I am sure it will go in, the amount of persuading you will have to do you won't know until you attempt, won't be too many people around that have done it to get their experience from.

Like expected you will need custom mounts for both engine and trans, another suitable radiator, stock exhaust manifold should be ok if you are willing to use the stock ones then exhaust will need to me made up. Tail shaft will have to be modified to fit a Holden yoke on it, the Holden yoke will most likely be larger than the stock Toyota shaft so you may need to make a custom downsizing shaft made. Then later cut it off and weld (and balance) the R31 rear universal when you fit the R31 Diff.

The shifter on Holden V8 manuals are by external linkages so some adjustment of placement should will be available (unless you will use the later internal linkage box). Clutch cylinders or cable (depending) will probably have to be fiddled with to get the clutch how you want it.

Interesting conversion, most E70 Corollas are getting turbo conversions these days. The old Holden V8 is becoming forgotten about, even with the V8 guys with all the LS1's we have now.
 
I found a guy on vlcalais.com who have an AE71 with a Windsor, which admittedly has a slightly larger block, but to get it in he had to notch the firewall a couple inches.

custom mounts and exhaust won't be an issue, as the mate that will be helping me with this is a brilliant welder. The stock exhaust manifolds won't be a problem, as I don't really want to go for too much power with such a light and short body.

As for the yoke and universal, I guess I will cross that bridge when I come to it. I just thought of perhaps using a TRX diff and shaft, as they are damn near bulletproof, and already the right length. I wa salso thinking of using the internal linkage 4-speed, from a Torana perhaps.

-edit-
I will keep updates coming, hopefully I'll get the body (as a currently going concern) in a few weeks, then look around for the motor. Once I have those 2, the rest can come together slowly.

The reason I want to buy the car as a goer, is so that I can use it in the meantime, as I am without a car at the moment, until my 308 HQ wagon is sorted out/delivered.
 
Sounds like a good project! Good Luck!!👍
I can't wait to hear about the final result!:D
 
For your diff.

Ford. Nine. Inch. The standard of the hot rod world for years. They're nearly bulletproof (when built right) and will take however much torque you can throw at it.

The tranny...If you really, really want a stick, go for it, but I'd reccommend a Powerglide of other G.M. Automatic if you're going for Street/strip. Use the stick if you intend on making this a trackday car...though, with a little Corolla, I'd warn of some handling irregularities with an SBC (or Holden...not sure if it is the Chevy) in the nose.
 
Jim Prower
For your diff.

Ford. Nine. Inch. The standard of the hot rod world for years. They're nearly bulletproof (when built right) and will take however much torque you can throw at it.
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I doubt the 253 or 308 in near stock form is going to tear apart a R31 diff, 9 inch is nice but too expensive as everyone wants them.

Jim Prower
I'd warn of some handling irregularities with an SBC (or Holden...not sure if it is the Chevy) in the nose.
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The Holden V8 (253/304/308) is not a Chevy engine, it was designed and built by Holden for Holden, but it still heavy iron engine the same like the Gen I SBC.
 
It is intended as a road car, with occasional track days. Drag racing is not on the agenda. Viper is right, the stock motor won't break anything, it's my driving that will break diffs...
 
sounds good, i like sleepers lol
id forget about the 2 shi**y 3 though and go for the 308
my brothers 308 is almost complete, its been chemically cleaned, crack tested, zero decked, balanced, blue printed, bored out 50 thou, vs 5 ltr heads, studded rockers, yella terror roller rockers, comp valve springs and retainers, acl pistons, hastings rings, arp rod bolts, barry grant demon carby, harrop duel plan manifold, straight cut timing gears, speed flow fuel lines and regulator, high energy sump, crow custom grind solid cam and lifters. should go alright lol

id go for an ls1 personally, you can pick em up out of a wreck pretty cheap or as a crate motor
 
I want to go for the old skool V8 for ease of tuning and repair, as well as for looks, the new engines are over dressed, and downright ugly under all that plastic. And cracker, I can, I WANT to, so I should. Sure, it may not be the most intelligent thing anyone has ever done, or the easiest, or the most economical, but hell, rather that ask why, ask'Why the gell not?'. Also, I was thinking 253, for the extra revs, and little bit more fuel economy. If I didn't give a damn about economy, I would throw a 350 at it, but I do, so I won't.
 
guska
I want to go for the old skool V8 for ease of tuning and repair, as well as for looks, the new engines are over dressed, and downright ugly under all that plastic. And cracker, I can, I WANT to, so I should. Sure, it may not be the most intelligent thing anyone has ever done, or the easiest, or the most economical, but hell, rather that ask why, ask'Why the gell not?'. Also, I was thinking 253, for the extra revs, and little bit more fuel economy. If I didn't give a damn about economy, I would throw a 350 at it, but I do, so I won't.
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Its not the idea of a 'sleeper' that i was, jokingly, objecting too. It was just the choice of car to put it into - its hardly the most attractive car is it, even by Corolla standards!

Anyone who attempts a project like this totally gets my respect. This is completely at the other end of the scale to someone who takes a Corolla (or the like) and mods it only cosmetically.
 
253 for economy............... :lol:

I used to drive both a 81 VC Commdore I6 202 with extractors, 5 speed manual (first car, I fitted the 5 speed from a VK in it) and a 71 Monaro GTS with a 350 (3 speed auto) that converted from the original 186 I6, the 202 Commodore used to consume roughly the same amount of fuel as the 350 monaro (also with extractors)...

Anyway I don't think a 253 will save you much over the 308.
 
VIPERGTSR01
253 for economy............... :lol:
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you beat me to it
if you want economy get an ls1, i average 9 to 10 litres per 100ks on the highway out of an almost 300 kw engine
good luck trying to get that out of a 253 or 308 for that matter

the 253s a bit of a slug also
 
But the LS1 is not only expensive, but hideously ugly and not user friendly. If I was aiming for great fuel economy, I would just spend the money on a later model 4cyl. I also seriously doubt that a 253 would be sluggish in a car that light. Remember that both the 253 and 308 are mainly seen in cars up to 4x the weight of your average Corolla.
 
Certainly an interesting project !.... I love odd ideas like your choice of car 👍

I will be following this with great interest, so NO backing out aaight ? :-)
 
guska
But the LS1 is not only expensive, but hideously ugly and not user friendly. If I was aiming for great fuel economy, I would just spend the money on a later model 4cyl. I also seriously doubt that a 253 would be sluggish in a car that light. Remember that both the 253 and 308 are mainly seen in cars up to 4x the weight of your average Corolla.
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there hardly expensive, i saw an ls1 with 80,000 ks on the clock and the entire drive train for just over 5 grand in the trading post. they are very user friendly and cheap to mod, you just need a good tuner to do the ls1 edit. true about being in a light car but vc to vk commodores or toranas are hardly heavy. its a good project which ever way you go man, but if your tossing up between 253 or 308, i say go the 308

as for the ls1 being ugly :grumpy:
http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=69474

i think not!
 
Those plastic red covers don't help IMO (especially those ones), I personally prefer to just see the exposed coil packs on the rocker covers.
 
I prefer to see a pair of rocker covers, a nice clean silver valley cover, a distributor, and a coil. Oh, and a nice big carby, preferably with holley cast into the side. An LS1 is expensive at 5k, when compared to a 308 for under a grand.
 
VIPERGTSR01
Those plastic red covers don't help IMO (especially those ones), I personally prefer to just see the exposed coil packs on the rocker covers.
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they defiantley dont hurt. theres nothing wrong with those engine covers, they dont cover the intake manifold and trap heat in like the stock turtle shell lol plus they look great in the process
 
guska
I prefer to see a pair of rocker covers, a nice clean silver valley cover, a distributor, and a coil. Oh, and a nice big carby, preferably with holley cast into the side. An LS1 is expensive at 5k, when compared to a 308 for under a grand.
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check these bad boys out

http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=70933&page=3

how much you gonna spend on a 308 though, and what will you get for a grand? an ls1 isnt that expensive when you consider its potential
 

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