hey I'm considering putting a new engine in my 55 sometime in the near future and having trouble on deciding what is a good option. i was thinkin if i go a V8 i would really consider going a 302 windsor cause I'm a big fan of them. but i was also considerng a CA18, SR20 or 4AGZE. the main problem is the damage 2 my wallet so i really want a cheap but powerful option. Price ranges?? any help at all would be appreciated

SR20 would be best power/$. Becuse you will have to go custom no matter what so you might aswell start off with a nice base.

so i really want a cheap but powerful option

 

lol doesnt exist unless you add unreliable.

 

as they say- cheap, fast, reliable. pick 2

as they say- cheap, fast, reliable. pick 2

 

:wink: :D :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes: No matter how hard you try to fight it, it will always turn out to be true.

pop in a 308 from a holden, been done many times before, easy to find parts for, even easier to get big power out of. but just remember she'll be a pig to handle

pop in a 308 from a holden, been done many times before, easy to find parts for, even easier to get big power out of. but just remember she'll be a pig to handle

Turn with the throttle :wink:

if your budget is under $4000 walk away now, if it's over that then all the motors mentiond have jsut become avaliable.

 

The CA18 is great value, but please get the head faced and a metal head gasket put in, this makes them reliable and allows you to inspect the bores and pistons. Direct fire ignition, stong gear box, good aftermarket support, racy sound.

 

The SR sounds like ball mill but you can't deny the power potential.

 

4AGZE is good value again, but unless you get one form an AE101 they're getting pretty tired. ne rings, a turbo manifold and a T28 and they're more fun than a porno. Note you'll wnat to spend the $600 to buy the A-sereis to W-series gear box bell housing as you'l make a habbit out of popping T-eries gearboxes if you hammer them.

 

The Ford V8's do sound better (I reckon it's got to do with the firing order.) It wont feel as frisky with a V8, but it will love the skids.

 

Cheers

jordan

Edited November 30, 200718 yr by Jordan

thanks all 4 ur replies.

 

first of all this will b my first conversion so i kinda want somethin easy to work with, and then i saw that 302 in a 55 that belongs to 302rolla and it just looked like an easy fit and it is a small engine so i wont have to move many things to the boot. i aint lookin 4 unreal speed or anythin jus something that will actually give my mates commodores a run 4 their money. :wink:

how much money do you want to spend:

 

a few hundred bucks

one grand?

a few grand?

5 grand?

10 grand?

 

 

thats the easiest way to let you know your options.

 

putting the 302 in a ke55 is only the start, then its gearbox, diff, fuel, cooling and more!

Mate, you would paste commodores all over the highway with a 302 in the beast. Id prefer a 308 if I was gonna do something silly, as I prefer the noise. Obviously your not gonna street it so do whatever you want eh, Id usually slam this idea as ridiculous but after seeing that other 302 rolla.....

yeah just struck me its going to be a tad troublesome chasing down commodores in a v8 corolla and

then rushing back home before the cops catch you in your 1300cc car.

 

so that leaves the other engines which have been put into road legal blue plated ke corollas before,

 

code of practice says

 

ke55 = 920kg

 

LA engine section

- option 3

- replacement engine with safety upgrade

- 4 cylinder and less than 1100kg

- NA in cc = weight in kg X 3

- forced induction in cc = weight in kg X 2.5

 

so

 

ke55 NA = 920 x 3 = 2760cc

ke55 forced induction = 920 x 2.5 = 2300cc

 

any moderate upgrade wont require a driveline upgrade, anything more will

so take that into the budget too and its not cheap as in a few grand will probably

sort you out if you research it and do it yourself as much as you can.

moderate = 120hp at the fly driving sensibly.

 

a rough idea of what an engine conversion may start to cost you, if you are

mechanically skilled, have the tools needed and the equipment or can borrow them.

 

buying the engine and gearbox, fitting to car, fluids,

tailshaft and rear end conversion if over 120hp:

 

if everything goes to plan, a stock engine conversion non rebuilt diy rough idea.....

 

5k = $800

ca18 = $3000

4agze = $6000

ca18det = $6000

sr20det = $8000

 

then theres the problem of gee i think i should get a half decent decent corolla for my $8000 sr20 conversion,

so two or three grand plus a few grand for bodywork, paint and rims/tyres and interior.

 

then haha I'm enjoying this, theres the much needed brake conversion to some bigger rotors with calipers to suit

either bolt on hoppers stoppers kit or custom job for around $1200.

 

i have probably missed a few things like cooling upgrade and maybe a basic stereo etc which also costs a

few hundred here and there.

 

so theres your formula for a well equipped knowledgeable car enthusiast with time, space and patience... add it up!

Edited December 1, 200718 yr by styler

well i actually do want it street legal and the 302 was just a thought cause it looked simple, but you guys would have a much betta idea of what is an easy conversion. the main thing is i want it street legal and faster then a 4k lol (which aint hard).

You need to check the hooning laws and car mod guidelines in your state, then get back to us with a basic framework of what you can do.

hey I'm considering putting a new engine in my 55 sometime in the near future and having trouble on deciding what is a good option. i was thinkin if i go a V8 i would really consider going a 302 windsor cause I'm a big fan of them. but i was also considerng a CA18, SR20 or 4AGZE. the main problem is the damage 2 my wallet so i really want a cheap but powerful option. Price ranges?? any help at all would be appreciated

 

 

I'm EXACTLY in the same situation. I've thought about an SR20DE motor for my ke55 hardtop, and thus being a powerful engine and they are pretty common for parts upgrades. Mates told me to do a rotary but I'm not much of a fan of rotaries.

 

It's going to cost me around.. $1,500 - $2,000 for the engine and gearbox. Though I still have the wiring, fuel lines, brake upgrades and suspension and etc to do.

 

Personally I'd go with SR20DE. Though 4A-GE would be my second bet.

 

Good luck with it!

GM/Chev 5.7 litre LS1 are getting cheaper, that would be an interesting conversion.