Opinion - VT to SS Hatch Conversion

[team illucid]

After some opinions on this matter.

I have a VT SS - it has had an LS1 upgrade with 6Spd dumped in it.

I have a 76 SS Torana Hatch - blown engine, but a real pig to drive when running.

My goal was to eventually purchase an LS1 and 6 spd, and drop into the torana as the weekend car.

My opinion now is, that given the low price of the VT SS on the secondhand market (lucky to get 10K I would imagine - 61,535KMs on it), would I be better to just completely gut it and install the running gear , brakes and wheels et al into the Torrie and then sell the shell to the wreckers ... or ...

should I just sell it and then use the cash to rebuild the torrie ?

Interested in anyone's thoughts on this matter.

[black_friday]

I think it would depend on how much it would cost you to do the conversion to LS1, in comparison to sticking with a 5ltr. If money isnt a problem, go for it!

[VTV691]

10k.. that should cover enuf for all new bits flor the torana..

rather than having old ones in:)

6L ls2 is like 4g these days , brand new.

[seedyrom]

Rebuild the torrie


I was very close to doing something similar. But having seen LX346's torana in person (Its now an LS2), I realise that to do the job properly, takes a lot of time, thinking and the folding stuff.

It is a seriously sweet job, with all the little things thought of ... but its that which made me realise the size of the job.

The job is definitely doable, and for Michael in replacing his engine for the second time let him clean up the bay even more, but is the outcome "that" worth it?

I think everyone thinks that the car would instantly be the most lightweight, powerful and fun thing to drive.
The engine might be, but will the rest of the car cope, or feel aswell matched? Brakes, suspension, body roll.


I guess it depends on how much you are willing to through at a project which turns the car into an orphan.
355 stroker with a less agressive cam.

You know its the smart choice ;)


(And don't believe anyone's quoted prices from an internet forum ;) Find out the true cost of little things like a wiring harness beforehand.)

[Goatie]

i wouldnt personally, id much rather run a holden iron block (whatever cubes you want) with a single plane and a 4bl TB. personal preference but you arent daily driving it so economy is not as much of an issue so LSx seem a little irrelevant to me for that car.

[FireArc]

Sell the VT and use the money to upgrade the Torrie. That way you know you are getting new parts with some kind of Warranty and reliability. Saves you mucking around with swapping parts etc

[1340LOCO]

If its a genuine v8 ss hatch leave it with original motor, as they are to hard to find now. If its a mock-up do what you please with it.

Personally having owned a hand full of torana hatch's over the years i would (if genuine)keep original running gear to the side and build another stomper drive line that could easily be chaged back at a later date if you wanted.