HZ-350 Chev conversion questions

[FeRgO]

Hi all, ive searched a little but nothing specifically related has come up, so i have 3 questions for you all...

Can i put a 350 Chev into a HZ sedan and get an engineers cert, for road use?

What will i need to do to gain this certificate, eg: Brakes, LPG/CONV? (i hope not) and

Does anyone know of an engineer that i could contact for more information in Victoria?

Thanks in advance, Fergs

[JT]

here is a list of accredited engineers
http://ninemsn.carpoint.com.au/Tig/Minisite/Minisite.aspx?id=6659

best bet is to contact one before commencing, however this conversion has been done lots of times so I can't see any problems if done right

[Swordie]

The HQ had a 350 engine factory at one point (the Monaro from memory). The HZ is based on a HQ. A 350 into older Holdens would have been a common modification years ago.


Have a look at this site

http://oldholden.com/

I would give these guys a call for advice.

http://www.rodshop.com.au/

[seldo]

Hi all, ive searched a little but nothing specifically related has come up, so i have 3 questions for you all...

Can i put a 350 Chev into a HZ sedan and get an engineers cert, for road use?

What will i need to do to gain this certificate, eg: Brakes, LPG/CONV? (i hope not) and

Does anyone know of an engineer that i could contact for more information in Victoria?

Thanks in advance, FergsRowan Carter at Cartech in Hawthorn is a good man. 0419 313113

[vz6.0]

adr27a says no.

Even a camshaft will render a hz "unroadworthy" by the archaic rules that apply to these 30+ year old cars.

If it were mine, id either fit an efi holden v8, or keep searching for an engineer willing to pass a chev, which wont be really easy.

no problem with fitting it, but the increase in capacity means it needs engineers and this is the problem.

If your deadset on a chev, it will mean paperwork and cost.

[vz6.0]

dont even bother with the castlemaine rod shop, everything you need is available cheaper, and with better service elsewhere.

[glavas]

my old man has a hq gts monaro(4 door) it had some other engine in it 282 or something like that i may be wrong. and he now has a 350 chev carbby in it brand new engine shipped over from the usa. altho his engine is just stock no big cam etc but it sounds awesome!!!! not that fast buy lsx standards but it aint about speed its about prestige

[ls1 VN]

Bring it over here mate....stick a 454 chev in it with a 871 blower on top & cruise to your hearts delight lol.
We still do this today :sucks:

[SSV8TE]

Mate a thought on making the job easier to get engineering certificate without any drama is this : remove the fuel tank completely and run straight gas only.
I did this in my HX and that means that you require no pollution control at all.
Gas doesnt pollute the way fuel does.
This is one way to beat the emmission control regs.
The other parts as stated are easy as the HQ did come out factory with 350 chevs so you will be able to purchase engine mounts , accessory brackets etc. easily. Just buy all HQ parts and they will fit exactly the same as HZ ones engine wise.
Best of luck mate and keep us posted on the progress,
Cheers,
Andy.

[theVman]

Or do some number swapping with a HQ. I know a few people who have swapped chassis back to HQ and also changed numbers to get over this while maintaining the later body etc.

I would imagine it would only complicate things and make it a bit messy when it comes time to sell as you essentially now have a HQ/HJ not a HZ or HX or even WB which it may have been to start with and still looks like.

Looking at the LS1 ute in the my rides section - the Ls1 looks right at home it just getting around the engineering side of things.

[Micks]

Yeah the new LPG injection maybe the way to go with the LS1, excellent power results I'm told.

Cheers
VYT

[OzJavelin]

I'd have though that a visual inspection of pollution gear would have been enough; i.e. with a original cam a 350 could run an original inlet manifold with EGR, etc. If you keep the carbon canister and snorkeled aircleaner it would satisfy an Engineer?

[vz6.0]

I'd have though that a visual inspection of pollution gear would have been enough; i.e. with a original cam a 350 could run an original inlet manifold with EGR, etc. If you keep the carbon canister and snorkeled aircleaner it would satisfy an Engineer?

you are correct.

But, the equivalent smog equipment riddled 350 will be just as lousy as the 308 it would potentially replace unless you go later to an lt1 perhaps which presents its own problems when an efi holden engine can be fitted easier and make as much or more power than any sane person needs on the street, or easily pass any pollution requirement as a tickled stocker.

If you pull one adr27a motor to fit another (era specific of course), in my opinion youre wasting your money for a very small gain.

perhaps if the OP fills in some of the gaps as to the end use of the car, daily shitter or weekender, or just wants some more torque etc.

To tell the truth, id just put the carb chev in it and drive it and give no fark for engineers, just inform the insurance company and prickroads of an engine number change and drive the thing.

[macca33]

Why not stroke a Holden 308 and put that in? That way you'd keep the 'originality' of the car - no road registered HZ left the GMH factory here with a 350 engine fitted and this is where you'll run into trouble with ADRs, etc. Or, do you specifically want a 350 Chev? The other option - apart from LPG of course - is to put a new Lsx/Lxx in it and go from there.

Whilst I see merit in just throwing whatever you want in, you have every chance of being caught out, then having the car deemed unfit for road use.

If you're going to do it, do it correctly and tick all the boxes, otherwise, you'll never get the full enjoyment out of the car.

cheers and good luck

[HK1837]

In NSW the 350 cubes is no problem in a HZ as it's within 15% of the biggest original capacity engine (308 x 1.15 = 354ci). This also means a stroked 308 is fine also (308 with 3.48" stroke is 350 cubes also).

However the issue is ADR27A compliance. One way to achieve this is to build an engine as per fitted to 1979/80 C20, K20 and K30 Chevs as built by GMH. However these are truck engines and no power. Another way is to use a SBC manifold with EGR, and use a HZ carby and all the HZ pollution equipment. This may pass scrutiny. Remember also that manual V8 HZ's had no EGR valve so if it's a manual you may get away without it, just use the canister and other bits.

Another sneaky way may be to simply say it's a 302, run a manual and run the HZ's pollution equipment minus the EGR.

Not sure what your State's rules are though.

Note that in HQ vehicles fitted with 350ci engines, the front and rear uni joints are bigger than normal V8. They are 1.125" cup unis, the same as a 1-tonner. So this might be an idea too to do it right. Brakes etc are the same as any other disc brake HQ but front springs may need to be stiffer.