fbekholden.com

What's the biggest engine I can put in the daughters fb sedan with out engineering it in NSW
Don't really want to put a grey in it because she wants it auto and not a fan of the hydramatic
So want to go a red motor and trimatic but didn't really want to go through the engineering side of it
Otherwise I will put 186 or v6 commodore motor in it
Any info is good

Grey with a trimatic conversion.

How bout a 138 Red motor out of an early Torana?

PH 0408 349 185
enquiries@earlyholdenparts.com.au
http://www.earlyholdenparts.com.au search FB section for Grey Motor To Trimatic Adaptor Kit, Suit Holden 48 FJ FE FC FB EK EJ

Trimatics grow on gumtrees so after getting a right hand shift, full 360 bellhousing 6 cyl one all you need is the kit and a few bits to source eg. tailshaft. The seller, Roger is one of the 'good guys' in the restoration game, and a very knowlegeable, honest and helpful guy.

Dave Mac

Even if you put a red 138 in it will need to be engineered. All the holes are closed now. Off course you can just put it in and act dumb and hopefully you get it registered.

bootlegger wrote:Even if you put a red 138 in it will need to be engineered. All the holes are closed now. Off course you can just put it in and act dumb and hopefully you get it registered.

yep they upped what we are allowed to 20% instead of 15% which meant we could go to 161 BUT then changed the wording so instead of just same manufacturer it's same design or something like that and when questioned about it they said that's right a red motor to them is a different motor and therefore now needs engineering though i spoke to an engineer i have dealt with and he said he wouldn't want any upgrades not even seatbelts basically all he would be doing is checking that the engine mounts were done fine

as dave said though you could play dumb and hope for the best or possibly if you have a friendly blue slipper you may also be right

Yeah it's the engine mounts that do it unless you can get a sub frame that's been regoed with a 6 in it
I guess

EK JAY wrote:Yeah it's the engine mounts that do it unless you can get a sub frame that's been regoed with a 6 in it
I guess

it's always been a grey area some have always said you need a report for mounts though i've never been asked but have also always been carefull where i have taken the cars, as far as the RMS are concerned i don't think they have a clue it's just random paperwork to them when i did the 308 in the van the paperwork went through without the report it was me that actually picked up the error a few months later

The rules are tight alright. For the engine,

BASIC MODIFICATIONS NOT REQUIRING CERTIFICATION
a) fitting a replacement new, used or reconditioned engine;
b) fitting a manufacturer’s optional engine together with any associated components as supplied by the manufacturer for that same model vehicle;
c) Fitting replacement original equipment engine and exhaust components;
d) Fitting replacement original equipment, equivalent or better, components that have no influence on engine performance or emissions (e.g. higher volume oil pump than original); and
e) Fitting equivalent engines with an increase of up to 20% of original power.

MODIFICATIONS REQUIRING CERTIFICATION
a) Fitting engines greater than 120% of original power and/or engine mass;
b) Fitting performance engines;
c) Fitting engines from non original equipment sources;
d) Installing a supercharger or turbocharger; and
e) Modifying the engine and engine components that results in an increase in engine power of more than 20% and/or affects exhaust emissions.

The kicker is the 20% power increase limit, regardless of capacity. For an FB/EK at 75BHP, that means finding a motor with only 90BHP to be "compliant". All the reds have more grunt than this (EH 149 LC is 95BHP). The only reds I don't have the power output to hand for are the 130ci and 138ci reds.

On the gearbox side,

BASIC MODIFICATIONS NOT REQUIRING CERTIFICATION
a) Fitting a manufacturer’s optional manual or automatic gearbox; and
b) Fitting a manufacturer’s optional differential or final drive gear set.

MODIFICATIONS REQUIRING CERTIFICATION UNDER LB CODES
a) Fitting a manual or automatic transmission from a different vehicle make or model;
b) Changing a gearbox or final drive gear ratio if speedometer accuracy is altered;
c) Fitting a rear axle assembly (including differential and rear brakes) from a different make or model vehicle; and
d) Fitting an alternative transmission tunnel.

So even a traumatic (being from a different models) needs a certificate to be "compliant".

Cheers,
Harv