Holden Starfire Engine

[outback jeff]

I am restoring a 50/51 Series 1 and I am looking at my options for a motor. It had a 186 in it when I bought it. My plan was to put an original motor back in, then a mate suggested a Holden four cylinder, I think it's called a Starfire, it was in the Sunbird Torana and early Commodores. I thought that since the original was only 1.6 litres and the Holden was 1.9 then it would be a good option. Also the Holden should be cheaper to rebuild. So I was just wondering if anybody else has done this conversion, or had any thoughts on my idea. Time for some beers.

Cheers Jeff

[p38arover]

a mate suggested a Holden four cylinder, I think it's called a Starfire, it was in the Sunbird Torana and early Commodores.

.... and Toyota Coronas. Commonly called the Misfire (it was gutless in our Corona).

Think Holden 6 with two cylinders cut off.

I suppose a Holden conversion kit would fit.

[101RRS]

I have heard it was a crap engine in the Commodore and whatever Toyota it went into but I do remember that someone did have one in their landie and said its characteristics suited the landy and it went well.

However, while I appreciate a landie 1600cc would be hard to find - that would be my preference. Even a later 2 litre or even 2.25 would be preferable to the a Holden engine.

Garry

[outback jeff]

I have heard it was a crap engine in the Commodore and whatever Toyota it went into but I do remember that someone did have one in their landie and said its characteristics suited the landy and it went well.

However, while I appreciate a landie 1600cc would be hard to find - that would be my preference. Even a later 2 litre or even 2.25 would be preferable to the a Holden engine.

Garry

Garry,

I had a look at some of the Holden forums and some people baged the **** out of it while others said it was a great little engine, one even said it had diesel like characteristics, which would make it ideal for my application. I am doing the project on a budget so I am trying to keep the costs down.

However I have not ruled out an original so, would a 2 or 2.25 litre bold up to the gear box in my series 1 and would the engine mounts line up?

Cheers Jeff

[bee utey]

In my experience of these engines, they lack low end power, high end power, economy and reliability, especially in the cam drive gear department. As a 4 cylinder the cam drive knocks dreadfully, either the fibre gear explodes or the ally gear sounds a bit like gilmer gears. On the rare occasions one of these pulls up within 100 metres you recognise them by the distinctive cam rattle. Sure they might have their fans, but mainly for being extremely cheap to buy.

[101RRS]

However I have not ruled out an original so, would a 2 or 2.25 litre bold up to the gear box in my series 1 and would the engine mounts line up?

Cheers Jeff

I am not sure as my series 1s are later but I would certainly expect the Siamese 2 litre to fit as should the spreadbore 2 litre but I am sure some of the real 80" experts will be along to give a definitive answer.

Garry

[Casper]

Many years ago I had the dis pleasure of having to work on some Starfire engines in both Coronas and Commodores.

They were very reliable if looked after, the timing gear would stay quiet with regular servicing the same as the red 6 cyls and as long as they were in good condition they pulled like a diesel down low but you were lucky on the flat to see 2500 RPM.

They were very thirsty mainly because people drove them like they really wanted a 6 cyl but if driven within its operation perameters (kind of like a Landy) it worked ok and would punt you along at about 120kmh in a Commodore and keep up with traffic and return similar fuel economy to a 186 6 cyl.

I would by no means think that it would be a good transplant into a Landy these days, there is probably a dozen modern engines I would consider before going to one of them.

I would prefer a Series 2/2a/3 2.25 ltr if it were me doing it.

Good luck

Casper

[d@rk51d3]

Had a mate who was looking for a Starfire a few years ago.

Everyone said they made good boat anchors, and that was about all they had going for them.

[Davehoos]

I had VH commodore and a few X1 corona.
the commodore in australia had 13 inch wheels and 3.9 axle ratio.
i fitted 14X7 steel torana wheels but export cars had 15 sle rims.

it had a silly offset blade 5 blade fan that vibrated at speed.electric fans of the time where not up to the job.
the alternator bracket was modified for VH-VK to stop these falling off and Vh engine mounts cracked.

the 5 speed was rare,to go on a long distance trip it sat on the 3-4K rpm mark with a working rpm 6.5K.
fuel economy around town was 35-38mpg and 25 on highway.

i tryed to get a 5 speed but the 2850 and VK3300 boxes died early deaths.I was also having clutch plate issues with the original light flywheel version.I was not at that time interested in a toyota/dastun conversion.

I had a MPH speedo-tacho dash and a non emision export carby.the car was converted to a cheep gas.
petrol 60 rear wheel horspower.gas 79 hp.

then i got a cam porting work and engine balance with a heavy 186 flywheel.I fitted a police 6 cyl like exhauste.i fitted the toyota visco fan with plans to get a bigger holden export version.

the car was a better performer than a 6 cyl but for the cost you buy a american 2.5 starfire.

turbo was fitted in victoria but banned in nsw due to ADR requirements.
and i had planned twin SU with dat 1600 air box and rego as gas only.
the car was crashed and parked.

the last corona i got was auto and drove like a thasher at 100kmh.

A turbo starefire or a twin carb/EFI with balanced crank with solid cam followers would be good in a short wheel base old landrover.It would be like starting with a datsun 200B and going through the 80's rally parts books.
you be better off with a sr20 or a camry engine.

[Davehoos]

20 valve super charged corolla engine.

[BigJon]

I have often thought of this conversion for my Series I. One day I will get around to it.