Thread: holden six power?

I have had both 161 holden engined landies and 2.25 engined landies. When the landie engine is in good nick (I had just rebuilt mine) it is a good match for the holden. The landie revs a bit better and feels a bit more sporty but the holden within its rev range does have a tad more power but feels a little stifled compared to the landie.

Fuel consumption worked out about the same - 17mpg in the old money and cruising speed was similar at around 105kph indicated - often saw 115 downhill but the death wobbles form the front ends became an issue at that speed. Most say a series landie cruises around 85 but that was not my experience and my cars were my everyday drivers covering a couple of trips a week on over 400km in one go. Mine cruised faster than most would say so now but we did not have gps then so the speedo may have been optimistic but I do not think so.

So - I would stay with the landie engine - get the head shaved a little, get the carby reconditioned and tuned up, same with the dissy and put a set of extractors on it.

Garry

Originally Posted by garrycol

I have had both 161 holden engined landies and 2.25 engined landies. When the landie engine is in good nick (I had just rebuilt mine) it is a good match for the holden. The landie revs a bit better and feels a bit more sporty but the holden within its rev range does have a tad more power but feels a little stifled compared to the landie.

Fuel consumption worked out about the same - 17mpg in the old money and cruising speed was similar at around 105kph indicated - often saw 115 downhill but the death wobbles form the front ends became an issue at that speed. Most say a series landie cruises around 85 but that was not my experience and my cars were my everyday drivers covering a couple of trips a week on over 400km in one go. Mine cruised faster than most would say so now but we did not have gps then so the speedo may have been optimistic but I do not think so.

So - I would stay with the landie engine - get the head shaved a little, get the carby reconditioned and tuned up, same with the dissy and put a set of extractors on it.

Garry

In a similar vein, back when my 109" was 2.25 powered, I fitted a heavily milled 8:1 head (so 8.5-9:1 compression overall), extractors and a new zenith carb. It would easily wind the speedo past 75 mph if I wanted to (no OD).

However we are perhaps forgetting that the OP is running 35's with standard gearing(?). So some serious extra grunt is needed to compensate. Another option would be to fit 5.29:1 Toyota hi-ace centres, which can be fitted in conjunction with upgraded axles (and lockers if desired).

Originally Posted by isuzurover

owever we are perhaps forgetting that the OP is running 35's with standard gearing(?).

True but it aint going to happen with a stock holden either.

Garry

Thanks guys for all your input, much appreciated. I've got extractors and a new exhaust on my 2.25 and it goes ok with the 35s, but it just needs a little bit more power to drive in 4th. The motor runs great, but I'm about to replace all ignition gear (points, plugs , leads etc) and do a compression test on the motor and see where it's at.

Originally Posted by garrycol

True but it aint going to happen with a stock holden either.

Garry

I disagree. I had a 202 powered 2A hardtop many years ago that went extremely well with 35" ATs. It was overgeared with 31s or 7.50s, but great with 35s. It was a very healthy, but standard 202. The 186 I had in my wagon later would struggle with anything, probably even 6.00s.

Jeff

Originally Posted by garrycol

True but it aint going to happen with a stock holden either.

Garry

Which stock Holden are you talking about?

A 161 off an automatic gearbox maybe, but a stock 202 off a manual gearbox would perform well, or a stock holden 202 off a 1 Tonner even better.

Then we can talk about stock XU1 Torana engines.

It all has to do with the capacity, cam and carburettors. And many stock Holden configurations were good in Land Rovers, but clapped out Holden donks were no better than clapped out Rover donks.