So, thought I'd start a new thread on this. The Series 3 is coming home tomorrow and I have cleared a space in the garage for it. Work will commence within weeks on its rebuild. The biggest part of the build is dumping the 173 Holden engine that is currently in it and returning a 2.6 into its rightful home. The main reason for this is to avoid having to get an Engineers certificate (it has never been registered in Vic with the Holden conversion).
As this will become a daily driver, having it capable of doing 100KPH easily on the highway. I'll be fitting 3.54 diffs to it (it won't be used much off road).
So, thinking I might need a few more neddies out of the engine. It will be completely rebuilt, and I'm thinking of some mods along the way. It will have to remain naupturally aspirated, but something I'm thinking of doing is fitting fuel injection to it. Now one of the big issues I think I'll have here is the integrated manifold on the head. Anyone ever fitted EFI to one of these? Also thinking I could machine the manifold off and TIG a flange onto the head so I can fit a custom bolt on manifold - sort of like the Westlake head, which would make mounting the injectors easier. Now having a look at the head, I'm not sure where the coolant runs through it and if this will get in my way of machining the manifold off? Anyone got a stuffed head they are willing to sell me cheap to test my theory?
Also, is it possible to increase the compression ration of these engines? I believe the Australian engines were a lower compression than others? Can this be done with different pistons?
A one ever had a new camshaft ground for one that allows it to breath a bit better?
Obviously not going for a budget build here, and I'm happy to throw some dollars at it if I end up with the right result.
Thinking around 120 to 130HP would be nice. Sorry if some of these questions sound dumb, but I've not worked on an engine like this before tha has challenges like the side valves and integrated manifold on the head.
Experiences from those in the know would be appreciated, or educated guesses from those that aren't.
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