Otodat Posted January 14 Share Posted January 14 Probably would be better to go rover V8 over 308 just because they are far more common these days. Datsun parts/engines in general are getting expensive, would make the suggestion if you were to go that way look at the d21/Navara engine perhaps, a z16 even should be around 100hp and shouldn't be hard to find. Maybe the viva breaks and diff would be up to it, I don't really know. Lots of great engines out there. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
locost_bryan Posted January 14 Share Posted January 14 When Vauxhall fitted the OHC 1800 into the Viva, they also upgraded the suspension, brakes and diff with items from the larger Victor. So any engine swap will likely require similar upgrades, either requiring sourcing a rusty 1800 HC Viva or Magnum as a donor, or a potentially expensive drivetrain swap from something more modern. So the most affordable option would be a mildly worked 1256, that doesn't require any other parts or certifying (iirc 20% extra power before cert required). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post anglia4 Posted January 14 Popular Post Share Posted January 14 12 hours ago, cletus said: If he's just starting out and learning how to work on cars then it's probably better to start with an easier bolt in swap, as mentioned a 1256 with some mods to liven it up a bit, that doesn't need gearbox/brake/diff upgrades ^ This. My first real mod project car was my Anglia, I wanted to go mad with 2.0 zetec, 5 speed, major suspension changes yada yada. Fast forward 10 years and I sold it as a bare shell having never driven it. Imagine how much fun I could have had, If I had just put a 1600 cross-flow in there with Weber side drafts, extractors and a cam. 9 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nominal Posted January 14 Share Posted January 14 Really, unless you are very attached to that particular car or have some skills in engine swapping, it would be better to look for one that already has one of the bigger engines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cletus Posted January 14 Share Posted January 14 26 minutes ago, locost_bryan said: So the most affordable option would be a mildly worked 1256, that doesn't require any other parts or certifying (iirc 20% extra power before cert required). Technically, requires cert due to capacity increase, regardless of power increase 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igor Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 If you swapped in the 1256 engine how many wof guys would even notice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
locost_bryan Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 3 hours ago, cletus said: Technically, requires cert due to capacity increase, regardless of power increase That's an unfortunate quirk of the system, especially as the HC had the 1159 for less than 2 years, and had the 1256 for the other 7 years. However, just making the period tuning mods to the 1159 will make reasonable power anyway. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vivaspeed Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 4 hours ago, igor said: If you swapped in the 1256 engine how many wof guys would even notice? None. And if they did, most wouldn’t care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vivaspeed Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 3 hours ago, locost_bryan said: However, just making the period tuning mods to the 1159 will make reasonable power anyway. The 1159 is garbage and must be thrown in the bin. There was much more done to the 1256 in terms of tuning. The 1159 in SL90 or Brabham spec was definitely better than a stock 1256, but a worked 1256 is better than them all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
locost_bryan Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 3 hours ago, vivaspeed said: None. And if they did, most wouldn’t care. I'd be more concerned about the insurance company tbh, any excuse to avoid paying out. Are there many 1256 engines around? Maybe all the ones pulled out of Chevettes when fitting Gemini twincams was all the rage? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwibirdman Posted January 16 Share Posted January 16 Thinking about going the v8 route, something that I have thought about a few times in an HC, there are a few options. Rover 3500, Small Block Chev, 308 Holden, Chev LS They were sold in South Africa with a 302 chev as a Chevrolet Can Am. A weapon from my research. I like the 308 holden, especially the late injected ones, as they are a RH drive motor so more space on the drivers side. I have been led to believe an LC/LJ torana front end bolts into the cross member holes with a simple pick up for the rear mounts that a viva doesnt have (There is a HB viva wagon around with a LJ torana front grafted on, all the body lines line up). That would sort most of the front issues, HQ Holden rotors with HZ calipers can be made to fit easily. Good luck finding one. Almost anything decent will require some surgery on the trans tunnel, and possibly the firewall. And some sort of stronger diff, Hi Lux might be narrow enough. My mum bought one new in 1973 and I have always like the shape, They just need some decent wheels and more horse power. Always happy to help others spend silly amounts of money and all their spare time. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingbrick Posted January 24 Share Posted January 24 my 2c. Google for conversion / swap kits and buy whichever motor has a kit available. I think anything that removes a hurdle (like engine/gearbox mounts) is worth its weight. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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