SFA Hilux V8 Build

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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by grips »

Buffel wrote:Vir my werk die Isuzu v6 box baie beter eks glad nie lief vir kettings nie met die 35" bf's is ek op 110kmh @ 1900/2000 rpm wat Groot verskil maak met fuel consumption op langpad . Ongelukkig vir die SFA met Groot bande raak dit taamlik scary hoe Nader Jy aan 200kmh kom so ek bly maar weg van daai nommers af.
Stem saam ek het geen liefde vir transfer cases met kettings nie. :D: Die 0.73 5de rat van die Isuzu is ideal.
Met ons 5de rat uit ruiling sal ons op `n 0.69 staan
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by Stefan9006 »

Lyk my Oom Christo hulle maak goeie vordering.


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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by grips »

Stefan dit is Christopher se projek, ek sit op die kant en kyk. Help met die klein dingetjies.
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by grips »

Christopher put a lot of work into the Hilux. New bell housing from Gilo. Nice cut outs for battery and steering coupling for the 40mm move of steering box. Made new engine mountings and fitted the engine in a dummy run.
Still need to do the ratio swop in the gearbox and the RF1A transfer case mod.
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by Family_Dog »

That will be one awesome Hilux once you are finished with it. The best of both worlds - SFA Hilux and the V8 growl :)


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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by Knuppel »

Chris, looking good!

Why the 40mm move on the steering box if I may ask?
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by grips »

Knuppel wrote:Chris, looking good!

Why the 40mm move on the steering box if I may ask?


I hate cramped spaces, it gives very good access to the power steering box and power steering pump. On most SFA Hilux/Lexus conversions I have seen the is almost no space left between steering box and power steering pump.
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by Knuppel »

True, I can still get my fingers in between mine but yes its tight but not to the point that it will touch. But why not hey, with every build one gets that bit more organised.
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by The Legend »

Hoop dit is nie bloed wat by daardie ratkas le nie. As dit bloed is het iemand baaaaaie seer gekry :shock2:
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by grips »

The Legend wrote:Hoop dit is nie bloed wat by daardie ratkas le nie. As dit bloed is het iemand baaaaaie seer gekry :shock2:
Dit is darem nie bloed nie maar powersteering fluid :D:
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by GOOSENZ »

That's my V8 in my hilux over here in nz. It's a 383 chevy V8

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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by grips »

GOOSENZ wrote:That's my V8 in my hilux over here in nz. It's a 383 chevy V8

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The compactness of Yankee v8`s is amazing. Parked the Lexus next to a 351W in my workshop the other day.
351w @ 5.7l a lot smaller than the Lexus @ 4.0l. 351W only 60mm longer but all the other dimensions beat the Lexus hands down.

Very nice build you have :thumbup:
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by grips »

Christopher have completed the engine mountings. Think they are strong enough to handle a Big Block :D:

We are about to do the 5th gear ratio swop and fit the R1AF behind the R151.
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by Knuppel »

Those engine mounts, aren't they going to twist the chassis over time?
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by grips »

Marius as those are semi solid mounts your engines block absorb some of the stress. I got tired of engine mountings failing on high powered engines. This is my trade mark in almost all my conversions and to date there was no failures on any side of the mountings. Have them on the other 3 v8`s I own.
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by Knuppel »

:thumbup: Learning from you! thanks

Christo, how heavy are those V8's compared to the lexus? At some or other time I may want to stick a V8 in my Cruiser and your mounting design has got me thinking.
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by The Legend »

Marius Ek het ook dieselfde vraag gevra



Lollie wrote:
Christo

Daardie V8 is seker heelwat swaarder in gewig as die V8 Lexus?

`n 302 AFR aluminium heads weeg 187kg.

Die Lexus is so 10kg ligter teen 177kg.
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by grips »

Knuppel wrote::thumbup: Learning from you! thanks

Christo, how heavy are those V8's compared to the lexus? At some or other time I may want to stick a V8 in my Cruiser and your mounting design has got me thinking.
Small Blocks about 230-260kg . Big Blocks 300 tot 360kg
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by Knuppel »

Dankie, dis n hele bietjie swaarder!
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by Thabogrobler »

Op die R151 topic - my Kz het gehap aan 400Nm en toe ek hom verkoop het op 433 000km was dit nog die oorspronklike kas.

Die Hilux loop nou in Zambie - 'n vriend wat in Lusaka bly sien hom so nou en dan.
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by grips »

Christopher het lang tye voor die draaibank spandeer en sy eerste adaptor plate vervaardig.
Goeie leerskool gewees. Miskien nie 100% perfek nie maar alle afmetings is 100% akuraat.

So gister het ons die R151 en RF1A aanmekaar gebout. Gear driven transfer cases bly maar bo aan die lys. :yahoo:
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by ChrisF »

jou seuns is BAIE bevoorreg !!

geen geld kan die tipe leerskool koop nie.
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by pietpetoors »

Wonderlik dat julle dit self kan bou.
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by GRWLR ZN »

More almal,
Louis hier, ek is nuut op die forum en (eintlik so per toeval) die trotse eienaar van n’ “brand new second hand” ’98 (IFS) Hilux d/c 4x4 raider ,Lexus 1UZ conversion.

Na die deal gedoen was, het ek Saterdag terug gery van Pretoria af Richardsbaai toe. Brandstof verbruik was 7.5 km/l wat te verstane is, want ek het teen 125km/h (GPS spoed) 3600rpm geloop.
Die enjin loop baie goed, idle doodstil (Spitronics management), so ek is tevrede met dit. Vandaar die naam GRWLR ZN (die ding growl behoorlik).

Maar die kopseer wat so van 80kms in die rit in opgeduik het is dat die gearbox warm word en duidelik glad nie van die storie gehou het nie. Die gearbox en diffs is nog standard (oorspronklik die 3000D hilux gewees) Ratios vir die diffs is 4.885 sover ek kan vasstel. Dit is duidelik dat die gearbox al oor gedoen was. Daar is baie idees en weergawes wat die rondte doen in verband met wat die beste setup is. Ek wil manual 4x4 bly.

Die million dollar question is:
Wat is n’ goeie setup? Doen ek net die diffs of diffs en gearbox.

Enige raad en of idees , kontak nommers, sal waardeer word.

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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by Buffel »

Welkom maater bel die man Gerrit by 082agt2een505ses
Hy verstaan die besigheid en sal
jou kan help
http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/Busht ... sort=3&o=8http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/Busht ... sort=3&o=9Hilux v6 vvti 4.0 4x4 & SFA D/C Lockers front and rear v8 Lexus 35" BF Muds + Winch
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by GRWLR ZN »

Baie dankie Buffel,
Ek waardeer.
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by GRWLR ZN »

Ok ek het nog nie met Gerrit gepraat nie,
Maar het met Jannie by J&M Lexus conversions gepraat. Hy reken dat of die 4.1 of 4.3 die beste opsie is.
Dit is die derde keer dat ek nou hoor van die 4.3 ratio.
Dit klink belowend.

Ek sal laat weet hoe dit gaan.
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by Buffel »

Dit hang maar van die aplikasie af as jy n expidisie voertuig soek gaan jy maar seker die lang been besigheid kies eks heel happy met die oorspronklike diwwe ek dink dis 4.875 met lockers en n 3,2 box, mens soek moeilikheid as jy die ding na 200km/h toe vat met 35's
http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/Busht ... sort=3&o=8http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/Busht ... sort=3&o=9Hilux v6 vvti 4.0 4x4 & SFA D/C Lockers front and rear v8 Lexus 35" BF Muds + Winch
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by GRWLR ZN »

Ja nee kyk. Bakkies is nie gemaak vir 200km/h nie. Tensy dit n' Lumina SS is!

Ek soek bietjie langer bene vir die oop pad. Het so bietjie gaan sommetjies maak en met die 4.3 diff sal dit die rpms van 3600 af bring na so +- 2300 teen 125km/h.
Dit is beter vir lekker cruising daardie. Ook baie beter vir brandstof verbruik.

Kyk, hulle se n' mens koop nie n' V8 vir goeie brandstof verbruik nie, maar n' ou kan ten minste droom! :laugh2:
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by Buffel »

Nee wat mens kry nog steeds R20 se petrol vir R20 dit bly dieselfde.Ek budget van die begin af op R5/KM het vrede gemaak as dit slegter raak sit en nog een 1uz agter ook in en gaan vir broke maar SFA sal ek ry tot die dood.
Stywe lyne daar met jou fuel saver
http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/Busht ... sort=3&o=8http://s1052.photobucket.com/user/Busht ... sort=3&o=9Hilux v6 vvti 4.0 4x4 & SFA D/C Lockers front and rear v8 Lexus 35" BF Muds + Winch
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by GRWLR ZN »

Buffel wrote:Nee wat mens kry nog steeds R20 se petrol vir R20 dit bly dieselfde.Ek budget van die begin af op R5/KM het vrede gemaak as dit slegter raak sit en nog een 1uz agter ook in en gaan vir broke maar SFA sal ek ry tot die dood.
Stywe lyne daar met jou fuel saver
:taunt:
Was dit so titseltjie sarkasme daardie? :surrender:
Sou nie se ek soek n' fuel saver nie.....dan sou ek n' Yaris of iets gekoop het.

Ek is net nie mal oor die high revs storie nie. Ek is eintlik maar n' diesel man , so raak ongemaklik as n' motor so hoog rev... :D:
:mrgreen:
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by grips »

Some water down the river since my last post.
As Christopher my son is almost fully occupied with his studies the Hilux were moved to the back burner.
Long story short I bought the Hilux from him.

Made a few mods along the line. Moved the front cross member forward. Want to run a viscous on the Lexus. Aircon is a must on the Hilux so I want to keep the space for a front mounted aircon condenser.

Removed the engine to fix a stripped mounting bolt on the engine block. Engine now permanently mounted.
Will start a complete rewire soon,
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by HiluxNoobie »

Hi.

Could someone please tell me about the lexus V8 conversions. Pros and cons. I have just started developing an interest in 4x4's so a slow introduction would be greatly appreciated. Specifically, why is the V8 engine a popular choice for a conversion? What does the conversion imply for the longevity of the rest of the car's parts (eg, diffs, gearbox, clutch, or anything else that I have not considered). I assume the car with the original parts and engine was all specifically designed with the power ratios in mind, and changing the car's specifications changes the well calculated stresses and wear on the parts. Basically, I am a little concerned that the V8 engine affects the legendary Hilux longevity. What are other things to consider with such a conversion? Good and bad.

I live in Cape Town. Can anyone recommend a mechanic who specialises in these conversions? Perhaps any meetups that happen?
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by Mud Dog »

The best is to leave it with the original motor. Chances are that it will be slow on the open road though.

Mostly the guys do conversions to look for more power, but it's not required off-road and more often than not, the bigger motors do damage to the drive train (diffs, gearbox & half-shafts) ..... unless you drive it like a blouse. :D: Fitting an auto box helps save the drive train a bit.

The Lexus V8 is popular because its cheap to buy up 2nd hand from Jap Auto or Lextreme. Also, its an aluminium block which doesn't add extra weight to the front suspension and in some cases is even lighter than the original motor.

What 4x4 do you have?
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by HiluxNoobie »

Hi and thanks for the response.

Currently we (my family and I) are in the process of buying 4x4s. We just bought a Land Cruiser FZJ75. The bug has bitten and I decided to look for a Hilux. I prefer the old shape and I am looking to purchase one. I see a lot of them have the lexus engine, and our mechanic advised us against it for the aforementioned reasons (extra stress and wear on the parts).

Would you be able to give us some advice on what to look for and where to look? I have been looking at the double cabs 1987 model and this is right up my street. Any recommendations, or forums to ask?

Thanks
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by Mud Dog »

The older SFA (Solid Front Axle) Hiluxes are still the old "toughies" in the Hilux stable even though they're getting "long in the tooth". Many of them that are in a poor state of repair are scrapped for spares and those solid front axles are sought after by many off-road enthusiasts that build up / modify vehicles (even other brands) for the rougher stuff, so they're becoming more and more scarce. If you find one that's in a fair to good state of repair, grab it, - but fair word of warning, they still fetch a pretty good price and you could be looking at upwards of 80K. You can find some below that price but then you'd be looking at units that are going to need a fair bit of repair work.

To find one you have to keep your eyes open here on the forum (they sometimes come up for sale) and watch gumtree / OLX ads.
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by pietpetoors »

See you are in Cape Town. If you look at the old SFA look for rust at the roof, just above the gutters and the A-pilar in front of the windscreen. Also the bottom of the doors tend to rust.

The 1999-2005 2.7 Hilux is also a good option. They are bullet proof and the models between 1999 and 2003 dit not rust that easily. The 2.7 engine can easily to 500k km without problems.

Agree with Andy, you do a Lexus conversion for the fun and sound. Very few people manage to build a reliable touring vehicle, it is possible, but you must know what you are doing.
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by LouisZ »

Nothing wrong with the SFA Gearbox, Diffs and Side shafts, they quite strong. The Lexus in Bosbeer cant break those yet.

How ever, the rear propshaft needs good universals. Throw out the center bearing and make the prop one long one.

The steering box problem on these.

Move the box 30mm forward, make the drag link 30mm longer. Loosen up the steering shaft bolt at the top and slide it out a bit. You win 10mm between the power steering reservoir on the engine and power steering box.
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by Mud Dog »

Sorry Louis, I have to disagree based on what I have seen .... one snapped side-shaft (admittedly that can happen even with a smaller motor), two twisted side-shafts, a twisted prop-shaft and a number of stripped diffs and gear boxes. If you drive it sensibly and keep in mind that the drive train was not engineered for that amount of torque, you can mostly avoid damage. Unfortunately that doesn't always happen - most guys will want want to feel and hear that power, so the right foot gets heavier than it should and one doesn't always think of gearing down (4th and 5th are more vulnerable) before tramping the gas pedal if you're not thinking of the drive-train.

That said, I have also seen conversions that appear to have avoided trouble, but these are usually the conservative drivers that also rarely go off road. :winkx:
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by pietpetoors »

And then you get somebody like Swartvark who does not drive sensibly at all and does not break anything. So far ons his SFA which is a toy and the the standard 4y gearbox packed up and it's been something like 6 years now, I think.
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by HiluxNoobie »

Hi All

Thanks for all the information! Very useful. I will keep my eyes open for the 1999-2003 2.7 models. Seems like a good option. Do these models have the same reliable Solid Front Axle as the older ones?

I will look for the rust in the advised areas. Thanks.

I think I have had enough warning to stay away from conversions. I guess if you know what you are doing, then maybe*, but I'll stick to the stock standard engine. LouisZ, all of that stuff sounds rather complex and I think it's safer for a guy like myself to stay away.

The other reason for my like of the older models is because I have enrolled in a mechanics course (no where near my current profession) and I intend on working on simple engines. My rule is to eventually not purchase a vehicle I cannot reasonably repair myself (not talking about the big stuff). I saw a 1994 model on the sales channel on this site. Want to check if that is still going.
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by Mud Dog »

I will keep my eyes open for the 1999-2003 2.7 models. Seems like a good option. Do these models have the same reliable Solid Front Axle as the older ones?
No, the last Hilux SFA's were the 1998 models. After that they were all IFS (Independent Front Suspension). Don't be fooled, the IFS models were just as capable, just not as robust - the SFA can withstand a lot more rough abuse.
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by LouisZ »

This why we made this prop stronger Andy, used the stronger universals and removed the center bearing out of the picture. No prop twisting.

Side shafts break for different reasons, I only saw this one happening:

Once 4x4 rolled back a bit on an uneven incline, Driver puts foot, wheel bounced and snap the side shaft( was the local diff side shaft on the local diff) on the side the wheel bounced.

Yes gearboxes can break, yet still the G52 is still quite used a lot over seas for these crazy trail 4x4's in America. Its strong, easy to maintain and parts are cheap. Only downfall is the 5th, but like on lots of vehicles, don't tow in 5th.

Then diff's. Yes again they break. How ever the Import diff much stronger than the Local diff. If you really want to break them just jump the 4x4 in the air. Keep the throttle flat and see you diff gooooo. Or more plainly, drive with a warm diff through water and see what happens lol, over the past 15 years I saw more diff failures because of water damage than ones breaking.

Then if you want to convert, spend time doing the conversion, speak to guys that done it, hear what they have to say how they made it better. Then plan ahead. Also try if you can to do it yourself, you get to understand it better. Carefull with some that says he done it very cheap.

DONT try to save money and get it done the cheapest way, this is where you loose on the long end. :thumbup:
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by HiluxNoobie »

Very interesting stuff. Seems like a lot to think about.

Regarding conversions, does anyone have an opinion on such a vehicle posted here viewtopic.php?f=129&t=43384

It seems the person has put a 2.7 engine in. Does this not suffer the same concerns as stated in this thread? Any advice would be appreciated.
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by Mud Dog »

No, the 2.7 doesn't develop the same high levels of torque. It's also a very reliable motor - and it's Toyota so the resale is not as badly affected. My opinion is that it's a good buy for someone that is going to be doing some more serious off-roading. New, those ARB lockers alone are going to set you back in the region of 50K - the TrailGear dual X-fer cases probably close to the same, so there's already almost the full purchase price.
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by HiluxNoobie »

Ok. Thanks for the advice.
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by Rebel 4x4 »

What is the concern with chains?
grips wrote: Sat May 07, 2016 8:04 am
Buffel wrote:Vir my werk die Isuzu v6 box baie beter eks glad nie lief vir kettings nie met die 35" bf's is ek op 110kmh @ 1900/2000 rpm wat Groot verskil maak met fuel consumption op langpad . Ongelukkig vir die SFA met Groot bande raak dit taamlik scary hoe Nader Jy aan 200kmh kom so ek bly maar weg van daai nommers af.
Stem saam ek het geen liefde vir transfer cases met kettings nie. :D: Die 0.73 5de rat van die Isuzu is ideal.
Met ons 5de rat uit ruiling sal ons op `n 0.69 staan
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Re: SFA Hilux V8 Build

Post by Montie »

Hoppy wrote: Wed May 13, 2015 8:45 am As jy met amerikaanse V8's werk, sal jy weet dat n Chev V8 baie meer olie lek as n Ford V8, ek hou van my Ford V8's, al is hy bietjie duurder om te bou as n chevy.

Ek het hierdie een se 302 meer as 5 jaar gelede gebou, na baie track days lek hy nog nie n druppel nie.

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