This is my LC torana.

Original Specs:

Holden Red 202
Cain Manifold/500 Holley (i think it had been jetted down)
Lumpy cam
Standard Ignition
2" pipes to Autotechnica twin 3" tip exhaust
Aussie 4 speed

Introduction: I purchased it in late 2004 in the following condition. It had been riced up with tacky bolt ons and interior. First job is to get the interior away from the awful blue. "Performance" stickers were stuck to random places on the exterior were removed asap!

Front view when I first purchased it.
Side view

Interior. Notice the tacky alloy blue checkerplating *spew*
Removed the front air dam and bonnet scoop.


Removed interior checkerplating and re-vinyled upper door trim passenger side.
Sprayed glovebox black.
Speaker boxes sitting in rear footwells.

Intake Upgrade
I had been offered EFI from a VK Commodore decided to mod the current motor (red) to suit. (info on the conversion. www.oldholdens.com) We transplanted the head whilst in the car. Installing the new head caused some troubles when the rockers were fouling on the heater box, they were removed and installed later. Power was run to the boot to power the vk fuel pump. A new fuel line was run as the feeder line and exising line was used for a return, finally returning into tank via fuel filler connecting hose. Cutting the lower pipe sections off allowed a 2 peice setup to to installed. Fitting up the extractors caused troubles when the commodore extractors fouled on the crossmember. Shaving of the cross member was needed to clear the pipes. New cable type accelerator was installed. A broken electronic sensor on the throttle body was the cause of starting troubles. A 2nd hand sensor found at the commodore shop. Once the beast had fired a quick trip to the exhaust shop for a new redback resonator and pipes. It fired and ran fine for a few weeks until the head gasket went. New gasket installed. After approx 3000km the motor was showing tiring symptoms, oil leaks over heating.

New Motor

I decided to buy a VH 202. for next to nothing and pulled the engine out of it. The block was dipped and machining done to components. It was put on a stand and built with a reconditioned head, large valves, new springs, warm cam, and all unleaded converted. The engine was all assembled, fresh gearbox, shifter, clutch and pressure plate bolted on. Once the red motor was hoisted out of the car the engine bay received a quick degrease and fresh motor promptly dropped in. Soon to realise the commodore water pump was too long for the LC, the pump was pulled off and in its place a red type pump. Double checked everything and fired her up!

Here are some specs.

3.3L blue block :
60 thou;
9:1 compression;
Unleaded pistons;
Starfire Rods;
Linished Crank;
Wade 818 grind cam

Fuel Injection 12 port head :
slightly ported;
Enlarged valves;
New springs;
Unleaded seats;

Electronic Ignition
VK Electric Fuel Pump
Aussie 4 speed