I have imported a few of these insane engine & transmission packages, the one you are looking at right now is an Oldsmobile 455 cubic inch (7.5 ltr) bigblock engine coupled up to a turbo 425 auto but have a look under the left exhaust manifold, have a close look!! yes you are looking at the left side CV joint flange from the diff that is tucked under there, right side has a drive shaft that runs through a recess in the sump to another CV flange. Now picture this lot in an IRS Volkswagen??? INSANE or what?? these engines are becoming popular in the states with installations into Porsches. This engine comes out of a 1968 Oldsmobile Toronado "Front wheel drive " muscle car. So, this has got to get those wheels and cogs turning in ya hot rodder heads huh? cheers Frank

Hi

There was website around years ago with Cadillac Eldorado powered bug build up, I cant find it now.

The idea looks interesting, but I don't think the RTA would allow it in a bug, maybe a Kombi.

Steve

so what is the kw rating & is there a dyno chart ?

Might be a little heavy for a dub!

i want

so you would have to run this setup facing forward as per donor car? still doable in a kombi if you flick the torsion tube...would give better weight distribution than hanging south of the tranny

Perfect setup for a kombi, yes motor faces forward, and in answer to a previous question, the engine in the above pic is factory rated at 390HP one of these beasts in a kombi would sure as hell get everyones attention, especially with the front wheels 3 feet off the ground!! There was a 911 Porsche on ebay 6 months back with this engine & tranny combination, bidding got up to 20 grand on the second day and then it was removed from auction? Looking at the car you wouldnt tell that it was v8 powered except for the 7.5 litre badge below the whaleTail.

cast iron i assume? would be mighty heavy....
got any pics of one in a vw/attached to vw trans/suspension?

on another note, wow havent seen a set of those wheels for a loooonnng time and for good reason (FUGLY) kaos somethings i believe

Yes its heavy, Dont have any pics "YET" do have a KonDombi thats begging for it, so stay tuned!! as for weight, I am guessing around 320 kg, yes those wheels resembled the bonnet emblem on a KHIA, they got sold on ebay phewwww

I've seen a buggy and beetle converted to similar setups. But really, 390hp for 7.5l is not all that impressive. I'm guessing, like most big blocks, it's the torque figure that is where it's at. I spose getting another 300hp from that motor wouldn't be all that difficult either with a good set of heads or a turbo. Would make a great tow vehicle out of a bus. You could convert it over to LPG and it would be almost economical to run (with a bonus $2k rebate back from uncle Kev).

maybe you don't even need the 455...just the T425 box and transaxle could be adapted to any V8...even our LS3 commy

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=11051012938...

Yes you could adapt alot of engines, apart from fabricating an adaptor plate, one needs to modify the sump so the drivers side axle has clearance, plus fabricate right hand axle support housing from side of engine block and also, top of diff housing requires solid mounting to left side of engine block, Oldsmobile brought out a mid 90's model front wheel drive, similar tranny but with the alloy buick V6 220 HP, same engine as the dunnydore V6. Obtaining spare parts for these turbo 425 transmissions is not an issue as the majority of parts are from turbo 400's and there are 10's of thousands of them here in the land of Oz.

HS! This would be perfect (-ly terrifying) in my 1300kg kitcar, and would fit VERY nicely.

Go for it Mick... u know u want to
The sabre would have a 'tooth' then wouldn't it. Pack a nasty bite...

Okay have been playing in the workshop, grabbed a complete 74 kombi IRS rear end & positioned the V8 inside the irs as a mock up to see how everything aligns up, must say that it all looks good, yeah it might have some weight but a Kombi with V8 power with auto transmission, airconditioning, great heating system and the potential for power steering and running on straight LPG, (thats a mouthfull) would certainly be different. Great tow rig too. These big blocks run forever.

Bugger having dramas posting pics again

umm....umm...
WOW.