19th Oct 2003, 03:51

I have just turned 18 and bought a spotless 1979 HZ vacationer. Its got a 253' V8 which has just been rebuilt and its very reliable and goes pretty well, but its just a little more sluggish than I would like!

Does anybody have any any information regarding a quick (cheap) performance step up?

I am looking forward to shooting past some Jap 4 cylinders!

27th May 2004, 18:28

As a matter of fact, there is nothing wrong with the four c. my mum owns a little rice burner Honda civic and it has the best acceleration I have ever seen in a stock 4 C car.

Anyway I am buying a HZ 4.2 v8 for my first car and I'm only paying $2000 for it off a mate. But id have to say that the difference between a HZ and a 1997 Honda civic is only the acceleration and a small $2000 - $30,000 price difference.

5th Jun 2005, 02:14

I just brought a Hz wagon with a 253 v8. I was just wondering how I can give it a bit more power without spending to much money on it and any other information.

4th May 2006, 02:48

It's fair enough to be keen about your car, but please don't write posts about dragging off 4 cylinder cars in a 253 Holden. I have owned and driven many 253 Holdens, and they just weren't built for racing. As for dragging off a VL six or V8, well dream on, and don't try to tell us that you did, because you didn't OK. If you're going to talk about your car, be realistic.

18th Jul 2006, 06:04

I have owned a 1979 HZ for over 12 years, and had a mildly worked 253 in it for 7 years with a M21 gearbox. Shifting through the gears does not give that much acceleration, but when in top gear from 100 to 160km/h, it goes like a rocket overtaking trucks, B doubles or roadtrains. From my experience, they are at their best in top gear.

22nd Sep 2006, 00:44

Listen to you all just get a 350 and stop playing around with go cart engines.

17th Nov 2006, 18:40

I suggest you get out of the dark ages and drive a car built after 1995.thatll bring toy into reality.

21st Nov 2006, 03:22

Umm a 253 with trimatic WILL make over 200km/h stock in a HZ sedan, I was in the car when it hit 200, and further on 220.

If you guys are only making 160 then I dunno what you are doing

Don't let it shift for you, if it's auto use it like a manual 1 - 2 - D or in the Kingswoods case L - S - D, shifting at 5500rpm each time.

30th Jan 2007, 01:14

I have a 1978 Hz Ute with a 3.3 VH motor with 350 Holley goes really good, but I won't a v8 and I am getting a reco 253 and I'm going to put vp 5.0 liter heads on it because they will give it a 100 more hp and I am going to put a big Holley on it.

5th Feb 2007, 04:40

200 klms per hour out of a 253?Now I've heard it all.

29th Aug 2007, 17:42

Yeah 200kph is true, 220 basically isn't, 200kph 1:1 top gear and the "Economy" Diff at 2.60, you do the maths 4600RPM, 200kph.

160 is a nice speed, doesn't rev the crap and yeah, personally I have a 202 6 Cyl with the 3.36 diff. 100kph is comfortable, 120kph is basically max, 130-140 the old girl screams like mad. But that's the standard model.

Look for a car with the 3.08 Diff or 2.60 for top speed, 3.55 to eat VL's etc up to 100kph, but that's it cause of the top gear 1:1 ratio. VLs etc have over drive 0.74:1, but often have a 3.36 diff top speed 230kph ish.

17th Dec 2007, 14:23

A big enough, long enough road, a 186 will do 200 until she blows. they rev like no other.