V8 Conversion Kits, Kits, parts which is the best Options

[914gem]

All you V8 guys and guys that have built these pocket rockets which kit or combination of parts work best. Such as quality of parts, service, instructions, cost,ect. How about some testimonys and storys from V8 people about their cars, what they used and what they wouldn't use if they had it to do over again.

[chunger]

Get the Renegade radiator setup. It's worth the money.

Never heard any complaints about KEP's adapter and clutch components. They're good folks who know what they're doing. Parts are top notch

Stay far away from Red Dawg

Renegade Hybrids provides very good customer service and their kit components work well. They go out of their way to make you happy and make sure things are right. They're the only people presently updating the kit, testing, and trying to bring new conversion products to the market. . .well, at least of the major conversion guys.

Rod Simpson's the original kit guy. . . he's been selling the same parts and will continue selling the same parts. No updates in quite some time. Radiator setup is not bullet-proof. . . some have experienced serious problems with it.

If you're in the Bay Area, consider talking with Brad Roberts now with High Performance House. He's probably put together as many conversion cars w/ varied components as anybody out there.

plan on babying the stock trans AND breaking a few if you go that route. .. or, you can $tep up to the modified 930 or G50 gearbox. I got mine from Renegade and they do good work. . . but, if I were to do it again, I'd talk with Brad first. He appearantly might have a new method of machining the 930 box for our applications and has a source or a plan for custom R&P for G50 gearbox. If you plan to step up, budget in $5000 to do just the gearbox upgrade. . . no joke. That's what it costs (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)
Biggest problem right now for the upgraded trans is shifting it. It's either an elaborate custom tail-shifter setup or a cable shifter available from numerous sources. Renegade's cable clutch setup for the 930 is pretty slick utilizing the stock omega helper spring. My wife was able to easily work it w/ a 3200 lb. pressure plate. Other option is fab a hydraulic system to get your mechanical advantage.

Skip the 915. It's not as strong and not geared right for the V8 even though it's easier to reverse and Velios has a sideshift kit for it. Brad's pressuring them to do the same for the 930 box.

Pre-86 carburetted Small Block Chevy's fit. LT1's do not because of the front air intake. LS1's are in the works but there are no kits presently available for them. You'll have to fab a little. The actual engine adapters are available though. Appearantly you can reverse the intake on the LS1's to suck in from the back instead of the front. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

I'm piecing together a MPFI system on a pre-86 SBC from mostly Holley parts from their Commander 950 system which also (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif) 's. Using a Megasquirt homespun engine computer. Found it on Ebay. Don't think I'll regret it.

All the other chassis and brake mods are all over the forum. Pick your flavah. .. if you're building huge HP, don't forget huge brakes are not overkill.

-'Chung