Engine Rebuild or Crate Motor ??

[Tom75HJ]

Have a 253 that was running, 18months ago when it came out. Since then it has sat on shed floor un loved collecting dust.
The time has come for it to be replaced in the chassis.

Currently looking at sourcing a Supra 5 Speed Gearbox to put behind motor. Long distance country cruising

Motor is going to need a freshen up so am after some ideas as to which way to go in the engine department.
Currently located in Country SA

Thanks for your help in advance

[wbute]

If you are going with the 253, the simplest things for a big improvement are;
Standard top end rebuild if it's worn
4 barrel manifold and quadrajet carb
Mild cam
Leave the standard size vales in the heads
Blue motor electronic ignition
Extractors and a nice twin system

[Vombil]

sound advice there

[Valencia]

If you are going with the 253, the simplest things for a big improvement are;
Standard top end rebuild if it's worn
4 barrel manifold and quadrajet carb
Mild cam
Leave the standard size vales in the heads
Blue motor electronic ignition
Extractors and a nice twin system

Nailed it

[Davestown]

Make sure that you can run it on Unleaded without additive and if possible regular unleaded.

[Vombil]

maybe dont get too carried away with the size of the exhaust. go too big and they sound shite

[maxsandman]

As above for a rebuild.... Or, leave it on the shed floor & grab a VN 5.0 litre + manual box. Fairly cheap and easy to find & go quite well. Otherwise a later LS engine, they go hard, but don't look the best under a HQ-Z bonnet (in my opinion)
B.T.W. I have a HZ ute with 253 + supra bpx, & don't like the ratios much

cheers
Max

[Vombil]

i had 308 with supra and 3.55 lsd. drove really well. first gear was a little short

blokes i know bought a running 304 and T5 in a VR ute yesterday at auction for $450. hard to go wrong there

[jason.ruff]

253 is a sweet LITTLE motor. You can extract some awesome performance. But if you don't have a machine shop, go big or go home. Sorry but I have spent over 100 hours in a machine shop to get what I want. Go 308, stroke it if you have to but bang for buck do your homework.
Should have asked if it is the original motor ?

[Tom75HJ]

Thanks wbute and Vombil.

That's pretty much nailed what I am after.
Mild cam and carby change.


Its just the costing of doing rebuild verse pick up turn key motor.

- - - Updated - - -

i had 308 with supra and 3.55 lsd. drove really well. first gear was a little short

blokes i know bought a running 304 and T5 in a VR ute yesterday at auction for $450. hard to go wrong there

Would you by any chance remember what box it was ???