Alloy Heads

Okay, I'll ask as I don't know much about the Longchamp, does it run a 302 or 351 (if the latter a W or C)? I bet it's already good for unleaded, when we switched over in the UK it was pretty much a case of ignition timing changes. Being an Americn V8 I would have thought it to have been set up for unleaded anyway?

BTW, nice Avatar with the wide low stance from the rear.

Julian,

Thanks for the reply. The original Cleveland 351 in my GTS is set up for super (leaded) petrol and also as it has been worked over somewhat it can't run on regular unleaded. I have decided to go for the alloy heads as they are set up for unleaded fuel plus they have far better performance characteristics than the cast iron ones. Interestingly, I can get them relatively cheaply and only about $700 more than fixing my originals.

Thanks for the comment about the avatar image, I think one of the most interesting design features of the Longchamp GTS is that wide rear view.

Cheers, Stuart

Hi!

Transmitter man is currently upgrading to alloy heads on his Longchamp GTS(amogst other things..).

quote:

Interestingly, I can get them relatively cheaply and only about $700 more than fixing my originals.

Well I should hope so, you're in Australia where they make the best heads for the 351C! Either CHI or AFD, personally I prefer the CHI and they have plenty of choice in 2V, 3V or 4V depending on your aspirations.

Julian,

After your message I checked out the web sites for CHI and AFD, the Cleveland cylinder head options are awesome. I will need to have a chat with my mechanic about the best choice of heads to suit the mods of my engine.

I can't wait to get it back on the road and see how it goes, I only hope is that no Panteras get in my way! ha ha

Stuart

Glad you found what you needed and right on your doorstep.

BTW I lived in Newcastle, NSW between 2000 and 2003.

Stuart,

I'm halfway through building a 408 Cleveland stroker for my Longchamp utilising CHI 3V's and their matching dual-plane 4-barrel intake.

CHI's 3V combines the best from the iron 2 & 4V and of course saves a bunch in weight!

I'll second the great avitar.

Must get the camera out:-)

Good luck.

Phil

Phil,

Thanks for the specification on what your doing to your engine - the 3V head is an option I am considering as well. Your combination with 408 cubes, etc, etc will really give you some performance! I will finalise my alloy head spec tomorrow as my car is being worked on right now. I like the colour combination on your Longchamp, what have you used? My car also has black window frames etc, but being a later model (1982) this may have been a factory colour, I am not sure.

Stuart

The colour scheme is as I purchased the car a couple of years back.

I was told it was Aston Martin gunmetal grey - it seems out of the eleven Aston shades, mine has invented a twelth!

My car is an early series 3 car (Vin 3061) so our spec's should be similar, IE engine further back etc etc.

Yes, everything matt black on the trim. Looks good but once again it's how the car was on the day of purchase in Belgium.

They forgot to black the wiper motor chrome boss which starts to rust if I leave them for long without polishing. I'm intending to machine this item out of ali then black anodise.

You'll note also my recent headlamp conversion to GTSE spec.

The very last, if not the only 'GTSE' spyder lives local to me here in London belonging to DTDC chairman Ric Lee.

Phil

My Longchamp GTS is back on the road today after fitting the new alloy heads, and I can recommend to anyone considering this mod, the effort is definitely worthwhile! I went for the 4V heads with a new intake manifold (just fits under the bonnet (or 'hood' for those Yanks who may be reading this...) and used my existing 780 Holley, roller rockers, modified cam, extractors, etc. I am now going to fit a new 3" twin exhaust system. I followed my car home with the mechanic in the driving seat, and there is no doubt, it is a beast - the look and noise - and never having seen a Longchamp GTS driving on the road before.

Stuart

Stuart,

Have you had any chance to test how did it affect the balance of the car? How much does the stock 351C weigh anyway?

Jani,

That is a good question. I did not weigh the new heads before they were installed. The manufacturer says they are less that half the weight of steel 4V heads. I cannot say that I have noticed a handling benefit, but any less weight up front is a good thing. My Longchamp has modified suspension as it has been involved in tarmac rallies, and consequently I get little understeer. In fact, I think Longchamp GTS's handle extremely well, except in the wet with all the power and 11" wide rear rubber!

Stuart

Stuart,

What are you going to do about the 'very' restrictive headers?

Phil

Phil,

I do have headers (I used the term 'extractors' in a previous forum post)so that side of things should be ok. I need to put the car on a dyno though to get the best balance of fuel/air and timing as I do not think I am at optimum output yet. I am not sure what bhp I will get at the wheels, what are you anticipating with your engine?

Stuart

I missed the 'extractors' post.

I've not decided yet which way I'm going to go read exhaust manifolds.

I can get a custom system made but they are not going to be inexpensive.

Surely you're not using the stock manifold?

Can you get any aftermarket manifolds in Aus that fir in the very tight space in our cars?

The other option that Mike Drew suggested to me ecently are some after market headers which hug the block and are designed for tight spaces. They are around $300.00 in the states.

Custom ones from the very best in the business here in the UK will cost around $3,000.00 US$ ouch.

These guys are the best:

http://www.simpsonraceexhausts.com/page10.html

Phil

Phil,

I will look into any Australian sources for tubular extractors that fit a Longchamp. In addition to mine, I know of a couple of other Longchamps in Sydney that run them as well, so I am fairly sure that they are not all custom built, even though (in my car's case)they are a very tight fit. I can e:mail you some images of my installation if you like. I think with your newly modified engine, it will definitly need exhaust manifolds better than the originals.

Check this site for the effect on the dyno for a W351: http://www.bestmufflers.com/Information/Custom%20System...sor%20extractors.htm There is also images on this site of exhausts for the C351

Stuart

Stu,

Nice finsh on most of their headers?

If you can make enquiry's as to any aftermarket headers for the Longchamp I'd appreciate it.

Custom ones will bancrupt me.

Phil

Phil,

I talked to an exhaust specialist and he said my extractors are definitely custom built. They are 4 into 2 into 1 but are nothing really special (not tuned length or stove enamel, etc)and I am sure you could get some made up for not too much in Old Blighty.

Anyway, I will put the word out for some on your behalf as there are quite a few Longchamp owners and spares in Sydney (relatively speaking!) and you never know your luck.

Stuart

Hi Stuart,

Thanks for that info.

No, you're wrong. This is not called 'ripoff Britain ' for nothing. Just change the dollar sign for a GB pound sign and you get the picture at 2 x US$ to 1 GBP.

One of your countryment has put his Longchamp Spyder up for sale and very nice it looks too. Maybe you know the guy. It's posted on one of our popular automotive forums.

I've just noticed it's no longer there. I think someone must of snapped it up:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/list.asp?s=42

Phil

Phil,

I know a couple of local De Tomaso enthusiasts that wanted to buy the car at around the asking price ($50,000). But I understand that the owner decided to keep the car instead of selling it. Apparently it was a nice car.

Interestingly, one of the potential buyers just bought a mid 80's Longchamp Spyder in 'E' configuration. But this car needs a fair amount of work.

Stuart

Stu,

AFAIK the 'E' was tagged on the end of GTS, ie GTSE and was for just the last 6 Longchamps produced between 86 and 88, two of which were converted into spyders.

Roger Brotton here in the UK has a very poor condition black coupe which could possibly be a GTSE in as much as it has not just the arches but the running boards which were unique to the GTSE cars.

I believe it has a factory metal sunroof also as all options were thrown into these last six cars.

Just my 2p, your mileage may vary.

Get all your Aud friends on here so we can help one another to keep these babies on the road.

Phil
79 Longchamp GTS 3061