RESTO or RESTOMOD - Which Would You Choose?

In this episode, we are talking about things to consider when deciding what sort of build to undertake, and a couple pros and cons of each kind of restoration.
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[@drad81]

The old 253 sounds so good.

[@valiantmatt8947]

Fucking oath heaps better

[@bluroket]

Someone actually talking about the real cost of engineering properly, well done!

[@cshep1531]

when I was younger modify modify modify but now I would love an old cruiser as close as stock as possible that's why I love the green machine. A few minor mods but looks classic

[@scod3908]

Hardware, hoses, piping, mounts, wiring, connectors, engineering, fluids, gaskets, all adds up.

[@markgriffin4888]

I'm 70yr old, doing up an FJ sedan with a 186 5sp, even that, I'm jumping through hoops to engineer it, can't imagine how much hassle it would be if I was doing a v8 conversion!!! I'm old, I prefer the GTS look-alike 😆😆😆 PS --- I already have three v8s, so that's why I'm going old school with the FJ

[@davidmackieson4609]

253 308 or proper 350 don't need an engineer's in a HQ

[@johnhutchinson9714]

My first V8 was a brand new HG 253, loved that motor. Both of your cars sounded like a V8 should, both great cars. Now I enjoy cruising in my SSV, saves a lot of work, although, I'd have a HQ GTS Monaro, fully restored, if I could afford one. Too dear these days. Keep up the great work fellas.

[@aussieausdeutschland4245]

253 wins for the sound. Actually Holden V8s are the BEST sounding V8 that General Motors have produced.

[@bradfordblowthe1193]

The 253 sound was dubbed over the police interceptor in mad max. The best sounding V8 we had

[@aussieausdeutschland4245]

@@bradfordblowthe1193 really?

[@JAStheACE]

In my world driving a HQ is a good day and if you are fortunate enough driving an XY is equally a good day, especially if you own both, funny how Ford parts end up in Holden's quite frequently, or chev shit lol. Cheers boys enjoy what you have achieved. Cheers.

[@sheel2]

253s just always sound so good. They aren't the fastest engines, but it's hard to beat their sound.

[@guhoon]

I had a slightly modified one in my old HX prem, and it sounded great with the dual exhaust and did manage to embarrass lots of cars that their owners underestimated the old 4.2L. And it was always fun hearing it screaming away to almost 6000rpm 😆

[@peterolsen9131]

the trick is to have a "split note" twin system with NO balance pipe to interfere with that sweet sound of the two banks individually

[@sheel2]

@Peter Olsen I've set up my 5L just like that with 2.5 inch pipes and hooker aerochambers. Hopefully it'll sound mint

[@Fletch614]

I’ve had a couple of both 308 sounds better 🫶🏼

[@bradwk7606]

Can't beat old school, just love that exhaust note

[@jessbrand5079]

I like the way the green car is done, original with the mod cons 👍 and you can put a tough 308 in place of the 253 then you’ve got the best of both worlds

[@jordzhowlett4719]

Mannnnn that 253 gets me keen to get my kingswood done. I’m a sucker for ls had a few but for me it’s 253 all day for cruising and sounded good! Great vid dudes!

[@94surf]

Awesome episode!!! Kicking my self for not grabbing a 253 for my Q years ago. Can’t find one now for under $2K! You couldn’t give them away in the 90s!!!

[@chilligoz]

The grandpa hat on the back shelf is the best😂

[@andrewbrown9460]

I’d go the green Q, stock with just a few mods for more enjoyment. Love it.

[@notold37]

I'm more on the resto side of the fence, I've done 2 cars, TX Gemini 1975 and a VK Commodore wagon, kept the paint standard, but your HQ's sound bloody nice, and were ever you guys are, the country side is beautiful, cheers from Melbourne

[@mackey2680]

Resto I’m doing up my HZ panel van and it has mad patina, removed the surface rust and going to remove the heavy rust and keeping the 202 Love the video guys your awesome for doing all that work 👌🏼

[@Seiskid]

Both great cars. Personally RESO with upgraded brakes.

[@thundercunt8303]

Go the fluffy over LS everyday

[@alt7488]

cool name bud :)

[@benjohnson7170]

Two Tickety 3 aka Thong slapper. Sounds cool as. And looks great.Love it....But suprisingly Mums LS sounds great for something with a wrong firing order.😆

[@TheTeeroy32]

I prefer the Green Qy myself, I'd just put a 308 with some efi heads. That way it wouldn't be quite as slow. Oh and a twin spinning LSD instead of the single pegger "LSD".

[@andyjames2082]

39.33 Loki is magic 😁

[@desmondwright5463]

Is as shame there's no more Speco Thomas cams for the 253 as they used to be a 7500 rev beast with YT heads and Lukey exhaust . Down shift at @5000 then send it, sound way better then LS. Enjoy your show, keep enjoying what you both are doing.

[@DADZGARAGE]

Great comparison guys. I have a LS1 1967 Mercedes and have driven it from Melbourne to Brisbane and Brisbane to Canberra and back with great reliability and fuel economy. That said i plan to fit a 253 in my HT Premier. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Love your videos guys.

[@andrewdraper9275]

can you guys do a walk around video of all the cars in the fleet? Especially the ones we dont see much of (nathens XE for example)?? would love to see more of it

[@79series]

That 253 has a good bit of poke and sounds crispy as. T5 makes the whole car. The gold hq coil overs have you guys bouncing heaps. I built my old holden and keeping the bench and column shift was a must. Great effort and vid blokes.

[@davidmacfadyen165]

This was really nice to see. Thanks hack shop

[@davidcaldwell7868]

Resto mod for me.lsq would be even better with a big cam and a converter to match great episode guys

[@stevenJEDI3]

Another good video I must say both cars sound really good it’s just one of those things you need to have a couple of HQ parked in the garage and then you happy

[@nickgalea82]

I love the 253 but if I had to choose one I'd go the LS swapped. Just for being a car that if I wanted to I could drive every day. In a perfect world, I'd have the mechanical setup, mod cons and Centrelines of the restomod, but with GTS trim and silver with orange stripes for paint. My pop had a mild 253 in his HZ Premier when I was a kid and they just have such a unique sound to them.

[@farkenfigjam8732]

You just can't help but smile at the sound of the 253. It just sounds sooo good. I'm don't usually like the LS but honestly it suits the car. When the LSQ went past in the drive-by I was like "yeah the LS suits it".

[@alt7488]

never late in a 308.....

[@wayne6737]

Gerday mate, wow, if I had my wish and chance I'd go for a resto of my HJ Sandman Panelvan in yellow. Oh lordie I loved that car, bought it new, but then that Kombi I bought new in 73, well hell. I'd take em all. Im greedy. Peace out. Wayne

[@paulfisher1730]

Boys as always love the content! Even managed to throw a Commonwealth games reference in so it’s Gold for you guys on that!! But the two tickety tree is a winner for me sounds like an 8 and goes like a 6.. Keep up the great work guys

[@rodsteendam3169]

Love the videos. I prefer Old school resto. Ps please fix the drivers seat belt, in the GTS. You need to un-twist it. Triggers my ocd every time you drive it. 😉

[@matttodd3778]

So enjoyable guys, two absolutely beautiful old girls. I'll take the 253, sounds so good!

[@davidclements2465]

love my old school 308 ute. Smiles for miles!!

[@justinschultz4797]

Resto Mod, Factory looking but with a few driving inprovements. Like steering, brakes and transmission and fuel system, like the Gts but not as far as the LSQ

[@maton1982]

gorgeous hard to pick

[@treybaxter180]

Proof that "Bigger is Better". Twin Superchargers on a 1970 Chevy C10 pickup

[@MickMcN]

Was aiming for a resto with my 1984 Holden WB ute. But has turned into a restomod build.

[@thetruthfromdownunder421]

Resto mod, mock with big hp anyday over a set of plates with old underpowered driveline. 🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@garyreynolds2218]

I'm a traditionalist. I like a bog stock matching numbers car. But if not practical due to many engine changes/ gearbox changes etc. I would go a stock looking V/8 4 speed conversion. Both cars a great sound good look good but me I'll go the GTS replica.

[@brassashtray6612]

Question: how old does a car have to be before you can get away with “patina” ? 🤔 I’ve seen Vl commodores with faded paint but beautiful engine bays but I’m not sure if it’s cool or they just can’t afford paint

[@alt7488]

i know what your saying with mods, years ago on one of my hz ute builds i found some cheap v8 extractors, and been semi young and keen and having access to a hoist for a afternoon decided to fit them, long story short extractors ,trimatic autos and column shifts need a special rod to fit properly, finding this out and finding the supplier/s in those days wasn't a simple google search on the mobile like today

[@barryblackmore6080]

Restomod for me, only just though. Plenty of good resto's out there.

[@shaunhinton3691]

Seen one at the summernats burnout comp reving 9400 soounded sweet 🤙easier to balance a square engine .

[@richardpilla5524]

You don't need engineers for a 9 inch diff if you use the factory control arm mounts because it's a classed as a direct bolt in. Resto mod is the go for me.

[@bartchanloup655]

I'm currently building a resto Ht Prem, 308, Trimatic with a Banjo. I agree for the ease of no engineering restoration all the way.

[@kylebagnall4637]

Sick episode guys.

[@itslockiemate]

Resto for sure!

[@jamespavier1624]

Great video both cars are awesome, I had an HQ 253 as my first car good times👍

[@markbithrey3635]

I would love to resto mod every old car but on the other hand I appreciate the resto and the feel of an old original car

[@claytonpunter6555]

Restomod for me, it’s too hard to do a proper resto, for all the reasons you said. My first car was a hq sedan gold with white roof, so every time I see the lsq I get half chub. If I had the money I would have brought it when it came up for sale in a heartbeat

[@paulcost6446]

Love them both, wondering what happened to the 308 panel van ?

[@JAStheACE]

I'm about 11 minutes in and yes, expect to double what you initially thought, i'm looking at speedhut gauges for my HQute with a home made ally flat sheet housing as finding anything HQ in good nik is dollars, and i'm the one looking at it, so it's to please me not others. Good show boys.

[@ashmiles848]

The 2sh!ty3 sounds mint 👌

[@MattyWillo]

Restomod. Older cars allow you to really express yourself and your creativity, so to let that show through custom fab and parts is the funnest thing about them imo!

[@67wogval]

Green one sounds better although both sound good. The 253 i believe has always been a stout under rated engine, that one sounds great with the cam it has in it. The LS is nice and a great engine but i dont think nice enough to justify the dramatic cost increase.

[@rayseal1099]

Agree the 253 was a great motor..problem was too many wankers put a 650 holley in them. Something like 390 4 barrel on a proper 4 barrel manifold not a 2 barrel conversion.worked great

[@alt7488]

@@rayseal1099 390's and 465 holleys where always hard to find, even back in the day, a 600 or 650 holley, or even a quaddie well you could nearly trip over them

[@robmotown1]

Double cost of a build is so so true…. Sometimes triple and if it’s a long term build…..quadruple because you buy things and then end up not using them because newer/ better things are available!!! E.g. I have an N/A setup, a twin turbo setup and a nitrous setup for my car!!! All top shelf parts ….Turbo setup is also blow through carb and Holley efi…..stealth throttle body and Wilson throttle body multiport!! I’ve gone mad!!! Someone please help me!!!

[@halayeous]

I fall somewhere in the middle - while I can appreciate a numbers matching, concourse style restore I think you'd end up being too scared to enjoy it. On the other going down the LSQ path I can't imagine I'd ever daily it so it would seem a bit of a waste to take advantage of the reliability. I think the 253 / 5 speed / sniper is a great compromise, longer term looking at going down a similar path in my HZ ute but for now the 202 it came with is gonna get a freshen up to get it on the road as quick as possible...

[@julianalderson3938]

Yer 60 grand' does take away those annoyin yet great times fixin stuff with a bro n few coldys' or like my just what ya can fix. Good vid cheers

[@1080LT]

What would each cost to do or sell for now? After owning at 69 HT Premier with an old 308 I'd probably go the restomod (with air con 😅)

[@adamjames2598]

I added the 253rd like. That should say something.

[@Mudgrove]

It's a tough choice fellas. Restomod can be a sleeper, Grandpa spec... old shell with modern reliability & creature comforts. Then there's resto.... which can mean "unmolested" or "survivor" = re sale future value. Depends on what you start off with too. If it's a basket case, then it's a blank canvas. If it's in too good a nick to butcher then you gotta do the sums... what's it worth if I sell it when I'm done? Answer for both is probably never what you sunk into it...... see it's so easy to get splinters in yer bum sitting on the fence. Your car your choice. What ever your vision is... keep to it and see it through. It's built to your satisfaction, your opinion and nobody else's. Quick example a guy I met at a show had a G-pak torana. Was going to do the SLR clone thing.... but decided not to. Ends up the ugly Duckling is now a cash cow. And here's silly me with a 8 years ago $1k VN Calais gutted like a fish as organ donor to a sreet rod. Knowing the value now... that $1k car if left alone could have fetched $20k...... I think we all need a crystal ball and a magic wand in our tool boxes.

[@kevinhamling1963]

Hey guys, Q. Kermit did the Ford transmission need to have a engineers inspection done. I'm going through all this at the moment with my 63 vw beetle. And as you've said it's a lot of work, is it worth it . I think it is. The end results can be awesome. Great video ✌🏻

[@johnlloyd1028]

Id go restore but with the biggest and baddest factory options available ie 350 cuin with 350 Turbo trans and 12 bolt rear should be no problems with engineering as all factory!

[@Doogie9plus22]

Both cars sound great, look great and drive great, you guys have done a great job on both cars, I’d choose the GTS but only just.

[@troyveivers5208]

Well done guys. Good impartial review. Awesome cars

[@julianalderson3938]

Think the mod. Few years back love all the fast looking gts type cars, bro now rekon like the older more humble that goes really well. Just me cheers'

[@treybaxter180]

BLOWN 540 BIG-BLOCK HEMI-POWERED VG VALIANT

[@mattyosborne1453]

I like the idea of restomod. Something old school but with current day modern EFI standards and reliability

[@Rob_hsv]

The LSQ would more be classed as a sleeper i rekon, love em both, main thing is they’re being enjoyed!

[@guhoon]

I’ve been tossing up the pros and cons of this exact thing with my HQ coupe. Problem is it had the original 308 replaced with a 350 before I bought it so the “keep it original” idea is already out the window. And I figure if I’m going to throw 50k at a build why not throw a bit more and go the LSA, big brakes and 9 inch route and have al the power I could ever need plus ac and modern reliability. Just need to win powerball to finance it 😬 💸

[@poydapoyderson646]

Future project. Can you please put an air con in the hq or the sandman? Maybe one aftermarket and the other factory style. My brother in law worked for the company that supplied these to Holden and he said the systems were actually quite good... Not to say they didn't look a bit ugly under the bonnet and rob some power, but he reckons done right they are very cold. I'd love to know how. They're like a friggin mystery to me, don't really understand them even after it's explained to me.

[@sojaded]

You sure that squeak isn’t that key ring rattling agains the back of the rear vision mirror? I chased a clunk in rear suspension for a few weeks until I realised it was a d shackle on my tow bar flopping around…

[@andyjames2082]

I've read that old gemini motors are good for 10psi! Here's the challenge, I'll donate an Elite 750 if you go boost 👍

[@michaelnoyes4817]

Green 1 for sure

[@GarageItYourself]

Ah yes, vehicle engineering in Australia is total bollox and Victoria is one of the worst for BS costs. As a comparison retrofitting 3 point inertia seatbelts, seats from a different vehicle and front suspension mods is AU$2100 all up. $600 initial inspection and then $600 final inspection and $300 to do the 'paperwork' for each mod. No expensive CAD or road testing required. In the UK the IVA test that tests the entire vehicle and whatever mods have been done is less than AU$600. The pissing match between VIC, NSW and QLD has also not helped with engineering and god help anyone who moves a modified vehicle between states.

[@bubbaC501]

Serious question, the bin with the purple lid, what's it for??

[@BigCam545]

Love them both but im more into the RESTO great job fella's 👍🏻

[@bradfordblowthe1193]

When are T shirts and Hoodies available for pre order?

[@SmoothAzzMania]

1 other option is period correct mods. Love both of the Q's you guys prefer the manual though.

[@Chopper1392]

253 for me!

[@paulinehayes1334]

I see the LS Q is up for sale on carsales?

[@fooquestionmark]

I think the answer is one of each.

[@michaelreincastle2690]

Great vid guys .. Both are awesome but im into the original resto

[@dylank8204]

Resto mods are good but something about a period correct engine in an old girl that I just love. That old school sound 👌🏻💨

[@LRogan520]

Resto mod is my thing, but out of your absolute rippers cars love them both, but ol' GTS mock up is my choice ..

[@aarondow1614]

When will you have more hoodies?

[@ronsmith6041]

Sure that squeaking is not the keyring on the back of your mirror in the LSQ?.

[@MR66HD]

Restomod i love newer stuff in an old body not necessarily the motor tho

[@markwitchard3811]

Hey Blokes Great content. After Having the Holley Sniper on for a while now Is it worth the $ as an upgrade. Got a 308 with Mild cam/ performer Manifold/ extractors. Do you think the Sniper upgade is good value performance wise and Value....

[@hqwoody327]

I've done both, and definitely prefer Resto.

[@andyjames2082]

Nathan: there's dust and stone chips but I don't care 🤣

[@mwitachacha7522]

I love the centreline wheels on the yellow HQ. Also has the better engine and imagine that one with an OTR intake and tune. It would be an absolute riot ! The gearbox is ok but would still prefer a manual behind the LS1. The GTS looks great in its original form as well as the interior. And its a manual ! I think the LSQ sounds like a deeper rumble and the GTS more old school but good. Overall I'll call it a draw.

[@RB30LJ]

Restomod all the way!

[@hvh3087]

hey guys, what app are u using for the 0-100 speed test. Very keen to try on my VH 355

[@davidmackieson4609]

Resto any day restomod takes the purity out of it an the value

[@petergill8819]

Can’t beat oldschool sound are used to call 253s A thong slapper I had one they absolutely scream Utan anything old school sounds better than an LS

[@peterhatch1583]

Im in America like me a H.Q wagon o what we could do to it here!!