Key Specifications

Spec	LJ (1972-1974)	LH (1974-1976)	LX (1976-1978)
Production Years	1972-1974	1974-1976	1976-1978
Manufacturer	General Motors-Holden's	General Motors-Holden's	General Motors-Holden's
Assembly	Elizabeth, South Australia / Dandenong, Melbourne / Pagewood, Sydney	Same	Same
Body Styles	2-door sedan, 4-door sedan	4-door sedan, wagon	4-door sedan, 3-door hatchback
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive	Front engine, rear-wheel drive	Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Construction	Steel unibody (monocoque)	Steel unibody (monocoque)	Steel unibody (monocoque)
Wheelbase	2,489 mm (98 in)	2,591 mm (102 in)	2,591 mm (102 in)
Overall Length	4,242 mm (167 in)	4,521 mm (178 in)	4,521 mm (178 in)
Overall Width	1,588 mm (62.5 in)	1,702 mm (67 in)	1,702 mm (67 in)
Overall Height	1,346 mm (53 in)	1,359 mm (53.5 in)	1,359 mm (53.5 in)
Kerb Weight (six)	1,050-1,100 kg	1,150-1,200 kg	1,150-1,200 kg
Kerb Weight (V8)	,	1,280-1,350 kg	1,280-1,350 kg
Kerb Weight (A9X)	,	,	~1,300 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity	54 L (12 imp gal)	59 L (13 imp gal)	59 L (13 imp gal)
Boot Capacity	~340 L (sedan)	~380 L (sedan)	~380 L (sedan), ~420 L (hatch)

Engine Specifications

173ci Holden Six (2,835 cc), LH and LX

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 6, OHV, 12-valve
Displacement	2,835 cc (173 ci)
Bore x Stroke	85.7 mm x 82.6 mm
Compression Ratio	8.0:1
Power	79 kW (106 bhp) @ 4,400 rpm
Torque	198 Nm (146 lb-ft) @ 2,000 rpm
Fuel System	Stromberg single-barrel carburettor
Block Material	Cast iron
Head Material	Cast iron

202ci Holden Six (3,310 cc), Standard

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 6, OHV, 12-valve
Displacement	3,310 cc (202 ci)
Bore x Stroke	92.1 mm x 82.6 mm
Compression Ratio	8.25:1 (LJ), 8.0:1 (LH/LX)
Power	100 kW (134 bhp) @ 4,400 rpm (LJ) / 89 kW (119 bhp) @ 4,200 rpm (LH/LX)
Torque	245 Nm (181 lb-ft) @ 2,000 rpm (LJ) / 231 Nm (170 lb-ft) @ 2,000 rpm (LH/LX)
Fuel System	Stromberg single-barrel or twin-barrel carburettor
Block Material	Cast iron
Head Material	Cast iron

202ci GTR XU-1 (3,310 cc), LJ Only

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 6, OHV, 12-valve
Displacement	3,310 cc (202 ci)
Bore x Stroke	92.1 mm x 82.6 mm
Compression Ratio	9.0:1
Power	132 kW (177 bhp) @ 5,600 rpm
Torque	268 Nm (198 lb-ft) @ 3,600 rpm
Fuel System	Triple Stromberg twin-barrel carburettors
Camshaft	Performance grind, increased lift and duration
Exhaust	Extractors, free-flowing system
Block Material	Cast iron
Head Material	Cast iron (modified, larger valves, improved porting)

253ci Holden V8 (4,146 cc), LH and LX

Spec	Value
Configuration	V8, OHV, 16-valve
Displacement	4,146 cc (253 ci)
Bore x Stroke	92.1 mm x 77.8 mm
Compression Ratio	8.6:1
Power	117 kW (157 bhp) @ 4,800 rpm
Torque	312 Nm (230 lb-ft) @ 2,800 rpm
Fuel System	Rochester 2-barrel carburettor
Block Material	Cast iron
Head Material	Cast iron

308ci Holden V8 (4,987 cc), Standard

Spec	Value
Configuration	V8, OHV, 16-valve
Displacement	4,987 cc (308 ci)
Bore x Stroke	101.6 mm x 77.0 mm
Compression Ratio	8.6:1
Power	130 kW (174 bhp) @ 4,600 rpm
Torque	362 Nm (267 lb-ft) @ 2,800 rpm
Fuel System	Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel carburettor
Block Material	Cast iron
Head Material	Cast iron

308ci SL/R 5000 / A9X (4,987 cc), Performance Specification

Spec	SL/R 5000	A9X
Configuration	V8, OHV, 16-valve	V8, OHV, 16-valve (blueprinted)
Displacement	4,987 cc (308 ci)	4,987 cc (308 ci)
Bore x Stroke	101.6 mm x 77.0 mm	101.6 mm x 77.0 mm
Compression Ratio	9.0:1	9.0:1
Power	138 kW (185 bhp) @ 5,000 rpm	155 kW (208 bhp) @ 5,200 rpm
Torque	378 Nm (279 lb-ft) @ 3,200 rpm	390 Nm (288 lb-ft) @ 3,400 rpm
Fuel System	Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel	Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel
Assembly	Standard production	Hand-assembled, balanced, blueprinted
Block Material	Cast iron	Cast iron
Head Material	Cast iron	Cast iron

Transmission Options

Transmission	Type	Gears	Applications
Opel/Saginaw	Manual	4-speed	LJ (six-cylinder)
M21 (Borg Warner)	Manual	4-speed	LH/LX (all), LJ XU-1
Close-ratio 4-speed	Manual	4-speed	XU-1, SL/R 5000, A9X
Trimatic (TH180)	Automatic	3-speed	LJ/LH/LX (six and V8)

Close-Ratio 4-Speed Gear Ratios (A9X)

Gear	Ratio
1st	2.54:1
2nd	1.86:1
3rd	1.38:1
4th	1.00:1
Reverse	2.54:1

Trimatic Gear Ratios

Gear	Ratio
1st	2.40:1
2nd	1.48:1
3rd	1.00:1
Reverse	2.08:1

Differential

Model/Engine	Ratio	LSD
173ci six (manual)	3.55:1	No
202ci six (manual)	3.36:1	No
XU-1 (manual)	3.55:1	Yes
253ci V8 (manual)	3.36:1	No
253ci V8 (auto)	3.08:1	No
308ci V8 (manual)	3.36:1	Optional
308ci V8 (auto)	3.08:1	Optional
SL/R 5000 (manual)	3.55:1	Yes
A9X (manual)	3.70:1	Yes (heavy-duty)

Suspension

LJ Front

Spec	Value
Type	Independent, double wishbone
Springs	Coil
Dampers	Telescopic hydraulic
Anti-roll Bar	Standard (GTR XU-1), optional (others)

LH/LX Front

Spec	Value
Type	Independent, MacPherson strut
Springs	Coil (integrated with strut)
Dampers	Telescopic (strut-mounted)
Anti-roll Bar	Standard (V8 and performance models), optional (base six)

Rear (All Models)

Spec	Value
Type	Live axle
Springs	Coil
Dampers	Telescopic hydraulic
Location	Trailing arms with Panhard rod
Anti-roll Bar	Standard (performance models), optional (others)

Steering

Spec	LJ	LH/LX
Type	Recirculating ball	Rack and pinion
Power Assist	Not available	Optional (V8 and Premier models)
Turning Circle	10.4 m (34 ft)	10.7 m (35 ft)

Brakes

Spec	Base (six-cylinder)	V8 Models	XU-1 / SL/R 5000	A9X
Front	Drum, 229 mm	Disc, 267 mm	Disc, 267 mm	Disc, 267 mm (ventilated)
Rear	Drum, 229 mm	Drum, 229 mm	Drum, 229 mm	Disc, 267 mm
Power Assistance	None	Vacuum booster	Vacuum booster	Vacuum booster
Handbrake	Mechanical, rear	Mechanical, rear	Mechanical, rear	Mechanical, rear

Electrical

Spec	Value
System Voltage	12V negative earth
Charging	Alternator
Battery	12V, 40 Ah (six), 50 Ah (V8)
Starter	Pre-engaged
Headlamps	Twin sealed beam, 5.75 in

Model Variants

LJ (1972-1974)

Variant	Engine	Key Features
S	173ci / 202ci six	Base model, vinyl trim
SL	173ci / 202ci six	Mid-range, improved trim
GTR	202ci six	Performance suspension, instruments
GTR XU-1	202ci six (triple carb, 132 kW)	Full performance, triple carbs, close-ratio box, HD suspension, front discs

LH (1974-1976)

Variant	Engine	Key Features
S	173ci / 202ci six	Base model
SL	173ci / 202ci six, 253ci V8	Mid-range, V8 option
SL/R	202ci six, 253ci / 308ci V8	Sporting, improved trim and suspension
SL/R 5000	308ci V8 (138 kW)	Full performance, 308 V8, 4-speed manual, HD suspension, front discs

LX (1976-1978)

Variant	Engine	Body Styles	Key Features
S	173ci / 202ci six	Sedan	Base model
SL	173ci / 202ci six, 253ci V8	Sedan, hatchback	Mid-range
SL/R	202ci six, 253ci / 308ci V8	Sedan, hatchback	Sporting
SL/R 5000	308ci V8 (138 kW)	Sedan, hatchback	Performance flagship
SS	253ci / 308ci V8	Hatchback only	Sport hatchback, body kit
A9X	308ci V8 (155 kW, blueprinted)	Sedan, hatchback	Homologation special, 4WDB, wide guards, close-ratio box

Performance (approximate, period road tests)

Model	0-100 km/h	Quarter Mile	Top Speed
LJ 173ci six (manual)	~15 s	~19.5 s	145 km/h
LJ 202ci six (manual)	~13 s	~18.5 s	155 km/h
LJ GTR XU-1 (manual)	~8.5 s	~16.0 s	190 km/h
LH/LX 253ci V8 (manual)	~10.5 s	~17.2 s	175 km/h
LH/LX 308ci V8 (manual)	~8.5 s	~16.0 s	195 km/h
LX SL/R 5000 (manual)	~7.8 s	~15.5 s	205 km/h
LX A9X (manual)	~7.2 s	~14.8 s	215 km/h

Fuel Economy (approximate, mixed driving)

Model	L/100 km
173ci six (manual)	10-13
202ci six (manual)	11-14
XU-1 (manual)	13-17
253ci V8 (manual)	13-16
308ci V8 (manual)	14-18
A9X (manual)	15-19

Service Intervals

Service Item	Interval
Engine oil and filter	5,000 km or 6 months
Spark plugs	15,000 km
Points and condenser	8,000-10,000 km
Distributor cap and rotor	20,000 km
Automatic transmission fluid (Trimatic)	30,000 km
Chassis lubrication (grease nipples)	5,000 km
Coolant	40,000 km or 2 years
Brake fluid	24 months
Valve clearance (six-cylinder)	10,000 km
Front suspension check	20,000 km

Engine Oil Specifications

Engine	Recommended Grade	Capacity (with filter)
173ci Holden six	15W-40 mineral	4.0 L
202ci Holden six	15W-40 mineral	4.5 L
253ci Holden V8	15W-40 mineral	4.7 L
308ci Holden V8	15W-40 mineral	4.7 L

Tyre Specifications

Variant	Original Size	Common Modern Replacement
LJ (six-cylinder)	6.15-13	175/80R13
LJ XU-1	175/70HR13	195/70R13
LH/LX (six-cylinder)	175SR13	185/75R13
LH/LX (V8)	185/70SR14	195/70R14
SL/R 5000	195/70HR14	205/70R14
A9X	235/60HR14 (rear), 205/70HR14 (front)	235/60R14 (rear), 205/70R14 (front)
A9X Rim Size	14 x 8J (rear), 14 x 6J (front)	Factory specification

Capacities

Fluid	Capacity
Engine Oil, Six (with filter)	4.0-4.5 L
Engine Oil, V8 (with filter)	4.7 L
Gearbox Oil (4-speed manual)	1.1 L (SAE 80W-90)
Trimatic Transmission Fluid	4.5 L (Dexron)
Differential Oil	1.0 L (SAE 90)
Cooling System (six)	7.6 L
Cooling System (V8)	9.5 L
Fuel Tank	54 L (LJ), 59 L (LH/LX)

Production Numbers

Model	Approximate Production
LJ, All variants	~80,000
LJ GTR XU-1	~1,700
LH, All variants	~75,000
LH SL/R 5000	~3,200
LX, All variants	~68,000
LX SL/R 5000	~2,800
LX SS Hatchback	~3,500
LX A9X Sedan	~210
LX A9X Hatchback	~195
LX A9X Total	~405

A9X Standard Equipment

Feature	Detail
Engine	308ci Holden V8, blueprinted, 155 kW
Carburettor	Rochester Quadrajet 4-barrel
Transmission	Close-ratio 4-speed manual (M21)
Differential	3.70:1, heavy-duty LSD
Front Brakes	Ventilated disc, 267 mm
Rear Brakes	Disc, 267 mm (four-wheel disc brakes)
Power Steering	Standard
Brake Booster	Standard
Suspension	HD springs, HD dampers, front and rear anti-roll bars
Rear Guards	Widened (flared) to accommodate wider wheels
Wheels	14 x 8J rear, 14 x 6J front (factory)
Tyres	235/60HR14 rear, 205/70HR14 front
Seats	Bucket seats
Instrumentation	Full cluster, speedo, tacho, oil pressure, water temp, ammeter, fuel
Production	~405 total (~210 sedan, ~195 hatchback)