VK motor questions

[Greenie]

gday i've just gotten my first car, a 84 VK calais and atm its only a 202 efi and its a lil slow
i know the norm is to dump a v8 of some shape or form in it but due to fuel prices (and being a little different) i was wonderin if its possible to whack in say a VR 6cyl and gearbox in it?
my mechanic said it wasnt possible because of the cars computer but hes an old fella and might not be 100% with the times.
If it is possible does anyone know what kind of price range i'd be looking at for the installation costs of the gearbox and motor (and anything else) i aint that car savvy.
cheers

[DANNY8]

It would be easier putting a V6 out of a VN/VP in it. The VR I think was a fraction wider from wheel to wheel. The strut mounts were also different, but apparently the older commodore style (the round 3 bolt ones) mounts just bolt up with no problems.

Another thing is that the VR had a computerised auto trans, so it's a lot more stuffing around.

If ur serous about the conversion, just buy a run down VN/VP commy and u should be able to do most of the conversion coz you'll have most of the bits.

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

Don't the VN-VR use the same basic engine? Apart from different series I thought they were all Buick 3.8lt, then the VS changed to the Ecotec. But as far as a conversion goes, it wouldn't be that hard. Swap the complete K frame and you will have no worries with it bolting in. Computer, wiring harness, trans and tailshaft have to be used as well. The only hard thing is shortening the tail shaft and fitting the VK rear yoke to it. Do a search on here, a few people have done it.

[DANNY8]

Yeah they use the same engine, but if ya use the kframe out of a VR it might be a little different, due to the width being a little wider. The EFI VK's had a borg warner diff, same as the VN's (except the VN's were wider and all had disks), so if u have a borgy under it already, or put a borgy under it ya should be fine. The borgy's are stronger to. Apparently the back end of a VK EFI tailshaft bolts up to the front of a VN tailshaft, so if thats the case then thats all u need to do, and it wont require shortening....but if it wont bolt up then you'll have to use the VN tailshaft and shorten it. Also, I rekon I've read that the V8 tailshafts bolt up to the VN tailshafts, so maybe get a V8 tailshaft and diff and use that combo.

[Greenie]

yea i dont know why i said vr when the car i got lined up is a mates vn.
thanks for the info but.
does anyone know how they go with the 3.8 in it?
any other ideas on cost of installation? I got a couple 2nd year apprenny mechanic mates who might be able to do a bit on the cheap.
cheers

[les82]

i'd say pretty damn good there are a few cars on this site with it done just have a look through "my rides" section

[Wrayza]

The front half of a VN tailshaft will bolt up with a vk rear half, but it depends on what sort of CV the vk shaft has. I've got a small collection of tailshafts and there were definately two different cv assemblies used over the vk's production.

[GMMAD]

Yeah they use the same engine, but if ya use the kframe out of a VR it might be a little different, due to the width being a little wider. The EFI VK's had a borg warner diff, same as the VN's (except the VN's were wider and all had disks), so if u have a borgy under it already, or put a borgy under it ya should be fine. The borgy's are stronger to. Apparently the back end of a VK EFI tailshaft bolts up to the front of a VN tailshaft, so if thats the case then thats all u need to do, and it wont require shortening....but if it wont bolt up then you'll have to use the VN tailshaft and shorten it. Also, I rekon I've read that the V8 tailshafts bolt up to the VN tailshafts, so maybe get a V8 tailshaft and diff and use that combo.

vk's haven't got borg warners they have big uni Salisbury like the v8 and they are disc its the vl that got borg warner

[defa]

series 2 vk had a borg warner diff in them. i use to know a fella who had a series 2 with a 202 and 5 speed and BW diff. i saw it for myself. i woudl be thinking that they would be 25 spline like vl's. so if that was the case ya should be able to put a 28 spline centre in it and use vl turbo axles..

[defa]

also. a mate of mine put a v6 and auto into a VH and said it was a piece of piss.

[vkberlina]

gday i've just gotten my first car, a 84 VK calais and atm its only a 202 efi and its a lil slow
i know the norm is to dump a v8 of some shape or form in it but due to fuel prices (and being a little different) i was wonderin if its possible to whack in say a VR 6cyl and gearbox in it?
my mechanic said it wasnt possible because of the cars computer but hes an old fella and might not be 100% with the times.
If it is possible does anyone know what kind of price range i'd be looking at for the installation costs of the gearbox and motor (and anything else) i aint that car savvy.
cheers

VR V6 will bolt straight in no worries using the factory engine mounts. There is alot of bull **** surrounding these conversions. The only issue you will have running a VR V6 computer is needing to edit out the BCM security parts out of the memcal, you can buy exchange memcals though (see Kalmaker for this).

No need to change cross member, front suspension etc. I suggest you source a written off VN-VS V6 from the writeoff auctions to source all the parts you need.

The computer and engine bay fuse box isnt that hard to wire up, your best to get a copy of the wiring diagram for the engine you have, I have the VK ones on my site.

If your going to buy a 4 speed auto, you will need to modify the transmission tunnel slightly to fit the auto, thats easy. If you use a T5 it will fit just fine. You will need to change the gearbox crossmember or you can buy one from HDT (www.hdt.com.au). You will also need a VSS to attach to the speedo cable to send signals to the engine computer talk to Kalmaker for this. You can then run a speedo cable from the gearbox to the transducer so your dash & cruise will still work. You will need to work out mounting for your cruise stuff ont he new engine.

Radiator wise just use a VK V8 radiator, High pressure power steering hose use the VR or whatever hoses get an end changed by Enzed to the VK fitting so it will bolt up to your rack.

If your running a Salisbury diff you can un bolt the later borgwarner tailshaft out of the VR and bolt the front part to your VK shaft. If your running a borgwarner diff best bet is to shorten one.

cost wise paying someone to do it might cost you as much as going out and buying a VR already drivable. If you do it yourself you can save yourself alot of labour costs.

cheers
Scott

[Tom_1569]

Ok. their is conversions kits available and the biggest hassle and most expensive part is the wiring looms. Now i dont see why they would make a conversion kit if it was all a straight engine change. tailshaft definitly different and will ur diff handle the new setup, also im pretty sure you need to get a different cross member for the gearbox and maybe different engine mounts. but theirs is conversion kits try castlemaine rod shop, some1 who has done this and no's what their talking about. Good luck
Cheers Tom

[defa]

as i said. my mate did his vh. all he did was changed the k frame and the motor went straight in. as for the x member. i can't remember what he used, but everything was bolted up. nothing cut and welded. he just chaned part of the tail shaft so it would fit. as for the wiring loom. he is an auto elec but said it is very easy to wire up. ya just use the vn loom and tap it into the other car. then ya just have to convert the speedo. that would be about the hardest bit i think.
it really isn't a very costly project.
i was talking to a bloke who put one in his kingswood panel van and said it didn't take him long. he had to cut the sump and pickup and turn them around, but he said that was about the hardest part. and use modified v8 engine mounts..
but anyway, that is a bit off the track.