VK V8 options and brake/diff upgrades

[zaczac]

Guys, just trying to sus out a few of my options and one is to go V8 into 85 VK that has 202 6 in her.

What are the best fits? and what type of engine (codes) etc should I be looking for?

I see a few VN V8 engines and do any other late model ones fit? as EFI might be nice.

The other option is an old carby 8 of some sort , but just want some general advice on which ones fit well and which need stuffing around.

Also what sort of DIFF and brakes would be a good to upgrade too.

thanks

jas

[zaczac]

ANYONE?
could a VN diff/brakes fit the rear?

[Reaper]

VN EFI V8 is an easy conversion. The stock v8 12 bolt sailsbury diff is quite strong but the later VL borg warner diff is easier to get parts for and is also up to the task. There are plenty of brake packages available.

Reaper

[smi5575]

I believe that vn group a brakes work well in fist gens, and are a popular upgrade.

And yes go the vl diff option is a good idea, the vn will need to be modified it its size to fit.

and get an ls1 engine instead of a holden 5l

[zaczac]

thanks, so the old 253 carby is very easy? and carby 304/8 quite easy too? but the later ones just need more efi work.
j

[Sabbath']

Go an R31 rear axle. 28 spline. Pretty much indestructible.

[zaczac]

another question.
can you put 253's in a VK if it is a red motor as technically they are older motors.

j

[SL/ENUT]

Tech no, all 253s are illegal in a VK. Only donks are black 202/308 or the later 304s. Engineers most likely won't pass a 253.

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

The black is a 304.....

[SL/ENUT]

Early Vks had black 308s. Early 1985, Feb i think, all V8s were 304s.

[Darren_L]

Guys, just trying to sus out a few of my options and one is to go V8 into 85 VK that has 202 6 in her.

What are the best fits? and what type of engine (codes) etc should I be looking for?

I see a few VN V8 engines and do any other late model ones fit? as EFI might be nice.

The other option is an old carby 8 of some sort , but just want some general advice on which ones fit well and which need stuffing around.

Also what sort of DIFF and brakes would be a good to upgrade too.

thanks

jas

mate have a look at my car thread (link in signature)
it's a VH, which is the same as a VK in most ways

it's got the EFI 5L, plus 330mm VN Grp A twin spot caliper front brakes.
Unlike the VT brake upgrade, the VN Grp A calipers work fine with a 1 inch master cylinder & they fit under 16 inch wheels..... well if you move the wheel weights
They are expensive, but better than the VT setup. I took the VH out on a track day at Queensland Raceway a few weeks ago, plenty of high speed braking, no brake brake fade whatsoever

[Sabbath']

Going to hi-jack this thread for my own purpose, rather than creating a new one.

Looking at rear axle choices for my VH which im puttin a 308 into(was a 176). Currently it's running a GV4 - Axle Ratio - Rear 3.36:1 with drum brakes. Just wondering if this would be sufficient, or if i'd be better off putting a V8 Salisbury in out of a VK Calais which will have disc brakes, but a 2.60 ratio?

[ari666]

my mate ran a 6 salisbury 3.36 in his ute for ages and it went fine. it did die on him eventually though. also to note he treaded it quite well, i.e. no burnouts etc. i would personally prefer the disc brake VK diff, due to brake parts being loads cheaper and i have no idea how to build drums the 2.6 shouldnt be too much of a problem 3.08 crown wheels and pinions are plentyful and the LSD centers are 800 bucks off ebay.

so in summary: i would put the V8 diff in (if it was free) then take it to a diff place and get them to put new crown wheel/pinion/lsd center. all up itll be about a grand, but they are good diffs for the 308.

if its not a free setup, i scored my 3.55 LSD disc to disc for 300 bucks off ebay, 3.08 are going through weekly for around 100.

[fullysick33]

best to go with vn 304 5lt i am doing same conversion you will have to have anti theft taken out of computer if you will have to also re map computer with dif ratio you will be running through castle main rod shop plus special gear box mount best extractors to put on will be pace makers as they fit perfect do not put castle main headers on they do not fit Brake booster will have to be changed k frame is fine need to change front springs put a 10 bolt limited slip diff in

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

Early Vks had black 308s. Early 1985, Feb i think, all V8s were 304s.

Ahhh....right you are....did a bit more digging and in fact up to June 85 they were the L31, after that they were the 304 LV2.