vh 304 EFI conversion

[Tim89]

OK so i have just started a project car a VH SLE the car originally had a 308 in her but my mate who owned the car before me wanted to throw a EFI v8 in it an got a 304 EFI engine for it with a T5. he lost interest in the project and I got the car both engines and the T5 for a steal at $3000. so far i have bolted the engine and box in, not wanting to worry about having to much trouble when the time comes to take it over the pits I got A crossmember for the T5 from Castlemain Rod Shop for $150 + P&H and $50 for the mount. Still need to get a lot of parts and tackle the wiring. here are a few photos of my toy
/Users/markanderson/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Modified/2011/09:07:2011/IMG_0244.jpg/Users/markanderson/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Originals/2011/09:07:2011/IMG_0248.JPG/Users/markanderson/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Modified/2011/09:07:2011/IMG_0249.jpg

[Tim89]

[vkberlina]

Good stuff it is a great conversion check out my site loads of info

Scott

[VBRED]

Good stuff. Do you know if there is a difference between the manual and auto starter motors? I am going to put a T5 in mine. Thanks Pete

[vkberlina]

Yes the starters are the same I just bought an auto EFI 5L and they are identical.

cheers
Scott

[Tim89]

I am also selling the old 308 that was in the car for $600 if any one is interested. Was running when it was pulled out if the car. Not sure what work it has had to it but has a pretty lumpy cam an I think it might have hi comp pistons. The car by needs a kit. But other than that was a really good strong engine.

[Tim89]

after 4 days if waiting my gear box crossmember rocked up jumped under the car to bolt it all up fitted perfectly but once i was under there i found that the hole underside of the car was covered in oil from the power steering rack all the way to the diff. after spraying 5 cans of degreaser under the car i think i got it all of. (ill post photos later as its bloody freezing up here) does any one no how to work out what diff ratio you have short of stripping it down. i was told when i got the car that it had 4.11:1 but after i had a play i worked it out to be 2.5:1 does this sound right or have a cocked up some were.

[vkberlina]

Best way to tell is to knock the backing plate off the diff and it will be stamped onto the gear. Else see if the diff has tags on it anywhere.

You can get an approximate by spinning the tailshaft uni and count the turns to one turn of the wheels.

Scott

[pjdm1980]

Looks like a very clean car and should make a good cruiser!
Is it a SLE though?

[Darren_L]

after 4 days if waiting my gear box crossmember rocked up jumped under the car to bolt it all up fitted perfectly but once i was under there i found that the hole underside of the car was covered in oil from the power steering rack all the way to the diff. after spraying 5 cans of degreaser under the car i think i got it all of. (ill post photos later as its bloody freezing up here) does any one no how to work out what diff ratio you have short of stripping it down. i was told when i got the car that it had 4.11:1 but after i had a play i worked it out to be 2.5:1 does this sound right or have a cocked up some were.

by the sounds of it you have a 2.6:1 ratio. It was used in a lot of the 308 autos eg SL/E
not a good ratio for a manual. I've got 3.08:1 ratio in mine which is probably still a bit tall for my engine/cam combo and T5 manual. But I like the lower highway rpm.
But a 3.45 is good all round ratio. 4.11's are impractical for anything but the drag strip

[Tim89]

Ye not a big fan of the idea is having 4.11:1 in a car but from the sounds of it I'll be looking for new gears any way. So might go with 3.45 or higher.

[vkberlina]

I run 3.45s in my VK and they are excellent, I have a diff here with 3.55s you could get the centre swapped in, its an IRS diff but the LSD is the same as a VL turbo VL v8 etc

Scott

[Tim89]

I got the car being told it was a sle but was a but sceptical as it didn't have any of the sle interior. Just had a look the vin plate an it had vh8vk witch I pretty sure is just a sl? Any one feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. An as for the diff I'm 99% sure it's a 9" so if it is I will just get a new set of gears for it rather than going back to the original vh v8 diff

[vkberlina]

post some pics of the diff and it will be soon identified, detroit trutracs work well in 9" housings

scott

[Tim89]

post some pics of the diff and it will be soon identified, detroit trutracs work well in 9" housings

scott

Ye will do next time I'm under the car witch will be tomoz if I'm lucky. Had a look today it's def not a STD Holden diff.

[Tim89]

Think I am going to change this project to "CAN OF WORMS." because every time I do something I end up having to fix a shit load more than I intended to, rust being the main thing every time I take something of BAM there is rust. Knowing fair well starting a project car that is from 1982 there would be lots of rust.


Any way got some more degreaser today an blasted the chassis, diff and steering. Removed the battery tray and looked over the car at what els needs doing. Think I might make have to make a list.

[vkberlina]

A whiteboard in the shed is my best friend on a project, you can write out parts lists, job lists, plan things out and wipe clean when done, I take pics of mine for records also

scott

[Tim89]

Wow a white board that is high tech I was thinking a bit of paper

[Tim89]

did a bit of work today nothing to exciting just got the shifter sorted so all i need to do now is figure out what i am going to do with the console. When i pull it in to 2nd 3rd and R it with the back of the console. thinking of making a custom console up unless any one has a better idea. pulled the brake lights of the car so i could sand back the rusty panel an i got thinking should i paint the car FROG NUT GREEN or leave it as it is.

[Tim89]

can some one please tell me if this is a 9" or not im pretty sure it is just want to make sure before i go bragging to my mates.

[vkberlina]

did a bit of work today nothing to exciting just got the shifter sorted so all i need to do now is figure out what i am going to do with the console. When i pull it in to 2nd 3rd and R it with the back of the console. thinking of making a custom console up unless any one has a better idea. pulled the brake lights of the car so i could sand back the rusty panel an i got thinking should i paint the car FROG NUT GREEN or leave it as it is.

For the shifter thing, just make up a plate of 4-5mm thick steel about 60mm wide and move the shifter forward about 20-30mm and will solve the shift issue, Im going to remake my spacer and angle my shifter slightly back on MKII of it.

Scott

[Tim89]

ye i made a plate up might not have moved it enough an i think it might be the little dick bit that is hanging out of the box.

[Tim89]

up to buying the next part for the build. i have been told that i need a vn-vs power steering rack to allow room for the extractors, can i just bolt one in an be all good or do i have to get vn -vs k frame aswell?

[Darren_L]

can some one please tell me if this is a 9" or not im pretty sure it is just want to make sure before i go bragging to my mates.

yep, you can brag to your mates that you've got a 9 inch
although to be perfectly honest, they are heavy unsprung weight and cost you rear wheel horsepower. Really unneccessary unless you are planning on really big hp and/or doing skids
Better off with a VL 28 spline Borg Warner LSD

[vkberlina]

up to buying the next part for the build. i have been told that i need a vn-vs power steering rack to allow room for the extractors, can i just bolt one in an be all good or do i have to get vn -vs k frame aswell?

You need the K frame as well, I just bought a whole car to get a good front end out of, bonus was an injected 5L as well, I plan on rebuilding it for my car a stocker wasnt quick enough.

Scott