m20 n a VK commodore

[Ls2_307]

recently aquired a VK SS Group 3 replica, which unfortunately came with a triamtic auto. Now i want to be able to change my gears, so im planning on coverting it to a manual... which led me to this...

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/HOLDEN-V8-M20...QQcmdZViewItem

would the box, and the parts included suit/work with a VK?

apart from the pedal box, what else would be needed to complete the conversion?

[vkberlina]

Yeah should work just fine,

I wount buy a box without inspecting it first though, oyu need to knock the side plate off and check the case hardening isnt coming off the gears. This esp happens on the cluster on 1st gear

Also check for slop in the cluster. These boxes are pretty easy to rebuild, as long as the gears are ok.

When you fill the box with oil use VMX 80.

cheers
Scott

[craigvk]

That would suit. If that box came out of a 253, the only difference being is it's a M20 which have different gear ratios in the box compared to the M21. Also the 253 V8 pressure plate and clutch plate are 60mm smaller from memory. I assume your VK is a stock 308?

I actually have a M20 complete without some things which I am looking at sticking in my 308. Funny that my pressure plate and clutch plate are the size for a 308 even though it came out of a 253.

The only other thing you need is a Spigot bush for your crank I think. The speedo cable from the Trimatic will mount in ok I am sure.

[vkhawkey]

needs a spigot bush when changing from auto to manual in a 202. not sure about the v8s. is that the case as well?

[Ls2_307]

cheers for the info.. will look into the box then!!

[atrail308]

go easy on your gear changes tho, ive popped a couple of those m20's...

[synoptica]

I'm looking at sticking one in mine to get rid of the horrid MC6 (Philipino box) - do they take the same clutch as the MC6 and M76?

[atrail308]

same flywheel, but different clutch and fork...

[synoptica]

I just called PBR and they reckon they're the same. Shit

[vkberlina]

The 6cyl boxes ue the same clutch fork, clutch plate as the MC6 & M76 borgwarner boxes. The V8 box has a longer clutch fork, although the spline are the same on the input shaft the V8 used a bigger clutch.

If you want the ultimate clutch plate aligning tool,and you have a rooted M20/M21/MC6/M76 series box laying around get the input shaft out of it and juse it to align your clutch plate.

cheers
Scott

[synoptica]

Why I do have a rooted M76 (bearings) and MC6 (rooted from the day it left the Phillipines) - cheers Scott

While I'm picking everyone's brains, two more questions:

1) Are the M20's better than the MC6's in terms of strength, gearing and shifting?
2) What's the ratios of the M20 6cyl boxes?

(sorry to the OP for the hijack!)

[craigvk]

I think it's 3.08:1 and the M21 is 2.54:1.

[Ls2_307]

to late... the box on ebay sold already, looking into other options now, such as maybe a Supra Box or a T5.... however the M20/M21 still seems the cheapest option

also im after a VK Manual Pedal Box... so if anyone has a spare one on them or knows where i can find one send us a pm...

[SL/ENUT]

Ask Slim about manual pedal boxes, i reckon he knows the ins and outs by now.

Are the M20's better than the MC6's in terms of strength, gearing and shifting?

M20 is stronger in gear strength but the shifting isn't that great. You can shorten up the shifter and makes a great short shifter.

What's the ratios of the M20 6cyl boxes?

1st:3.05:1
2nd:2.19:1
3rd:1.15:1
4th:1.00:1
Reverse: 3.05:1
The M21 V8 type gearbox ratios are
1st:2.54:1
2nd:1.83:1
3rd:1.38:1
4th:1.00:1
Reverse:2.54:1
So there is a difference between ratios of the M20/M21 gearboxes.

[craigvk]

Be careful about pedal boxes on ebay. I thought I was buying a VK V8 one and ended up getting a 6 cyl one, that is after the seller gave me a lot of crap until he sent it. In the end, the seller got 50 cents becauuse I paid $30 for the set and $20 for express post. It ended up costing him $49.50 exp postage when he actually sent it. I am still pissed off about getting wrong pedals.

[Ls2_307]

you interested in selling the 6cyl pedals anytime soon... as my VK is only a 202

[craigvk]

Why were you going to buy a M20 V8 if you only need a 6 cyl box? There are more of them I have seen on ebay.

[SL/ENUT]

technically a M20 is a 6 cylinder/253 gear box, the M21 is the 5 litre gearbox. There isn't any difference if a M20 came out of a 202 or 253.

[Ls2_307]

Why were you going to buy a M20 V8 if you only need a 6 cyl box? There are more of them I have seen on ebay.

Future plans

also.. if you at any time do not need the 6cyl pedal box..... you no who to PM