VN V6 to V8 and auto to manual

[TheRealShifter]

Hi all. I'm new here and also a complete newbie to the world of car modification/customisation. My situation is this: a friend is selling his VN for about $250. It's a V6 auto and I'd be buying it as a fun/learning exercise to "do it up". I would be looking at replacing the V6 with a V8 and converting it from auto to manual. I noticed there are many posts about converting from auto to manual, or from v6 to v8 but I'm yet to see one about doing both (hence my post here). Does anyone have any tips on which v8 engine/gearbox would be a good choice for this sort of exercise? I imagine it would make things easier if I used an engine and gearbox combination from the same model (e.g. a VN V8 engine and 5 sp gearbox as opposed to a Chev big block and HSV Clubsport 6 sp). Yeah I really have no clue, so I'm just getting ideas as to whether it's even worth the effort. I reckon it'd be fun to mix it up a bit (like with a big block and 6 sp), but I don't even know if this is possible.
Thanks in advance.

[_R_J_K_]

Use components that were originally used in the VN, because engineering and custom setups cost a lot. Sourcing certain parts for custom setups can also be hard. It will overall be cheaper, and have less headaches.

In this case, a 5 litre and a T5 transmission would be your best bet, because they were factory components.

[TheRealShifter]

Fair enough then. Thanks for the reply.

[_R_J_K_]

Keep in mind that just because they are factory components doesn't mean they aren't tough or won't perform well. They do have a lot of potential.

[TheRealShifter]

I bought the car yesterday and drove it home (vicroads permitting). This is gonna be a fun project car.
It's an 89 VN Berlina sedan. Light blue for the most part with a nice "surface rust brown" bonnet.

[STEALTHY™]

As mentioned, get the parts from the same model.

Best bet is to go to the auctions (not with the intention to buy, just to see what certain cars go for) and find a rear ended VN (SS would be best, since they are more common in manual 5L than an exec is). Then you have all the parts you'd need, and if you can have a wreck on your property for a while, strip whats left of the 2nd VN to make money back (Interior, diff, doors etc)