is this stock

[BIG DYL]

do the vn v6 come stoc with mini valve springs... coz my engine has them i was wondering if it comes stock

[soop]

Yeah man, its to let you rev it harder.

[dat111]

big dyl, soop is right they make ya rev harder causing more smoke

on a serious note: becareful of reving the buicks to hard the belt flys off them and bye bye power steering and water etc until you but it back on

[HoZy]

Yeah man, its to let you rev it harder.

trolololol

[hakhawk]

they werent made by mini, they were made by buick/gm

[BIG DYL]

ohk well so it does come stock

[soop]

yeah, but you're far better of with V8 springs.

[BIG DYL]

fair engough then

[Clutchy]

By mini do ya mean the dampeners on the inside of the spring ?

[Andrew426]

Or do you mean dual valve springs?

[Brett_jjj]

Ive read somewhere that the very first run of the VN V6 commodores had duel valve springs fitted ...apparently they also had a slightly more aggressive cam and tune,there were also a few other differences I cant think of right now...Ive heard this is why some VN's went better than others..The first ones also didnt get the bellmouth in the inlet manifold,it was added to smooth out the idle in later VNV6's..

[Calaber]

From what I can recall, the early V6 developed about 80% of its maximum torque at incredibly low revs, 1200 or so, I think. That wasn't very clever for a family sedan and explains why early VN's were so quick off the mark, but also why they lost traction so readily. Holden had to modify the engine to raise the maximum torque higher up the rev band to reduce this tendency and make the car more suitable and a bit safer for Dan Average. I've never bothered to learn exactly what was changed, although I had a VN which was fitted with the second version of the engine. There were three versions of the V6 in the VN. The second version was modified to raise the torque curve and also to improve durability but still had the thermostat under the throttle body and the third version was the one that carried over into the VP, with the thermostat relocated to the front of the engine.

[Pub247]

theyre just dampeners all v6's got them

[88GreenVN]

Some interesting stuff I found a while ago - probably on here

Here is the changes made to the VN during its lifetime, they are taken from the gregory manual and are mostly related to the v6 engine, the v8 gregory's manual does not list any changes NOTE i scanned and OCR'ed this information but i have not checked it for spelling or if the information is correct, please buy the manual if you need to work on your car.

1989-1990 Running Changes to VN

1991 Running Changes to VN





1989-1990 Running Changes to VN

ENGINE

A larger timing chain damper is installed on models manufactured from July 1989 to reduce engine noise and can be installed to previous models. The following production changes to the engine apply to vehicles manufactured from mid October 1989:

Moulded plastic rocker covers are installed with revised seals and retainers which can be installed to earlier models.
The double valve springs installed to earlier model engines are replaced by a single valve spring and the shape of the retainer is modified to suit thc single valve spring. The single valve spring can be installed to earlier models providing that the corresponding retainer is also installed.
The steel pushrod guide plate is replaced by three alloy retainers which support revised rocker arm pivots. The revised prvots can be installed to earlier models providing the alloy retainers arc also installed.
The camshaft has decreased lobe lift, increased valve timing duration and has a thrust washer installed between the flange and the front of the cylinder block. The camshafts can be identified by measuring the distance between the rear face of the front tiange and the end of the camshaft. On early model camshafts the distance is 374.5 mm and on late model camshafts the distance is 375.2 mm. The late model camshaft and thrust washer can be installed to the early model engine providing the corresponding Mem-Cal unit is installed to the engine control unit.
On automatic transmission models, a retaining plate is installed to the drive plate and a support brace is installed between the engine and the front of the transmission. On models with a manual transmission, the support brace is installed to models manufactured from April 1990.
The gasket installed between the oil pump pick- up pipe and the cylinder block on previous models is replaced by an O-ring and the direction arrow on the top of the pistons is deleted.
1) During 1990. high flow hydraulic tappets were introduced which can he installed to previous models. The improved tappets are identified by the yellow snap ring above the pushrod seat.



Cooling system
During April 1990, the following changes were made to the cooling system.

An overflow cap is installed over the surge tank pipes- surecapandisscuIcdunhcsurgctankwithanOrin~A (this got a bit messed up!) coolaw reserve wnk is installed to the left hand inner mudguard and an overflow hose is imtailed between due reserve tank and the overflow cap.

As the coolant volume expands due to a rise in temperature, the pressure valve in the surge tank pressure cap opens and allows thc excess coolant to flow into the reserve lank via the overflow hose. When the coolant temperature falls, thc vacuum valve in the surge tank pressure cap opens, allowing the coolant to siphon back into the surge tank. The design of the themostat has been revised to improve reliabilty, however the operating chamcterisics are the same as carlier models.



1991 Running Changes to the VN

Engine



The following production changcs to the engine apply to models manufactured from mid November 1990.

A redesigned inlet manifold is installed which cannot be installed to previous models. To improve air distribution, a bellmouth is installed between the inlet manifold and the throttle body adaptor. To reduce noise and vibration, cast iron exhaust manifolds are installed which are connected to redesigned engine pipes. The oxygen sensor is installed to the left hand engine pipe.

The cylinder heads have revised coolant passages and a 20 mm hole is drilled in the inlet manifold face for the positive crankcase ventilation system. The cylinder head gaskets are coated with an adhesive on one side and are marked with an arrow which must face rearwards when the gaskets are installed. Due to the revised coolant passages, the cylinder heads and gaskets must not be installed on earlier models. Improved valve stem oil seals are installed which are identified by the course sealing ribs and the letters IPC on the top the beak. These seals can be installed to earlier models.

The cylinder block, which is not compatible with earlier models, has minor design alterations and is identified by the LV6 mark which is cast in each side of the cylinder block. Stainless steel welch plugs arc installed to each cylinder block and cylinder heads.

The pistons are redesigned with an oval shaped top ring land to provide improved piston clearance during thermal expansion and are identified by the arrow on the piston crown that is formed by a number of dots. The pistons can be installed to previous models.

The oil pump is unchanged except for the installation of a larger pressure regulator specifically to increase oil pressure. The ui,iv'.haft ~procLt and ~car are ~ccurcd to the cimshaft u'Ing a key and a single retaining holt. The timing chain cannot he used on early models as it is incompatible with the tooth profile on the camshaft and crankshaft sprockets.

The camshaft thrust bearing find spring installed to earlier model is deleted and thc camshaft is retained by a thrust washer which is secured to the front of the cylinder block with three screws. The valve timing and lobe lift is the same as the previous but the profile of the camshaft is redesigned to suit the installation of the thrust washer and che revised camshaft sprocket and gear.

The timing cover has redesigned coolant passages to improce coolant circtilation and cannot be installed on earlier models. A sheild is installed to the timing cover to prevent foreign objects contanting the crankshaft sensor and the interrupter blades at the rear of the crankshaft pulley.

To ensure security, the crankshaft pulley is now a press fit on the crankshaft and is identified hy three elongated holes in the front face of the hub. The pulley can be installed to previous models if the corresponding retaining bolt and washer are installed.

Unlike previous models, the crankshaft is the same for automatic and manual transmission mndcls. On manual transmisson models, a redesigned spigot hearing is installed which cannot be installed to earlier models. The crankshaft cannot be installed on cxirlier modek due to the additional tlvwheel/drive plate retaining bolt holes and the vcdc\i~ned icar I1~in~e which is nuchined to suit a one piece neoprene rear crankshaft oil seaL

Unlcv~ otherwi~c stated, all procedurc~ remain as described in che main manual and Part I of ihk supple- ment. Ho~e~er. due to a number of changes in the coolin~z system, allowance should be made for variaIion'~ when reference is made to the coolant and hcacr hoses and pipes.

Coolant System

The following changes to the cooling system apply to mo(lels equipped with the revised engine described previouslv.

The radiator has a conveiitional filler tieck aitd a radiator cap and the surge tank installed to earlier models has been replaced with a reserve tank. An overflow hose ts connected hetween the radiator filler neck and the reserve tank. As the coolatit voluroc expands due to a rise in temperature. the pressure valve in the radiator cap opens and allows the excess coolant to flow into the reserve tank via the overflow hose. When the coolant temperature falls, the vacuum valve in the radiator cap opens, allowing the coolant to siphon back into the radiator.

I)tte to the redesign of the inlet manifold, the thermostat. cool ant temperature sensor and the temperature gauge sender are located towar(ls the front of the itilet tnanifold.

The water pump spacer plate has been deleted and the coolant passages revised to suit the redesigned timing cover. The water pump pulley is narrower than previous models and neither the water pump or the pulley are interchat1~eable with earlier tnodels.

Fuel and Engine Managment

The following changes to the fuel and engine manage-ment sys tern apply to models equipped with the revised engine described previously.

The fuel rail is redesigned and the flow rate of the injectors has been altered. A special fuel hose is installed between the fuel supply pipe and the fuel rail to reduce fuel pulsations. The revised fuel rail and injectors are not interchangeable with earlier models.

The coil pack installed on previous models has been replaced by three individual ignition coils and the ignition control module has been revised to suit the individual coils.

The oxygen sensor is installed in the left hand engine pipe and an earth wire is installed to ensure that the oxygen sensor is earthed securely. To prevent foreign objects contacting the crankshaft sensor and the interrupter blades at the rear of the crankshaft pulley, a shield is installed to the engine timing cover.



CLUTCH AND MANUAL TRANSMISSION

The clutch and manual transmission is the same as previous models except that the design and operating characteristics of the clutch unit has been revised to achieve smoother operation. The front bearing retainer on the transmission is 9 mm shorter to suit the revised clutch unit.

STARTER MOTOR

On automatic transmission models manufactured from August 1991. the Bosch starter motor is replaced by a Delco Remy starter motor. The Delco Reniy starter motor is similar to the type installed to manual transmission models as described in the main manual and is identified by the NO SHIM imprint on the end bracket.

The revised clutch unit can be installed to earlier models provided that the transmission front bearing retainer is shortened by 9 tnm. If the transmission is to be installed to an earlier model, the longer type horn bearing retainer must be installed to the transmission if the revised clutch unit is not also being installed.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

The automatic transtnission is the same as 1990 models except that the shift points have been altered to suitthe revised engine.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ALTERNATOR

The alternator is same as the one installed to previous models except that the installed position of the slip ring end bracket, stator and associated components are rotated 900 in relation to the drive end bracket to improve access to the alternator wiring and to accommodate the revised inlet manifold.

However, it should be noted that on all models manufactured from August 1991 including those with a manual transmission where the starter motor end bracket has the NO SI-lIM imprint, the pinion mesh must not be adjusted.

[hi_ryder]

wow thanks for the info, good stuff right there. so i bought an engine and leather interior from an 89 calais. i have the vin and engine number but i want to find out the month of the engine build. will the stamp under the seat cushion be the same month and year as the engine? or do i have to run the vin number. just wondering... cheers

[hi_ryder]

my seats say march 89...

[hi_ryder]

so my ecu from march 89 has a different mem cal than one made in oct 89 and forward? because of the different cam shaft?.... decreased lobe lift from the later models means the eariler ones are more aggressive? just wondering....

[88GreenVN]

wow thanks for the info, good stuff right there. so i bought an engine and leather interior from an 89 calais. i have the vin and engine number but i want to find out the month of the engine build. will the stamp under the seat cushion be the same month and year as the engine? or do i have to run the vin number. just wondering... cheers

PM the engine number and I can see what month it was produced. I have a very solid engine build time line.

Engine production for March 89 = VH1038280 to VH1041635 or there abouts. There was no system employed in matching engine numbers with body numbers - just plonk em in 200 a day.

21/07/1989 L360544 1990 ENGINE E/N VH1065705 REVISED CAM TENSIONER
11/10/1989 L381221 INTRODUCTION 1990 MODEL YEAR V6 E/N VH1086125
01/11/1990 L474742 FIRST VN WITH VP MOTOR

[88GreenVN]

so my ecu from march 89 has a different mem cal than one made in oct 89 and forward? because of the different cam shaft?.... decreased lobe lift from the later models means the eariler ones are more aggressive? just wondering....

The Early VN's were rockets off the line - but in the wet on the 185 tyres were a joke. So the de tuned the motor's in the first update. There is a list of memcal ID's if you want to find out yours.

[hi_ryder]

PM the engine number and I can see what month it was produced. I have a very solid engine build time line.

Engine production for March 89 = VH1038280 to VH1041635 or there abouts. There was no system employed in matching engine numbers with body numbers - just plonk em in 200 a day.

21/07/1989 L360544 1990 ENGINE E/N VH1065705 REVISED CAM TENSIONER
11/10/1989 L381221 INTRODUCTION 1990 MODEL YEAR V6 E/N VH1086125
01/11/1990 L474742 FIRST VN WITH VP MOTOR

ive got VH1039xxx,

also if i wanna get the memcal number, is it displayed on the id sticker on the exterior of the ecu box or on the inside...

[88GreenVN]

take the lid of the ECU and it will be on the blue memcal inside. I probably will read AWUY 9398 - but for a VN S1 you want APNX 1687 or ATBH????

[hi_ryder]

take the lid of the ECU and it will be on the blue memcal inside. I probably will read AWUY 9398 - but for a VN S1 you want APNX 1687 or ATBH????

sweet thanks dude. i went through the parts box and found the donor cars ecu... looks like the right numbers... thanks for the help!

[88GreenVN]

Yep that's the one ^^ to run the S1 VN motor.