VP V8 conversion to VS

[stockyvrcalais]

Hey guys i know its been asked a zillion times on here but i just could not find the exact info im after, so here goes, im considering converting a VS II Calais (currently V6) to a V8 using my VP (HSV) Calais as a donor. From what i can undersdtand, i pretty much have everything to convert, but i still dont understand what to do about the auto, as the VP is cable and VR onwards are electronic. I have heard theres a way around this but not sure, and also that i have to use the VP control arms for the K frame? Any advice is appreciated thanks.

[304runner]

Cable what exactly???

[stockyvrcalais]

kickdown apparently

[304runner]

They should all be the same...

[GTP 85]

I just did a similar conversion on my cars. VN 5L manual and VR SS Auto.

I pretty much did a straight swap of engine and trans, but i found a VN auto to put behind the engine that was to go into the VN.. I then sold the VR SS auto trans to make some money back.

As far as i know the transmissions are different... VN/VP are kickdown cable operated, where as later 5L's are all electronic controlled auto. The simplest option would be to find a VS trans (will bolt straight up). I cant however comment on making the cable kick down operate in the VS, as i dont know if it can.. or if its even possible? May be able to if the tune is modified?

OH... and your next obstacle will be the computer to run the v8 engine. once again cant help you too much here as i'm not 100% sure

[stockyvrcalais]

I just did a similar conversion on my cars. VN 5L manual and VR SS Auto.

I pretty much did a straight swap of engine and trans, but i found a VN auto to put behind the engine that was to go into the VN.. I then sold the VR SS auto trans to make some money back.

As far as i know the transmissions are different... VN/VP are kickdown cable operated, where as later 5L's are all electronic controlled auto. The simplest option would be to find a VS trans (will bolt straight up). I cant however comment on making the cable kick down operate in the VS, as i dont know if it can.. or if its even possible? May be able to if the tune is modified?

OH... and your next obstacle will be the computer to run the v8 engine. once again cant help you too much here as i'm not 100% sure

Theres also the issue of there being diffrent types of autos, (6hbd, 5hbd etc), how do i know which one to buy? Or doesnt it matter? There are diffrent wiring plugs too isnt there? I just want to have all bases covered before i embark on this adventure.

[Andrew426]

Why does the kickdown matter? You are using the VP engine, the VP trans and the VP computer as well as the vp loom arent you? So the kickdown cable is the same as it was on the vp anyway.

[stockyvrcalais]

Why does the kickdown matter? You are using the VP engine, the VP trans and the VP computer as well as the vp loom arent you? So the kickdown cable is the same as it was on the vp anyway.

Thats the thing, i dont know if it matters, i have never done this before so im asking all the questions here and hoping for some answers.

[Andrew426]

But you are using the VP trans and the VP computer, correct?

[stockyvrcalais]

But you are using the VP trans and the VP computer, correct?

I'll use it if its ok to do so sure......

[stockyvrcalais]

ok could i use the vp ecu/memcal in the vs without issues, and will the plugs from the vs fit straight onto the vp ecu?

[sawychri06]

wouldnt there also be the problem with the Emissions? vs with the ecotec and the vp with the 304

[stockyvrcalais]

wouldnt there also be the problem with the Emissions? vs with the ecotec and the vp with the 304

But VS Holdens came from factory with the same V8 engine.

[Andrew426]

ok could i use the vp ecu/memcal in the vs without issues, and will the plugs from the vs fit straight onto the vp ecu?

You will need to use the VP engine harness as well, but yeah it will all work together.

The v6 rev counter wont work with the signal from your v8 computer, but you can just swap the VP one into the VS dash.

The important thing to remember is that you should not cut any wires or unplug any senders on your engine. Undo the plugs by the fuse box, the (blue) plug into your ECU and the plug into the body loom behind the glovebox, then poke the wiring back thru your firewall and coil it up on top of the engine. This wiring then stays with the engine, dont take it off or try and cut it up - or youll only make yourself a whole lot more work

[stockyvrcalais]

You will need to use the VP engine harness as well, but yeah it will all work together.

The v6 rev counter wont work with the signal from your v8 computer, but you can just swap the VP one into the VS dash.

The important thing to remember is that you should not cut any wires or unplug any senders on your engine. Undo the plugs by the fuse box, the (blue) plug into your ECU and the plug into the body loom behind the glovebox, then poke the wiring back thru your firewall and coil it up on top of the engine. This wiring then stays with the engine, dont take it off or try and cut it up - or youll only make yourself a whole lot more work

Ahhhhh yes thats what i wanted to know, thats good advice thanks very much.......if theres anything else i should know please post here cheers.

[Andrew426]

Lift the back of the car up as high as you can on ramps or stands, It makes it easier to get the engine and trans out together.

[stockyvrcalais]

Lift the back of the car up as high as you can on ramps or stands, It makes it easier to get the engine and trans out together.

thats actually a good idea, thanks.

[sawychri06]

stockyvrcalais
Originally Posted by sawychri06
wouldnt there also be the problem with the Emissions? vs with the ecotec and the vp with the 304
But VS Holdens came from factory with the same V8 engine.

thats a fair call mate

[redvpsenator]

Might be a bit late for this post however.
My understanding is [ may be incorrect] two auto boxes were used Turbo Hydra-Matic 700R4 that had cable control kick down.
Also the Hydra-Matric 4L60 fully computer controlled 4L60 was standard on my 1992 Senator, but I think this box was fitted to some Series 11 an VQ vehicles.
The VS should have a 4L60 I believe. Hope this is of some help, regards gazza

[Jxw]

Might be a bit late for this post however.
My understanding is [ may be incorrect] two auto boxes were used Turbo Hydra-Matic 700R4 that had cable control kick down.
Also the Hydra-Matric 4L60 fully computer controlled 4L60 was standard on my 1992 Senator, but I think this box was fitted to some Series 11 an VQ vehicles.
The VS should have a 4L60 I believe. Hope this is of some help, regards gazza

th700 and 4l60 are pretty much the same, there was a time when gm changed the naming convention and used 4l60.

the 4l60E is the electronic version

either way the answer to an earlier posted question: no you can't use the VS ecu on the vp loom nor are the memcals interchangeable
you'll need to swap the engine, trans, loom, ecu and kframe over. the kickdown cable is important to make sure you set it correctly, to tight it'll change gears way to early and harsh upshifts (although it is self adjusting unless you don't open to wot it can remain to tight) , you'd be in 4th at to low a speed... to loose, it'll slip and burn out the trans.

regarding the tacho, you'll need to put the v8 tacho from the vp into the vs cluster itself, can't just swap the clusters over, the reason for that has been covered many times before.

you may need to play around and change the wiring where the vp loom plugs into the vs dash loom, i know the data wire for the bcm will no longer be used, and you'll probably run into more issues getting your speedo to work as they are driven in completely different ways between the 2 vehicles, tcc lockup wire will need to be extended and more, tbh i'd think you'd be better off getting a vs v8 loom, v8 memcal & ecu and vs v8 auto, rather than stuff around trying to wire it all in correctly...

the auto you chose depends on what memcal tune you use due to some use a pwm on the tcc lockup solenoid and other's simply send a signal to turn the tcc solenoid either on or off, so if you use a 4hdd: you'd use a vr memcal, loom 6hdd: you'd use a vs memcal and loom.

regarding emissions even though the engine is out of an older vehicle providing the adr numbers on the compliance plate match or are higher from the donor vehicle than the newer shell it's going into, at least in vic it's legal, best check your states rules if anywhere else.

if you are confident and know how to do all this conversion then you could use any combination of parts and get it to work, if you aren't really sure and not to good with all the wiring and modifications then i'd sell the vp 5L and car and put the money towards a VS 5L and all components to do the swap.

[stockyvrcalais]

th700 and 4l60 are pretty much the same, there was a time when gm changed the naming convention and used 4l60.

the 4l60E is the electronic version

either way the answer to an earlier posted question: no you can't use the VS ecu on the vp loom nor are the memcals interchangeable
you'll need to swap the engine, trans, loom, ecu and kframe over. the kickdown cable is important to make sure you set it correctly, to tight it'll change gears way to early and harsh upshifts, you'd be in 4th at to low a speed... to loose, it'll slip and burn out the trans.

regarding the tacho, you'll need to put the v8 tacho from the vp into the vs cluster itself, can't just swap the clusters over, the reason for that has been covered many times before.

you may need to play around and change the wiring where the vp loom plugs into the vs dash loom, i know the data wire for the bcm will no longer be used, and you'll probably run into more issues getting your speedo to work as they are driven in completely different ways between the 2 vehicles, tcc lockup wire will need to be extended and more, tbh i'd think you'd be better off getting a vs v8 loom, v8 memcal & ecu and vs v8 auto, rather than stuff around trying to wire it all in correctly...

the auto you chose depends on what memcal tune you use due to some use a pwm on the tcc lockup solenoid and other's simply send a signal to turn the tcc solenoid either on or off, so if you use a 4hdd: you'd use a vr memcal, loom 6hdd: you'd use a vs memcal and loom.

regarding emissions even though the engine is out of an older vehicle providing the adr numbers on the compliance plate match or are higher from the donor vehicle than the newer shell it's going into, at least in vic it's legal, best check your states rules if anywhere else.

if you are confident and know how to do all this conversion then you could use any combination of parts and get it to work, if you aren't really sure and not to good with all the wiring and modifications then i'd sell the vp 5L and car and put the money towards a VS 5L and all components to do the swap.

Thanks for the info, i think you may have changed my mind, its a lot more work than i thought..........

[Jxw]

i wouldn't give up so easily, you may get more than enough selling the existing auto, loom and ecu easily to cover getting the right bits to make it easier.
if you could find a genuine vr manual ecu then you could use all your current vp driveline & loom with the right memcal.
if the car is still driveable it'll make getting higher dollar easier if a potential buyer can see that it's in good working order and not slipping.