CVU engine Prefix on a VQ Caprice

[88GreenVN]

This car is for sale on the internet and has a CUV prefix on the cars hand book. I've not seen one before and was thinking it may have been a typo.

But it is a HSV Caprice so it may have had something special done to it.

Anyone seen or herd of such a prefix before?

[adam69]

no idea,still trying to work out what my SVU prefix means on my VQ

[88GreenVN]

I have it I have it..

S = Statesman
C = Caprice.

Can that be it?

[Blown V6 Hatch]

Seems to make sense......However, i have wrecked 2 VQ Statesmans and one had the SVU prefix and the other had the normal VU prefix

Also the thing is, both cars had log books and both had the original engine!

Why would one have SVU and the other VU???

[88GreenVN]

Seems to make sense......However, i have wrecked 2 VQ Statesmans and one had the SVU prefix and the other had the normal VU prefix

Also the thing is, both cars had log books and both had the original engine!

Why would one have SVU and the other VU???

Time line may be the key. Umm. was the VU the earlier car. I'll look for the first SVU number.

I suspect the SVU/CVU may have had a different cam..... maybe. Hope...

[Blown V6 Hatch]

Good question that. Don't exactly know when both were made....Both were series ones though!

[88GreenVN]

Just found 400 CVU's in my data base!! How'd I miss that.

Starting at CVU597231 and finishing at CVU614784

Also found 6 with a CVE prefix? CVE604151 to CVE614784 (could be an error)

[88GreenVN]

The "E" prefix is used on the SV5000 engines. CVE (raises eyebrows)

Whats the go here?

Maybe 6 or more SV5000 motors found there way into HSV Caprices?

[88GreenVN]

Good question that. Don't exactly know when both were made....Both were series ones though!

VQ SI went from 3/90 to 11/91
VQ SII went from 11/91 to 3/94

First SVU engine I've found so far around 8/90 = SVU597401
Last SVU I've found so far is around 7/93 = SVU616075

So one of each is possible

[kniever]

my old VQ had SVU and was a june 91 model

[adam69]

Mine was SVU600??? March 91

[88GreenVN]

my old VQ had SVU and was a june 91 model

Yep that fits the time line.

[88GreenVN]

Mine was SVU600??? March 91

That too fits the time line.

[WNTDVT]

Dont get too excited guys, i was looking at a VQ with the SVU prefix and after some research (should be one here somewhere in a thread some of it) i discovered SVU is simply a prefix that is used on Holden factory replacement blocks for the VN-VS 5 litre engine.

[Blown V6 Hatch]

So why did the VQ i wrecked with the SVU prefix have the engine number in the original service books then???

[88GreenVN]

The SVU Prefix only appears for a short run. SVU 597401 Approx to SVU616075.

Replacement blocks...Hmmmm no dont thing so. Else the SVU prefix would run for much longer than 3 years. Just about all of them found there way into VQ's. AND special order HSV's

[adam69]

Mine had the original engine too.

[WNTDVT]

Actually, cars that received the replacement block that was stamped with 'S'VU received that block from the factory, in which case the engine number listed in the owners/service manual for that particular car would actually match that of the engine...

Here's one of the emails i have received in my quest to get to the bottom of this...


We write in regards to your query about the prefix "SVU".

We wish to advise the "S" added to the engine number symbolizes that the particular engine, has had a long or short engine replacement. The replacement would have been new and come from factory.

We trust this clarifies your request however should you have any further queries please do not hesitate to call on 1800 033 349 or write back

Yours sincerely,

Alan Wong
State Business Representative


I then confirmed that this actually meant that these engines would have come from factory with matching books, numbers etc...

So there we have it, finally confirmation to my suggestion.
I'll get back to them and find out about this 'CVU' prefix now.

Matt.

[88GreenVN]

Actually, cars that received the replacement block that was stamped with 'S'VU received that block from the factory, in which case the engine number listed in the owners/service manual for that particular car would actually match that of the engine...

Here's one of the emails i have received in my quest to get to the bottom of this...


We write in regards to your query about the prefix "SVU".

We wish to advise the "S" added to the engine number symbolizes that the particular engine, has had a long or short engine replacement. The replacement would have been new and come from factory.

We trust this clarifies your request however should you have any further queries please do not hesitate to call on 1800 033 349 or write back

Yours sincerely,

Alan Wong
State Business Representative


I then confirmed that this actually meant that these engines would have come from factory with matching books, numbers etc...

So there we have it, finally confirmation to my suggestion.
I'll get back to them and find out about this 'CVU' prefix now.

Matt.

So they produced a heap of replacement engines or just added the "S" when a replacement engine was needed? Seems funny that they replaced lots of engines in a 2 year period.

If you can get an answer on the "C" prefix you'll be my hero

S = Statesman
C = Caprice

Does look good. But there is no "official documentation" on this. - YET.

Keep digging

[kniever]

so after the cars were built they took them back to the factory, pulled out all the old stuff and put in brand new 5ltr engines before people even bought them?

[88GreenVN]

Thinking along the replacement block email answer - was there a know problem with the 5.0L engine during this 3 years of production? ie Aug 90 to July 93. Unless it was a know casting error in a batch of blocks that never got talked about. Then why advertise the fact with a special prefix. I'm not convinced yet.

It must have been before the engines went into the cars. How long had Holden been bench testing the motors - like never.

Still not adding up.

So after July 93 they never had a bad block again - I dont believe that either.

More likely they dropped the special prefix when they were having so many rejects.

Do the SVU engines have the same memcal codes?

[adam69]

My memcal code was ASBX9285,i know coz i still have it.

[88GreenVN]

My memcal code was ASBX9285,i know coz i still have it.

ASBX9285 = standard production memcal. - no answer there

[WNTDVT]

OK...i am slowly getting toward an answer, BUT... i need some numbers.

I need the following...

VIN & Engine Numbers of vehicles given the CVU prefix.
VIN & Engine Numbers of vehicles given the CVE prefix.

If sets could be given of each cars numbers we will get somewhere.

Example.

Car 1: VIN & Engine Number.
Car 2: VIN & Engine Number.

Thanks,
Matt.

[88GreenVN]

OK...i am slowly getting toward an answer, BUT... i need some numbers.

I need the following...

VIN & Engine Numbers of vehicles given the CVU prefix.
VIN & Engine Numbers of vehicles given the CVE prefix.

If sets could be given of each cars numbers we will get somewhere.

Example.

Car 1: VIN & Engine Number.
Car 2: VIN & Engine Number.

Thanks,
Matt.

Ok I have 1.

6H8VSZ19UPL630327 - CVU614575. HSV # 274

The CVU range from 597231 to 614784

Only have 6 CVE numbers 604151, 605976, 610233, 610234, 613624 & 613625