VN series 1 to VP/VN series 2 cooling system

[Wasa]

i have a VN series I V6 and was wondering can you fix a series 2 cooling system(meaning the lot radiator surge tank overflow etc) to a series 1 VN? any info would be extremely helpful. I've been told that the series 2 system was better but correct me if i'm wrong. Also if there is a cheap alternative that is alot better than this like a v8 system or something i'd like to know aswell as my surge tank is shagged and id rather do the lot at the same time. Thanks in advance.
It's manual (if that matters)

[immortality]

i think it is possible but oyu would need to modify a few little things and i don't know if it's worth the bother. the s1 system isn't that bad. i've had a s1 VN for many years and haven't ahd any issues with the cooling system other then the plastic expansion tank is showing it's age and has a few cracks in it (not leaking yet however)

[vnv8driver]

the series 1 system isnt 'bad' its just inconvieant in a few scenarios... the good thing about the seires 1 cooling system is you can take the radiator cap (overflow bottle) off when the motors hot without coolant spraying in your face. performance and reliability wise theres no differance. the main reason the series 2 colling system is said to better is because the thermostat housing is at the front of the motor which makes life easier when changing the unit over.

[mischa]

and with hooking a S2 system up to a S1 engine you dont get the convenience of the thermostat because your using a S1 engine so really a S1 system is better for a S1 engine and a S2 for a S2 engine, who would of thought?

[jimmyd17]

VN series 1 has one longer radiator hose going to the back of the engine, and the other going to the front. The disadvantage with this is that if the rear hose needs replacing, it needs the intake manifold to be removed i'm pretty sure, cos you can't get to it.

VN series 2 has both the 'in' and 'out' radiator hoses at the front which is much easier to replace radiator hoses.

However, in my opinion, the VN series 1 engine is better because you have the 'in' and 'out' radiator hoses at opposing ends of the engine which translates into a more even temperature between all 6 cylinders, where as in the series 2 it is more likely that you'll have an uneven temperature between cylinders. That is my theory anyway. Whether it makes that much of a difference or not, i cannot be sure of. All i know is, i've owned two series 2 VN's (one manual, one auto... both of which were sluggish) and one VN series 1 auto wagon (which was much much quicker)

there's nothing wrong with the series 1 cooling system i don't think, so why go to the trouble to upgrade/downgrade (whichever way you look at it). the series 1 and 2 are just different. probably cos holden found a way to cut costs on the series 2, but who knows.

[immortality]

the only real pain with the S1 engine is changing the thermostat and the drivers side sparkplugs (with the coolant pipe in the way). it has it's advantages also. for starters it's self bleeding. i.e. fill it with coolant, run engine up to temp, top up and your done, and you get that idle like you got a moster cam in a V8 for free.

i'd never thought about the coolant flow thing. i guess that it only travels from front to rear would be better, less likely to get a hot spot in the rear cylinders like you say

[hellsvk]

sorry to thread dig,but ive got a vh with a series one vn v6 with the pressure bottle,im running a vh v8 radiator with the cap but when it gets up to the temp it just leaks coolant out of the rad cap

[Brett_jjj]

These V6's run fairly hotter compared to the V8's or older 6's.The radiator cap pressure has to be 135 kpa,whereas the V8 only has a cap pressure of 100 kpa.Id fit the higher pressure cap and see how that goes..

[hellsvk]

cheers mate,it wont blow out my radiator core?

[Brett_jjj]

I dont know,good question.Maybe you should call a radiator specialist first, and ask them can the V8 radiator handle that kind of pressure.Let us know what they say.