Engine transplant.. just curious which is more Smoother/Refined?

[shmickmik]

1)

I was speaking to a very helpful member (vp_304 cheers mate ) about which engine i could put in the VN. I drive a 2000 3.5 Magna and VL calais n/a a few times a week. Every time i get into the VN S1 Buick.. im reminded why it was so cheap lol

Sure after an engine has clocked a few kays they get a little rough.. but the magna has done similiar kays and still smooth as silk.. both the rb30 and the 3.5 feel as if they have stalled when coming up to a set of lights.

My dilemma is will an ecotec or 304 be anywhere near as refined smooth as these engines?? We pretty much decided not really... which i can totally understand due to the technology advances for both of the jap engines.

As fond as i am of the vn there is a 95% chance ill be looking at a new car for what im looking after.. but just for curiosity's sake i wouldnt mind knowing if the ecotec/304 can be as smooth as those engines?

2)

I only just thought of this while typing up my post lol but i was just also wondering right. the magna is so quiet inside.. when the door shuts its a nice THUMP sound and feels like your in a ziplock paper bag..... just much thicker lol When i was thinking of building the VN properlly the first thing i was going to do was tar the floor, sound deaden the doors, firewall and roof. IS that all the magna has.. or is it just a better designed car in general...
Id hate to admit it... but if the magna came in RWD i wouldnt be posting this thread


or is the VN just THAT bad lol

Cheers fellas!

[Paiste402]

yea the buick V6's are rough as guts most times, specially when they get a few Km's on the clock. I swear my bro's VN is only running on 5 cyl on start up with its shit idle...

Well, the ecotec is smoother, also they added the bellmouth restrictor into the throttle body of (correct me if i am mistaken) VN series 2's and onwards to smooth the idle by getting more air to the back cylinders. The 304 IMO may not be as smooth either, although it is of much better design over the V6. Although with the V8 it dont matter when u plant the foot , it will smooth out ur tires at least.

The magna is incredibly smooth, ive driven a few. They go hard too (well the 6's do, not the 4 cyls...) but commodores arent about smoothness, they are about seating many, towing alot and being practical with its big torque , size and rear wheel drive. So it depends on what u use ur car for, IMO the magna would have dominated Australia if Japan would get through their thick ****in head that Australia doesnt want a big front wheel drive car (take that Mitsubishi 380).

Im conclusion you would bee hard pressed getting a commodoe that smooth, also tarring the floor and all the dampening would add HEAPS of weight. Also you just get used to things, im used to my VC's lumpy ldle and when i get in my mums car i dont know that the cars started.

VR and up are the smoothest.

[Morton]

A 304 will be very smooth, and should last you a long time. A few of the peripherals on those motors die from time to time, but the engine itself should outlive you. Mine's within farting distance of 300,000km and still drives like a brand newie - still capable of 11l/100km around the suburbs.

[greenacc]

I have never driven a VN or VR, but my ecotec is pretty smooth. Idles like a baby.
At which model did they add the balance shaft ? They smooth out lots of wrinkles.

[VrWagz1]

Having owned a TE V6 magna (manual wagon) i can totally relate to what your saying. Older commodores really are bombs as far as there engine smoothness compared to some of those nice jap engines. And the magna did feel all comfy and sound proof when ya got in too. I would have never gotten rid of mine if the paint didnt start doing a VN and have so many K's on it.
But i like my V8 wagon, its the only reason i bought it as i really dont like the 6's at all, they are rough and gutless. My 3ltr magna always used to win over my mates VX ecotec wagon. But i still wont be buying another magna

[moff_man]

I have never driven a VN or VR, but my ecotec is pretty smooth. Idles like a baby.
At which model did they add the balance shaft ? They smooth out lots of wrinkles.

ballance shafts have been in since vn and went away in the last of the ecotech's, alloytec's do not have ballance shafts and inline 6's did not have ballance shafts

[Paiste402]

My 3ltr magna always used to win over my mates VX ecotec wagon. But i still wont be buying another magna

hahah thats awesome... but then again a bit sad...

lol.

[norman]

If you want a smooth runner and more power then buy an Alloytec (high output). 195 killowatts versus the 304's 185 and a hell of a lot cheaper than buying a new car.

[Reaper]

For a smooth feel the Ecotec is very good. They squeal a bit up high but then again so did your Magna. They feel a little doughy for me. A stock 5 litre will be smooth. Once you start modifying it you do sacrifice some of the "smoothness" for performance.

Reaper

[centy]

if you want smooth then a late model 304 as the cranks are properly balanced late in the range.vs i think.
as for your car sounding like a tin can, well you got a vn, that says it all. Vp's had extra sound deadening so are much more comfortable to ride in.
a few sheets of tar and some felt and get lining.
My vp even has felt up behind the dash.

[jakewaze]

i have a vn with an occasional idling problem but when its good it is smooth as, bout he same as my mums vs, in the higher revs it is even smoother.