V6 VT engine into VS?

[jeepster]

When I was looking around the wreckers for a replacement engine, a few of them refused
to give me an engine from a VT, claiming it wasn't 100% compatible. I've looked into it,
and can only find that the water pump and oil sump are different, nothing critical.
It should bolt in, and plug into the PCM. Has anybody dropped a VT (or VS III) engine
in without drama?

[seq4x4]

It should be a direct drop in but youll need the PCM from the VT to put into the VS. They have different mapping.

[admir87]

I think the temp guage sensor is also not in the front of the inlet manifold like the vs version.

So you might have to tap in a hole for the sensor

[bobthefish]

It is pretty straight forward- only the gearbox upgrade for a column shift gearbox is hard.
Remove your temp sensor from the vs and replace it in the bleed screw hole in the vt above the thermostat. Everyone says to tap a new hole but it is completely unnecessary. You can unplug and loosen the sensor to bleed the system, but always fill it through the top radiator hose to avoid a long bleeding process.
The passenger side engine mount must be swapped with yours for the mounting bracket for the ac compressor. Do this before fitting engine.
Also you swap the breather line as a VT has no charcoal cannister. I recommend keeping your exhaust headers too as VT manifolds crack on the passenger side, and you must swap the nearside to fit as bell housings are different on vs gearboxes, and its once again easier to swap over while the motors are out- swap eveything before fitting and use plenty of antiseize spray on the manifold bolts as they can easily snap and its near impossible to get the stud out if its in the car.
Also, it has EGR module/valve. I left it disconnected and it continues to run fine. and make sure you get an engine cover for a VT as they are different- exchange for your vs one.
If you end up upgrading your gearbox, let me know as I did a column shift so know every mod necessary. In the end though, not much fun! Recommend leaving gearboxes standard.

[SP00KSTER]

hey mate it's definatly possible as i have a vt motor in my VS S3 ute, i didn't do the conversion the previous owner did it but as said above there isn't alot of difference between the two and the only differences are easy to fix your self.

[Gurner]

I hope the fit straight in because I am sticking a 99 VT motor into my 97 VS this weekend.. Will talk to my mechanic about the passenger engine mounts.

[James39]

It is pretty straight forward- only the gearbox upgrade for a column shift gearbox is hard.
Remove your temp sensor from the vs and replace it in the bleed screw hole in the vt above the thermostat. Everyone says to tap a new hole but it is completely unnecessary. You can unplug and loosen the sensor to bleed the system, but always fill it through the top radiator hose to avoid a long bleeding process.
The passenger side engine mount must be swapped with yours for the mounting bracket for the ac compressor. Do this before fitting engine.
Also you swap the breather line as a VT has no charcoal cannister. I recommend keeping your exhaust headers too as VT manifolds crack on the passenger side, and you must swap the nearside to fit as bell housings are different on vs gearboxes, and its once again easier to swap over while the motors are out- swap eveything before fitting and use plenty of antiseize spray on the manifold bolts as they can easily snap and its near impossible to get the stud out if its in the car.
Also, it has EGR module/valve. I left it disconnected and it continues to run fine. and make sure you get an engine cover for a VT as they are different- exchange for your vs one.
If you end up upgrading your gearbox, let me know as I did a column shift so know every mod necessary. In the end though, not much fun! Recommend leaving gearboxes standard.

Would the inlet manifold from the VS fit the VT motor and in turn not need to worry about the EGR?

[bogan_vk]

i did a vt motor into a vs and it went in easy changed a few small things around the top end and it all went together smoothly cant remember exactly what we did as it was a while ago but it was an easy swap and has been driving for 6 months now with no issues and everything works.

[cander24]

Would the inlet manifold from the VS fit the VT motor and in turn not need to worry about the EGR?

Yes. The manifolds are interchangable. By fitting the vs manifold to a vt-vy motor you avoid the need to add the vs coolant temp sender and block the egr port on the plenum.

[James39]

Yes. The manifolds are interchangable. By fitting the vs manifold to a vt-vy motor you avoid the need to add the vs coolant temp sender and block the egr port on the plenum.

Cool, sounds like a better way to do it

[Brett_jjj]

I have a VX ecotec engine in my VS and its just had the VS manifold swapped over onto it.I didnt even know it was from a VX until I went to holden to price a new water pump,and they wanted my engine number, as the VS models had a different water pump fitted after a certain engine number,and when I gave the guy my engine number,he reckoned it was from a VX,not a VS.The engine was a fully reconditioned engine from redlands in brisbane,so the block obviously originally came from a VX ecotec..

[cander24]

Cool, sounds like a better way to do it

Yep. Just use the vs inlet manifold and plenum, vs exhaust manifolds (both sides) and vs passenger side engine mount. Everything else is interchangable.
Cheers

[Gurner]

Well go day tomorrow for swapping my motor.. So just need to keep the VS inlet manifold and plenum and swap the VT passenger side engine mount and thats it aye?

Will let yas know how it all goes after the weekend.

[cander24]

So just need to keep the VS inlet manifold and plenum and swap the VT passenger side engine mount and thats it aye?

Almost! (refer to post #12) In addition to what you've listed you'll also need to use the vs exhaust manifolds. The passenger side manifold is the same shape throughout the ecotec range, however, vt-vy will have a threaded hole/boss for the egr pipe. If you use this on a vs you'll need to block the hole. The drivers side manifold is quite a different shape between the vs and vt-vy and will not match up to your existing primary pipes.
Cheers