Ecotec.. best to replace in a VS

[Paul13pp]

Hi,
Looks like the engine in my VS wagon is past its use by date somewhat.

It goes real hard and makes no problem sounding noises or the like, but it blows a lot of blue coloured smoke when you are up it off the mark.
It is that bad, I can see clouds of smoke in the rear view mirror.

The smoke is worst when the engine is cold, but it still blows a fair amount after it warms up.
I don't know the history of the vehicle/engine, but the odometer says 396,000 and does not count up any more and who knows for how long it has not been counting.

Anyhow, I'd like to change the engine and gearbox in the future and am wondering what is the best choice of engine... as in can I fit in one from a later model without too much hassle, or am I better just sourcing another VS second hand one?

Cheers

[Crewmanss 06]

well i put a motor out of a vs into a vt & was told by holden i could of put a motor out of a vy & they had a bit more horse power but have not done one yet
only know the vt motors the same

[one_and_only2004]

You can install a vx/vy motor in an earlier car, but vs' didn't have egr (it's for emissions - it pumps exhaust gases back through the motor to make them cleaner) so you would have to take the vy plenum and manifold off and reinstall the one off your vs. I'm fairly sure that's where the vy's get their extra power from (the manifold and plenum, not the egr stuff) so you'd end up with no more grunt than what you have with a vt motor, plus you have to buy new gaskets to do the manifold swap.

[IBLOWN]

I'd just get another VS motor. VX onwards had 152KW as opposed to 147KW in the VS. Nothing worth going on about.

[PanthaVS]

if you're going to replace the motor... just to give yourself piece of mind... look into the cost of slapping a 5ltr into it?

I'm not an expert on the setup with a 5ltr, but i assume they have a different transmission, so you would want to get a motor/box combo... but if it's within your budget? why not? (if it's grunt you're after??)

[Nessie1996]

if you're going to replace the motor... just to give yourself piece of mind... look into the cost of slapping a 5ltr into it?

I'm not an expert on the setup with a 5ltr, but i assume they have a different transmission, so you would want to get a motor/box combo... but if it's within your budget? why not? (if it's grunt you're after??)

Yeah, but if he gets a 5L its almost implied that he should get an LSD (orr the locked one... not welded.. theres a name for it, saloon VNs use em...) and better diff ratio. get semi expensive.

[Zarconia]

Blue smoke?

[Kioes]

^^ This...