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Manual VT wagon or VX wagon + conversion?

Discussion in 'VT - VX Holden Commodore (1997 - 2002)' started by DavidPartay, Jul 24, 2006.

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  1. Jul 24, 2006 #1
    DavidPartay

    DavidPartay somewhat awesome

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    Ok well my plans to get a particular VS went into the bin when said VS had an accident involving much front-end damage.

    So now I'm trying to decide whether to buy a manual VT station wagon or get a VX station wagon and convert it to manual.

    I'm hoping to find a Series 2 VT to avoid all the typical little series 1 problems that always seem to show up, plus my understanding is that they're a little bit lighter than the series 1.

    Is the price difference + cost of a manual conversion worth it to get the VX over the VT? I'm guessing it's about $2,000 - $3,500 to convert it depending on where I go, plus I'm guessing there's probably a good $2-$3,000 in price difference for the car itself so I'm more leaning towards the VT.
     
    DavidPartay, Jul 24, 2006
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  2. Jul 24, 2006 #2
    DavidPartay

    DavidPartay somewhat awesome

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    Never mind guys :D

    I'm getting a VX station wagon for just under $13,000 for $240 a month over the next few years from Hunter Holden. Yes, it's an auto, but I will have it converted!

    I'm so excited!!! :D :D :D
     
    DavidPartay, Jul 24, 2006
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  3. Jul 24, 2006 #3
    ProphetVX

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    Hope you didn't get a VX Series 2...

    It'll be a costly exercise converting it if you got an ecotec. The ECU's aren't exactly friendly to tune.
     
    ProphetVX, Jul 24, 2006
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  4. Jul 24, 2006 #4
    EXCESSV

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    also a NEW manual conversion can be round $8K mark and a second hand one can depend but usually round $4-5K.

    alot of people have asked on this forum and some have tried but most changed there mind. the general consensus is that its better to sell auto car and buy manual one.....but you bought the auto.

    good luck with it but its not going to be cheap or problem free
     
    EXCESSV, Jul 24, 2006
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  5. Jul 24, 2006 #5
    WAGON MAN

    WAGON MAN Gas Sleeper

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    Did you get a series 1 or series 2 ?


    Spot on.... DeanoVT:thumbsup:
     
    WAGON MAN, Jul 24, 2006
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  6. Jul 24, 2006 #6
    DavidPartay

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    What's wrong with the Series 2?

    It's a 2002 model VX....
     
    DavidPartay, Jul 24, 2006
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  7. Jul 24, 2006 #7
    ProphetVX

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    Series 2 VX's if ecotec's have an ECU which can't be tuned.

    It uses memcal technology whereas the earlier models used flash memory. There currently aren't any tools that allow tuning of a memcal, unless you get a piggyback ECU from companies such as haltech, motech etc. They come with their own issues that need not be discussed here. Its an expensive path to go down, as the piggy back ECU itself would cost up to $1500, then you have a very complex installation ontop of that.

    To "downgrade" your ECU to flash also is a tedious task, requiring a major overhaul of your wiring harnesses, instrument cluster etc.

    Obviously you need to retune your ECU to handle the manual as it will cause the car to run poorly without. So as you can see its a very difficult path to go down with the series 2.

    If you're just going to get a shop to do the work for you, and still haven't purchased the car, I'd investigate costing before you commit yourself to the purchase.

    You may be better off holding off till you find a series 1, or a VT that is to your liking if your heart is set on a manual.
     
    ProphetVX, Jul 24, 2006
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  8. Jul 24, 2006 #8
    DavidPartay

    DavidPartay somewhat awesome

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    Meh, I'm sure I'll live. If it's really that costly then there's not much point hey? If only Holden would just bloody well make a manual wagon :).
     
    DavidPartay, Jul 24, 2006
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  9. Jul 24, 2006 #9
    ProphetVX

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    By all means investigate the costing, I haven't attempted it myself, and only going by what I've heard from other people.

    You just probably bought the model that is the hardest to convert by all reports. That said, if you shop around for all the parts, you may find somewhere that can do it for a reasonable price.
     
    ProphetVX, Jul 24, 2006
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  10. Jul 25, 2006 #10
    glen_56

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    Are you serious? I converted my ss to manual and used a secondhand gearbox with 40,000km on it. Some parts were new from holden and it cost me $1900 all up. Can't imagine it costing more than $2500 if someone else does it for you.
     
    glen_56, Jul 25, 2006
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  11. Jul 25, 2006 #11
    glen_56

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    Can you just use a vt ecu in the vx?
     
    glen_56, Jul 25, 2006
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  12. Jul 25, 2006 #12
    ProphetVX

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    Its my understanding that its just not a swap and go job, alot of the wiring needs to be changed.

    This is all just word of mouth stuff im speaking, i haven't done it first hand.
     
    ProphetVX, Jul 25, 2006
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  13. Jul 26, 2006 #13
    DavidPartay

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    Well the manual conversion is still on the To-do list but I will most certainly be looking into the costs and what's involved before I do it. When I say on the To-do list, it comes after paying off 4 grand of other debts, lowering the car, VX SS wheels :D, exhaust and fog lights ;).

    Thanks for your information guys ;). I'm now off to search the forum for information on removing the stereo and installing a single din unit so nobody has a go at me for not searching for it although if someone could nudge me in the right direction that would help if I can't find a thread that'll help :).
     
    DavidPartay, Jul 26, 2006
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  14. Jul 26, 2006 #14
    WAGON MAN

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    Here you go David......

    http://forums.justcommodores.com.au/showthread.php?t=38488

    Posted originally by accentstencil
     
    WAGON MAN, Jul 26, 2006
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  15. Jul 26, 2006 #15
    DavidPartay

    DavidPartay somewhat awesome

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    Thanks mate!
     
    DavidPartay, Jul 26, 2006
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  16. Jul 26, 2006 #16
    WAGON MAN

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    Thanks to accentstencil! :thumbsup:
     
    WAGON MAN, Jul 26, 2006
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  17. Jul 26, 2006 #17
    DavidPartay

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    Of course! :D
     
    DavidPartay, Jul 26, 2006
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  18. Jul 26, 2006 #18
    WAGON MAN

    WAGON MAN Gas Sleeper

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    How many Kms ?
     
    WAGON MAN, Jul 26, 2006
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  19. Jul 26, 2006 #19
    DavidPartay

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    Just under 125,000, it's an ex Energy Australia car. I see those guys on the freeway all the time and they all drive gracefully so I know the car hasn't been thrashed :D


    Should say I filled in all the forms on Monday, finalised everything on Tuesday and drove it home after work :D

    STOOOOOOKED!!!!

    All my buddies bagged me out for getting an auto though because I always bag them out for having autos :(
     
    DavidPartay, Jul 26, 2006
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  20. Jul 26, 2006 #20
    DavidPartay

    DavidPartay somewhat awesome

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    Hang on a second, wouldn't it be possible to get all the bits and pieces out of a series 2 VX S-pack for a manual conversion?
     
    DavidPartay, Jul 26, 2006
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