G'day Fellers Well I have a VU Ecotec... I'm chasing engine conversion n options.... I'm not keen to go V8 cos there are 6cyl options that yeald great options and are not as heavy on rego and insurance.... I'm thinking either supercharged 6 option or maybe 1/2 JZ options.... I'd like to probs go the super conversion tho... Before you flame I have done searches but I have not found much "Ute" related material.... I'm wondering exactly what's involved with the Ute particularly to go stock supercharged, cos if it's a huge drama I may go engine swap.... But I'd like to keep it Holden ect.... So ute only info, what's involved... Is it simple pull old one out put supercharged one in?... What's else like ecu, gearbox, bcm ect in regards to VU ute? Thanks in advance =)
Super 6 option would be pretty straight forward. You'd want a complete super 6 (L67) engine swap however, easier than replacing half your existing engine with the super 6 stuff; it has a different compression ratio, extra pulley's and belt, different balance shaft, different camshaft sprocket, different pistons, piston pins and conrods, different heads, different.. blah blah blah... Plenty of bolt ons for the super 6, easy power. Can even get an L67 from reputable recyclers on eBay for around $2k. You'll also need to replace the Powertrain Control Module (passenger footwell) and Body Control Module (under driver side dash). Harnesses should be fine, transmissions are the same, accessories are the same. To be honest there isn't any difference between a ute or sedan when it comes to this conversion. You also won't need engineering certificates, unlike a JZ engine swap. Super6 fits straight in without any modifications to the mountings.
Hey, I'm a bit confused as to what wreck to get.... Was about to snag a super VX wreck but was told I need the vt one.... It's important to me, since I decided to stay Holden, it's important to me that things like my key button, cruise control, dash, power button ect work so I was thinking go the vx..... And now I'm confused cos I asked a local workshop which model closest fitted with the VU ute was told I'd need the Vt and was told that the vx one I had found would be no good.... And guess who since bought my wreck, the one I hadplanned on buying my self... Yep, it's sitting in the yard at that very workshop, which will remain nameless.... Quite Confused, but I smell a rat! .... Long story short... I think, in my mind, that if I chase up another power pole victim, lol, in vx all my existing vu ute stuff should work just fine post swap.... correct?
If yours is a late model (series 2) VU/VT and the VX donor is a series 1 then the BCM, ECU/PCM and what not should be a straight swap. I'm not sure if there's any difference between fuel pumps with the super6, or with anything else outside of the engine (computers excluded) BCMs are numbered and modeled LOW, MID, HIGH and LUX. As said VT/VU series 2 and VX series 1 overlap and should be interchangeable. The key is matched to the BCM and will need to be coded into the BCM from the donor engine. All other accessories should be transferable to the super6 without major drama, if they're not already installed... Cruise control cables might be different due to different positioning of the throttle body (not sure there), but should be real cheap to sort out if necessary. Because you're looking at a swap from a donor vehicle you could probably get series 2 VX running gear working, given it was a running donor. The differences are electronic, not mechanical, so physically it will still fit.
sounds pretty sraight forward. so thats taking a charged engine hooked up to an auto and bolting it up to a manual correct? thats my only worry, using all the computer gear off an auto on a maunal.
If you look for info on the conversions it's the same for the ute as it is for the sedan.... There is a ton of info on another forum but is be surprised if there wasn't a heap on here
