What to look out for in a VN

[ToyHicko]

well they must be slightly different as they have different power rating so either cams or just different tune don't know.

Wasn't sure if the VR engine was a easy swap as different ECU for Electronic Auto if it could be change to suit an Knock down cable style Auto or if the sensor were interchangeable.

Cheers for the reply but

[Dec_head]

Yeah i think the vr had a higher compression engine if using one in a vp you would use the vp harness etc and the kickdown connects to the throttle body i would say the tune would need modifying to suit the higher compression but your on the right site for help with that.

[Holden202T]

as far as engines go the vr motor will be fine for what you need.

they do have a cam sensor on them but that can just be left unplugged, otherwise should be a pretty straight forward swap. you'll need to get the tranny kickdown cable bracket off the old motor but thats about it.

also make sure you don't use the VR tranny (if you even get it that is) cause they are electronically controlled whereas the VP is hydraulic.

stear clear of vn s1 motors, too much different stuff.

[VL400]

Had a VR motor running on a standard VP memcal and it ran ok. You can always run a modified VR manual tune, not hard to do and will get all the extra code goodness. Just need to replace the 128kbit EPROM in the memcal with a 256kbit version.

[ToyHicko]

Thanks for the replies guys good to know before I when and jump into bought the car.

Well I've get the car and Started the "Dead" engine and it sounds dead there is a rattle/grinding noise and has drop a cylinder. Was hoping would be something simple like a Dead flex plate or harmonic balancer. Getting it towed and going to start looking to see if we can find the problem if it to major I'll grab an engine off the wrecker. Just seems a was to throw an engine with only 97000 km on it.

Anyway car my first factory delco controlled car now I actually start playing around and get a head full of the parameters and table in the code to what they actually do. Just need a working engine first

[Holden202T]

the thing is these days with engines so cheap at wreckers most people don't want to know about a rebuild .... even a cheap as rebuild your looking at usually over $1000 .... when you can get a full running commodore for half that its hard to beat!

[ToyHicko]

That's true holden202 but when you have access to a full workshop free of charge then a little rebuilt become fairly cheap. If the damage is too great the engine is being replace no questions I'm allowing $600 to repair the engine if it looks to be more out it come in goes the VR engine simple well i hope so anyway. Also even tho the rego states the car is a VP it is actually a VN doesn't matter the engine is the same anyway.

The tapered cover and heads come off this weekend to see the damage fingers crossed it's only something simple and easy to fix. I'll also take some photos of the car and post up the Build ready for the rally. Mean time the EFI conversion to my car is on the back burner till the end of the year.

Cheers

[ToyHicko]

Dead Pot what the rattle no compression on Cylinder 2 the valve spring looked normal so out went that engine in goes another. Want a pity throwing an engine with 97000km on it and putting one with 270000km good news was found that all the suspension has been upgraded

[Dec_head]

It is odd one with such low k's is buggered although they did have a problem with the speedo trip meter gear failing .
i have seen some of them engines if regulary serviced and run with the correct coolant at the right ph balance etc are good for 500 thousand k's with a few replacement bits like coil packs dfi's crank angle sensors harmonic balancers being replaced.

[ToyHicko]

I honestly believe it was genuine km as the engine has no carbon build up on the rocker or tapered covers inside the engine. The other engine has carbon build up every where. As this car is only for a charity rally car anyway the low km where just a bonus.