Hilux V6 Conversion

[figjam56]

???

Hi i am thinking of changing my Hilux 4WD motor to a V6 commodore motor, if there is anyone with some tips or know of anything that might be able to help me please email me

figjamagain56@hotmail.com

Steve

[bogged]

no tips, but sounds like fun :)

[Kev.]

First you should decide on auto or man as the engines and computers are different, i went man but would of preferd auto as the man shifting can be jerky.

Also make sure the engine is a series 2 VN and above as the series 1 are crap !
Then order a conversion kit from Marks Adaptors (check there web site) and go from there.

To do it yourself expect to pay $3000 to $5000

Have fun,

Kev.

[taziiy]

To do it yourself expect to pay $3000 to $5000



is that price all up or just for engine and gearbox or just for the conversion kit

And you can add a supercharger from CAstlemaine rod shop while your at it ;)

[baby_troupe]

I hear that nos kits are getting more portable.

That should get the wheels spinning.
http://www.smilies.nl/rough/terminator.gif

[splodge]

Have had this conversion done on my old hilux, it really makes them go hard ;D. Problem was it blew the standard gearbox :'(, other than that there were no major hassles, but if yours is petrol use a diesel radiator for it's greater capacity. Just do it you won't be sorry. ;)

[Kev.]

Forget the diesel radiator, it will do but i recomend a 4-core or a large 3-core from a V8 Commadore.
Hilux conversions are notorious for heating problems.

Taz, i did all the work myself and it cost me aprox $3000 including the bell housing kit ($1200) and engine ($1000).

Even fitted a set of modified extractors and a 2/12" exhaust (side pipe) with free flow muffler. ;D

And as splodge said you can damage the drive line easly so no burn outs at the lights ;)

[taziiy]

every thing im looking at doing cost around $3,000 not happy when i dont have it. :'(

then why you looking at converting it?

A conversion you do allow double what you think, pay someone, add another 50% on your 100% budget.

[baby_troupe]

3K. That would be pretty cheap for a conversion. I would expect 5-6K normally especially when you look at the parts needed.

I am with Darren on this one, do not do it if you cannot afford it.

[Kev.]

Engine complete with computer and all wiring - $1000
Convevsion kit - $900
Engine mount kit - $200
V8 radiator (self modified)- $100
Thermo fan -$100
V8 cluch plate -$100 ?
Speed sensor - $300
Exhaust (self made) - $350

(plus aprox $200 in bits and pieces)

Aprox total - $3,250
(including a few late nights and skinned knuckels ;) )

I dont see fuel hoses, emmisions, tuning, oil changes, filters,fan shrouds, radiator hoses, bolts, washers, nuts, cables, pressure plate, flywheel machine, spiggot bearing, thrust bearing, wiring , connectors, brake fluid, fuel pump, tacho sensor, air cleaner, ....I think you get the idea.......

[my45]

Its all the little stuff like that starts to throw the budget way off course!

I'm also withe the shed jed ;) ;) :)

[splodge]

Mine cost me $7000 :o, but I didn't do any of the work myself.

[baby_troupe]

Mine cost me $7000 :o, but I didn't do any of the work myself.

Like I said before, 5K plus usually.
You would need to work out if you are gaining that much from the vehicle before you start outlaying that sort of money though (my opinion only)

[Kev.]

Come on you guys, do you think im here trying to bull sh#t you all. what do i care !

Shed guy,

Fuel hose- yes 3 metres, $30
Emmisions- charcol canister came with engine (i did say complete engine !)
Tuning, oil and filters- No tuning to start with as it ran sweet from word go, oil and filters max $30 (minor detail for a conversion)
No fan shroud- electric fan $100 as stated.
Radiator hoses- with engine but replaced anyway-$30
Cables- Accel cable with engine
Pressure plate- used existing one (not suposed too) because engine was purchased after 5000km rebuild, still new.
No flywheel machine needed.
Spiggot and thrust bearings are included in the conversion kit.
Fuel pump- came with engine.
No tacho sensor (cost to much and not nesessary)
Nuts/bolts come with the conversion kit.

As i said i included aprox $200 for bits and pieces.

Splodge,
If i where to do it for someone else i would charge the same. It took me 3 weeks work all up by myself (no help from anyone) incuding learning how to and searching for bits ect.

BT, "like i said, 5k plus usally"

Yeah maybe usally but not this time, you can save money if you find things yourself. ie to buy the radiator from Marks adaptors to suit it will cost you $650 where i found one for $100. Just an example.

I can't take criticism from people who think they know but have not actually done this themselvs to find out !!!!!

Anyone else think im lieing ? >:(

[baby_troupe]

I did not think you were lying mate.
I was just trying to prepare you for the worst, should it happen.
Most of these conversions cost plenty more because of other problems which "pop up" & these are best to be budgetted for before you start, rather than have a half finished project sit in the shed for months while you are waiting for the extra $$$ to pay for it.

[my45]

Yeah, thats what i meant as well. "its allthe little suff that throughs the budget way off course", its these "pop ups" that i was talking about ;)

[Kev.]

Don't need to prepare me for anything, im not the kind of bloke who half does things. I know exactly what im doing when it comes to this type of work.

In the past i have rebuilt a several Chevy engines and even an old petrol Cruiser, also done gearbox and diff swaps so i kind of know what im doing !

I finished the conversion about a year ago and its still going strong with no problems at all (touch wood as my brother owns it now)

But you are right that some people start things and can't afford to finish them, obviously they did not reserch it before deciding on starting the project.

Kev.

[Kev.]

My 45,

What little "pop ups" ? give me an example.

If you do it correctly the first time you should have no problems.

[baby_troupe]

I think he was referring to what I said with things pop up.
These can include needing to move cross members, different sump, modding drive shafts etc due to new mounting position for gearbox / transfer case.
Again things that usually pop up when the research is not done & trying to do on the cheap.

[Kev.]

Move a cross member, different sump, mod drive shafts ect

If these where unforeseen "pop ups" then you may as well drop tools now and walk away because you obviously have no idea about what your doing !

BTW- i didn't need to change the above in any way.

[baby_troupe]

I have not had to do a conversion on my own vehicle yet, but when I do, I will be doing plenty of asking of experts & so on.
What I have posted re probs are things I have seen on other peoples vehicles & are based on the experiences they have had.
I guess I have been pretty lucky so far as to not need to do a full engine conversion, but at least I know I have plenty of people around to offer advice when I need it.

[Kev.]

;)

You need to do your homework well, measure up, work out the big parts, stick to a plan, and ensure 10mm clearance everywhere, and not let anything faze you as you go, if it starts getting to you, go make coffee, have a think, then get back into it, but never think it wont have a hiccup.

[Tlux]

If you get fazed, stuff the coffee, rip the top off a stubbie and the solutions will come thick and fast.

If you get fazed, stuff the coffee, rip the top off a stubbie and the solutions will come thick and fast.


alcohol = she"ll be right mate.......
Coffee = 28 hr shift till its done and lets keep going ;)

[baby_troupe]

I didn't think alcohol would be a good solution either.

Maybe a few calls when you get stuck, or even post a question on the forum with some pics & you never know, maybe a soultion will come your way without having to resort to the oxy & hammer.

[Kev.]

Its not called a hammer, its called a persuasion tool ! :o ;D

[baby_troupe]

Its not called a hammer, its called a persuasion tool ! :o ;D

LOL http://www.smilies.nl/rough/smileydies.gif

http://www.smilies.nl/rough/quickdraw.gif

KNOCKOMETER

[Tlux]

Yeah yous may be right, but a drop of Johnny Walker red in the coffee would certainly help kick it along. I say JW red because that's about all it's good for. But for real inspiration, you can't beat 12yr old Glenfiddich.

[baby_troupe]

But wouldn't a drink or two while you are trying to sort out a problem cloud your judgement & possibly cause an incorrect decision.

For me, I leave the drinkin' til the day is done.

Yep, things like conversions where you have to live and service the result, means a "quick" fix, never is, focus focus focus, gt the job done, then do the celebrating every time it does what you set out for it to achieve.......

[Tlux]

Nope! Fazed, hit the piss, in the morning you'll wonder how you could have missed the solution. Put a request on the forum, and you may be inundated with different fixes, then you have to try and figure who knows what they are talking about. Don't start the job until you have sussed it out completely. Next year I'll be doing a coil conversion to my Lux, and I'll know the ins and outs of a ducks arse before I start.

mmmm I hope a ducks ass resembles coil suspenion, or all that time studying ducks asses will be wasted..... :P

[baby_troupe]

LOL.
Sorry I've got a picture of that in my head now
Guy sucking down a brewsky & really getting to know the ins & outs of a ducks ar$e.

[Runninman]

gday

ive just read through most of whats been said, ive got a forerunner with the 3L V6 in at the moment and was also thinking about changing to a late model holden V6 but by the sounds of what ive read im starting to think is it worth it? is the power gained out of the conversion worth the cash? im not very mechanicaly minded either so id be getting someone else to be doin the spanner work

[baby_troupe]

Between you and me Runninman, if the 3.0 is doing the job, leave it alone.
Sure the 3.8 has more grunt, but a bit of forced air induction (either turbo or supercharger) would probably be cheaper & less hassle. May even give similar power for less fuel ;D