Out there idea - engine conv.

[B92 8NW]

Whilst personally I'm not the least bit interested in doing it and very happy not to have the money to try it... but how would a GM 3800 V6 and GM 4L80E 4 speed auto go in a Tdi Disco/Fender from a VP, VR or VT commodore?

Since I am Land Rover-less for a little while, I've been driving a few different commodores from a VP to a VY and must say I'm quite impressed with the good old common yobbo aussie car. Fun burning off the fully sick modded s*** in an essentially stock plain cheap car. I digress.

Marks adaptors make a 4L80E to LT230 kit and a GM 3800 V6 conversion kit so it must be feasible - would the combo be any good offroad, given that these beasts produce lovely torque down real low... and if I'm not mistaken more power than a 3.9? Would make for an interesting drive, provided the 3800 was up to the job of hauling a brick weighing another 600kg.

[Sprint]

dont know about landrovers, but my local mechanic has a 45 series cruiser ute with a VN vintage V6 and a supercharger, not massive boost, just one of those jap import type blowers, and it hammers..... usually doesnt switch the blower on though

[Slunnie]

I think they seem to get use quite successfully in Hiluxs etc. I reckon they'd be great, but the V6 noise would always get to me when it comes out of a place that used to house a V8. The V8 would be excellent though and through the Holden Auto and LT230 would be excellent.

[Dougal]

The old work commodore used to drink 16L/100km around town, tried driving it nicely, didn't make any difference according to the fuel computer.

[werdan]

Heh, that's funny. I was thinking the other day how the 4.2ltr 6cyl TD from a pov pack Ford F250 would go in a Defender. They put out to 600nm of torque unchipped.

[Bigbjorn]

Have had Buick V6 Commodores as renters. most impressed with the fuel economy, particularly getting over 30mpg on the highway. Excellent low speed torque and as said above, they realy dig out off the mark. Low weight and compact, no inbuilt problems, like the Falcon cylinder heads, that I have heard of. Plenty about, and the cheapest way would probably be to buy a write-off or a roughie at auction.

[Slunnie]

The old work commodore used to drink 16L/100km around town, tried driving it nicely, didn't make any difference according to the fuel computer.

Our VT Berlina did the same. Around town they'll drop to about 12.5l/100km if you lock them out of top gear. Not sure why though.

[RonMcGr]

Whilst personally I'm not the least bit interested in doing it and very happy not to have the money to try it... but how would a GM 3800 V6 and GM 4L80E 4 speed auto go in a Tdi Disco/Fender from a VP, VR or VT commodore?

Since I am Land Rover-less for a little while, I've been driving a few different commodores from a VP to a VY and must say I'm quite impressed with the good old common yobbo aussie car. Fun burning off the fully sick modded s*** in an essentially stock plain cheap car. I digress.

Marks adaptors make a 4L80E to LT230 kit and a GM 3800 V6 conversion kit so it must be feasible - would the combo be any good offroad, given that these beasts produce lovely torque down real low... and if I'm not mistaken more power than a 3.9? Would make for an interesting drive, provided the 3800 was up to the job of hauling a brick weighing another 600kg.

Joel,

Sorry about the "Heat Seeker" comment, I did not realise you were a youngun.

The commode V6 may seem gutsy in a commodore, but that is only due to the ratio of first gear. The only one that is feasible to transfer is the VN as it has a cable kickdown in the auto. The rest are electronic and are not a simple change over.
Next the engine.
A VN V6 puts out 127Kw @ 4,800rpm and 288Nm @ 3200rpm.
Lets compare that to my thirsty and not so powerfull Disco V8. 134kW @ 4750rpm and 304Nm @ 2600rpm.

In other words, you would have a very gutless and thirsty vehicle

The 5.0L V8 commode is slightly better, 165Kw and 385Nm @ 3,600rpm. The problem here is the full torque is achieved at 3,600rpm which is a little too high.

My suggestion is you go to a Land Rover wrecker and buy a good 2nd hand auto box to fit your diesel. There would be plenty around.

Cheers

[B92 8NW]

Joel,

Sorry about the "Heat Seeker" comment, I did not realise you were a youngun.

The commode V6 may seem gutsy in a commodore, but that is only due to the ratio of first gear. The only one that is feasible to transfer is the VN as it has a cable kickdown in the auto. The rest are electronic and are not a simple change over.
Next the engine.
A VN V6 puts out 127Kw @ 4,800rpm and 288Nm @ 3200rpm.
Lets compare that to my thirsty and not so powerfull Disco V8. 134kW @ 4750rpm and 304Nm @ 2600rpm.

In other words, you would have a very gutless and thirsty vehicle

The 5.0L V8 commode is slightly better, 165Kw and 385Nm @ 3,600rpm. The problem here is the full torque is achieved at 3,600rpm which is a little too high.

My suggestion is you go to a Land Rover wrecker and buy a good 2nd hand auto box to fit your diesel. There would be plenty around.

Cheers

No probs

Interesting to read that it has been done, "successfully" depending on interpretation!

They do get appalling fuel economy around town when driven in "D". Our '04 VY had this problem, I spoke to South City Holden and they strongly assured me to drive the thing in "D" under normal use. FWIW I always use "3" around town and "D" at freeway speeds and it gets 450-550 kms per tank, not 350-450. The problem seems, is that it picks up 4th gear whilst on the overrun but tends to hold it when you resume accelerating, even at only 55 or so km/h. Its then very reluctant to drop out of 4th unless you sink the boot or manually shift back.

Ron - the Disco gets herself an auto very soon (woohoo) - place hasn't reopened yet

[Dougal]

Have had Buick V6 Commodores as renters. most impressed with the fuel economy, particularly getting over 30mpg on the highway.

Since when was 30mpg on the highway impressive for a car?
My diesel rangerover does that, but is almost twice the weight, pushes about twice the air and drives 3 times as many diffs.