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VH41DE UC Sunbird

Started by _GaR_ , Apr 16 2007 05:22 PM

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32 replies to this topic

#1 _GaR_

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Posted 16 April 2007 - 05:22 PM

This is exactly as I've posted on GP Forums, my "home" forum.

So, I'm stuffing a VH41DE into my 1980 Holden UC Sunbird.

Here's the hole into which it must fit:

Posted Image

The VH is ****ing wide, so I widened the hole by grinding the lip off each chassis rail:

Posted Image

Here's how it used to be, for the sake of reference:

Posted Image

Between Mettler and me, we've got it this close, after a day and a half:

Posted Image

It just needs the brake booster shoved over a tad, and the rest of that rail ground out, and she'll all be gravy.

Posted Image

Oh, I'll be seam-welding the chassis rails too. Y'know, since I removed all the spot welds when I took my grinder to it.

::edit::

I've read up on Chaotic's LX, and it looks like he gave up on fitting the VH. I reckon it'll be sweet, with a bit of work.

Anyone know what became of that one?

Edited by GaR, 16 April 2007 - 05:32 PM.

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#2 RIM-010

DON'T PANIC

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Posted 16 April 2007 - 05:52 PM

http://www.gmh-toran...p?showtopic=645

Bart is doing the same, but with an LJ...

Tim

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#3 _Azza_

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Posted 16 April 2007 - 05:59 PM

Looks good mate. You gonna do anything to the body or paint?

Keep us posted

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#4 _GaR_

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Posted 16 April 2007 - 06:05 PM

Looks good mate. You gonna do anything to the body or paint?

Keep us posted

I'll be leaving the body pretty much standard. I'll only flare it if I have to.

As far as paint goes, I'm dreaming of a different colour scheme every week; we'll see what catches my fancy when I've got the engine, driveline, brakes, suspension, etc sorted.

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#5 _Keithy's_UC_

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Posted 16 April 2007 - 06:16 PM

Well done man. I like seeing something different! What box and diff are you planning on running behind it?

Cheers
Keith

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#6 _GaR_

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Posted 16 April 2007 - 06:24 PM

If I leave it n/a I'll probably go for a Toyota W57 or similar. I have no idea what diff to go for though, any suggestions would be more than welcome

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#7 _Keithy's_UC_

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Posted 16 April 2007 - 06:26 PM

That all depends on how much power your chasing... I like the supra boxes, good choice there. I'd naturally have to say a 9" for the diff, but there are other options... You could get a Borgwarner from a commodore shortened down and throw that in - they are supposed to be super tough (??)...

Keith

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#8 _GaR_

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Posted 16 April 2007 - 06:38 PM

I'll be cranking 300+ horse, so I'll need something fairly tough. I'm not all that keen on 9" though, due to the size and weight of them. I've heard some good thing about Hilux diffs.

My flatmate's VK runs a hot 308 and W57, and it spits out Borg Warner diffs with monotonous regularity.

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#9 Heath

I like cars.

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Name:Heath
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Car:Heavily Modified UC Sunbird Hatchback
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Posted 16 April 2007 - 06:50 PM

V8 VN LSD with the right axles is a nice choice

Cool project, keep us updated!

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#10 _1uzbt1_

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Posted 16 April 2007 - 07:26 PM

awsome project!!A R154 turbo box will hold 500hp easy,not cheap though,and a 4 pinion lsd/spooled 28 spline borgwarner are pretty good too,also can be hard to get and expensive.Some of the bw diffs are 25 spline 2 pinion lsd(falcons etc)and arent as good.

How close are your exhaust ports too the body,will they be easy to do?She looks tight.

Edited by 1uzbt1, 16 April 2007 - 07:27 PM.

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#11 _GaR_

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Posted 16 April 2007 - 07:44 PM

The exhaust ports are well clear of the chassis; I'll post some photos tomorrow _b

Cheers for the info

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#12 _Azza_

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Posted 16 April 2007 - 07:51 PM

I dont think that donk will worry about the weight of a 9"

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#13 _GaR_

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Posted 16 April 2007 - 07:54 PM

^ It's more the handling. A 9" is a shitload of unsprung weight to have swinging around back there, especially in a light car like a UC.

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#14 Heath

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Posted 16 April 2007 - 08:02 PM

...as I said... V8 VN LSD with the right axles is a nice choice

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#15 _Keithy's_UC_

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Posted 16 April 2007 - 08:56 PM

I'll let you know how my 9" compares to the old salisbury in about 2 weeks time...

Keith

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#16 _Chaotic_

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Posted 16 April 2007 - 09:12 PM

My 9" is gonna be using as many alloy components as possible, adds a fair bit more to the bill but helps to take the weight down.

VH41 is still sitting out in my shed

If your going to be going manual i'd be looking towards running an rb25 or 300zx box.

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#17 _Keithy's_UC_

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Posted 16 April 2007 - 10:40 PM

^Keeping it in the family that way too - parts may be easier to interchange...

Keith

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#18 LX2DR

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Posted 16 April 2007 - 11:29 PM

Mate i've got a shoe horn you can borrow, dont know if its strong enough for your needs though, thats f*#@ing tight.

Good luck with the project.

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#19 _GaR_

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Posted 17 April 2007 - 05:30 AM

If your going to be going manual i'd be looking towards running an rb25 or 300zx box.

The Nissan 5-speed boxes are worth more than gold. The Toyota ones are less than a third the price, and don't require much more work. I still need a custom bellhousing, etc anyway >_<

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#20 _LX_SS_

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Posted 17 April 2007 - 06:34 AM

personally i'd pick the toyota r154 over the rb25det box anyday, and i got a rb25det box lol. so much more simple in box design, readily available parts, etc... (for the toyota)

rb boxes start @ $1700 s/h
justjap.com sell the rb25 box new for $3200

still exxy me thinks

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#21 _GaR_

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Posted 17 April 2007 - 06:54 AM

From what I've seen over the past year, W57s go for sorta $400 - $800, RB20 boxes for about the same, RB25DET/VG30DET boxes are more like $1500-2500.

The W57 is much betterer than the RB20 box, so that'll probably be my pick.

Someone once told me that a T5 won't fit in a UC; can anyone confirm that? And, more to the point, would a T5 handle the jandal?

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#22 _1uzbt1_

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Posted 17 April 2007 - 11:18 AM

the bennifit of the toyota boxs is they have the removable bellhousing,the nissan boxs ive seen(silvias)dont,what about the rest?Otherwise you will have to make a adaptor plate.

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#23 _GaR_

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Posted 17 April 2007 - 11:21 AM

^ I'd forgotten about that. A mate of mine has a VH41 and W57 in an R31, so I'll probably get a copy of his bellhousing.

Here are my driver's side exhaust ports, taken from in front of the wheel. I'll get a better photo soon.

Posted Image

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#24 dattoman

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Posted 17 April 2007 - 11:22 AM

Forget the manual
The auto is electronic 4 speed
Get it "built" with shift kit and extra clutches (can be done)
You can set up a paddle shift on the column

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#25 _GaR_

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Posted 17 April 2007 - 11:31 AM

Forget the manual
The auto is electronic 4 speed
Get it "built" with shift kit and extra clutches (can be done)
You can set up a paddle shift on the column

There are numerous reasons I won't be doing that.

1: I don't have the auto box.
2: I hate automatics.
3: I hate automatics.
4: The factory auto is prone to breaking when abused.
5: I hate automatics.

::edit::

If I stick a VH in my Commodore I'll probably do that, come to think of it.

Edited by GaR, 17 April 2007 - 11:44 AM.