BUGA Community
Technical => Driveline => Topic started by: Gunning on November 23, 2014, 07:49:20 PM
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gday all
i still in planning stages in regard to motors and gearboxes. For a while i was thinking a v6 and auto. i dont want to cut the floor or firewall if possible
im now thinking of a small block, maybe the vortec type and an auto behind that......chooosing an auto because i want beddie as a freedom / relaxing cruising machine
Would i have to cut out any of the floor for a small block, is the small block narrower than a v6?
i have read about placing motor back and aiming for it to sit lower
id appreciate some advice and knowledge from those who know....i dont know about motors
thank you for your time
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I've had a few vans with V8's fitted and have looked at countless others that have been converted. In all cases the floor had to be cut and a larger engine cover fabricated to accommodate the V8. I've also seen two van's converted to the Holden 3.8 V6 and in both cases not only was a modification required to the floor and engine cover, but the firewall also had to be cut.
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I agree with Gordon, unless you stay with a straight 6 I don't think your going to escape the floor mods!
I know certain motors are more compact than others and this will help with the size of the hole, but I guess it depends what you want, I personally went with a 304 efi motor and 4 speed auto 1. because I had it aready and 2. because it isn't too bad of a fit (aside from the cutting of the floor), c heap to get parts and when setup correctly will be perfect for what I want!
at the end of the day anything's possible, and if you do decide on a V6/8 I suggest before you go too far, find a local engineer and have a chat to them about what they are happy with before you go cutting!
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My usual `getaround` is a `92 Ford Courier 2.6 efi , 5sp box .
I`ve had a helluva good run out of it , reliable & economical , and have often wondered how the motor/trans would go in my dear `ol Beddy . Has anyone gone back a couple of cylinders :-) .
Just a thought....
Cheers, Bob.
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thanks for the replies and advice guys. i think ill try for a v8, ill drop in to vic roads, find out the latest in regards to a conversion, find an engineer and then save
Ive been thinking of a vortec 350, 290 hp
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You need to work out what you want the van for and how much you'll use it.
Example, a camper with a lot of weight (water tanks, extra fuel tank ...) would be better off with a diesel engine.
Being a hoon/boy racer you'd want power (I actually had more power in my Holden V6 than I had in a standard 350 chev) but can cost you more in petrol and tyres etc
If you just want to cruise, have the power to get you out of trouble (or into trouble) when needed, ability to tow something but be cheaper on the wallet (petrol wise) then something later model, like the vortec or Holden V6
You also have to remember the Bedford isn't very aerodymatic, well as much as a brick anyways , so will never be as cheap as a jap crap to run, nor as fast as a modern car, although you can get enough out of it to scare you a bit/lot.
If I was to do another standard van (everyday cruiser), I'd probably go the Holden v6 again but add the factory blower to it, and chip it. A custom van however kinda needs the V8 (not always but sounds great), but in saying that my V6 van ran 2 cobies and everyone thought it was a V8
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TURBO the 202 IS THE GO ! 8)
fits downunder the passenger side....
very noticable increase in horsepower ! WOOHOOO! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
most welcome to take mine for a test drive ;)
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thanks Busy and Wendy. If im ever back up that way ill let you know and see if we can tee something up
What i want the beddie for is a cruiser and getaway on weekends, no plans yet for towing things. No interest in hooning with it, it isnt going to be a speed demon. Id like to have a bit of grunt there just in case i need it for something. Theres also the v8.....having a v8 in mind, hopefully have a great sound too
just hope the guys at vicroads give me the ok for the conversion
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ahhh i dont really HOON in my van...it just gave the 202 so get up n go on step hills...the 5 speed and taller rims geared it up a bit high so when u began a steep incline the van would realy slow down quickly.
its a way of getting more out of the van without the headache of fittng a V8.
Havnet towed with the van turboed yet...but i carry a load once a fortnight from sydney back home to lake maquarie
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lake macquarie.... my parents came from around there. Mum was more cardiff and dad was swansea / belmont area
I lived around that area as a kid, i remember swimming around spears point
that was late 70s early 80s
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Kool we have lived in Bonnells Bay east of Morisset for the past 21 yrs
nice place between the coast & the mountains
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i had heard the area has improved alot, compared to how it once was. I remember having an awesome cracker night on the shores of lake macquarie....was near a caravan park on the shores
thats all i remember
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swansea & wangi wangi have caravan parks right on the water...im guessing it would have been swansea
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i have to ask mum about that, i remember it being foggy alot, also alot of small old fishermans old boats anchored, near swansea area
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gday all, just another question in regards to engine and placement, if i wanted to place the motor back and lower it would i need a specific oil pan with sump at the rear or are they all able to be rotated to allow sump at front or rear
thank you
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Getting the motor further back is not an issue, but you need to consider that the further back you sit the motor the more floor you will need to cut out.
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with sumps, most motors have the options for either, ie. my commodore V8 has a front sump, but a HQ sump and pick up bolt straight on to give me the rear sump ... to get it much lower than mine is now you would need to have it ALOT further back to clear the steering rack.
HQ engine mounts also get the motor further back than commodore mounts ... but these can all be custom made too.
its all definitely doable, but you have to decide how far you want to go and is it worth the effort .... for me as far back as needed for engine mounts and to fit radiator etc in, other than that no use going any further as it just takes away from cabin space!
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thanks for all the feedback and advise, much appreciated
Somethings for me to think over and decide which way to go
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I originally had a 179hp block running all X2 running gear in my Bedford but couldn't tow a horse float with it above 80kmh and still maintain reliability. Upgraded to a 290hp 350chev with T700 transmission & 9"diff. but after 460,000km it has now got to be retired. Have just ordered a 330hp 350chev---the only way to go. Cost a lot of money to fit the 350 but I would not have it any other way now (doesn't slow down on hills & can just about tow anything also economy when not towing the same as the holden 6 engine).
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Have to agree with Rocket, if you ever plan to tow, a V8 is the best option, I had a fully worked six in my old show van and it guzzled the fuel, put a small block chev in and had heaps more power and cheaper to run, also more reliable and user friendly, especially good for cruising, 1700 rpm at 100 kmh
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Hi Gunning,
My slider came from Victoria, a Cleveland V8, C4 'box & 9inch diff. I'm guessing the rules may have changed, it was plated for gas in 1995, I'm thinking that was when the running gear was put in. I drove it up from Sydney, it was pretty tame on gas, also has a low ratio diff I was told, to tow a bobcat.
Anyway, I could get some pics up of the instal. I have taken the gas out, now need a carby, have an Ipco gas carby spare if you want to go that way.
Not doing it for hooning, it will tow one day but cruising is my aim, I'm happy to pay for the fossils!
My two cents worth, cheers!
downhill.
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thanks for the input everyone
Downhill : if you have any pics handy of the install that'll be handy and very much appreciated
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Sure Gunning, I'll get under it from a few angles, I'm IT challenged but have a book for dummies! One pic is too big to post, the cross member had been notched and mounts fabricated welded on. I have put new engine mounts in, the rubber ones, an easy fit so the fab job was well done. The C4 gearbox needed the mount to be moved rear wards also an easy job to replace the standard rubber type mount. This has a bit of work done too, to reuse the cross member.
If you don't mind , I could send to your pm. I also have a standard van for comparo pics if you wish.
My pm is perryc3@hotmail.com.au.
Passion and persistence make you invincible!
Cheers, downhill.
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thats cool by me downhill