3.8 V6 + 4spd auto = ??

[BusyKiwi]

Hey guys.

The commodore has the 3.08 ratio and uses 15in wheels.

even if I used a 3.08 head and 15in wheels I'd still not get the same fuel economy and speed as the coomodore because, lets face it, the bedford is aerodymanic as a brick.

So the question is, who is running what ratio diff and wheels with the Holden V6 and has a nice even ride - smoke it if wanted but cruisey on the motorway ...

[Noid]

When I did mine I got recommended 3.55:1, I ended up putting in a 3.45:1 and it has been excellent. Good balance of power and economy. I run 17 inch rims.

[SandB]

   Hi Guys, Mine is 3.8 VP V6,ss chipped, runningT700 auto with 3.5 ratio h/way diff!  235/60 x 14" tyres.   Cruises at any speed you like (and that includes) breaking the law (have heard that on it's way down here from Qld, that it hit 160 ks). Don't think it's a real "smokem" up machine, but gets up and "boogies" quite well off the mark.Hope that is of some help!!

Cheers Brian O

P.S  It's still for sale at $3300

[Merlin]

Just food for thought here guys a standard swb weighs in at about 1200 kg and i cant see it weighing in much more with the v6 conversion where as a standard comondoor weighs in at around 1700 kg so thats a significant power to weight gain dont you think    Cheers Neil

[John Abbott]

I went and visited Neil today at his workshop and gave my $100.00 commodore donor car a little bit of stick on the trip back. That thing really got up and boogied backed off at 130kmh. Damn can't wait till its in my van one day!!!

[Rogue Trooper]

To be honest Busy I reckon you should just jam it in and see how it performs. Seeing as you're doing it in your daily driver I imagine you're not going to be going mad decking it out inside so the weight should be at a minimum anyway and it's just wind resistance you'll need to worry about but then again how often are you going to be travelling over 100-120kmh. The Jag diff being fitted to mine has a 3.07 ratio so I'm going to see how it performs with that and then alter it from there if I find it lacking.

Oh wait, hang on, Are you swapping the diff on the van as well?

[BusyKiwi]

Rogue, I was going to swap centres (commodore middle with bedford tubes/axles)

Noid, whats the overall height of your wheels, 17in with no profile could be around 15in with profile?

I guess I'm wanting to be able to tow another wagon on car trailer comfortably

[Rogue Trooper]

Well just as another option my diff is going to be swapped very soon (next couple of months). I've just had the callipers reconditioned and all I need now is to save a little more cash and it's all go. My diff has the Cresta centre so maybe that would be a cheaper option. LS120 was originally interested in it but he's since got one from another source so mine will be up for grabs. You'll just need to get it up to Auckland.

[Noid]

I was running 255 60 15 's and replaced with 255 45 17's came in slightly smaller. I was running a 2.92:1 ratio before change and found it lacking slightly for over taking power at 120 kph.

[ben]

Just food for thought here guys a standard swb weighs in at about 1200 kg and i cant see it weighing in much more with the v6 conversion where as a standard comondoor weighs in at around 1700 kg so thats a significant power to weight gain dont you think Shocked Shocked   Cheers Neil

you recon there only 1200 standard?? i think the manual says 1380, guess ill just have to weight a van one of these days. dont think my bathroom scales go up that high thou. maybe ill get 4 bathroom scales. one for each tyre:) hey i wonder if that would work.. im gunna look into it!

i think 3.08 is gunna be too tall for an overdrive rouge in a brick like a beddy! youll hardly even use top gear! althou morgan seems to think his 202 supra 5 speed 2.92 diff combination is good???

i have 3.7:1 in my lwb with t700 gearbox with a 307chev and top gear sits good lock up tourque converter and its a little to tall for most driving..

your v6 will probably have more power than my 307 and of course less weight.. might be ok.. hmmm

ben