Which conversion kit? 5.0L into Dirty old 45.

[Ryano]

Morning All,

I've picked up a VQ Statesman with 5.0L and auto. Need a few suggestions. I'm going to give the Dirty Old Cruiser Ute a heart transplant.
Who has had some experience with conversion kits and what would you suggest? Basically want to be able to drop it in with miniumum of fuss and not have any issues later on.
Dellows? Marks?
Who's used what and how have you found the kits?
Would you run auto or manual?
It's going to be a tow/camping vehicle more than anything.
Any help is appreciated.
Cheers,
Ryano

[RUFF]

As far as i know Dellows only do the addapters not a kit. Where as Marks can supply basicaly everything you need to do the conversion. If your keen on doing a heap of the fabricating and wiring yourself and save some money go see dellow. If you want the bare minimum of work go see Marks.

[Ryano]

Thanks Tony.
It'll more than likely be a Marks kit then.
Time is the killer. I wouldn't have a problem with the Dellows if there were more hours in the day. As it is it'll more than likely be 2010 before its in and going.

[RAY185]

Awesome stuff Ryano, keep us posted with the build, however long and slow it is....

I am also looking at doing this conversion into my 40 sometime next year. Also was looking at buying a wrecked v8 VN to VS. I had a look at Castlemaine Rod Shop and their adapter is pretty reasonably priced. Was planning on fabbing up my own mounts and getting my sparky to wire it up as I am a noob and he is not. Keen to see how you go. Good luck.

Ray

[Struth]

Use the Marks kit, I am in the middle of a conversion (VT V8 into 4 Runner) and so far all the Marks gear has fitted up real well including the engine mounts and engine chassis mounts.

Cheers

[little rusty]

Ryano

I have a SWB 40 with a 308 motor and mark adapter kit... like Ruff said, one advantage with the marks kit is that its all ready to go from the one supplier. However, my kit runs an intermediate shaft from the back of the holden clutch to the std 4 speed. Simon from 4wdtv runs a massive flywheel, also from marks I believe and as its about 6 inches negates the need for the short shaft. I am thinking of replacing the 308 with an injected VN/VP 304 (I am avoiding the later models due to the additional computer modules required as per the marks website). I am investigating the possibility of a bell housing so the clutch and gearbox join together (castlemain rod shop does these I believe) and the plan is to build it so I can use a 4wd clutch and not a "heavy duty" holden clutch which are shit... my clutch cant keep up with the 308 in 1st or 2nd. I dont like the idea of the intermediate shaft as it is something else to go wrong/wear or make noises... hope this helps any.

Brad

[Ryano]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. I'll do a bit more investigating.

You know it's going to be slow Ray.
Had the thing 6-7 years and still haven't gotten around to the disc brake and power steer conversions. Poor old thing just sits down the back waiting patiently. Will definitely need the brakes once this is all done.
Ideally I'd like it all done by early next year, but we'll see how it all goes.


Cheers,
Ryano

[bad_religion_au]

have you checked Castlemain rod shop? if it were me, i'd go 5ltr - auto - cruiser split case,

that way you don't need to worry about mix and match clutches etc.

[Ryano]

Onto that at the moment, just waiting for them to get back to me. I really want minimum of fuss.

Cheers,
Ryano

[bad_religion_au]

i've heard mixed reviews with castlemaine. i've heard some people have had issues with the bellhousing for the 1uzfe into hilux, but the two kits i've used to put crossflows into 40 series haven't had an issue.

most auto - transfer case adapters i know of may require you to change the output shaft on the trans. easy if you have the right tools, but a headf$#% if you don't have any idea.

[GBC]

I put a 302w into a manual bj once - go the Marks kit - I didn't. You'll know how long ago it was if I told you Brad put 2 sets of tyres on it. Everything was custom (mounts, shaft lengths etc) and wasn't reliable enough.