Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hi guys me and a mate were given a vn 3.8L v6 engine with auto box we have been playing with the idea of putting it into a 96 Sierra coil sprung swb and run hilux transfer case and axles. What would everyonew thoughts on this conversion be?

registered or un-registered?

Most likey un-registered as i think the power to weight ratio will not allow it to be registered in Queensland.

so where are you going to drive it then? Most 4wd parks require registered vehilces don't they?

Other than that I think it is a very bad idea. Taking all the good points of a Sierra, namely light and nimble and making it heavy and cumbersome. Lots of work to get it fot right and then you end up with a big heavy pointless vehicle that can't be registered, can't be driven anywhere.

On the other hand if you to turn a vehicle that curently runs and can be driven into a project that will just sit in a shed for 2 years then go for it.

Well grimbo it’s actually the 96 sierra is a wreck that has no running gear except the rear axel (with a straight chassis and no rust in the body). Also if most 4wd parks don’t allow unregistered vehicles how do ppl with vehicles that can’t be registered get in e.g. comp cars???

Also with the weight sure it’s going to add around 300kg to the car but the power to weight ratio will far outweigh that. Did u think about that??

Could ppl please add constructive comment to this other than the power plant as we were given that and don’t wish to buy another one. We still have to get transfer case and axels and are not entirely sure on what we want to use.

Mitchie, you've asked for advice with an idea you were "playing around with" don't be surprised if you get lots of people telling you it's a bad idea - that's beacuse it is.

If what you want by "constructive criticism" is for people to tell you it's a cool idea, that's fine - but that's neither criticism or constructive.

What you are proposing is an expensive and time consuming job. At the end of the process it might work OK.... or it might just be an expensive unfinished project. I'd put plenty of money on it never being finished.

I'd be spending 1/2 the money on getting the sierra registered with an efi 1.6 and jimny axles (or WT sierra axles, or MQ patrol axles) and be able to legally drive in anywhere.

Just because you own the motor, doesn't make it a good swap. Just because someone has done the swap before, also doesn't make it a good swap.

Steve.

You could always buy a range rover, or hilux with the running gear you want and plonk the sierra body on it. This is pretty easy and would probably be cheaper in the long run. Im sure you could find a nice V8/V6 rangie, or lux with a crap body or one thats been rolled for a good price.

http://forum.mudrhino.com.au/viewtopic.php?t=2534

You will have to sign up to view it but it is worth it




In the first couple of pic's he is strengthening the chassis by plating it take note, I met a bloke with a lwb with a Holden V6, to get it engineered he had to get another lwb chassis and graft it on top of the other so it wouldn't twist on take off. It can be done. But i think it loses the balance it has and would make it scary down hill...

hey thanks 31zook that link will be alot of help as that is very similar to what we whish to do.

Theres a guy in NZ whos done it. He used the ecotec motor and a cruiser (I think) transfercase.

Mitchie wrote:Well grimbo it’s actually the 96 sierra is a wreck that has no running gear except the rear axel (with a straight chassis and no rust in the body). Also if most 4wd parks don’t allow unregistered vehicles how do ppl with vehicles that can’t be registered get in e.g. comp cars???

Also with the weight sure it’s going to add around 300kg to the car but the power to weight ratio will far outweigh that. Did u think about that??

Could ppl please add constructive comment to this other than the power plant as we were given that and don’t wish to buy another one. We still have to get transfer case and axels and are not entirely sure on what we want to use.

Constructive criticism can also be neagtive not just "Yeah cool that's awesome f*ck yeah do, alright way to go you're ace"

Competition is different to just going up there for a drive on a weeekend. Also the unregoed comp trucks have to meet regs for the competition so in many cases are better built than street regoed vehicle. What you are proposing will most probably not meet the comp specs.

Of course that isn't constructive criticism is it?

Yes Id di dthink about the power to weight and that will make a lightweight, very short wheelbase vehicle perform in very bad ways. The balance will be off, it will pick wheels up very easily, it will break things, it will not perform better than a well set up Sierra with a 1.6 Vitara engine.

Again that's is obviously not constructive criticism.

Also how are we supposed to know the 96 Sierra didn't have any running gear and was a wreck if you don't actually tell us?

That certainly wasn't constructive criticism.

Sometimes ideas are bad and not very well thought out and sometimes ideas are just not a good idea.

Mitchie wrote:Well grimbo it’s actually the 96 sierra is a wreck that has no running gear except the rear axel (with a straight chassis and no rust in the body). Also if most 4wd parks don’t allow unregistered vehicles how do ppl with vehicles that can’t be registered get in e.g. comp cars???

Also with the weight sure it’s going to add around 300kg to the car but the power to weight ratio will far outweigh that. Did u think about that??

Could ppl please add constructive comment to this other than the power plant as we were given that and don’t wish to buy another one. We still have to get transfer case and axels and are not entirely sure on what we want to use.

Not all comp cars need to be registered but a lot do. like the extream winch vehicle's and the outback trucks too. I'v heard a lot of parks wont let unregistered cars drive on their property for insurance reasons.
Depending on where you live there are tracks to take it to but are usually private property as well.
Did you want to go in comps or was it just for fun.

I was thinking about this conversion and amechanic told me he could it for around $4000 which was cheap, but thats just for the engine and conversion( and he's dodge). then i thought of all the things i would need to replace and strengthen before it was able to be driven.

I didn't think it was worth all the money. The good things about a sierra are they are narrow light and revy.

But it seems your pretty keen to do it.
If the sierras not drivable now and you have the time knowledge and money to do the job i would go for it for but a lot of these sorts of projects never get finished.

Deja Vu !!!

The last thread on this topic:
http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/ftopic173392.php

Have fun

Highway-Star wrote:Deja Vu !!!

The last thread on this topic:
http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/ftopic173392.php

Have fun

No its just that great national pastime

Grimbo baiting

Turoa wrote:Theres a guy in NZ whos done it

That Guys TINY!!!! lol..Yes.. I know its a child...

Pics of the bits ya got buddy!? My vote goes do something different and make it RWD only and turn it into a Drag car or somethin funky... but thats JMO..

Sell the sierra body and buy an old junker dudlux .. put in V6 is still light, you get a drivetrain and chassis that will take the abuse and be able to install a radiator in the engine bay. Oh you also have some hope of getting it legal if you do it right.

If you really must .. put a sierra body on it.

i built my serria it has a 2.6litre sigma motor and auto magna fuel injection hilux axles litre transfer case and 35 inch baja claws and everyone bar a few people said it was a waist of time buty now i could not care less what they think

if you think you can make it go for it but if you cant do it your self it will cost you a small fortune but i made mine for $9000 and countless hours in the shed

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I reckon the magna/sigma 2.6 would make a great sierra motor - like a cheaper version of the 3RZ - a torquey, long stroke 4 cylinder.

anyone know what the late sigma auto is like? The very last sigma's (the wagons) ran an EFI astron 2.6 and a RWD auto....

Steve.

Gwagensteve wrote:I reckon the magna/sigma 2.6 would make a great sierra motor - like a cheaper version of the 3RZ - a torquey, long stroke 4 cylinder.

anyone know what the late sigma auto is like? The very last sigma's (the wagons) ran an EFI astron 2.6 and a RWD auto....

Steve.

A few issues with balance shafts, but a pretty tough motor over all.

If you want to do it, go for it. I tend to agree with others that its not the best engine to use, but they are cheap and peformance upgrades are plentiful.

Also we are forgetting the most famous V6 Sierra conversion, Otis.

Not bagging Mitchie, if you have the skills go for it but Im sure I read Pat admitted that Oatis was far from perfect and he wouldnt do it again...
I did contemplate this just before Pat started but when I added up all the little things you would have to do that you didnt need to touch with a vit motor I changed my mind.
Ive never driven a v6 zuk but a mate has one and he reckons its great and its his d/d (lwb)
Nik

Mitchie wrote:Well grimbo it’s actually the 96 sierra is a wreck that has no running gear except the rear axel (with a straight chassis and no rust in the body). Also if most 4wd parks don’t allow unregistered vehicles how do ppl with vehicles that can’t be registered get in e.g. comp cars???

Actually all comp cars must be registered, if not as a "car" then as a special purpose, or tractor.

DFTYellowLux wrote:

Mitchie wrote:Well grimbo it’s actually the 96 sierra is a wreck that has no running gear except the rear axel (with a straight chassis and no rust in the body). Also if most 4wd parks don’t allow unregistered vehicles how do ppl with vehicles that can’t be registered get in e.g. comp cars???

Actually all comp cars must be registered, if not as a "car" then as a special purpose, or tractor.

Not correct. Some comps require rego, some dont.
E.G. Tuff truck requires no rego.

Layto....

Leaving aside wether a Sierra can use the power, registration etc etc.... there are just so many better ways of getting lots of grunt - if thats what you want.

Do what ever you want - but at least start with a reasonable chance of getting a good outcome for all the work required.

Hey guys haven’t been on for a while but I now have almost all the parts i recently pulled out a set of hilux axels for the project car they are 5.12 ratio the only major component that we don’t have yet is the transfer case what would people recommend to use behind the 3.8l v6?

I'll post some pics up soon of all the pieces.

if you use the commodore auto you will have to get an expensive addapter to mount just about any t/case to it but there is a cheaper option and that is to use a asian warner auto from a surf etc.with the t/case already attached and use a bellhousing from a 94 era 3.2 auto rodeo and get a g/box place to modify the torque converter (only a cheap modification) and it will all bolt up but if you want more info pm me and i can give you more details and a phone number of someone i know who has done this modification (he is a gearbox specialist so he knows what he is doing) and he is in Noosa so he is fairly close to you

[quote=" what would people recommend to use behind the 3.8l v6?

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Not intending to be rude, but you don't care what we say and are only listening to what you want to hear and dismissing everything else as negative comments, I say go for your life and build your beast, I really do wish you well and I want lots of pics along the way.
Peter.

hey what you decided

i want to know how it is going cause i have been wanting to do the v6 convesion but after i kill the sigma motor

I'm sick of reading about people putting this useless lump of shit motor into zooks. I made this mistake 4 yrs ago and regret it to this day. Power is a very small part of what makes a good 4wd. gearing and suspension goes alot further to create an awesome offroad vehicle.

Take the trail craft buggy a few years ago. It was fantastic for that era and it ran a shitty little 1.8L camira motor with a small turbo. Went everywhere with a sensible amount of power.

The V6 commadore motor is a MASSIVE weight to drop into the front end, and you can't imagine the decrease in handling and drivability.

If you have all the parts to do the job, like gearbox, adapters, suitable transfer case, driveshafts, and bigger diffs, not to mention the coolers, radiator, fans etc, and fuel system, then yeah go for it.

But you will blow thousands doing this conversion otherwise for no more usable power than a vitara motor.

JMO
Pete

must agree with gutless.

I think the best conversion is a 1.6l efi vtara/baleno. they basically bolt in and drive away compared to the work of putting the v6 in.

I know you got the motor free, but it would be cheaper to buy a 1.6L, Gbox adapter, gbox, efi fuel pump and a few other bits and pieces then putting the v6 in.

v6 still needs a Gbox, bigger radiator possibly in the back, efi fuel pump, transfer case adaptor, bigger diffs straight away, new mounts for the whole drivetrain, new drive shafts, bigger brake system. and its heavy!!

anywho, I'm not saying dont do the conversion, because I got told not to do mine, the whole lot, its too heavy, too much power, too big, gearbox wont fit, radiator in back.
but with some imagination and not following the sheep it is getting there, well at least it fits and the radiator will be in the front with the front mount!

if its a cheap project, buy a 1.6L carby or efi!
if you want a v6 because you can then do it. but v6 sux
put an sr20det in it!!

ashey