Hi John,

An easy task - as long as you take it step by step & cover everything.

Floorpan is identical. The insert plate for the shifter changes per trans (no difference between 6 & 8 versions). All VK trimatic shifters are the same, regardless of 6 & 8.

Auto pedals are the same for 6 & 8, but manual ones are different for 6 & 8 - you need to make sure you get the right type. You will need to sort out reverse & inhibitor wiring - there's a 4-pin plug beside the shifter. Pink & green are reverse. The other 2 are the inhibitor, and are simply looped together on manuals.

V8s have 4 wheel disks, so you'll need them, and the right booster & master cyl combo for it.
Front brakes are identical.

Diff is bigger (the old "10-bolt" Sals - 190mm ring gear) and you'll need a V8 tailshaft (bigger uni joints) to match the diff & trans you decide to run.

VK wiring is an absolute mess compared to other models. As it's an orphan as far as wiring, to be plug-n-play you will need to source a VK V8 engine harness. No other model will fit the connections.
If you can't find one, you can use a donor 6-cyl harness, and create your own V8 one, but it's a tedious task.

VK V8s also ran an in-tank electric pump, but earlier ones didn't. Unless you want to wring it's neck, the original fuel system's mechanical pump, as used in VB-VH V8s, will be fine - and allow you to re-use the VK tank - as yours was a carby 6.

You will need a VB-VK V8 radiator & hoses (later ones don't fit). If the VK has A/C, then the clutch fan & shroud are the same. Also, VK V8 & 6 ran the A/C compressor in a similar spot, so you can leave it all intact & just mount the compressor onto the VK V8 bracket (VK & VL have a bracket unique to those models, that allow the sanden TR70 compressor to bolt down onto it).

The best solution for you would be to buy a complete VK V8. Even if it's a sedan, you can still use most parts in a wagon, and vice versa. Diff & fuel tank are the only differences.


Power steering is a little easier.

Early models ran a different set of spacings for the rack mounts between power & non-power racks, but this was consolidated by VK, so all you need is the rack, lines, pump, bracket & pulley.

VB-VL V8s had mandatory power steering (with the exception of a rarely ticked Police delete-option), so these parts are common.

You can only use a VB-VK power rack in a VK, as they changed the design from VL onwards. I prefer the VL/VN rack in an early car, but this requires changing the engine crossmember to a VL-VS V8 one (different to earlier models, and different to VL 6 & VN-VS V6).
Everything bolts up, but the lines from a VL will need to be used for a VL rack. If you get a VN rack (slightly different in the lines to a VL, but much more commonly available) you will need the ends of the pipes, then get a custom set of hoses made for it.


I'm sure you'll have more questions, so keep asking when you come across something you're unsure of.

Very true Terry.
You could get away with a blue 308 painted black if it's an '84 VK, as the engine number prefix is still VT.

quote:

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Originally posted by witcheshollow racing team
Gday Guy's Im in the middle of making some changes in a VC sedan but I keeping the 6 (to expensive to rego an 8 in QLD) so some of the points are helpful in this thread but would like to clear up a couple of things.


1- "Auto pedals are the same for 6 & 8, but manual ones are different for 6 & 8 - you need to make sure you get the right type." How do you tell the difference between 6 and 8 manual pedals? I am converting from auto to manual.

2- " Even if it's a sedan, you can still use most parts in a wagon, and vice versa. Diff & fuel tank are the only differences." I have a disc rear out of a VH V8 wagon that I was going to fit to the VC 6 sedan (in-case I decide to do a V6 conversion later) what is the difference between sedan and wagon diffs ??

3- "Early models ran a different set of spacings for the rack mounts between power & non-power racks" My VC has non-power rack so to fit a VH power steering from a 6 cylinder VH, So I have to change the K frame as well for the power steering rack to fit ??

Cheers Barry

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Hi Barry. All good questions.

1. The pedals vary in the way they are mounted & the actual lever ratio. The only way to check is to put them side-by-side. Mick might have some more to add.

2. The wagon rear axle is different in 2 ways. Firstly the track (wheel to wheel distance) is slightly less for a wagon & the lower shock mounts are also different.

3. The VB, VC & early VH mount their manual racks at a different angle & lower down. If you fit power steer to any of these early Commodores, you need to fit the later (or power steer type) front crossmember.

Dr Terry