FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

Technical Board => Modification Help => Topic started by: Paul on May 24, 2004, 08:03:10 AM



Title: Commodore diffs
Post by: Paul on May 24, 2004, 08:03:10 AM
I have an VP SS diff. I was told.... Instead of shortening the diff, I should use a VL diff, and put the center, discs and brakes on the VL housing. Aparently the VL has a very  similiar track width as the FC (using VL rims) Is this the case?


Title: Re: Commodore diffs
Post by: sgo on May 25, 2004, 04:44:42 AM
I think ther are a few different widths from vb-vc-vk etc.
but a vb(?) used here just fits.
The gaurds had been previously pumped out a bit so I'm not sure about fit for a dead stock body. I'm in the process of resetting rims to gain an extra 10ml per side.
(http://users.tpg.com.au/omachen/fc%20014.jpg)


Title: Re: Commodore diffs
Post by: Pabs on May 30, 2004, 09:13:39 AM
is that diff a Borg wagner or a sailsbury?


Title: Re: Commodore diffs
Post by: Sarge on June 01, 2004, 09:33:30 AM
Paul I fitted VN disc brake rear end. I was told that a VL was an easyer conversion, but I went with the VN for the strength. Which ever you use you have to have it modified.


SGO is that a HQ tank your useing and was it much trouble fitting as I am thinking of doing the same.

Regards
Sarge


Title: Re: Commodore diffs
Post by: Digger on June 01, 2004, 03:17:11 PM
Hi Sarge,

With the convertion on the VL diff do you know if it had to be shortened or dose it fit with deeper ofset rims.

Im running HR diff but wont to go with the Crapadoor stud patern.

thanks
steve


Title: Re: Commodore diffs
Post by: smithy on June 01, 2004, 10:20:55 PM
hi digger, im using a VH diff which i gave to a shop to get cut down, as the 195/50 tyres which were on there were scrubbing on the outside of the guards, these were mounted on standard chaser rims. as i wanted to run wider tyres, the shop cut the diff down to HR specs, the problem now is that the tyres have minimal clearance on the inside due to standard wheel offset, so im having the offset changed now to suit.

i have just found a similar clearance problem with the front now that i changed over to commodore front discs.
ah the joy of it all!

sgo thats some fine tank work  

dean


Title: Re: Commodore diffs
Post by: Digger on June 02, 2004, 03:06:45 AM
G'Day smithy,

Thanks for the reply Dean, it never ends ya seem to modify one thing and you have to correct other bits.$$$$$$.

Thanks again,
Steve


Title: Re: Commodore diffs
Post by: sgo on June 02, 2004, 03:12:45 AM
The tank is a stock VP sedan one and is an easy fit. Though you do lose the stock spare wheel well and the filler is set up to exit through the drivers side quarter panel!


Title: Re: Commodore diffs
Post by: Burnsy on June 02, 2004, 04:12:46 AM
Have you got anymore pics of the tank setup from inside the boot maybe?  Have you re routed the filler to the standard location or gone with the quarter panel location? Does the standard VP sender unit match up to the original fuel gauge?


Title: Re: Commodore diffs
Post by: Burnsy on June 02, 2004, 04:29:25 AM
SGO, found the other pics of your tank on your website, nice fit!  Did you investigate moving the filler point on the tank?  Just considering whether it is a worthwhile option as I need a new tank but would like to keep the rear filler and don't have a spare $700 at the moment for streetneats repro's.

Mike


Title: Re: Commodore diffs
Post by: Sarge on June 02, 2004, 06:32:40 AM
Steve
I have never done the VL conversiobn, But have been told that this is the way to go, as there is no need to have it shortened.


Regards
Sarge


Title: Re: Commodore diffs
Post by: Digger on June 02, 2004, 06:48:38 AM


Thanks heaps Sarge, I have a VL diff that was given to me so I guess this weekend I will be doing some mathmatics.
It would be nice to fit the panhard rod, stabiliser bar and coil springs and such but thats to big a job.

Thanks again,
Steve


Title: Re: Commodore diffs
Post by: Digger on June 02, 2004, 07:05:34 AM
SGO,

Do you know if the VP diff center is the same as the VL.

VL: Borg Warner 78 series (Salisbury type)

Thanks,
Steve


Title: Re: Commodore diffs
Post by: Sarge on June 02, 2004, 07:33:32 AM
Steve
Your very right when you say keeping the panhard rod, stabiliser bar and coil springs it is a big job. My elder brother has just finished doing this to his EH wagon. He cut the floor out of the EH and the Commodore (VP). Then welded the complete VP floor into the EH from the firewall back to the rear bumper bar. Now he is starting the front as he wants to try fitting the struts (good luck I say).

Regards
Sarge


Title: Re: Commodore diffs
Post by: Digger on June 02, 2004, 08:23:57 AM
Sarge,

Boy your brother must be a gluten for punishment !!!  :o

But I gues it would be the best way to go and lots of luck to him, dammed if I would go that far.

Steve


Title: Re: Commodore diffs
Post by: sgo on June 02, 2004, 08:54:11 AM
I really didn't look at moving the filler on the VP tank, but if you did it without blowing yourself up it should work out ok? There is thread on welding fuel tanks in here somewhere?
As for the diff i don't know about the centres but the VB V8 one I used had the right ratio of 3.08 for the V6.
Just a thought, are vk-vl a bigger body so do they have a wider rear end than vb-vc? This is just an impression I've picked up but haven't really checked it out!


Title: Re: Commodore diffs
Post by: Digger on June 02, 2004, 03:20:08 PM
Thanks for the reply SGO,

The only thing I know is the body widths IE:
Fe : 1701mm
FC : 1702mm
EH : 1727mm
HR : 1778mm
VK : 1722mm
VL : 1722mm
VN : 1794mm
VB : 1722mm
so I think that the diff length of the cars must be very close.

Steve


Title: Re: Commodore diffs
Post by: RET on June 02, 2004, 11:14:28 PM
It has been done.  This EJ was at the ACT AHD a couple of years ago.  Very impressive.

(http://members.optusnet.com.au/~thomasri/images/ejstrut/DCP1201.jpg)

(http://members.optusnet.com.au/~thomasri/images/ejstrut/DCP1203.jpg)

cheers
RET


Title: Re: Commodore diffs
Post by: Digger on June 03, 2004, 04:08:54 PM

Very nice ret, very nice,

I would like to see the convertion, and take a ride.!!

Steve.


Title: Re: Commodore diffs
Post by: FC-V8 on June 03, 2004, 09:21:11 PM
Hi all
      When doing the Borg wagner conversion in my wagon I had to keep the wheel track fairly wide as the rear calipers go very close to the leaf springs plus you need to allow for extra movement of the caliper as the pads wear.
Glenn


Title: Re: Commodore diffs
Post by: chesoir on June 15, 2004, 08:11:53 PM
Maybe someone should start a new thread with the pics of the red EJ. THis guy has managed to fit 2 strut towers, presumably with the springs and everything inside them, and a V8 into a showroom engine bay. Where the hell do the exhausts run ?? I assume he has gone to rack and pinion, so where is the rack ??
If this is possible, anything should be.
Maybe this is the guy I need to talk to about powering a moke with a 350 !


Title: Re: Commodore diffs
Post by: dadseh on September 02, 2006, 09:13:28 AM
Chesoir
Hi. I have just signed up and had a look at your comments on the red EJ. The car is from Canberra. (Not mine)To answer your questions it has the full cross member out of an early commodore not just the strutts grafted in. He is running all commodore running gear. Disc brake rear, brake booster, radiator, rear rack and pinion as it is standard with the cross member. He has cast headers, 350 chev and it runs on gas. Because of the strutt towers he had to modify the bonnet to open in reverse. This is done in 2 peices so the bonnet doesn't hit the radiator support panel. This conversion is great for parts because everything is standard commodore. Upgrade for brakes is easier as well because it is a commodore stub axle and strutt not HR.
It's a great car. He is doing another one at the moment as i am with commodore cross member and strutts. This time with manufactured strutt towers and concealed under the guards with power steering. Mine will be running a EFI 304 and 5 speed. It's a slow procees especially with 3 young kids but hopefully will be worth it in the end.
I hope this gives you a bit more info on the car.

Regards Glen (DadsEH).
ps. I like FC's as well.


Title: Re: Commodore diffs
Post by: nicko on September 02, 2006, 10:44:55 AM
vn and vp diffs are same length, but VR are 20mm wider than the VN series.


Title: Re: Commodore diffs
Post by: Dr_Terry on September 05, 2006, 04:59:20 AM
Hi nicko.

Just to add to that, both the VR & VS (live axle) rear ends are 20mm wider than the VN/VP, but on sedans only. VR/VS wagons & utes still use the VN/VP length diff.

Dr Terry.