Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 00:09:13 -0400
Reply-To: pdooley <psdooley@VERIZON.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: pdooley <psdooley@VERIZON.NET>
Subject: Re: Buick V6 powered Vanagon
In-Reply-To: <c4e7c5f90805031140vf33a7e8obf1d1c1be49192f8@mail.gmail.com>
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I was referring to the transverse mount arrangement.
If you move this to the rear of a vehicle, the majority of the engine will
sit in front of the transmission.
The engine spins the "right" way, clockwise like most others except Honda
and I think Corvair.
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
neil N
Sent: Saturday, May 03, 2008 2:40 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Buick V6 powered Vanagon
Here's some images from Wikipedia:
So this one would put the GM tranny behind the engine? (engine spins
the wrong way I assume):
Image:GM 3800 Series Naturally Aspirated.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/31/GM_3800_Series_Naturally_Aspir
ated.jpg
Here's the same engine (so say's Wiki) mounted longitudinally:
Image:Ecotec V6 of a 1997-2000 Holden VT Commodore 02.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/Ecotec_V6_of_a_1997-2000_
Holden_VT_Commodore_02.jpg
Neil.
On Sat, May 3, 2008 at 7:21 AM, pdooley <psdooley@verizon.net> wrote:
> There are 2 GM V6 families I know of, the 60 and 90 degree "V".
>
> The 90 degree is the 3.8, 3800 and 4.3 Vortec configuration. The 60
degree
> is the 3.1 and 3.4L
>
> I had a Firebird with the 3.4L 60 degree motor and was not very impressed
> with power or economy. The 3800 seems to be the best of them all.
>
> I think the biggest problem fitting one of these motors to the Vanagon
would
> be the gearing, as these engines prefer to lope along at lower RPM's.
> A differential change, taller tires, or a much deeper 3rd and 4th gear is
> probably in order.
>
> I would rather just use the whole motor/trans combo.
> And no, trying to fit the entire sub frame into a Vanagon is not the way
to
> go. The sub frame integrates the lower control arms and suspension into
the
> mix. You would have to remove the Vanagon control arms and suspension
and
> fabricate some kind of upper control arm to locate the whole mess. Much
> easier in the long run to just weld up hard points where you need them
for
> motor/trans mounts.
> Also, keep in mind that the transverse GM setup would locate the motor
ahead
> of the transmission, so the factory VW engine access lid would give you a
> nice view of the transmission and back half of the motor.
>
> I think there is still enough clearance under the sheet metal to fit it,
but
> I would scrap the GM sub frame idea and fab my own engine/tranny support
and
> get custom drive shafts built with VW outer CV's and GM inners.
>
> With the factory GM overdrive trans you would get a really smooth and
quite
> ride with decent economy.
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of
>
> neil N
> Sent: Friday, May 02, 2008 2:51 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Buick V6 powered Vanagon
>
>
>
> Which size V6?
>
> Or was there only one offered in the Buick line?
>
> I recall there were 2 (GM) V6's. One was better than the other......
IIRC.
>
> Neil.
>
> On Fri, May 2, 2008 at 10:55 AM, Robert Young <rjyoung67@yahoo.com>
wrote:
> > My neighbor in NC had a Buick V6 in his Vanagon and it was a pretty
clean
> installation. I know the engines are everywhere and pretty low priced.
And
> I know Keh has the adapter. The only down side (that I know of) is that
it
> sticks up and the engine lid has to be modified.
> > Robert
> >
>
