Mk6 '03 SWB low roof V6 Conversion

[andyh7722]

Hi Chaps
I thought there might be some interest in my 03 Transit, originally a 2.3 petrol manual, now fitted with a Holden (GM) 3.8 Injected V6. Actually thought I'd see a few others of these on here from Oz.

I used a conversion kit from V6 Conversions here in NSW, it contained wiring looms, Body Control Unit, Speedo compensator, cross beams for motor and gearbox, throttle pedal conversion, radiator mounting brackets, and some basic guidelines. Thought it was going to be plug and play but of course it wasn't! Had to use the dash cluster from the Holden car but it fitted a treat, wiring it up took a while though.
Had to move the fuel tank back but used the original Ford fuel pump. Had exhaust and driveshaft made and power steering hoses but have yet to hook up the airconditioning. Bought a nice shifter and used the GM 4L60E auto transmission. Used the Transit air filter box and had to bodgy up an air duct (only bit I'm not pleased with) to the intake as it's on the opposite side of the engine bay.
Anyway, enough of that... here's a couple of pics

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[Luke]

nice work

wouldn't be fun without the 'problems'

[conrod]

very cool! I have a Mk2 with one of these engines fitted. I bought the van with it already in place, and at first wasn't that pleased about the old "Holden in a Ford" thing, but after driving it I was convinced it was a good thing. Engine not the smoothest thing ever built, but has loads of power and quite economical too! Have just pulled it out and now fitting a supercharged version.

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=164212

Did you wire in the BCM and original key, or have the ECU reflashed to work without it? How is the gearing in the Mk6 with the V6 in place? The late Ecotec like yours is a much better engine than the early 3.8, it has a lot more power, better economy, quieter etc. Did you use the Holden cluster because of the electronic speedo? Some more pics would be good

[andyh7722]

Hi Mate,
Thanks for your comments. The "kit" came with a preprogrammed BCM and I used the original Ford key. It has the chip in the key but I guess that's redundant now.
I had an SRS airbag light that stayed on, so I just put a little black sticker over it to get it inspected and haven't bothered about it since. Curiously though, at random times I get a "hot wire at tailgate" warning from the Holden computer and shortly after the chime goes and engine check light comes on. After switching off and restarting it doesn't do it for days!
I would like to change the gearing, make it a bit taller. I think mine is the 4.63 diff, apparently there is a 4.2 i wouldn't mind trying, however, she's doing 100ks at 2500 and accelerates quite nicely so I'm not to worried. The 4L60 being an electronic shift is obviously programmed for the original ratios, if you really tramp it from a stand still it revs heaps before changing up, but if you just give it 3/4 throttle the thing flys and goes through the gears beautifully.
The single plug Ford cluster was incompatible with the Holden ECU so using the VY cluster was the most sensible option if not the easiest. It's great though as it fits in the Ford dashboard with minimal effort, just wiring it up took some time and needed a relay for instance for the high beam light as the cluster is negatively switched. Its great having the Holden fuel computer, engine check system etc all working though more or less correctly.

Good luck with yours, I had an old Mark 2 years ago in Pommyland with the York diesel. It had the injection pump advanced a tooth or two and went really well

regards
Andy