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VR4 Conversion - Proven Method

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2004 12:03 pm
by SpidersWeb
Ok lots of threads, sorry for the new one, but I know a guy who has a VR4 Starion, and this is how he did it, it works because I've seen the car drag race before:

- Used everything from a VR4 engine, except the block, use the Starion block, and a modified Starion water pump
- Fabricated exhaust manifold
- Modified inlet manifold so throttle is on other side (or use one from a 2.4 L300 RWD van)
- New water outlet needs to be made to fit in the frost plug in the front of the head (top radiator hose)
- firewall needs a little massaging to fit crank angle sensor

Thats it.
Just a Starion block rebuilt with VR4 parts, new ehxuast manifold, and some little minor adaptions. Still a hard job but invovles none of the problems associated with 'just the head' or using a full VR4 block.

I think a lot of you knew this already, but nobody seemed to mention it, so thought I'd say something, just found this message in my logs from ages ago.

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2004 1:20 pm
by ProZac
I dont know about anyone else, but i would be very very very hesitant to move the coolant outlet from the back of the head to the front.... This could majourly skrew up the coolant flow path in the head....

Oh, and you need a computer to run it....

Apart from that, sounds like the most logical method... your using a starion block as a big adaptor for the starion gearbox, hehe :)

[edited for daz the spelling nazi :) [/edit]

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2004 1:43 pm
by SpidersWeb
ECU = VR4 ECU, if you want anything more thats an upgrade

Not sure about the coolant plug being moved etc etc, he may of meant something different, but his car is a track car, so I imagine it runs sweet if it can do many laps of pressured racing :) I think the coolant plug is one of those things you can make your own decision on when you get there. Personally I'd just buy a longer hose *shrug*

ehehe nice way of putting it though, 'starion block as a big adaptor', haha made me laugh when it was said like that. Because its true!

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2004 2:20 pm
by SpidersWeb
Looks like I might buy a Starion block, VR4 engine, borrow a bench in friends garage, and play around until its done and running.

This method seems to be much less stress, so gonna continue with the Stairon and not sell her :)

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2004 2:44 pm
by ProZac
Is your staz intercooled?

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2004 3:11 pm
by scum
all privateer rally teams in perth do not put the thermostat on the front for that reason. plus (so i have been told) it causes funny electrolysis problems swell as stagnant water / hot spots. But hey, that’s beyond my understanding.

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2004 7:58 pm
by NXTIME
Spidersweb,

If I were to ever do a twin cam conversion, that is how I would do it. But I wouldn't use the front water plug. I would make up custom piping around to the front.

But with such cheap VR4 engines in NZ ($400AUD), you may as well fit one with a Supra box. If it blows up, just change it for another :D

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2004 8:04 pm
by scum
BASTARD!!!! took me ages to find a good one, u throw them over your sholder at the slightest little bang... damnit!! im moveing to NZ.... :wtf:

Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2004 8:31 pm
by SpidersWeb
yep
TC05 with horizontal front mount intercooler.

scum - and once we run out of VR4 engines, we got all those EVO1-3 motors left still

Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2004 2:12 pm
by scum
:x

Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2004 4:27 pm
by SpidersWeb
Oh and you can't register EVO1-3 in NZ anymore, so any EVO1-3 that becomes deregistered becomes an instant parts car. Restoration not an option.