VR4 Conversion - Proven Method

All technical questions and answers regarding starions, being modifications to maintenance.
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SpidersWeb
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VR4 Conversion - Proven Method

Post 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.
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Post 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]
Last edited by ProZac on Wed Feb 04, 2004 1:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Post 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!
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Post 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 :)
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Post by ProZac »

Is your staz intercooled?
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Post 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.
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Post 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
Please register your vehicle details on the AUSTRALIAN STARION REGISTRY <HERE>


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Post 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:
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Post 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
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Post by scum »

:x
I figured out the meaning of life, and since then every day just gets worse.

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Post 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.
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