Towing with an Ecotec V6 auto Commodore

EconoBago · Newbie

Towing with an Ecotec V6 auto Commodore

hako · Guru

The 4L60E transmission can break the sunshell in the transmission resulting in a total failure - it happened twice to me...at 180K and 290K's. There is a stronger version of the 4L60e fitted to SS V8 models which has a stronger sunshell. You can also fit a stronger sunshell to a standard 4L60E to reduce the likelihood of it happening. Apart from that they are a great transmission IMHO. The Ecotec 6 has amazing power and economy for an engine designed in the 60's.

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=4l60e+sunshell&sourceid=ie7&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&ie=utf8&oe=utf8&gfe_rd=cr&ei=LGn8U9erI6aN8Qem94HADg&gws_rd=ssl

Murraman · Senior Member

We towed a 17ft x 8ft single axle van loaded to the hilt using a VN commodore. We averaged around the 16 to 17 L/100 sitting on around 90km/ph. I was advised to not use overdrive by my mate who was an automatic transmission specialist. It was a different box to what you plan to use. VN had the 4 speed turbo 700. Make sure you run a cooler on the transmission.

It handled the load fine as it developers its torque down low, Obviously you slow down on the hills but power wasn't a problem.

If you don't mind me asking who is doing the changeover and ball park figure, As we need a new motor in the Coaster and looking at all options. I would be retaining the 5 speed manual box with ours as it makes it too complicated with the handbrake drum at the back of the gearbox.

Allan

The Doo crew · Senior Member

Put one in the wifes Daihatsu Wildcat, they run all Toyota running gear.
12R Toyota motor out & VY V6 in, bought the kit from a place called V6 Conversions & with all the wiring loom & bits was under 2 grand.
Needed to run a VN brain box for the electronics but other than a few radiator issues was not too hard.
Conversion kit was designed for an early Hilux that ran the same gearbox.

Murraman · Senior Member

V6 Conversions want 10.5k to do an engine swap in ours, Cannot afford that. I'd still like to do it but I have just been quoted $1800 for an engineers certificate in NSW. That seems a bit stiff also for one days work.

I just got off the phone to V6 conversions and I asked about an engineers and they were not sure what the cost is so maybe the engineers is on top of that.

Oh for the day when it all runs sweet and no more motor problems. Anyone selling the winning lotto numbers cheap. lol

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

How much is a latter model Mazda diesel ? Turbo diesel!!

EconoBago · Newbie

Murraman - sorry for the delayed response. I am doing the conversion myself using the V6 conversions engine/trans crossmembers, albeit slightly modified. I am using an approved engineer in Newcastle and the cost is about $1000 plus $500 for offsite inspections.

Regards Steve