VH45 aftermarket parts availability vs 1UZ

[ISL33P]

Hi Everyone,

I am currently tossing between a vh45 and 1uz for my twin turbo v8 conversion. The only thing holding me back from the vh45 is the complete lack of parts availability for the VH45.

After much searching there seems to be no real/constant supply of the most important parts like pistons, rods and (arp) bolts.....the rest apart from maybe cams, I can use the standard stuff.

Any direction would be much appreciated....pppppppplease correct me if I am wrong because I could do with the extra cubes.

Thanks,Ariel

[CrazyTrance]

I think i remember hearing that you can use ARP head bolts for an SR... and Mazworx has got the cams covered. There isn't much support. But it's growing.

[kingkilburn]

From what I hear the Aussies have more parts available than any where else. You might have to look more towards local speed shops than on the internet though.

[Chrispy300]

Nope, hardly anyone here know's what they are

New Zealand is where the fancy parts are...

[ISL33P]

lol only thing i have covered at the moment is complete intake manifold/plenums and throttle bodies

exchange rate at the moment for even stock parts like a timing chain kit are killing us.

any idea on nz sites Chrispy ?

[kingkilburn]

I thought it was popular in New Zealand for the power boats, and in Australia for drag and stock car racing. Either way that means someone has parts. You just have to find them.

[ISL33P]

exactly why I am asking here. I have looked everywehre with no luck

[Bart]

Check out Trade Me. Its NZ version of ebay motors

[Chrispy300]

lol only thing i have covered at the moment is complete intake manifold/plenums and throttle bodies

exchange rate at the moment for even stock parts like a timing chain kit are killing us.

any idea on nz sites Chrispy ?

No, afraid not... I got my timing chain kit off US ebay and have been going down to Repco with old seals, sparkplugs and whatnot for my mate Tim to work out equivelants of as the Q45 isn't listed in most of the books...

From what I can tell Nizpro does a bit with them, but don't reall advertise it much, they have more than enough business with the XR6 Turbo's that come through. Might be worth giving them a call.

As for NZ people, there are a couple around that do cams. Maybe Mettler can suggest some workshops?

[ISL33P]

thanks Chrispy. how did you find that ebay kit...any good ? I am really considering one at the moment.

[gs14racer]

CP pistons here makes a really nice set of forged pistons, in any compression or bore size you need for the VH, retail is around 1100 for the set

[Chrispy300]

thanks Chrispy. how did you find that ebay kit...any good ? I am really considering one at the moment.

Yeah, fine. Not many OEM bits, but for the price can't really complain... Everything went together OK.

[Mettler]

Just buy some forged pistons, H beam rods, decent bearings, get a custom pair of steel or copper headgaskets made up, and have the deck o-ringed.. you should be good with those mods.

[ISL33P]

so was the kit missing anything ?

Mettler - engine I am purchasing has new rings and bearings along with reco'd heads, nitrided crank but standard rods and pistons. Lets see how far I can push it.

anyone know what arp studs I can use in the rods ?

[Mettler]

So what you're saying is you're using a freshly rebuilt standard engine? That'll work fine, but you'll be limited by the static compression ratio of 10.2:1

Do the rods and pistons, at least then if you have big enough injectors you don't need to be scared of putting in big boost (20psi+) and big revs.

[Chrispy300]

so was the kit missing anything ?

Nah, had everything:

Two timing chainsOil Pump chainMetal backed guidesNew plastic tension side guides **had to machine these down a bit to use the standard bolts** New tensioners, no new gasket though, I used goo

I think that was it.

[ISL33P]

thats right standard internals.

no problem with the compression. that is quite ok for a turbochrged engine....it is all in the tune, more specifically the timing curve.

already have a standalone computer and no way i would use standard injectors.

i am fabricating exhaust manifolds, plenums (obviously) piping, mounts and crossmember.

thanks Chrispy...i might just go ahead and buy it and get this thing underway