Holden Commodore / Calais

VN Series

Specifications

Built:

206,750

Engines:

• 3.8L V6: 3800 V6
• 5L V8: HEC 5000i V8

Transmissions:

• 5 speed manual: Borg Warner T5
• 4 speed automatic: GM Turbo HydraMatic 700 (THM700)

Suspension:

• Front: MacPherson strut, incorporating wet sleeve shock absorbers, stabilizer bar, coil springs.
• Rear: Trailing arm with 5-link location, panhard rod, progressive rate coil springs, double acting shock absorbers, stabilizer bar.
• FE2 Sports, Front:
• FE2 Sports, Rear:
• Country Pack, Front: Revised spring and shock absorber rate. Revised stabiliser bar diameter. Increased ground clearance. Engine sump guard.
• Country Pack, Rear: Revised spring rate. Larger shock absorbers. Revised stabiliser bar diameter. Increased ground clearance.

Steering:

• Type: power assisted with variable assist, variable ratio rack and pinion.
• Turning circle (m): 10.4

Brakes:

• Front: Power assisted, ventilated discs
• Rear: Power assisted, discs
• V8: Tandem master cylinder

Wheels / Tyres:

• 6.00 JJ x 14 inch steel wheels with 185/75 H R14 standard on all except S.
• 6.00 JJ x 15 inch alloy wheels with 205/65 H R15 standard on S, optional on others.

Dimensions:

                   Exec Sedan   Berlina Sedan   Exec Wagon   Berlina Wagon
Length (mm):          4850           4850          4896           4896
Width (mm):           1794           1802          1794           1802
Height (mm):          1403           1400          1422           1474
Ground Clearance(mm):  143            142           141            139
Wheelbase (mm):       2731           2731          2822           2822
Front Track (mm):     1451           1451          1451           1451
Rear Track (mm):      1478           1478          1478           1478

Fuel Consumption:

AS2877

• V6 Manual (City / Highway): 11.5 / 7.6 (L / 100km)
• V6 Automatic (City / Highway): 12.5 / 8.0 (L / 100km)
• V8 Manual (City / Highway): 14.5 / 9.0 (L / 100km)
• V8 Automatic (City / Highway): 15.0 / 9.5 (L / 100km)

Fuel Tank Capacity

• Sedan (V6): 63 L
• Sedan (V8): 80 L
• Wagon (V6 & V8): 68 L

Differential:

Borg Warner, ratio: 3.08:1

Kerb Weights

                Executive   Berlina   Calais
Sedan, V6 (kg):   1311        1370     1391
Sedan, V8 (kg):   1377        1440
Wagon, V6 (kg):   1359        1422      N/A
Wagon, V8 (kg):   1425        1492      N/A

Luggage Capacity

• Sedan (L): 443
• Wagon, rear seat folded down (L): 2491

Towing Capacity

Sedan:

• 500kg with standard towbar.
• 1200kg with load equalising trailer hitch and towbar package.
• 1590kg with bodyside bracing package, trailer brakes, heavy-duty towbar and equaliser hitch. (transmission oil cooler is mandatory)

Wagon:

• As sedan, except 1590 package deletes bodyside bracing.

3800 V6

Six cylinders in V configuration. OHV design with cross-flow cylinder heads. Low friction technology. Multipoint fuel injection. High energy, distributorless, ignition fired by magnetic pulse from crankshaft, via computer. Triple coils. Engine management system. Electric cooling fan.

The above pic is of the early VN V6. Later VN V6 was modified to improve NVH, and top coolant hose connection was moved to the front of the engine, and the black fuel rails were replaced with extruded aluminium rails.

Capacity: 3.791 L
Induction: multi-point EFI
Valvetrain: overhead valves, 2 valves / cylinder
Bore x Stroke (mm): 97.0 x 86.0
Compression Ratio: 8.5:1
Maximum power: 125 kW @ 4800 rpm
Maximum torque: 292 Nm @ 3200 rpm

Engine Control Module (ECM) Details

ECM - Delco 1227808

HEC 5.0L V8

Eight cylinders in V configuration. OHV design with cross-flow cylinder heads. Stainless steel exhaust manifold. Multipoint fuel injection. Breakerless high energy electronic ignition system. Engine management computer. 91 octane fuel.

Capacity: 4.987 L
Induction: multi-point EFI
Valvetrain: overhead valves, 2 valves / cylinder
Bore x Stroke (mm): 102.0 x 77.0
Compression Ratio: 8.4:1
Maximum power: 165 kW @ 4400 rpm
Maximum torque: 385 Nm @ 3600 rpm

Engine Control Module (ECM) Details

ECM - Delco 1227808

Turbo Hydramatic 700 (THM700)

                  Ratio
First:             3.06
Second:            1.63
Third:             1.00
Fourth:            0.70

Borg Warner T5

         V6 Ratios   V8 ratios
First:      3.25       2.95
Second:     1.99       1.94
Third:      1.29       1.34
Fourth:     1.00       1.00
Fifth:      0.72       0.73

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Last modified: 5 September 2004.