[Heron SSVParticipant Central Coast NSW2009 Pajero Exceed 84 VK SL LS3 View build HERE Member since: May 5, 2015 Posts: 585]

I’ve been going of the ECU temp, I have my scan tool connected to the OBD port showing the live coolant temp. Dash guage sits in the red when it’s at 100.

Fault codes are P0122, P0223, P2122, P2127. They all relate to the throttle body and pedal, some research so far suggests it might be a wiring issue as some of the faults relate to the volt levels.

[Heron SSVParticipant Central Coast NSW2009 Pajero Exceed 84 VK SL LS3 View build HERE Member since: May 5, 2015 Posts: 585]

Swapped everything over on the weekend. Pulled the intake and radiator out on Friday evening after work. The new raidator fits perfectly, the side and bottom pins are in the exact factory spots. Bolted the crossover pipe to the bottom of the radiator support, bought new lower hoses as the ones that came with the crossover pipe looked a little iffy. Used a VR V6 top hose, only needed to trim a little off one end for it to fit. Cut the top hose in half to fit an Aeroflow joiner with a temp sender port, using that to run the steam port to. Filled and bled the system, had it idling in the garge for over 20 minutes, it hovered between 92 and 94, the thermo kicks in at 94 and back off at 92, and it stayed there the whole time. Went for a drive yesterday for about 45 minutes, did a bit of freeway driving, previously it would creep up to 110, this time it barely cracked 100, on the backstreets with some stop start it was hovering between 94 and 98. Seems to have worked so far, I’ll see how it goes during the next couple of drives.

Also fitted a new boot lock.

Still getting some fault codes and a bit of hesitation when the revs are up. Getting Pedal/Throttle Circuit A Low, Circut B High, Circuit D Low, Circuit E Low.

[Heron SSVParticipant Central Coast NSW2009 Pajero Exceed 84 VK SL LS3 View build HERE Member since: May 5, 2015 Posts: 585]

Radiator has arrived, had a quick look and the quality looks pretty good for a China special. Bottom pins look like they might actually line up properly, but I’ll reserve my final judgement for the time being. Bottom crossover pipe has also arrived, have to work out how to mount it when I pull mine apart. Will also change the way the intake pipe runs as the top radiator hose wont be in the way this time.

[Heron SSVParticipant Central Coast NSW2009 Pajero Exceed 84 VK SL LS3 View build HERE Member since: May 5, 2015 Posts: 585]

The tuner said it’s not too much of an issue with the FBW setup. Coming to a stop is fine, and taking off at a normal pace is fine, and even giving it a boot whilst already moving is fine, it only happens occasionally, but on the weekend it happend a few times when I was up it for the rent haha. My scanner is showing a couple of throttle body error codes, I’ll have to get the exact codes and do some digging to see what they mean

[Heron SSVParticipant Central Coast NSW2009 Pajero Exceed 84 VK SL LS3 View build HERE Member since: May 5, 2015 Posts: 585]

Spot on Gary, every build has things to sort out once it’s on the road. Considering how much of it I did myself and my only knowledge being gained from youtube, google and asking people, I’m amazed it starts first time and drives haha. Even the tuner was impressed when I gave him a rundown of the build.

Just ordered a few bits and pices for the radiator swap. Got a new VR V6 upper hose and an Aeroflow temp sender adapter, I’ll use that as a join in the top hose to get the length right, and also use the port to run the steam port hose to.

Anyone know if I should fill my overflow tank? I know I’ll have to bleed the whole system when I swap the radiators over, but do I need to fill the overflow tank as well? Also, does the position of the overflow tank matter, mine is lower than the top of the radiator, not sure if that will cause any issues, factory Commodore ones are usually sitting high in the bay from memory

[Heron SSVParticipant Central Coast NSW2009 Pajero Exceed 84 VK SL LS3 View build HERE Member since: May 5, 2015 Posts: 585]

Ordered a new radiator, ended up with a cheap alloy one for 151 bucks delivered. Also ordered a VT lower radiator crossover pipe. Hopefully they arrive this week so I can start swapping them out next weekend.

Took the family out for a drive yesterday. Noticed it kinda hesitates a little sometimes when you’re up it. Checked my scan gauge and it has a couple of throttle body fault codes, something about the high and low circuit, might be a safety thing if something is amiss it closes the throttle. Cruising is fine, it only happened when taking off and giving it a bit (yes I was doing a small skid haha). Could also be cause there is no vehicle speed sensor.

[Heron SSVParticipant Central Coast NSW2009 Pajero Exceed 84 VK SL LS3 View build HERE Member since: May 5, 2015 Posts: 585]

It looks like there’s lots of space now, wait till you start putting the headers in haha

Making some great progress, shame that it’ll stop while family life takes over for a bit. Thats cars though.

How much clearance do you have from the bottom of the sump to the ground? Looking pretty low, hopefully it isnt too exposed

[Heron SSVParticipant Central Coast NSW2009 Pajero Exceed 84 VK SL LS3 View build HERE Member since: May 5, 2015 Posts: 585]

Looks good mate. It’s surprising how excited you get when you finally clean all the crap off after building a car for so long, I reckon it’s one thing to do if you’re starting to lose the passion to get it done, definitely gets the fire burning again

[Heron SSVParticipant Central Coast NSW2009 Pajero Exceed 84 VK SL LS3 View build HERE Member since: May 5, 2015 Posts: 585]

Decisions decisions. Spoke to two blokes I know that both have VK’s with worked 308’s. They both run cheap chinese alloy radiators from ebay, they both reckon their cars run spot on temp wise and dont get hot at all. One bloke was just at the Nats and spent most of each day cruising in 40+ degree heat and it didnt break a sweat. Can get them for about 150 bucks, very tempting to roll the dice and see how it goes, I’ve wasted more cash on other crap.

[Heron SSVParticipant Central Coast NSW2009 Pajero Exceed 84 VK SL LS3 View build HERE Member since: May 5, 2015 Posts: 585]

Couple of pics, camera on my phone is stuffed so I’ve been a bit slack with getting some decent pics

 

[Heron SSVParticipant Central Coast NSW2009 Pajero Exceed 84 VK SL LS3 View build HERE Member since: May 5, 2015 Posts: 585]

Cheers Sands, I’m leaning towards the Adrad one as it is copper/brass, alloy ones can sometimes have issues with stray currents eating them away. Price is attractive as well.

[Heron SSVParticipant Central Coast NSW2009 Pajero Exceed 84 VK SL LS3 View build HERE Member since: May 5, 2015 Posts: 585]

Tacho is installed and working, had to get an extra Autometer harness that taps into the coil packs for it to work properly, ended up costing more than expected but thats cars really. Converter is flashing up to around 3700 rpm

Will look at a new radiator later this year. Can still drive it as is for the time being, just have to keep an eye on the temp. Tossing up between a copper Adrad 3 core one or alloy PWR one, the Adrad is about $570, PWR is just over a grand. Custom one from South Coast Radiators (they make quality ones and are very popular in the burnout scene so they have some pedigree) are around 2 grand, so one of those is a little out of the budget.

Also thinking of getting a cheap factory V8 one to try, will have to muck around with new hoses as the inlet/outlet are on the opposite side, but it might work better than what i have now, and I could probably sell it for around the same cost if it doesnt work.

[Heron SSVParticipant Central Coast NSW2009 Pajero Exceed 84 VK SL LS3 View build HERE Member since: May 5, 2015 Posts: 585]

As far as I knew the VK 6 and 8 cylinder radiators had the same capacity. I went with the 6 cylinder one as the inlet and outlet are on opposite sides compared to the 8 cyliner one and are closer to the inlet/outlet on the engine. Three pass is the same as your diagrm Gary but with an extra pass back to the other side.

The radiator is working somewhat, it just gets hot cruising up around 100, it cools down when I drop back to 80-90.

[Heron SSVParticipant Central Coast NSW2009 Pajero Exceed 84 VK SL LS3 View build HERE Member since: May 5, 2015 Posts: 585]

Dropped the VK off at my mechanics last night to get the tacho installed. I was talking to him about how it’s getting hot when cruising on the freeway, he said the coolant might be flowing too quickly through the radiator and not having enough time to cool (it’s reving around 3500 at 100kmh), a shroud will help the thermo work better but mainly at lower speeds. I’m using a factory VK 6 cylinder radiator but I’m not sure if it is a single pass one, the mechanic said I should look for a three pass one to give the coolant time to cool. Anyone know how I can check mine to see what  it’s got?

[Heron SSVParticipant Central Coast NSW2009 Pajero Exceed 84 VK SL LS3 View build HERE Member since: May 5, 2015 Posts: 585]

Judge1 Frazer wrote:

don’t you need speedo for engineering

im using a GPS digital speedo cause my gearbox doesn’t have the cable drive gear on the shaft

[Heron SSVParticipant Central Coast NSW2009 Pajero Exceed 84 VK SL LS3 View build HERE Member since: May 5, 2015 Posts: 585]

Gonna get my monster tacho installed in a week or so for maximum shift light awesomeness haha. tossing up between two spots to mount it, first is on top of the steering column in front of the dash, the speedo and tacho on the dash dont work so i wouldnt be blocking the view of anything there, second is on the right side of the dash above the vent near the door, theres a space big enough for it to fit, and it’s a little higher as well so it might be a bit easier to look at while driving without having to look down. Any suggestions?

[Heron SSVParticipant Central Coast NSW2009 Pajero Exceed 84 VK SL LS3 View build HERE Member since: May 5, 2015 Posts: 585]

Thats some decent progress mate, coming along nicely. Do you have a deadline to get it done? Hows the storage shed going?

[Heron SSVParticipant Central Coast NSW2009 Pajero Exceed 84 VK SL LS3 View build HERE Member since: May 5, 2015 Posts: 585]

Indeed I will. Ordered a bonnet cable clamp cause I didnt have one and was using a small cable screw in clamp thing plus a prayer to sweet baby Jesus but it didnt work so back to the factory setup. Slowly compiling a list of all the little things that need doing before I look at the big things for engineering.

Probably a silly question but would 14 inch stockies fit over the VT front brakes? I’d love a set with some factory SL hubcaps but I dont think 14s would fit, I think I need 15s at minimum

[Heron SSVParticipant Central Coast NSW2009 Pajero Exceed 84 VK SL LS3 View build HERE Member since: May 5, 2015 Posts: 585]

Scored a free thermo shroud. Fitting it will be fun, not much room at the bottom between the radiator and radiator support. Hopefully I can get it on without taking the radiator out.

[Heron SSVParticipant Central Coast NSW2009 Pajero Exceed 84 VK SL LS3 View build HERE Member since: May 5, 2015 Posts: 585]

Yeah I wouldn’t mind one of the Group 3 cowls. They just bolt on as well. Could cut a hole in the bonnet and fit the cowl, but I’m still liking the stock look at the moment. Was also thinking I could fit a cowl and mount a few gauges under it to keep the interior clear, apart from the monster tacho, but so they’re only visible from inside the car

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