3.1 Auto swap to a 2.8 Manual

[Mutank]

I've managed to get my hands on a 2000 4wd Holden Rodeo. The rego is dead but the motor trans and suspension extra are mint.
My touring wagon is a 1997 Wizard, 3.1 Auto.
I'm going to strip the Rodeo down and take as much panels, interior, suspension as I can and also drop the motor and trans.
Q1: Can I put the manual Rodeo trans in my Wizard?
Q2: The Wizard motor is tired and has done about 350000 kms. Should I just install the 2.8 and the trans in the Wizard?

I searched but could find anything about this on the forum.

[geeves]

q2 first. Yes you can but you will may some issues getting the auto and motor to talk to each other. Others might have a fix
q1 everything can be done but there are 3 major issues. first the mounts for the crossmember need to be moved. Cut the mounts off the rodeo chassis and weld to your chassis. Get your welding ticket first. second you have to change the pedal box over. Both these mods require lvvta cert. You also need the new wiring loom between engine and box the speedo might be different etc

[Mutank]

Thanks for the info.
So installing the 2.8 trans and motor will work.
But installing just the rodeo manual trans to the 3.1 will require certification?

[geeves]

You are allowed to install a smaller later motor of less power of the same engine series without cert. Is the rodeo motor a 4jb1? That would be no issue. If however its a different engine it might have more power ie 4jh1. Trans there are 2 parts to the problem. The rules allow you to fit the trans but in this case you have to modify your mounts and driveshafts. If you can make adapters you can get away with this but the common method is to cut the mounts out of the donor car and weld to the chassis. Welding the chassis is instant cert modifying driveshafts is instant cert. The other part is a real got you. You are not allowed to modify the brake pedal. Taking the pedal box from the rodeo and swapping is a certifiable mod. Yes this one is stupid but you can imagine some people making brake pedals from riveted panel steel.

[Mutank]

Yeah getting it certed would defeat the purpose of doing on the cheap.
You have been a great help.
I guess I'm going to have a 2.8 motor and trans for sale soon ....

[geeves]

97 wizard if thats non efi you should be ok I dont know if the rodeo motors were efi but if not it should be simple to just do an engine swap. If it is a pump swap to earlier pump should solve

[paulthepilot5]

You should be able to run the 2.8 as long as you run a TPS for transmission control. 2.8 and 3.0 blocks are identical externally, so any bolt on components will swap directly.

[geeves]

one other question. When did holden start using the duramax engine. If its duramax then its not isuzu so another kettle of problems