Key Specifications

Spec	Value
Production Years	1978-1988
Manufacturer	General Motors-Holden's
Assembly	Elizabeth, South Australia
Body Styles	4-door sedan, 5-door wagon (VB-VK), 4-door sedan only (VL)
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Platform	Opel Senator / V-platform (GM)
Wheelbase	2,668 mm
Overall Length	4,710 mm (VB), 4,745 mm (VK), 4,755 mm (VL)
Overall Width	1,722 mm
Overall Height	1,365 mm (sedan)
Kerb Weight	1,250-1,450 kg (varies by model and engine)
Fuel Tank Capacity	64 L (sedan), 68 L (wagon)
Boot Capacity	430 L (sedan)

Engine Specifications

Holden 3.3L Inline Six (202ci), VB-VK

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 6, OHV, 12-valve
Displacement	3,300 cc (202 ci)
Bore x Stroke	92.1 mm x 82.6 mm
Compression Ratio	8.3:1 (carb), 9.2:1 (EFI)
Power (carburetted)	86-92 kW @ 4,200 rpm
Power (EFI, VH-VK)	98 kW @ 4,400 rpm
Torque (carburetted)	230-245 Nm @ 2,000 rpm
Torque (EFI)	255 Nm @ 2,400 rpm
Fuel System	Stromberg or Rochester 1-barrel carburettor / Bosch L-Jetronic EFI (late VH, VK)
Ignition	Points (VB) / Electronic (VC onwards)
Block Material	Cast iron
Head Material	Cast iron

Holden 4.2L V8 (253ci), VB-VK

Spec	Value
Configuration	V8, OHV, 16-valve
Displacement	4,146 cc (253 ci)
Bore x Stroke	92.1 mm x 77.8 mm
Compression Ratio	8.3:1
Power	92 kW @ 4,400 rpm
Torque	292 Nm @ 2,400 rpm
Fuel System	Rochester 2-barrel carburettor
Block Material	Cast iron
Head Material	Cast iron

Holden 5.0L V8 (308ci), VB-VL

Spec	Value
Configuration	V8, OHV, 16-valve
Displacement	4,987 cc (308 ci)
Bore x Stroke	101.6 mm x 77.0 mm
Compression Ratio	8.3:1 (carb), 9.0:1 (EFI)
Power (carburetted, VB)	108 kW @ 4,400 rpm
Power (carburetted, VK SS)	118 kW @ 4,800 rpm
Power (EFI, VK Group A)	136 kW @ 5,200 rpm
Torque (carburetted)	338 Nm @ 2,800 rpm
Torque (EFI)	365 Nm @ 3,200 rpm
Fuel System	Rochester 4-barrel carburettor / Bosch L-Jetronic EFI (VK Group A, VL)
Block Material	Cast iron
Head Material	Cast iron

Nissan RB30E 3.0L Inline Six (NA), VL

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 6, SOHC, 12-valve
Displacement	2,962 cc
Bore x Stroke	86.0 mm x 85.0 mm
Compression Ratio	9.4:1
Power	116 kW @ 5,200 rpm
Torque	227 Nm @ 3,200 rpm
Fuel System	Bosch L-Jetronic multipoint injection
Ignition	Electronic, distributor
Block Material	Cast iron
Head Material	Aluminium alloy

Nissan RB30ET 3.0L Inline Six (Turbo), VL

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 6, SOHC, 12-valve, turbocharged and intercooled
Displacement	2,962 cc
Bore x Stroke	86.0 mm x 85.0 mm
Compression Ratio	7.8:1
Power	150 kW @ 5,200 rpm
Torque	280 Nm @ 3,200 rpm
Turbocharger	Garrett T3 (factory), Garrett T04B (Walkinshaw)
Boost Pressure	7 psi (factory), 10 psi (Walkinshaw)
Intercooler	Air-to-air, front-mounted
Fuel System	Bosch L-Jetronic multipoint injection
Injectors	370 cc x 6
Ignition	Electronic, distributorless
Block Material	Cast iron
Head Material	Aluminium alloy

HSV VL Walkinshaw (Group A SV), 1988

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 6, SOHC, 12-valve, turbocharged and intercooled
Displacement	2,962 cc
Bore x Stroke	86.0 mm x 85.0 mm
Compression Ratio	7.8:1
Power	204 kW @ 5,600 rpm
Torque	340 Nm @ 3,600 rpm
Turbocharger	Garrett T04B
Boost Pressure	10 psi
Intercooler	Upgraded air-to-air, front-mounted

Transmission Options

Transmission	Type	Gears	Applications
Opel/Saginaw	Manual	4-speed	VB-VK (six-cylinder)
Borg Warner T5	Manual	5-speed	VK V8, some VK six
Getrag 5-speed	Manual	5-speed	VL (all)
Trimatic (TH180)	Automatic	3-speed	VB-VK (six-cylinder)
TH350	Automatic	3-speed	VB-VH (V8)
TH700-R4	Automatic	4-speed	VK V8, VL turbo and V8

Suspension

VB-VK

Component	Front	Rear
Type	Independent, MacPherson strut	Live axle
Springs	Coil	Coil (sedan), Leaf (wagon/ute)
Dampers	Gas telescopic	Gas telescopic
Anti-roll Bar	Yes	Optional (V8 models)
Location	Lower control arm, anti-roll bar	4-link with Panhard rod

VL

Component	Front	Rear
Type	Independent, MacPherson strut (revised)	Live axle
Springs	Coil	Coil (sedan)
Dampers	Gas telescopic	Gas telescopic
Anti-roll Bar	Yes	Yes (SS, Calais)
Location	Lower control arm, anti-roll bar	4-link with Panhard rod

Brakes

Component	VB-VC	VH-VK	VL
Front	Solid disc, 258 mm	Ventilated disc, 277 mm	Ventilated disc, 277 mm
Rear	Drum, 230 mm	Drum, 230 mm (disc on SS)	Disc, 279 mm (SS/Calais)
Booster	Vacuum, single diaphragm	Vacuum, single diaphragm	Vacuum, dual diaphragm
ABS	Not available	Not available	Not available

Model Variants

VB (1978-1980)

Variant	Engine Options	Key Features
SL	3.3L six, 4.2L V8, 5.0L V8	Base model, vinyl trim
SL/E	3.3L six, 5.0L V8	Velour trim, full instrumentation

VC (1980-1981)

Variant	Engine Options	Key Features
SL	3.3L six, 4.2L V8, 5.0L V8	Base model, improved trim
SL/E	3.3L six, 5.0L V8	Velour trim, power accessories

VH (1981-1984)

Variant	Engine Options	Key Features
SL	3.3L six, 4.2L V8, 5.0L V8	Base model
SL/E	3.3L six (EFI), 5.0L V8	Luxury, EFI option, power accessories
SS	5.0L V8	Performance suspension, body kit

VK (1984-1986)

Variant	Engine Options	Key Features
SL	3.3L six, 4.2L V8, 5.0L V8	Base model
SL/E	3.3L six (EFI), 5.0L V8	Luxury, improved EFI
SS	5.0L V8	Performance, body kit, 15" alloys
SS Group A	5.0L V8 (EFI, 136 kW)	Homologation special, 502 built
Calais	5.0L V8	Top luxury, leather, full electrics
HDT Director	Various	Cosmetic HDT package
HDT Group Three	5.0L V8 (blueprinted)	Full performance package

VL (1986-1988)

Variant	Engine Options	Key Features
SL	RB30E 3.0L	Base model, cloth trim
Executive	RB30E 3.0L	Mid-range, improved trim
Berlina	RB30E 3.0L	Upper-mid-range, velour
Calais	RB30E 3.0L, RB30ET turbo	Top luxury, full electrics
SS	RB30ET turbo, 5.0L V8	Performance, body kit, upgraded suspension
SS Group A (Walkinshaw)	RB30ET turbo (204 kW)	Homologation special, 750 built

Performance (approximate, period road tests)

Model	0-100 km/h	Quarter Mile	Top Speed
VB SL 3.3L (auto)	13.5 s	~18.5 s	170 km/h
VB SL/E 308 V8 (auto)	9.8 s	~17.0 s	195 km/h
VH SS 308 V8 (manual)	8.5 s	~16.0 s	205 km/h
VK SS Group A (manual)	7.8 s	~15.5 s	215 km/h
VL Executive RB30E (auto)	11.5 s	~17.8 s	185 km/h
VL SS Turbo (auto)	7.5 s	~15.2 s	225 km/h
VL SS Turbo (manual)	7.0 s	~14.8 s	230 km/h
VL Walkinshaw (manual)	6.5 s	~14.2 s	240 km/h

Fuel Economy (approximate, mixed driving)

Model	L/100 km
3.3L six (carburettor, auto)	12.5
3.3L six (EFI, auto)	11.0
253 V8 (auto)	14.0
308 V8 (carburettor, auto)	15.5
308 V8 (EFI, auto)	14.0
RB30E (auto)	11.5
RB30ET turbo (auto)	12.5
RB30ET turbo (manual, driven hard)	14.0+

Service Intervals

Service Item	Interval
Engine oil and filter	5,000-7,500 km or 6 months
Spark plugs	20,000 km (Holden six/V8), 30,000 km (RB30)
Points/condenser (VB only)	10,000 km
Distributor cap and rotor (where fitted)	20,000 km
Automatic transmission fluid	40,000 km
Coolant	100,000 km or 3 years
Brake fluid	24 months
Timing chain (RB30)	Inspect at 150,000 km, replace if rattling
Front suspension check	30,000 km (inspect ball joints, tie rods, bushings)

Engine Oil Specifications

Engine	Recommended Grade	Capacity (with filter)
3.3L Holden six	15W-40 mineral / 20W-50 mineral	4.5 L
253 V8	15W-40 mineral / 20W-50 mineral	4.7 L
308 V8	15W-40 mineral / 20W-50 mineral	4.7 L
RB30E (NA)	10W-40 semi-synthetic	4.3 L
RB30ET (turbo)	10W-40 semi-synthetic / 5W-30 full synthetic	4.3 L

Tyre Specifications

Variant	Size
VB-VC SL (six)	175SR14
VB-VC SL/E (V8)	195/70HR14
VH-VK SL	185/75R14
VH-VK SL/E	195/70R14
VH-VK SS	205/60HR15
VK Group A	215/60VR15
VL Executive/Berlina	195/70R14
VL Calais/SS	205/60VR15
VL Walkinshaw	215/50VR15

Differential Ratios

Model/Engine	Ratio
3.3L six (auto)	3.08:1
3.3L six (manual)	3.36:1
253 V8	3.08:1
308 V8 (auto)	3.08:1
308 V8 (manual)	3.36:1
VK SS Group A	3.45:1 (LSD)
VL RB30E (auto)	3.45:1
VL RB30ET turbo (auto)	3.45:1 (LSD)
VL RB30ET turbo (manual)	3.70:1 (LSD)
VL Walkinshaw	3.90:1 (LSD)

Production Numbers (approximate)

Model	Total
VB (all variants)	~95,000
VC (all variants)	~70,000
VH (all variants)	~150,000
VK (all variants)	~130,000
VK SS Group A	502
VL (all variants)	~135,000
VL Walkinshaw (Group A SV)	750
HDT Director (across all models)	~3,500 (estimated)
HDT Group Three (across all models)	~1,200 (estimated)