Holden Commodore VB Technical Specifications

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Holden VB Commodore
Holden Color Codes A - L
Holden Color Codes A - L
Holden Color Codes M -Z
Holden Color Codes M -Z
  • Years of Manufacture: 1978 - 1980
  • Number Built: 95,906
  • Price at Introduction:
    • Commodore 6 : $6513
    • Commodore 6 SL: $7813
    • Commodore 6 SL/E: $10,513
  • Models:
    • Commodore Sedan
    • Commodore Station Wagon
    • Commodore SL Sedan
    • Commodore SL Station Wagon
    • Commodore SL/E Sedan
  • Date(s) of Introduction:
    • Sedans: 13th November, 1979
    • Wagons: 6th August, 1979
  • To Identify:
    • All new mid-sized body somewhere between Torana and HZ
    • Front hatched design grille with Holden emblem mounted front, centre
    • side badging mounted on bodywork above protector strip
  • Body:
    • Unitary construction (Monocoque)
  • Exterior Dimensions:
    • Total Length: 4705mm (SL/E: 4729mm)
    • Total Width: 1722mm
    • Total Height at kerb weight: 1371mm
    • Wheelbase: 2668mm
    • Front Track: 1451mm (SL/E: 1449mm)
    • Rear Track: 1417mm (SL/E: 1422mm)
  • Kerb Weight:
    • Commodore: 1220kg
    • Commodore SL: 1255kg
    • Commodore SL/E: 1400kg
  • Turning Circle:
    • 10.2 metres (SL/E 10.8 metres)
  • Fuel Tank Capacity:
    • 63 liters
  • Instruments:
    • Commodore:
      • Speedometer with integrated odometer
      • Petrol gauge
      • Fuel economy gauge
      • Central vertical warning light cluster incorporating:
        • high beam
        • oil pressure
        • battery
        • brake
        • park brake
        • optional trailer light
      • Clock
      • Indicators
      • AM Radio
    • Commodore SL (as above, with additional):
      • Voltmeter
      • Oil pressure gauge
    • Commodore SL/E (as above, with additional):
      • Tachometer (replacing fuel economy gauge)
      • Power antenna switch
      • Push button radio stereo cassette player
  • 2850 161 6 cylinder:
    • Capacity: 161ci 2640cc 2.838 liter
    • Type: Conventional, watercooled four stroke, reciprocating piston type with 6 cylinders
    • Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, inline
    • Head: Pushrod and rocker actuated ohv with two valves per cylinder
    • Fuel System: Bendix-Stromberg single barrel 1 BBL downdraft type carburetor
    • Bore and Stroke: 88.9 x 76.2mm
    • Power: 64kw at 4000rpm
    • Torque: 198Nm at 2200rpm
    • Compression Ratio: 9.2:1
  • 3300 202 6 cylinder:
    • Capacity: 201.9ci 3050cc 3.298 liter
    • Type: Conventional, watercooled four stroke, reciprocating piston type with 6 cylinders
    • Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, inline
    • Head: Pushrod and rocker actuated ohv
    • Fuel System: Single Bendix-Stromberg 1 BBL single downdraught carburetor
    • Bore and Stroke: 92.0 x 82.5mm
    • Power: 71kw at 3600rpm
    • Torque: 221Nm at 2100rpm
    • Compression Ratio: 9.2:1
  • 253 4.2 liter V8 Engine:
    • Capacity: 253ci 4.142 liter
    • Type: Conventional, watercooled four stroke, reciprocating piston type with 8 cylinders
    • Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, Vee configuration
    • Head: Pushrod and rocker actuated ohv with two valves per cylinder
    • Fuel System: Twin barrel Bendix-Stromberg 2 BBL carburetor
    • Bore and Stroke: 92.0 x 77.7mm
    • Power: 87kw at 4000rpm
    • Torque: 271Nm at 2000rpm
    • Compression Ratio: 9.4:1
  • 308 5.0 liter V8 Engine:
    • Capacity: 308ci 5.047 liter
    • Type: Conventional, watercooled four stroke, reciprocating piston type with 8 cylinders
    • Configuration: Front mounted, longitudinal, Vee configuration
    • Head: Pushrod and rocker actuated ohv with two valves per cylinder
    • Fuel System: Rochester Quadrajet 4 BBL downdraft type carburetor
    • Bore and Stroke: 101.6 x 77.7mm
    • Power: 114kw at 4000rpm
    • Torque: 344Nm at 2200rpm
    • Compression Ratio: 9.4:1
  • Ignition and Electrical:
    • 12 volt negative ground
    • 48 A/H 7 plate for L6
    • 61 A/H 9 plate for 4.2
    • 62 A/H 11 plate for 5.0
    • Alternator fitted with integral voltage regulator
    • 14 Volt Amp L6 and 4.2
    • 13.5 Volt 55 Amp for 5.0 and all fitted with air-conditioning
    • Pre-engage type starter motor
    • Solenoid actuated screw front engaging push pinion
  • Exhaust:
    • 6 cylinder models: Cast iron exhaust manifold with single seam welded steel exhaust and tail pipe with 2 reverse flow mufflers
    • V8 models: Dual cast iron exhaust manifolds with single crossover pipe, single seam welded steel exhaust and tail pipe with two reverse flow mufflers. Optional dual pipes with three mufflers
  • 4 speed MC6 2.85 and 3.3 L6 Manual Transmission:
    • 1st: 3.50:1
    • 2nd: 2.02:1
    • 3rd: 1.41:1
    • 4th: 1.00:1
    • Reverse: 3.57:1
  • 4 speed Torquemaster M20 2.85 and 3.3 L6 Manual Transmission:
    • 1st: 3.05:1
    • 2nd: 2.19:1
    • 3rd: 1.15:1
    • 4th: 1.00:1
    • Reverse: 3.05:1
  • 4 speed M20 4.2 V8 Manual Transmission:
    • 1st: 3.05:1
    • 2nd: 2.19:1
    • 3rd: 1.15:1
    • 4th: 1.00:1
    • Reverse: 3.05:1
  • 4 speed M21 5.0 V8 Manual Transmission:
    • 1st: 2.54:1
    • 2nd: 1.83:1
    • 3rd: 1.38:1
    • 4th: 1.00:1
    • Reverse: 2.54:1
  • 3 speed TriMatic M40 3.3 L6 and 4.2 V8 Automatic Transmission:
    • 1st: 2.31:1
    • 2nd: 1.46:1
    • 3rd: 1.00:1
    • Reverse: 1.85:1
  • 3 speed TurboHydramatic 350 M41 5.0 V8 Automatic Transmission:
    • 1st: 2.48:1
    • 2nd: 1.48:1
    • 3rd: 1.00:1
    • Reverse: 2.08:1
  • Clutch:
    • Single dry plate diaphram spring actuation type
    • Mechanical cable operation, connected directly to pull fork throw out lever
  • Rear Axle Ratio:
    • 2.85 L6 4 speed MC6: 3.36:1
    • 2.85 L6 4 speed M20: 3.36:1
    • 3.30 L6 4 speed MC6/M20: 3.08:1 / 3.36:1
    • 3.30 L6 TriMatic M40: 2.78:1 / 3.08:1 / 3.36:1
    • 4.2 V8 TriMatic M40: 2.78:1 / 3.08:1 / 3.36:1
    • 4.2 V8 4 speed M20: 3.08:1
    • 5.0 V8 TurboHydramatic M41: 2.60:1 / 3.08:1
    • 5.0 V8 4 speed M21: 3.08:1 / 3.36:1
  • Top Speed in Gears:
    • 4.2 V8 (87kw version) SL 4 speed manual:
      • 1st: 70 km/h
      • 2nd: 100 km/h
      • 3rd: 142 km/h
      • 4th: 175 km/h
      • 0-100 km/h: 10.3 seconds
      • Standing Quarter Mile (400 metres): 17.5 seconds
    • 4.2 V8 (87kw version) SL/E 3 speed TriMatic:
      • 1st: 97 km/h
      • 2nd: 153 km/h
      • 3rd: 171 km/h
      • 4th: 200 km/h+
      • 0-100 km/h: 13.4 seconds
      • Standing Quarter Mile (400 metres): 18.3 seconds
    • 5.0 V8 (125kw version) SL/E 4 speed manual:
      • 1st: 79 km/h
      • 2nd: 110 km/h
      • 3rd: 146 km/h
      • 4th: 200 km/h+
      • 0-100 km/h: 9.0 seconds
      • Standing Quarter Mile (400 metres): 16.4 seconds
    • 5.0 V8 (125kw version) SL/E 3 speed TriMatic:
      • 1st: 85 km/h
      • 2nd: 140 km/h
      • 3rd: 190 km/h
      • 0-100 km/h: 10.2 seconds
      • Standing Quarter Mile (400 metres): 17.6 seconds
  • Suspension:
    • Front: Independent MacPherson 'wet' strut design, linear rate springs, 22mm stabiliser bar
    • Rear: Salisbury type rear axle, rigid axle, 5 link with parallel short upper and long lower trailing arms and a panhard rod between axle and under body, progressive rate coil springs, vertically mounted telescopic shocks, 18mm decoupled stabiliser bar mounted on the axle
  • Steering:
    • Coaxial rack and pinion, direct linkage (rear of front wheels), ratio 19.8:1
    • Power hydraulically assisted rack and pinion steering standard on SL/E, optional on SL
  • Brakes:
    • Front: 268mm vented disc with single piston, sliding head and lightweight caliper
    • Rear: 230mm self-adjusting leading trailing shoe drum or 274mm solid disc, fitted with light weight caliper
  • Wheels:
    • Commodore and SL models: 6.00JJ x 14 ventilated pressed steel wheels
    • SL/E: Styled cast alloy 6.00JJ x 15
  • Tyres:
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