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Holden HSV Calais Engine Number
Use this guide to locate the engine number on your Holden HSV Calais and line up the right engine-related parts enquiry.
The HSV Calais was a luxury-performance car produced by Holden Special Vehicles, derived from the upmarket Holden Calais and most closely associated with HSV's early VL era, when the tuner developed enhanced models based on the top-specification Calais. It pairs the Calais's more luxurious appointments with HSV's performance and chassis enhancements, though exact model details vary by series.
Where to find your Holden engine number
The stamped engine number is on a machined pad on the block. Its location depends on the engine family:
- Inline six-cylinder: on a pad on the right-hand side of the block, above the engine-mount boss.
- V8 (253 / 308, 4.2 / 5.0 litre): on a pad on the left-hand side of the block, above the engine mounting.
- V6 (Buick-derived, Ecotec, Alloytec): on the front left-hand face of the block, below the ignition coil.
- Later V6 and LS V8 models: the build / engine plate sits on the radiator support panel (VT-VZ era) or the passenger-side strut tower (VE / VF era).
You may need to wipe the pad clean to read the stamped number, and on air-conditioned cars the compressor can sit in front of it. Older Holden engines use a capacity-plus-tune prefix (for example 186S or a Q-series V8 code), while modern engines (Ecotec, Alloytec and the LS V8 family) use a GM engine code plus a separate stamped serial.
For the most accurate part match, send us both the engine code or prefix and the full stamped number, along with whether the car is automatic or manual.
On this model
The engine fitted depends on the era and specification: the VL era offered both a six-cylinder and V8 option, while later HSV models were generally V8-based. Establish the correct series first, then confirm the engine against the vehicle documentation. Where possible, quote the engine code and the stamped engine number and match them to the base Holden Calais/Commodore records for that series. Exact outputs and specifications should be treated cautiously and verified against the individual car, as they can vary and are not assumed here.
This page also draws on later year-by-year data for Holden Calais, Holden HDT Calais to cover modern variants.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the engine number on a Holden HSV Calais?
It is stamped on a machined pad on the engine block. Inline sixes are on the right side above the engine mount, the 253/308 V8s on the left side above the mount, and the V6 engines on the front left face below the ignition coil. You may need to wipe the pad clean to read it.
What is the difference between an engine prefix and an engine code?
Older Holden engines use a capacity-plus-tune prefix stamped on the block, while modern engines (Ecotec, Alloytec and the LS V8 family) use a GM engine code plus a separate stamped serial.
Do you match engine numbers to parts?
Yes. Send us the engine code or prefix and the full stamped number, plus whether the car is automatic or manual, and we will match the right engine-related part.
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