I strongly suggest installing VDP at the 2nd data center and use VDP replication. Replicating the VMDKs or LUNs that they sit on are not application consistent. With VDP there is a real chance of data corruption when you need to do a restore unless if you power it down before hand. See page 178 of admin guide. VDP replication also has a lot of features including faster restore times, less bandwidth, different retention times, easier to test, multiple logical copies (accidentally delete a backup at primary site you still have a copy at DR site). It will require esxi host and storage but its well worth it.
You can add exciting storage to a new VDP install. See page 72 of admin guide. If you don't have vCenter or DNS at your DR data center you would have to create it first before installing VDP. If VMDKs are corrupt attaching them to a new VDP appliance probably wont solve anything.