Cheap/Affordable Mods? [Archive] - Australian LS1 and Holden Forums

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`redoctober

22-06-2008, 01:13 AM

VZ_V8

22-06-2008, 01:19 AM

Hey guys, looking at modding my VE as I'm currently (as much as I love it) sick of it being 100% stock (bar rims)!

So I'm looking for some cheap/affordable or DIY mods that I can do to make my car a little pokier or just look a little better, I'm open for any suggestions!

It's currently just a stock White VE V6 Calais, and any ideas are appreciated (and no, don't say sell it and buy a V8 :p).

Thanks,
-Rob.

hey mate, i'm not 100% clued up on the alloytech 6's as i play around with my ecotec. But maybe have a look at THIS (http://www.airhammer.com.au/airv6.html) website for what looks to be a nice intake setup.

Also an exhaust and tune and i would leave it at that, will make it go better, will most likely improve economy (if you can resist the go pedal) and will be an overall improvement. There was a thread around here somewhere about Alloytech power upgrades, you might like to have a read of if you havent already. If i was you i would leave the outside stock looking. Maybe some HIDs (if it hasnt already got them). But IMHO i prefer nice clean looking cars, debadged NON-chrome rims and a good low stance (not too low), which i have just read is out of the question :lol:
good luck with it (no doubt someone will be on here soon enough to tell you that you need a V8)

just my 2c.

`redoctober

22-06-2008, 01:26 AM

hey mate, i'm not 100% clued up on the alloytech 6's as i play around with my ecotec. But maybe have a look at THIS (http://www.airhammer.com.au/airv6.html) website for what looks to be a nice intake setup.

Also an exhaust and tune and i would leave it at that, will make it go better, will most likely improve economy (if you can resist the go pedal) and will be an overall improvement. There was a thread around here somewhere about Alloytech power upgrades, you might like to have a read of if you havent already. If i was you i would leave the outside stock looking. Maybe some HIDs (if it hasnt already got them). But IMHO i prefer nice clean looking cars, debadged NON-chrome rims and a good low stance (not too low), which i have just read is out of the question :lol:
good luck with it (no doubt someone will be on here soon enough to tell you that you need a V8)

just my 2c.

Most things have been ruled out for me.

I may be getting power upgrades yet (technically) I'm not allowed under the new P plate laws here in Victoria. HOWEVER, I'll probably go for a tune or whatnot anyway (shhh ;))

Also, there's holes in the boot and white is hard to match when being sprayed, so debadging is also out of the question :(

I'll have a look around at the power upgrades though, definitely! My car's the 195kW high output Alloytec, same as the VE SV6, has a bit of poke for just a 6 :)

No HID's, so that's a thought!

Thanks mate :)
-Rob.

JezzaB

22-06-2008, 01:34 AM

Get the auto tuned to your liking, exhaust for some sound and flow and a tweak on the tune on the engine.

`redoctober

22-06-2008, 01:36 AM

Get the auto tuned to your liking, exhaust for some sound and flow and a tweak on the tune on the engine.
How much $$ would I be looking at ?

-Rob.

VZ_V8

22-06-2008, 01:40 AM

Also, there's holes in the boot and white is hard to match when being sprayed, so debadging is also out of the question :(

-Rob.

hard to match??? :confused: white is one of the easiest :lol: my dad just happens to own a panel and paint shop and when we re-sprayed most of my car it was alot simpler to colour match the white than it is to colour match high metallic colours. But it is a bit of work to debage it if you have to get someone to do it, i just welded mine up and sprayed the whole tailgate pretty much because i could, but i appreciate the fact that its not as easy for you and the $$$ probably arent worth the benefits.

go the power mods!!

nirvana

22-06-2008, 01:46 AM

just save your money untill you buy a v8 its a nice car as it is.

`redoctober

22-06-2008, 01:47 AM

just save your money untill you buy a v8 its a nice car as it is.

That's why I was thinking more visual, but I mean anything is good so long as it doesn't cost me an arm and a leg. I know it's a nice car as it is but I'm going to have it a good 5 or 6 years so I might as well make it more enjoyable!

-Rob.

VZ_V8

22-06-2008, 01:49 AM

just save your money untill you buy a v8 its a nice car as it is.

:lol: why? the way things are going in a few years his car will be more valuable than its V8 equivalent :lol: so he can buy V8 mods with the money he will gain by changing over.... plus i would imagine he will have this car for more than a couple of years? am i right?

apparently so... :rofl:

nirvana

22-06-2008, 01:58 AM

no prob i thought you were also thinking to do some mechanical mods but never mind im a bit pissed been a while since i had a drink.
on a side note all the chicks in the club wanted me.:cool:

Roonstain

22-06-2008, 01:58 AM

exhaust - mufflers - depends on where you go, but a set that wont drone on the alloytec (hard to find) will set you back 700-800 bucks
i got a quote for a set of pacemaker extractors supplied and fitted for 695 - may be an idea too?
tune is good idea - gives you more poke (and gets rid of the infamous anti abuse mode, haha)
but i would also suggest the otrcai from bta - thing of beauty

sadly though, i think your idea of the senator bar will be hard to fufill....clubby ones are easier to find (one on ebay now)

VZ_V8

22-06-2008, 02:02 AM

on a side note all the chicks in the club wanted me.:cool:

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: nice mate!!! (you sure they were chicks? :jester:)

`redoctober

22-06-2008, 02:24 AM

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: nice mate!!! (you sure they were chicks? :jester:)
Knowing dennis, maybe not! :lol: :lol: :lol: Just joking mate :stick:

I think the OTRCAI from BTA is looking like the most attractive option at the moment, probably costs the same as the one from airhammer and would perform better being OTR.

Depends how strong the fibreglass is compared to the stainless, I wouldn't want to fork out too much extra if the fibreglass is flimsy, then again I wouldn't want the thing to break (however, I doubt it would), maybe BTA could step in and give some insight?

-Rob.

VZ_V8

22-06-2008, 02:25 AM

Knowing dennis, maybe not! :lol: :lol: :lol: Just joking mate :stick:

I think the OTRCAI from BTA is looking like the most attractive option at the moment, probably costs the same as the one from airhammer and would perform better being OTR.

Depends how strong the fibreglass is compared to the stainless, I wouldn't want to fork out too much extra if the fibreglass is flimsy, then again I wouldn't want the thing to break (however, I doubt it would), maybe BTA could step in and give some insight?

-Rob.

ohhh yeh i forgot about the BTA OTR i saw it on here a while ago... Def go that over the airhammer if your getting it tuned at the same time, can't beat an OTR...

Tony_Montana78

22-06-2008, 02:52 AM

Are you 100% sure that a lowered car wont get down your drive? My old VS was lowered and my folks had a steep driveway, it only would scrape if you didnt go out on an angle. I reckon if you take it slow enough and at an angle you will be ok.

`redoctober

22-06-2008, 03:00 AM

The problem is that the footpath and driveway are both on a downward angle, so to create a large peak at the top, and when the car is over it, it barely clears it. There's no way I could get the car in if it were lowered.

This is the clearance at stock height with no-one in the car at all:
http://i27.tinypic.com/24d0dar.jpg

CRBZ

22-06-2008, 05:00 AM

Ghosn

22-06-2008, 07:59 AM

WizeAbe

22-06-2008, 08:48 AM

Hey,

Have a look on google and search for "jhp vehicle enhancement" and for "holmart", they sell a fair amount of Holden VE stuff, including performance upgrades. Do take a look at the interiors for the VE that JHP is selling.

Good luck

kpop

22-06-2008, 10:14 AM

i too have an alloytec, have done a lot of reading, and here are the major things to do

cat back

diff gears - 3.7's

cold air intake - the airhammer one looks basic - just make one your self - some piping + a filter

tune

anything else your spending big bucks - forced induction etc

Tecca

22-06-2008, 11:00 AM

CAI and Exhaust, get her flowing and sounding a bit better! and a Tune would get the beast cracking a few more horses:)

Roonstain

22-06-2008, 11:32 AM

give robbie from bta a ring (02 9789 6075)
he'll let ya know about the otr in fibreglass
i'll probably be up there next week or something so they can tweak my tune - i think they r using my car as the basis of their mail order tune (with alterations for you high output alloytec ofcourse)

monaro327

22-06-2008, 11:33 AM

the che rear mufflers give a great note and don't drone. they are only $300 fitted. no need to replace the hole exhaust on the sv6(calais has same exhaust yeah??), the rears are the only restrictive part and 2.25inch dual is a great size for the V6 stock exhaust is stainless mandrel bent!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=bGjd1zPdgbU

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZUHbfFGG0LM

chook

22-06-2008, 11:47 AM

Hang on a minute guys, I didn't think you could put these words together in a sentence when talking VE's "CHEAP", "AFFODABLE", MODS.:)

Roonstain

22-06-2008, 11:52 AM

thats the sad thing.....u cant really

`redoctober

22-06-2008, 05:44 PM

Pod filter

Full exhaust "not cats aswell"

extractors

stereo

"lowering is a must haha, no driveway should be made for 4x4s only"

tint

debadge, leave the sv6 badge on + holden ones

Looking at the picture a bigger exhaust may scrape aswel
Exhaust won't scrape if it stays at stock height, however I'm not sure you read the thread properly, I can't lower it, nor is it an SV6 (It's a Calais :p)

Have u called up the council yet and told them of ur dilema? Also, can u post up some pics of ur driveway zoomed out a little?
Will do, it may not look like such a steep angle but because the footpath and driveway are stretched out so far, it bottoms out over the top:
http://i25.tinypic.com/ne7p02.jpg

cold air intake - the airhammer one looks basic - just make one your self - some piping + a filter

That may be a good idea looking at making my own, however I'd need the right sized piping etc, then again I'm leaning towards the BTA one a little more.

Hang on a minute guys, I didn't think you could put these words together in a sentence when talking VE's "CHEAP", "AFFODABLE", MODS.:)
Haha, if you think in the right frame of mind and have a DIY personality, anything is cheap and possible :)

the che rear mufflers give a great note and don't drone. they are only $300 fitted. no need to replace the hole exhaust on the sv6(calais has same exhaust yeah??), the rears are the only restrictive part and 2.25inch dual is a great size for the V6 stock exhaust is stainless mandrel bent!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=bGjd1zPdgbU

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZUHbfFGG0LM
Great idea! Now I'm really stuck between the mufflers and CAI.

I think the mufflers may be the way to go! I'll probably be looking into this, thanks a lot!

-----------

I've made a decision on the amount of money I wanna spend ($300-$400) on either a CAI or Mufflers, yet now I'm looking at more DIY stuff I can do to my car, small things that look good, and having a lot of DIY guru's here is a great thing, here are some photos of the interior and exterior of my car, any small things anyone can think of that I could do at home would be great! Thanks for everyone's help so far as well :)

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n231/redoctober2d/IMG_5564.jpg
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n231/redoctober2d/IMG_5566.jpg
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n231/redoctober2d/IMG_5431.jpg

-Rob.

kpop

22-06-2008, 05:53 PM

redoctober your driveway looks very familiar - i remember seeing another member on here with a black ve calais with whitewalls - family member ?

the che rear mufflers give a great note and don't drone. they are only $300 fitted. no need to replace the hole exhaust on the sv6(calais has same exhaust yeah??), the rears are the only restrictive part and 2.25inch dual is a great size for the V6 stock exhaust is stainless mandrel bent!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=bGjd1zPdgbU

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZUHbfFGG0LM

do you know if this is the case for the VZ models? as im looking for an exhaust, but if the exhaust is the same as the VE (2.25 mandrel bent) then i might as well just replace the muffler instead of getting a whole cat back exhaust system

`redoctober

22-06-2008, 05:58 PM

It's a VE SV6.. (XPLOIT) My Brother Dave.

Who's currently on a 'holiday'.

Bombaman

22-06-2008, 05:59 PM

redoctober your driveway looks very familiar - i remember seeing another member on here with a black ve calais with whitewalls - family member ?

You mean Black SV6, its his brother :)

adams_1

22-06-2008, 06:03 PM

How about some neons? Or a shiny skull gear knob? Milo tin muffler?

The car in the second vid sounds pretty good...

Roonstain

22-06-2008, 07:04 PM

rob
if you are wanting to only spend 300-400 at the moment - go mufflers
dont bother with the cai untill you wanna go the otr - cause your engine will get a better gain than mine did
interior - maybe get the silver highlights on the steering wheel and dash???

EddieVE06

22-06-2008, 07:21 PM

Rob,
Careful with the mufflers especially given its an auto. Smaller body mufflers will make it drone like a dog, trust me I know and still know, bigger body will be better.
Am waiting for my tax refund before speaking to sureflo and mr muffler on some big body rears for my SV6 which they both say have little to no drone and stay away from the lukey ones, droney as.

`redoctober

22-06-2008, 07:44 PM

How about some neons? Or a shiny skull gear knob? Milo tin muffler?

The car in the second vid sounds pretty good...

I'll stick to decent mods, you can do that to your car if you wish :)

I'd prefer serious suggestions please.

-Rob.

Hoangkar

22-06-2008, 07:45 PM

hi i got a calais-V V6 modding to a HSV look and after that super charge it at at 320kw. probally 15k all up modding. :spew: with cash but it :smilesandbanana:

RAWKUS

22-06-2008, 07:56 PM

Hey Rob, here's a thought: Hire a concrete floor grinder and flatten that sucker at the top of your driveway. Then lower your car :idea::bravo::cheers:

Roonstain

22-06-2008, 07:59 PM

hi i got a calais-V V6 modding to a HSV look and after that super charge it at at 320kw. probally 15k all up modding. :spew: with cash but it :smilesandbanana:

you'll be up for more than that if you get the hsv kit from hsv themselves (if they will sell you one) rrp on the whole kit is $14K then you have to fit and paint it - then you do your supercharger!
it took me 6 months to find all the parts needed for my conversion (and im not 100% done)

`redoctober

22-06-2008, 08:06 PM

Hey Rob, here's a thought: Hire a concrete floor grinder and flatten that sucker at the top of your driveway. Then lower your car :idea::bravo::cheers:

Haha, my dad thought of that and did it many moons ago as his VS Clubsport at the time wouldn't fit down without scraping.

The problem is we've cut down all we can that's legally our property, anymore would be cutting into the footpath and would need a permit :(

-Rob.

monaro327

22-06-2008, 09:02 PM

redoctober your driveway looks very familiar - i remember seeing another member on here with a black ve calais with whitewalls - family member ?

do you know if this is the case for the VZ models? as im looking for an exhaust, but if the exhaust is the same as the VE (2.25 mandrel bent) then i might as well just replace the muffler instead of getting a whole cat back exhaust system

no mate the VE has dual 2.25inch not sure about the VZ but i don't think they are dual and no i on't know what the stock size is.

How about some neons? Or a shiny skull gear knob? Milo tin muffler?

The car in the second vid sounds pretty good...

Both videos are of the same car.