VZ Calais Audio, Suspension, Wheels

[pau13z]

Hi Guys, wondering if anyone can fill in some blanks for me...

I have a VZ Calais and I currently have HBD J series alloys on it and i'm thinking of going to the standard Calais VE V wheels however some places talk about machining the wheels to fit the VZ's, I assume they're talking about where the wheels mount so they will fit correctly....???

Currently I'm just running on the standard suspension however (when new at least) there's a HBD option to get FE2 suspension. What are your thoughts on this suspension and is it still possible to get it??

Finally, I currently have the standard audio system in the car but i'm thinking of upgrading. Now I don't really want to change the head unit I'm ok with it, and I was looking at the HBD options again and found that there's an audio upgrade for the calais which differs from other Commodore's and It seems decent however I've been told for this package installed I would pay around $1,700 which obviously I don't want to pay so I was thinking of getting the speakers and amps myself and getting someone to put them in..again what are your thoughts...??

Cheerz

Pau13z

[kpop]

forget HBD, go aftermarket.

$1700 for a sound system, spend that on aftermarket parts youll have a killer setup

if you want new rims and fe2, it wont be low enough

[Wonky]

As kpop says Paul, forget paying money to get FE2 or HBD audio etc as you will pay a fortune and compared to aftermarket stuff will just be throwing your money down the drain!

If you really want to go FE2 advertise on here for some as some guys who lower their cars have the old FE2 springs and shocks (often very low mileage) taking up room in their shed and would be happy to sell it for $100 - $150. Quite a few guys even just leave it all wherever they get the car lowered as they know it's really worth SFA. :D

VE hub centres are (from memory) 66.9mm diameter whereas pre VE is 69.6mm, so the hole has to be opened out almost 3mm. Also VE studs are 14mm and pre VE are 12mm, so you need nuts with a good taper to safely lock the wheels onto the studs.

[pau13z]

Thanks Wonky, kpop.. what do you mean "if you want new rims and fe2, it wont be low enough"??

I'm not trying to lower the car, i'm trying to achieve stiffer suspension and better handling, i'm currently running the 18x8 and the Calais VE V wheels are also 18x8. The only difference is i'll have to change my tyres from 225/45 to 235/40, thats what Holden recommends for my car if FE2 suspension is fitted.

[dmar]

when i was looking at putting VE wheels on my VZ i was told that VZ SS wheel nuts have a wider taper so you should look into them if you go with the mod

[kpop]

Thanks Wonky, kpop.. what do you mean "if you want new rims and fe2, it wont be low enough"??

I'm not trying to lower the car, i'm trying to achieve stiffer suspension and better handling, i'm currently running the 18x8 and the Calais VE V wheels are also 18x8. The only difference is i'll have to change my tyres from 225/45 to 235/40, thats what Holden recommends for my car if FE2 suspension is fitted.

when you put the new rims on, the car will look too high. also, aftermarket springs will give you better handling then stock fe2. also consider changing the shocks too.

[255-LS1]

save your money and keep the J series wheels mate, they are the best looking 18's that holden offers im sure many will agree (apart from VX R8 ones hehe). keep them lower it and it will look porn.

[pau13z]

I was thinking that, i'm still not sure, but either way Holden recommends that for the VZ Calais if you have FE2 suspension you should be running 235/40's not 225/45's. It's possible that they would fit anyway but hey i'm going off what the VZ Calais brochure says. Take a look if you'd like.

http://holdenadvantage.com/downloads/Berlina.pdf