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My old vy calais i did on a budget everything secondhand except chevs tune and valve springs made 242rwkw from tri y into 2.5" hm cat back, alloy otr i got off ebay, underdrive pully and valve springs rest of car stock made it fun to drive should of kept it all up just over 2k
My thoughts for bang for buck on a budget.
1) Exhaust - Catback
2) Diff gears - LSD
3) OTR + tune.
if $$$ permit also do these before a tune.
4) Cam /lifters/valve springs.
5) Trutrac
if auto don't even bother with a Hi stall worst bang for buck in a street driven car IMHO,
Only any good for drags, the stall has made my car a real pain to drive around town.
Really? What stally have you got cjf? Brand, lockup etc etc...Quote:
Originally Posted by cjf
Cheers
Chris
I agree, must have got a very loose converter. Driven bolt on and cammed cars with tight 3500-4500 converters and they drive like stock while still reeling off 1.5-1.6 60 footers. If you're serious about racing, its a necessity but as long as you pick the right one, you won't sacrifice drivability for it.
Chris I had a new converter built for my car setup by Dominator (4500 lockup)and put it in earlier this year. Strongly considering removing it and refitting stock converter.Quote:
Originally Posted by Raptor6L
Full details here if your interested. http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthre...-VX-SS-project
That's a fair build you've got going there....well done! You haven't mentioned any troubles (apart from the hi-speed fan not working) with your stally in that thread though. Can you elaborate a bit on what your problems are and maybe what you were expecting compared to what you've now got?
I'm curious as I'm saving some bickies to do some mode to my ute at the end of the year. A stally is in my plans, so i'm interested to hear people's views on them.
Cheers
Chris
So the car is now booked in...Quote:
Originally Posted by Drizt
I was umming and ahhhing about adding the VCM OTR, what do others think?
My mate reckons I'm made if I don't get the OTR dones at the same time.
I'd definitely get either a VCM or DUS OTR as part of the tune package! I'm sure you'll find that Chev does special prices on tune with OTR which will save you money compared to getting one later. It will definitely boost your power. :yup:
I didnt do otr. Still haven't. I've been trying to decide all this time. For $500-$700 its a lot to spend if you arent satisfied with the outcome. I cut a larger intake into air box but thats it. Initially I wasn't doing it because then it looks notably different from stock. Now I dont mind so much about that but its a question of whether that money would be better spent elsewhere on the car.
If you are putting a stall in a daily it's even more important to get the right stall. Although mine was only a 2800rpm stall so not huge I rarely noticed it. Trick is getting a tight one rather than a loose stall. If tight it will only flare to stall speed on hard throttle application. At part throttle it drives almost same as stock. I picked my tce 2800rpm stall up second hand. If I had stayed auto when my gearbox died I would have gone bigger and got one in the 3500-4500rpm range. So much fun when you want it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Raptor6L
Well, I had the following done today
Attachment 2384
Chev wove some magic on my car today....
Seems some extractors and cats would unleash some more killawasps...
2008 60th Anniversary Calais V (L98 auto)
Mods:
2.5" SS Di Fillipo cat back exhaust (existing)
VCM cold air intake (today)
Chev's MAF tune (today)
3.27 LSD (today)
I'll report back on my findings in a weeks time.
Haven't hung a skid yet ;)
It definitely drivers better though.... Drive no longer = Drone...
Drive is now actually acceptable and goes like a cut cat :)
Well done Drizt.
Thanks... I want to go for another drive but its time for ZZZZ'sQuote:
Originally Posted by team illucid
It is interesting how the exhaust note has changed, I didn't expect that.
It seems deeper and angrier :)
OTR will do that ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Drizt
nice work!!
i loved the difference just an exhaust/intake/tune made on my car. diff gears and cam were even more fun!
Cheers... Ideally I would have done all of the mods 1 at a time so that I could gauge how effective they are individually. Having them all done at once means I don't know which ones were responsible for most of the benefits. I'm happy with it though.
I went digging back through the 6.0L dyno thread and damn some of those guys have some high powered cars. Mine seems pretty low in comparison. I know they are only numbers but damn I can see how people could get addicted to chasing more ;) Falling bank account should help with that.
The OTR makes a click/pop sound the instant you first push the GO peddle. I'd be interested to know what causes that?
can't help ya there mate, I've had OTRs on 2 of my cars, never heard that with them. Unfortunately once you start doing mods, you dont want to stop.
The difference from STD exhaust to full system would give you a little difference, but i dont think you'd feel the difference from std airbox to OTR.
What makes the difference is the tune. Its like throwing a crate motor in, its like a new car!
Couple that with a lumpy stick and a stall, and you're in for some REAL fun
I did things bit by bit and it just works out more expensive. Wait until you get headers and cats though. It transformed my exhaust note.
Ok, so I have had some time with the car over the weekend and can report the following.
Positives:
- The tune (with auto tune) is the best bang for buck as it completely transforms the way the car drives.
- The auto tune has ELIMINATED ALL DRONE in D for Drive, I'm ecstatic about this :) Before the tune D for Drive was pretty much drone city so I always drove in sports mode.
- The auto now drives more like (but not totally) how I would drive the car if it was a manual, even in Drive. Big tick.
- The LSD really has increased grip, even in the wet with my cheap chinese tires. I'm very impressed with this change.
- The car now feels much more involving and is ready to go at a moments notice. It is much much more response. I imagine that is a combination of the changes diff ratio and the auto tune.
- The car goes like a rocket :) My dad and father in law both loved the change in driving experience :)
Negatives:
- There seems to be an intermitent whine noise now (more noticable at 100km/h). I can't really put my finger on it but it sounds like it is coming from the front speaker (but it isn't, as we have put our heads up near it). Not sure what causes that. It is only low in volume and I'm sure I could probably learn to ignore it but it is quite irritating when you hear it and then your focus on the sound (like when you can hear your own heart beat or breathing). It is loud enough that my wife has noticed it without me prompting her. Any guesses on what this could be, guessing it could only be the OTR or the Diff ? Sometimes it is hard to locate where a sound is coming from in a car.
Summation.
Get a tune done as soon as you buy an LSx engined car... especially if you have an AUTO.
Just know that now there is no turning back. Now it becomes an addiction. I dont event call it the power bug. I just constantly need change. Always wanting something done whether its a monster turbo or something basic like coil relocation or sway bars. :doh:
Glad you're happy with the tune. I remember going from sloppy factory auto shifts to chevs tune and was night and day.
I'm fairly sensible when it comes to money, so that is my saving grace :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Gmfan
Next purchase is tires.
I want to buy the Harrop KW coilovers as well, just need to decide on the timing.
Also want to buy Sureflo headers and cats.
Ok, I guess the bug has bitten.
The best you can do at this point is try and stretch out each mod. You think if you get it all done quickly you'll be happy but then you just take it to next level of extreme. Mine was just going to be an A-B car. Then i thought it should at least sound like a v8 and why not tune it to save fuel? I have spent easy $20k on modifications at this point not including purchase price of the car.
I think it is safe to say I won't go that crazy :PQuote:
Originally Posted by Gmfan
Went into it this time with the best of intentions to "Keep it Simple".... DOH failed that and wish it was only 20K in Mods :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Gmfan
The whining noise is irritating me now.... I started a thread here -> http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthre...83#post2088983Quote:
Originally Posted by Drizt
Any help would be appreciated.
Alright..... have some coin to waste....
The car is a 2008 V8 Calais V with stock suspension (FE 1 or 1.5 ??)
Currently I have done the following already (In order):
- Di Filippo 2.5" catback
- 3.27 LSD, VCM OTR and Tune (+ auto tune)
Which has resulted in 233rwkws.
I've been tossing up between the following:
- Sureflo 1-7/8" extractors and balistics cats - Pity I missed the super sale :( -> http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthre...SPECIAL-prices
- Harrop KW Street Comfort Coilovers - Approx $3k installed -> http://www.harrop.com.au/searchbyveh...d=65-COILOVERS
What would you guys recommend????
Also, the car axel tramps like a biatch. I hear there is no cure for it though :(
First off, great thread! Some good reading here for someone like myself who's new to this stuff.
I'd say I'm not really qualified to make a recommendation here but seems to me it as simple as this. Do you want more performance, or do you want your car to look nice and low? I mean that's the main reason most upgrade their suspension right?
Personally I'd choose suspension as you have already improved performance and drivability with your previous mods.
For my car ive got a bunch of things Id like to and was tossing up suspension wheels etc or power first off. And ive basically decided to go with full exhaust first because at the end of the day I'll end up getting this anyway so might as well get it first and at least the car will sound a bit better. And ill probably get the KPM 3inch with the ceramic coated headers.
Hard to answer but probably complete the exhaust get the extractors and then tune it again.Quote:
Originally Posted by Drizt
Go the Sureflo headers and Ballistic cats, well worth the coin.
Don't forget, at some stage, to upgrade the brakes. At least put the Redline setup on the front.
Hey brother!, So I've been thinking about what you can do, here's my 2 cents ;-)
Headers / Cats & Retune
VE Redline Brake upgrade (Brembo's) - as per the link below
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Holden-VE...5408240&_uhb=1
(for the above i'd try to get some slotted DBA rotors instead of the standard)
I would keep your standard suspension until it's rooted / leaking and then upgrade to the Coilovers - will give KW more time to sort out any issues with the Coilover setup for VE and will give you more time to get used to the car + more power = bigger brakes
Ideally it would be awesome to get a full kit (4 Calipers, Rotors, Pads etc) but i think it's around 3k but do the fronts for the moment and then the backs later. (depending on how much coin to have to throw at it - might be an option :deal:
Is the diff still giving you the shits? - If so maybe look into a rebuild.
So that's what I would do ;-)
I'll give you a call later today and talk some smack!
Nick
Hi mate, I don't think the redline brakes fit behind my 19" superstorts. There are some hsv brakes in the for sale section, not sure if they fit or not?
Talk soon mate.
This thread suggests HSV brakes dont find behind supersports -> http://forums.justcommodores.com.au/...-brakes-2.html
So the brake upgrade is pretty much out then. Pity, these yellow babies would have looked good :) -> http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....:X:AAQ:AU:1123
Really, the DBA 4000 slotted rotors with QFM HPX pads work pretty good any way.
That is one of the truest statements you will ever encounter when applied to a mod loving car enthusiast. I have done this a few times before and history is repeating all over again:shock:Quote:
The best you can do at this point is try and stretch out each mod. You think if you get it all done quickly you'll be happy but then you just take it to next level of extreme. Mine was just going to be an A-B car. Then i thought it should at least sound like a v8 and why not tune it to save fuel? I have spent easy $20k on modifications at this point not including purchase price of the car.
Oh dear, I only want it to sound like a V8 and hope I don't end up spending 20k. I can definitely see how easy it is though.
If the Redlines won't fit the HSVs won't either. I believe the front calipers are a similar size.Quote:
Originally Posted by Drizt
I recently spent just over $400 total on new rotors (slotted and dimpled RDAs on front, slotted RDAs rear) and new Remsa pads all round and the difference from stock is amazing! Much more bite! If you can't justify the cost of changing rims or don't want to (I love my DTM Shines) then (IMO) it's a very cost effective brake upgrade. :yup: Only small downside is the Remsas are a fair bit dustier than stock.
I already have dba4000 and great pads. Definitely better than stock.
:doh: I do now remember seeing that somewhere before! :doh: In that case if I understand correctly things I've read you won't really get any significant improvement going big brakes unless you're doing track days.
Probably right there Wonky.
I'm thinking coilovers will make the biggest difference, just fear it might end up too uncomfortable. Extractors and cats aren't going to make massive differences but no risk of making things any worse either.