I thought I might start a mini build thread on the Avalanche. Having a small break from the circuit racing GTS for a month or so over the wet season.

Basic specifications stock atm.
2005 VZ HSV Avalanche station wagon. silver, 270kw ls1 V8, 4sp auto, full electrics like all avalanches, AWD, full leather, roof mount DVD player, sunroof, 6 stacker in dash CD player, stock amp and rear mount sub woofer, 2100kg toe bar kit, tinted windows and nudge bar. Only mod is the monaro 2 hole air box modification.
Couple of photos



Reason for modifications is that people keep running into my car from not seeing the car. I drive with the headlights on all the time. 20 plus years of driving accident free and in the last 2 years two accidents in the same car. Time for some changes.

Small story
First crash was with a person from the law who did not give way and did a U turn right in front of me. I did not have a chance to react. No indicators etc. He took the blame straight up.
The result is the photo below and about 15k damage to my car and his commodore was in a bad bad way. Pretty tough these beasts. No airbags went off


Second was a semi moved into my lane without notice and I had to mount a 30cm high medium strip to avoid going under a road train. Doing about 80 or so when it happened. I hit the curb at some stage underneath the car and it set the airbags off. Again no bloody indicators by the truck, no warning and he moved across fast. Also he did not stop after it happens so I presume he did not seem me or just did the runner. I beeped my horn but as if he would hear with that. Airbags went off even though they were not required (this time) and nearly caused me to hit a tree but lucky I missed. As the air bags went off I could not give chase as the whole car was full of white stuff. The air bags caused a very nasty burn on my wrist and leg. If there was any witnesses none pulled over or reported anything.
Result was about 9k damage and on my bloody insurance. Airbags gone, pretensioners on the seatbelts went off, spoiler crack and some minor work underneath the front. Pretty expensive to repair. The spoilers retail for nearly 2k alone.



No obvious damage underneath to cause the bags to go bang. The shunt must of set off one of the sensors



The car is all back together and all good. Only minor panel damage really so no big deal

Now to fix the issue of people not seeing me. Plans are
Installing HID Hi and Low beam lights, a set of HID spotlights, LED parkers and number plate light. I am getting the Kaixen kits http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthre...ght=HID+lights

This is the spotties I brought. I am installing the HID kit into them.


Next was the visual breakup of the car. I am getting some big decals down the side saying AVALANCHE and either a big decal on the bonnet with the HRT logo or a monaro bonnet fibro insert. Not sure as yet but just going to see what the decal looks like. If it looks rubbish then the monaro bonnet insert will be stuck on and painted. No hole, no drilling just glued on and fibro sheet smoothed out. Saves the legal stuff of firbo ones and the monaro steel bonnets are a tad too expensive and hard to find let along try and feight them up here. If a cheepie comes up I might get it but no rush.

Also I am getting a new set of 18x8 wheels Gun metal gray as I always wanted. They should look ok.


Back part other than the led lights is the 4 tip exhaust with 2 on each side. Tried 4 places but all said no so I might have to do this one myself and give the exhaust shops the measurements to make the tube too. Cant give people work these days. Too scared to take on a job outside the square.

I went to a 4x4 shop and while I was there i had a look at these but I think that is taking the standing out thing just too far. No I am not getting them. As another bloke said the rally car look. Option of 4 HIDs or stock H1 4x100 watt globes. They would make some light that is for sure.



Next was the noise issue so people hear me. I will be doing a maffles tune with an fibro ORI to make room for the airhorns. Not small air horns but I saw the the logo and it says TOO LOUD TOO BAD and I was sold. Expensive but this time I don’t care.
Picture of the kit. It is from http://www.airide.com.au/product_inf...a67ffaddaef1c1


Everything is on order already and the Mafless tune and ORI install will be done the next Chipmaster visit. Thought I might give Dan a go and hopefully it works out.
Once things get here I will get some photos going

Cheers