The cult of VL

[VY18s]

4 years, must be due for another crank angle sensor

Yeah probably lol.

One thing is, it's never had a cracked head. (Since I've onwed it anyway. Although I don't think it ever has, because we knew the previous owner)

I love the RB30s. They are very smooth for their age.

[Stevotski]

On another point, The head cracking is mostly due to people not bleeding the cooling system properly when refilling it - there are 2 bleeds from memory - one on the thermostat housing and one on the intake manifold.

The radiator is lower than the engine due to the sexy low nose of the VL

[planetdavo]

One can pretty safely say that if there hadn't been a turbo version, a couple of HDT and HSV versions would be about the only desirable ones these days....
There's been plenty of fond memories posted above, but hardly anyone owns one anymore (bar a few pimply kids with the seat angled back almost on the floor), and that's because almost all of them are more than 20 years old now, and, to be honest, pretty sh!t.
They were cheap to boost up, but that often kills them, so it's time to move on....

[markone2]

Where do you get these cheaps car's from VooDoo because once I sell my car I am on the hunt for another LS1. I will buy a cheap one and do it up, so please state where we can get these cheap LS1'S from as I am very interested.

Dane.

Check out the trades at the back .of your local Holden dealer. ( pig pen ) good as place to start as anywhere imho ...if your unable to make a *Contact*.. so to speak ...then hit the auction houses..

[VL Executive]

There's been plenty of fond memories posted above, but hardly anyone owns one anymore (bar a few pimply kids with the seat angled back almost on the floor), and that's because almost all of them are more than 20 years old now, and, to be honest, pretty sh!t.

Dunno about that, theres still a few nice stockers, and done up ones getting around here. But unfortunantly most are NA's. Hardly any turbos up here.

I own 3 of the buggers. A white 5 spd SL, Asteriod silver auto Executive, and a Kimberly bronze auto Berlina im fixing up.

All Non turbo tho. I so want a stock standard 87 - 88 model 5 spd Calais Turbo.

[Souljah]

I so want a stock standard 87 - 88 model 5 spd Calais Turbo.

Weren't there only a handfull of Calais Turbo's made in manual?

[VY18s]

One can pretty safely say that if there hadn't been a turbo version, a couple of HDT and HSV versions would be about the only desirable ones these days....
There's been plenty of fond memories posted above, but hardly anyone owns one anymore (bar a few pimply kids with the seat angled back almost on the floor), and that's because almost all of them are more than 20 years old now, and, to be honest, pretty sh!t.
They were cheap to boost up, but that often kills them, so it's time to move on....

Sad thing is, you're right.

No matter what car I end up with, or even if ***Holds breath*** I turn to Ford one day, I'll always have a massive soft spot for the VLs. No other Commodore does that for me (Although I love VBs-VKs). VNs/VPs do stuff all for me, even if the V6 pisses on the RB30E in a drag, because I think they're boring, and ugly.

I don't mind VRs, VSs, VTs etc, but I haven't got a soft spot for them, like the VLs. In actual fact if the Commodore range started with the VN, I would most likely be driving a Falcon.

[mido2k]

Weren't there only a handfull of Calais Turbo's made in manual?

Correct, there wasnt many at all...

[Souljah]

Correct, there wasnt many at all...

By going on boot badges and bodykits i'd say that all of those "factory" manual calais are in Wollongong alone

[VL Executive]

Yeah, Ill probably never get one. But Ill keep dreamin.

I was thinking of making my 5 spd SL into a Manual Calais turbo replica. To full factory specs. The problem is the parts (especially full Calais interiors, exterior mouldings, electrics, and a good RB30ET and manual) are hard to find and expensive.

[VY18s]

Yeah, Ill probably never get one. But Ill keep dreamin.

I was thinking of making my 5 spd SL into a Manual Calais turbo replica. To full factory specs. The problem is the parts (especially full Calais interiors, exterior mouldings, electrics, and a good RB30ET and manual) are hard to find and expensive.

Wouldn't be easier just to get a Auto VLCT, and convert it to a 5 Speed?

Would be a far better option then trying to convert a SL into a full blown 5 Speed VLCT, which would cost a arm and a leg to do.

[NewVLT]

Guess I might be a little biased here cos I still own two of them.

One is an '87 Turbo SL 5-speed that I've had from new and with almost 290,000km's on the clock she runs just as well today as she did when new. Having kept on top of any problems that cropped up in the last 20 years seems to have been the secret with not so much as the rocker cover ever being removed. Still runs original turbo, gearbox, clutch, starter, fuel pumps, you name it. Couldn't bear to part with her. Always feels like home when I take her out on fine sunny days.

My other one is a factory '88 Calais Turbo wagon and being one of only 200 (and probably only 50 turbo's) is probably the sole reason I've persisted with it. What hasn't been replaced in the two years I've owned it is probably a better way to look at it. We have a love/hate relationship at present.

As much as I love them, "genuine" new parts are getting harder to come by and consequently the sedan has been retired for the last couple of years with the wagon to follow as soon as the VE wagon appears when it'll undergo a complete resto.

Why do I like them ? They just point and steer better than any larger Commodore I've driven. They feel like go karts after being in a larger one.
And mine seem to freak the kids out because they've never actually seen a stock one before.

Tried to post pics but it won't let me.

I was thinking of making my 5 spd SL into a Manual Calais turbo replica. To full factory specs. The problem is the parts (especially full Calais interiors, exterior mouldings, electrics, and a good RB30ET and manual) are hard to find and expensive.

As others have said, you'd really be better off starting with a ratty, but complete, Calais turbo. After all the money you'd spend on doing up the SL it'd still have all the wrong numbers on the plates and look a little sus to any potential buyers down the track.

I was even surprised with the differences between my manual turbo SL and the auto turbo Calais as far as parts go so I wouldn't even think of modifying a non-turbo 6 let alone a 5 litre. I know all the kids turbo their n/a 6 VL's but you rarely see a good job and the amount of turbo only parts in the parts book is staggering.....and they're getting harder to find. Even trying to find the grey Calais series II interior fabric was a challenge last year.

[NewVLT]

My babies -

[2001 ITR]

I can till remember going for a ride in a friends VL Turbo Calais years ago. My car at the time (Datsun) had a fairly worked L28 on triple webers and it was a grumpy bugger (God I loved it!) and it put out around 150kw. Then I jumped in my mates Calais and I couldn’t believe that his new smooth riding car was putting out as much power (stock) and was capable of a lot more with a fiddle.

It’s hard to find any 20 year old car that is still clean (who’d buy a turbo only to baby it) and technology has moved on since then but I still have a soft spot for a well-done VL. Live rear end, rusty rear screens surrounds and all.

It must be my memories from years ago that perceive how I view them today (and no I don’t want to buy one).

[FRASHD]

I own a VLT. Was factory red, SL turbo, five speed. It now has a full manual auto with trans brake, alot of bolt ons, Motec, etc, Makes 290kws on 19psi at the wheels and is driven every day. Original engine, just a cam. Still gets 460km's to a tank. Will be turning the boost up soon and taking it to the track for a bit of fun.