[TUFGMHParticipant SydneyVH SL/E & VK Calais LS1 View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 96]

Good to see some progress. When I get back into mine I think the factory Indigo may be replaced for a nicer shade from another marque as close to stock. The factory colour imo, looks good against an 80’s tracksuit, but not todays luxury models.

Factory looks like this when done:

This is probably as close, but far as you can get, keeping it factory lol.

• This reply was modified 9 years, 1 month ago by  TUFGMH.

[TUFGMHParticipant SydneyVH SL/E & VK Calais LS1 View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 96]

Always used crane as well. Just remember that the VN pump sits on the drivers side, right where your AC and Alternator are currently. If you are going VN heads with the engine upgrade then this will be no issue. It is alot easier to keep the alternator on the passenger side with VN heads as the VB-VL alternator bracket on VN heads causes the alternator to hit the first pipe.

[TUFGMHParticipant SydneyVH SL/E & VK Calais LS1 View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 96]

The VLT diff owner also has a VS 304 long motor with heads for $350 ;)

[TUFGMHParticipant SydneyVH SL/E & VK Calais LS1 View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 96]

Took the week off to get stuck in last week and got rained in :(

All I could do was parts runs lol. Work acheived on the only sunny day:

-Fit heads and rocker gear to engine after parts retrieved from Westend Performance

-Bought a 3,000rpm TCI stall

-Grabbed some 16inch polished B45’s which will be sold if I score some Grey 16inch V5’s today

-Bought some Holden “New engine blue” in 2pack for the engine

-Started stripping 10 bolt housing ready for GMH black and stickers

[TUFGMHParticipant SydneyVH SL/E & VK Calais LS1 View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 96]

Big change to an S series. Looks like a good welcome back to the GMH stables ;)

[TUFGMHParticipant SydneyVH SL/E & VK Calais LS1 View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 96]

I ran a traumatic from Al’s Race Glides behind a 500hp 355, not a drama in the world. If built right, you’ll have no issues.

[TUFGMHParticipant SydneyVH SL/E & VK Calais LS1 View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 96]

Good to see it in loving hands. Could never get why it took so long to sell, I was almost going to buy it just to pilfer the good bits for mine and on sell it lol. Like the line of questions leading up to this moment as well elsewhere on the forum :p

[TUFGMHParticipant SydneyVH SL/E & VK Calais LS1 View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 96]

If I was banned I wouldn’t be expecting dead links to all, especially when only a member of SC. It is working at work now. Maybe another Wicked Camper van side swiped the powerpole to their server again whilst I was trying lol.

• This reply was modified 9 years, 8 months ago by  TUFGMH.

[TUFGMHParticipant SydneyVH SL/E & VK Calais LS1 View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 96]

I can’t get access to emgroup, magstore or 4wdaction. Who knows..

[TUFGMHParticipant SydneyVH SL/E & VK Calais LS1 View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 96]

All still here, also have:

-VL V8 fan shroud $50

-VS V8 long range fuel tank $150

[TUFGMHParticipant SydneyVH SL/E & VK Calais LS1 View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 96]

Location?

[TUFGMHParticipant SydneyVH SL/E & VK Calais LS1 View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 96]

I have the Lunati Voodoo 237/242 similar to the Texas Speed. With the stall, I wouldn’t worry about a smaller cam as you’ll be in the powerband when you want to be. Mine was behind a T56 and was a dog off the line. 2sec+ 60ft times but crossing the line at 115mph. If it doesn’t sell, it will be a similar stall to that listed but with a 4speed auto.

[TUFGMHParticipant SydneyVH SL/E & VK Calais LS1 View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 96]

OLD GMH wrote:

What’s the go for early girls when you don’t want to go 9 inch? Have heard the VL Turbo diffs are the ones people usually choose. What kind of power do they hold up to?

A 9 inch can easily be done but people want twice the money, the centre in a 9 inch nearly weighs as much as a “VLT” diff, and the weak point can end up being created by converting a 9inch. Personally, most of my friends have had axles fail over centres, none have had billets fitted. Another problem many have with a nine inch is tailshaft clearance as most have the pinion offset to one side and most want to run a thick single piece tailshaft which requires chopping of body bracing to clear.
People have run 9’s with RB30ET’s on slicks/transbrake and survived a while. Another upgrade to consider is a XR6T ute diff with a bigger centre.

[TUFGMHParticipant SydneyVH SL/E & VK Calais LS1 View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 96]

Looks like a great runabout. Just like a weekender, it’s easy for the daily hack to cop similar love. One of the guys at work here would be on the same forum, he just plasti-dipped his matt black before getting sidetracked with a twin turbo soarer. Can’t work that one out as he already has a worked XR6T lol.
Any real bang for buck performance mods for these?

[TUFGMHParticipant SydneyVH SL/E & VK Calais LS1 View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 96]

That is awesome. Nice clean old school tones with a retro heart. Good to see you finally found a forum open to new members and look forward to updates ;)

[TUFGMHParticipant SydneyVH SL/E & VK Calais LS1 View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 96]

Yet to touch Victoria’s offerings lol. 5L was from SA, 4.2L was from ACT, green SLX was from Sydney. Couldn’t tell you how many VB-VL’s I have parted out since 2001, close to 40. Most were damaged, some i’d wish I kept. Green SLE trim never sells is all i’ve learnt lol

[TUFGMHParticipant SydneyVH SL/E & VK Calais LS1 View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 96]

Last update as of a week ago was I got a set of VL heads cheap to save molesting the B cast set. VL heads are identical in valve size, already have hardened valve seats, and are only missing some light porting to make them the same as Brocks offering. The dash is out, just have to swap over the air con setup as mice have lived inside of it and the smell isnt great.
Next job is to paint strip the engine so it can be painted GMH blue.

[TUFGMHParticipant SydneyVH SL/E & VK Calais LS1 View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 96]

The car come with what i’d class as a bodged up diff being a wagon 10 bolt with sedan shock mounts welded on. After going through the hunt for a replacement diff housing and being dicked around by two pricks who couldn’t take pics but were “sure it was a sedan 10 bolt”, one was found at a mates place I had forgotten about. Another item for the powdercoater.

Also bought a “NOS” cruise control transducer as a backup from the US. Surprisingly, the 77-80 Corvettes had the same setup.

[TUFGMHParticipant SydneyVH SL/E & VK Calais LS1 View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 96]

There is a little bit happening now that the garage is free of excess parts and there is some room to move. The interior has been cleaned of 30yrs of bull dust, trim has been reinstalled, dash is yet to be pulled out and replaced but will be next on the agenda.
I pulled the engine yesterday ready for the heads to be removed and sold. From there it will pretty much be a recoed top end and new lower gaskets and a respray in GMH blue. All black parts will be off to the powdercoaters, the engine bay will be getting blasted and resprayed then the puzzle will be put back together for rego ;)
Some of the goodies collected:
B cast heads

Recoed Rotty

Old manifold off, a tiny lope in cam and a deburred valley hidden underneath

[TUFGMHParticipant SydneyVH SL/E & VK Calais LS1 View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 96]

The wheels are turning, even though slowly. Here’s a quick update on progress

Specs when bought:

Engine: VT prefix 308, ported HQ heads, Crane 286 or similar spec cam, Redline Maxitork manifold, Holley Avenger 570cfm auto choke carb, Moroso air filter
Upgrade: 355 stroke, B cast heads, Brock inlet manifold and air cleaner with snorkel. Modded quadrajet, paint it in GM blue two pack and make it look original. Aim is for a stump puller more than grumpy and rev happy like my last stroker

Gearbox: Supra 5 speed with heavy duty clutch and flywheel Upgrade: manualised trimatic with around 2800rpm stall dependent on engine builders recommendation

Exhaust: Genie headers into single 3 inch Upgrade: debadged Pacemakers with a twin system with SL/E style twin tip rear muffler

Diff: Salisbury 10 bolt 3.08 LSD Upgrade 3.55 gears and 4pinion conversion

Mods so far:
-remove and sell black venetian $120
-remove and sell Supra 5spd for $1000
-remove and sell VB SLE rear bumper $120
-have trim removed and shampooed $200 for 3 sets of door trims and 2 sets of seats and carpet
-remove chasers and fit VH SLE “family2” wheels, buy a spare set to mirror polish (free after stripping car for one set and $100 for the other with 75% tyres)
-buy a better steering wheel $150
-Source missing air con, fan shroud and clutch fan (free thanks to another Commodore enthusiast and brainiac known as Commodorenut)
-Buy brock inlet manifold, air cleaner and snorkel $450
-Buy a clean but non running SLE 381 pack for trim swap and other parts, will end up with cammed LS1 ;) $1500
-Clean undercarriage and sills of red dust from its life in country SA $5 worth of petrol in the high pressure cleaner

Parts needed to source: VH/VK long range tank in great nick, another 10 bolt housing, Pacemakers, recoed side strips

Current idle:

New air filter setup

SLE bought with clean trim for trim swap, this will be painted up the same as the two tone later on and fitted with a cammed and headed LS1 and built into a tough streeter

Some highly recommended purchases

Engine bay loom is a bit of a rats nest. I will install a good one once engine is freshened up

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