My new VS...
Hey there everyone.
I am currently selling my VL and will be buying my uncles VS. I am pretty new to the modding and customising scene, and have not really taken the time needed to perfect my VL. I do, however, wish to change my attitude and attempt at making a nice car out of my uncles VS (which will be mine the second the VL is sold this Friday/Saturday). As I am new to the VS, I wondered whether anyone could provide me with some pointers as to what I should get done to it... Keep in mind that the VS is completely stock.
I haven't got any pictures of the car at the moment, however I will try and get some as soon as possible so you could all have a better look and better suggestions. As an example, the pics below are similar to what I'll be getting except it has different rims, extremely similar bodykit and the colour is red.
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/507...revsrearri.jpg
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/716...revsfrontl.jpg
Would love to hear from you guys. Thanks in advance!
Anyone have any ideas/suggestions?
Donating Member
Are you talking aesthetics or power?
I'd start off with a VS S/C CAI and maybe a K&N panel filter for the airbox.
Then get a 2.5" exhaust, I like Lukey mufflers to go with. Also some pacemaker extractors.
After that, get some diff gears and if it doesn' have one find a cheap LSD diff and get it rebuilt when the diff gears go in. Go a 3.73 ratio unless its manual then just go 3.45's.
Then get a tune and you can get the shift pattens altered also if you want, however i'd get an actual shiftkit as well from Transgo if I was to do that.
Then if you wanted to go further, you could look at higher ratio roller rockers or a larger cam (which would go nicely with the diff gears). Atleast stage 3, but look into a custom ground Wade Cam. And of course there is then the supercharger route, or instead of all that drop a 5L in it.
Also, maybe some nicer seats for the interior, leather Calais seats or something if you can get them with matching door trims. A VS Statesman console too, Series 3 if woodgrain takes your fancy.
Maybe some nice 6.5" splits for the front, some good 6.5" co-axials for the rear and a sub and amp if you like your music.
Thanks for the post man, you've given a pretty detailed list of things to do. I am not going to be spending a lot of money all at once on this car though, as I only have a casual job as well as being a student. So I'll have to get through the easier things first, then get into the engine a bit more...
In regards to the sound system, that's all taken care of. I've got a 15" and 12" MTX sub, two Soundstream Tarantula 6x9's, an AXIS amp and a Pioneer deck. Won't need anything else for that for a while.
What do you recommend I get sooner then later? Should I work more on aesthetics of mechanics? I was kind of thinking doing up the exterior and interior of the car a bit, then getting into mechanicals once the bank account gets a couple more digits. 2.5" exhaust and Pacemaker extractors are alright, I think I've been quoted $700 for my VL with the same specs; anything cheaper that you know about?
Thanks for your post once again man, much appreciated. If anyone else has any ideas then let me know!
Donating Member
You don't want to mix sub sizes, so pick either the 15" or the 12" and although they are good 6x9's you don't want to run 6x9's with a sub either, you'll want some good 6.5" coaxials in the rear.
Maybe just opt for some cheaper things on the mechanical side for now like a VS S/C cold air intake which is about $53 from Holdens and you can get the exhaust for about $250 plus a chrome tip and do the extractors later. Then lower the car, some wheels and look out for a calais interior on the cheap as well.
cant go wrong with a nice set of big rims
What will mixing sub sizes do? And what size sub do you recommend? I've heard that the 15" goes harder, but doesn't do too well with faster beats. The 12" sounds decent and is good with faster beats, is this right or just crap that mates are making up? What's the difference between 6.5" coaxials 6x9's? Does it improve sound?
Yeah that's exactly what I was going to do 1991_Vn2nV. Get the cheaper things off the list and work my way up as we go. I was planning on getting the VS S/C CAI, K&N panel filter and the exhaust. How much does a complete exhaust come around, including the Pacemaker extractors? Around the $700 mark or am I getting ripped off? I can get super lows from a mate of mine for free, however he's only got the rear ones. I'd have to find super lows for the front. Wheels will be bought by my girlfriend (she was giving me some for my VL but I told her not to as I was selling it) so I'll be likely to get them as soon as the VS is in my hands.
I appreciate the replies and help 1991_Vn2nV. Great help.
Donating Member
$700 is alright for the exhaust if it includes pacemakers and a full 2.5" exhaust, good price. Check what brand mufflers though and you will want a rear resonator to stop it droning too much.Originally Posted by PorkoWog
What your friends have said re 12" and 15" sized subs is pretty well correct in the lower spectrum of subs. The more you spend, the better they get though. I.e. I have Soundstream R1 15" and they'll pump just as quick and accurately as most 10" subs, and at the same time you can buy some great 12" subs that will pump as hard and deep as just about any 15". But all other factors being the same a 15" version of a sub will go deeper and harder than the same 12" version, but won't be quite as quick in its response.
If you listen mostly to R&B etc. 15" would be fine, but if you like music thats going to be hitting quick, fast bass notes go the 12" (i.e. some dance/techno or rock/drum and bass).
6x9's were really designed for cars with no sub, to increase the bass level. They'll tend to produce bass that will clash with the sub where as 6.5" coaxials will produce more mid bass that the sub misses, and most people will tell you a 6.5" speaker is a better sized speaker for overall sound (theres a reason they don't make 6x9" components). Same goes for mixing sub sizes, they will clash with each other. Its not just sub sizes though, but brands and models. If theres going to be more than one sub make sure they are the same type of sub.
Its the same as turning a tv on in one room, then turning another tv on at the other end of the house and turning the volume up. Sitting in front of the first tv, you'll hear the other tv running a fraction behind the one you're closest to and it will sound terrible. They won't work together because they weren't designed to.
Oh ok, mad. Sounds good then.
I'll find out the best price he can give me for a full exhaust system which will include the extractors as well as finding out what brands everything is. What type of sound will this setup give me? I don't want anything shit or sounding gay like a "V-tech fully sick" VS... If you get what I mean...
Well I'm pretty sure that my MTX subs are pretty good (exact site and name are found by clicking here). I've got a 15" and 12" version of the exact same sub, but I'll take the advice and not mix them. I'll see what I should do; I listen to rap, hip-hop, r&b, techno, dance, electronica, etc, stuff like Alex K, Nick Skitz and the normal recent songs. What setup do you recommend? Running two 12"s or two 15"s? I'll also see what I should do about the 6x9's. I'll ask around and see how much I can get 6.5" speakers for. You would also recommend putting them in the parcel tray right? Or on the doors?
I appreciate the help man. Another question that I'd like to ask; the VS has IRS, is there a specific limit as to how low I can make it? What do you recommend?
Donating Member
If you are going to run two, i'd just get two 12" as that should suffice. Plus 15's need a larger box so you don't want to use up your entire boot. With the 6.5" speakers yes put them in the parcel shelf. Depending on your budget, I have the Soundstream Tarantula 6.5" coaxials and they've been great. Not overly expensive either. But remember the rear speakers are for the passengers, you want your sound coming from the front so if you have a budget for speakers spend as much as possible of it on the front speakers which should be some 6" splits for the front doors.
The sound of the exhaust system really depends on the mufflers, so post back what mufflers he is quoting you and someone on here should know what they're like.
I'd reccomend keeping the car legal height, so you should be right with superlows front and rear. I prefer Lovells for handling and Kings Springs for ride quality so pick whichever you prefer. Shocks I definitely reccomend KYB.
Ok, two 12" MTX subs it will be then. Do you recommend one box for the two or it doesn't matter if they're separate? How much did the Soundstream Tarantula 6.5" coaxials set you back? Is there a huge difference in price for 6.5" coaxials to 6" splits?
You recommended a Lukey muffler, and after looking at their site I think that this would be the best option, click here. Good or bad choice?
I'll get the products he's quoting as soon as possible also to get a better opinion from those that read this topic.
Yeah I am not planning on getting any defects... I've got a cousin that has King Springs super lows that will fit onto the VS, however he's only got two rear ones. He'll give them to me for nothing too. Which specific shocks from KYB do you recommend?
Alright everyone, I've managed to sell my VL and have now obtained my new VS.
I am gonna start doing all the normal upgrades so that it isn't so 'old style'. I am going to install my system soon, and then getting the necessary equipment that has been listed on this topic whenever I get the money for it. It will be an ongoing project type thing so I am hoping that Just Commodores has everything I need to get me on my way.
Out of curiosity, is there a walkthrough on how to disassemble the dash to put my new deck in as well as various system wiring or is it pretty straight forward?
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