What should first mods to a VT be?

[Helmo645]

Hey all,

So I recently got a olympic VT in that goldy colour whatever its called and I really want to improve my car but don't know where at all to start. I got it stock as a rock so pretty much needs everything just dont know where to start as will need to slowly add as i get more and more money . So pretty much needs car covers (ideally would like those proseat leather ones on ebay althought $550 for leather is a tad much for me to spend atm :P), mats, absolutely everything. Think tinting and lowering would do it wonders although dont know which id do first..

Already bought my superbright white LED parkers and installed them today haha..got blue footwell leds and centre light coming also i know its ricer but i like it ok :P. HIDS in future too would be nice..

anyways if you had my car where would you start cus im stumped as to what to blow my first pay check on haha...





also since that photo i broke the aerial off accidently but it looks heaps neater ideally a power one would be nice..


Thanks for comments and suggestions

[Spitzy]

DEFINATELY mags, mags will always spice up the look of a car, and it is quite rare that you can over do it by putting TOO good o mags on!

[Helmo645]

Hmm yer true mags would be a good choice just would need help choosing cheapish ones that would look schmick on the car

[Reaper]

Tinted windows, slightly lower it and a nice set of 17/18" wheels will transform that car. There are plenty of HSV style wheels that look great but don't bring much money for some reason. I also think the limited edition "international" wheels as well.

Reaper

[Helmo645]

Yer thanks mate how much will all those things roughly set me back? Tint is around 300 i think from what i heard right? Lowering no idea and with rims i guess you can get bargains every so often i just want anything other than stock really, even the calais rims look alright.. probs best to go up to 17/18s instead of just sticking with the 15 or 16s that come stock with VT in terms of looks

[nemesis_adrasteia]

nolathane sway bar links, the factory ones are rubbish.

around $60 for the kit.

[poppva1]

I have been thinking of the same now that the Sun Journal is having some hard time. After all, we can see that there are lots of other factors as well that come into play here namely the importance of buying servers, to maintain the overall appearance and function of the news design website. Even though that is not negotiable until and unless some help is offered, I am sure that they could make it out!

[Calaber]

I have been thinking of the same now that the Sun Journal is having some hard time. After all, we can see that there are lots of other factors as well that come into play here namely the importance of buying servers, to maintain the overall appearance and function of the news design website. Even though that is not negotiable until and unless some help is offered, I am sure that they could make it out!

Hmmm, international troll. Very interesting. Pops up on another thread with equal irrelevance, too.

[thekid93]

if you dont know what to do as first things to a car, then u probby shouldnt touch it at all.....

[rb26dett]

I have been thinking of the same now that the Sun Journal is having some hard time. After all, we can see that there are lots of other factors as well that come into play here namely the importance of buying servers, to maintain the overall appearance and function of the news design website. Even though that is not negotiable until and unless some help is offered, I am sure that they could make it out!

I agree, no one wins when the sun journal is having some hard time.

[F l a k]

I rekon get some nice mats, matching front and rear seatcovers, and a workshop manual. Then ditch the mudguards, get some nice mags if you can afford them, and some lows...you can always go lower later if you must but just lows are practical and you dont need to change anything else provided its all in good condition. Then paint your calipers and maybe tint the windows and just generally fix anything that needs it. Then you can move on to a cat back and a cold air intake and stuff...see MACE. Anyway, have fun doing it, thats kinda the point, just to enjoy it

[DLFHUB666]

I would start with a good old service oils/fluids, plugs,leads,filters then definitely mags an then what the others have said suspension ect.

[2DIE]

I would start with a good old service oils/fluids, plugs,leads,filters.

+1 for that

[Calaber]

Your car is a Series 2, which is a better starting point than a Series 1 VT, though not by much. Before spending money on the flash stuff, think of what can be improved from standard to make the car safer and more pleasant to drive. The VT rear suspension was woeful and the lack of camber control means that you can end up with excessive rear tyre wear. Give some thought to replacing the rear suspension assembly with one from a Series 2 VX onwards as they were sorted out by the factory to eliminate the tyre wear, improve handling and ride quality. You can then consider lowering the car without the serious camber issues that VT's suffer from at the rear when lowered. At the same time, consider new shocks all round as the car probably still has the originals and they are pretty well certain to be knackered by now. Don't even think of lowering the suspension without addressing the rear camber and shock absorbers first - you will be wasting your money unless you fix these things. They're not very cheap but they are essential. Also look at the suspension bushes, discs and pads, brake bleed (bet that hasn't been done for yonks), and as others have suggested, oil changes all round (engine, steering, trans and diff), coolant, filters, plugs - anything that should be addressed during the service program. Older models tend to get neglected at servicing time so getting these essential things done at the start means you have a nice clean sheet from the outset.

I realise these suggestions are not at all exciting and won't improve the looks of your car, but they are sensible and will ensure that long term, you will get a better run out of your car and enjoy it more.

[nemesis_adrasteia]

i wouldnt call general serviceing a mod...

i do like calabers suggestion of looking at replacing the rear suspension with the later model with the toe control.

[Helmo645]

Thanks for all the extremely quality suggestions guys and calaber thanks for you detailed one! Taking all things in I will do all the servicing and such first to make sure i have a tip top vehicle then moving onto rims.. just found these on ebay and wondering if they are a definate buy for the price what are they worth will i get any others that look decent for that much they come with tyres and everything! is it hard to replace the unrwc tyre with one of my current tyres?
Holden VT VX VY VZ HSV Calais 16" Wheels (Set of 5) (eBay item 220728802202 end time 30-Jan-11 19:57:52 AEDST) : Cars, Bikes, Boats

thanks all

[ari666]

omg!! put a chevy badge on it!!

[illusionalvr]

ba bonnet bulge. hahaaha!

[soop]

Get some bigger sway bars after you sort out the basics.

Bigger sway bars are the best bang for buck mod you can do.

[TI3VOM]

Get some bigger sway bars after you sort out the basics.

Bigger sway bars are the best bang for buck mod you can do.

Yep they made a big difference to my car.

[soop]

I'll add, Its my opinion that the car drives nicer, if the rear sway bar is the same size as the front. Lots of people tend to go smaller on the rear. This maintains the standard balance but with less body roll.

If the rear sway bar is the same size as the front, you end up with a more of a "go-kart" feel to the car. Very enjoyable IMO.