Another Raptor in a VR Calais V6

[totq]

On Christmas Day, during one of my two days off from work, I decided to fit a Raptor S/C to my VR Calais.

I was talking to Tim (RaptorSC) in early December, and the kit arrived a couple days before Christmas Day, it had to because christmas day was the only day I had to fit it.

It was a good day, made better by the presence of Fabz, Pete (sircruisealotVS) and Mike (Spike79) to give me a hand – it was a complete surprise for Mike as he was not aware of me fitting the s/c on that day, lol.

The kit can be done by one person, but an extra pair of hands to help hold things in place while the other bolts things together is very helpful.
Fabz wired the electrical parts – top job with the cooling fan location and wiring, Mike and Pete’s clear thinking, suggestions and helpful hands was very productive.

Anyway, the whole deal took us from 1pm to 10pm because we were ginning around a bit, and **** ourselves laughing over Fabz past deeds, lol, dirty deeds that is, lol.

The s/c went on and off about 3-4 times as we tried to fit all the hoses together.
Some mild hammer work was needed to persuade the front guard to give the s/c a bit more room to sit comfortably where it should. (Raptor will change the compressor outlet angle so no need to form inside of guard in the future)

Chiptorque provided me with a 2-Bar memcal to suit the s/c, and after final checks, the car started on first turn-key and without any fuss whatsoever.

I am due for a real time tune by Chiptorque in just over a week.

Power?
I am chasing 190-200rwkw, but realistically, maybe 180rwkw is all I’ll get, but who knows until dyno tune time.
The real improvement on the road is more important to me than the peak power dyno output, and so far the improvement has been very nice indeed.

I am still running the s/c in, to date I’ve only clocked up 450km all under 3500rpm, which is a real tease, lol.

Below are some pics for now, I will post up more pics when I have them at hand.


Tip: To prevent scratching of the induction pipes , before it goes anywhere near the engine bay, first wrap them with rags or bubble wrap as I have done, then remove them when everything is finished.

[totq]

I have been thinking about selling the car for the last few months.
Why? I suppose Tim was right, i was getting bored of it because the excitement of it not performing was no longer there.
So the decision was to give it boost or get rid of it for something else, like a V8.
Keeping the car and give it boost is a more economical route, considering all the mods already done.

My message to other V6 owners is, be patient and save up for something like this, it is far better than wasting money on little mods here and there thinking you've gain kilowatts here and there....this is one of the better bang-for-buck mods, award it with a good exhaust and you'll end up with good power gain.

I have since replace the single 2.5" single cat exhaust to a new Redback twin cat system into a single 3" cat back with a resonator, it's now quiet but breathing very freely.

So if you are interested, give Tim (RaptorSC) a call, he has a world of experience, very knowledgable and most important, HE IS VERY HELPFUL.

[fabz]

Was a awesome day to do it on, had heaps of fun and damn they are loud when the first start! Few little hick ups along the way but all part of the fun. Not to mention the awesome feed thaun cooked up afterwards! I know ill be coming back down from cairns to hit the boys up for a had when i bolt mine on. Now i just cant wait till he gets the tune so we can see what the drive is like. Well done tim at Raptor, awesome product and after sales service. Expect my order mid year.

[Raptorsc]

Crikey

Even some input from Cairns

Actually I think that guard clearance issue can be resolved real easy, I have been clocking the blower outlets towards the guard for the VR due to the slightly wider body however if I put it back where I do for the VN - VP then it would be straight on son.

Nice pics man

Fabz do you know guy in Cairns with a Soarer V8? Got a call from a guy up there today with one, he had a serious no nonsense budget which is realisitic becuase they are such a hard car to put a kit onto but the 250 - 270rwkw on the Toyota 4 litre V8 makes it worth it

[Emackulation]

Such a neat install package. Looks like its meant to be there! Great work.

[Raptorsc]

Mack

It would seem you have a nice ride as well hey! Have you changed the exhaust and manifolds on yours or is it 100% stock??

[Emackulation]

Mack

It would seem you have a nice ride as well hey! Have you changed the exhaust and manifolds on yours or is it 100% stock??

Stock Dual 2.25" System apart from the rear resonator replaced with dual 2.5" out the back.

[totq]

Mack, perhaps you consider a raptor too?
I know you're concerned about your ride's originality/value, but this kit is good because you can always take it back out, wack in the stock memcal and its back to pre-s/c condition, and you can take the kit over to your next car.....am i right Tim?

[Emackulation]

Mack, perhaps you consider a raptor too?
I know you're concerned about your ride's originality/value, but this kit is good because you can always take it back out, wack in the stock memcal and its back to pre-s/c condition, and you can take the kit over to your next car.....am i right Tim?

You don't know what your doing, putting these ides in my power hungry mind....baddd badddddd....lol

[totq]

Below is result after a dyno tune from Chiptorque on Tuesday.

It managed power of 185rwkw (it was expected between 180-190), torque of 540Nm just under 3000rpm to 400Nm at top end, so yeah, a minimum torque of 400Nm is very good.

However, Matt (Chiptorque) says more can be gained (about 10rwkw) if i sorted the air intake to be a bit cooler, atm air temp going into the pod filter is about 60-70 degrees due to heat from radiator and engine.

Max boost managed to reach 11psi.

That amount of torque down low is what surprised me the most, that must be the combo of dual cat exhaust, cam, and of course the s/c.

I haven't driven it much since getting it back yesterday, so can't tell much except that it likes to spin the wheels on turns, something to get to used to, lol.

[totq]

Currently having rough, unstable idle issue since dyno tune.
The car died today - alternator not charging.....lucky it stalled just outside Kmart tyre and auto!
Got them to check out regulator - turned out to be main power cable coming out of alternator was almost completely severed due to age and wear - hence not charging properly.
They fixed that, but low voltage still exists which is affecting idle - Chiptorque double checked the tune and can't fault anything except constant low voltage.
At idle, in gear, aircon on - 11.8 volt, at 2000rpm - 12.7 volt.
The bosch alternator is brand new and only done 20k kays in about 18mths but it appears the time (possibly years) that cable has been like that meant it has not been charging properly all this time hence, the regulator or alternator itself may be damaged.
Will get it checked by sparky asap.

[immortality]

Currently having rough, unstable idle issue since dyno tune.
The car died today - alternator not charging.....lucky it stalled just outside Kmart tyre and auto!
Got them to check out regulator - turned out to be main power cable coming out of alternator was almost completely severed due to age and wear - hence not charging properly.
They fixed that, but low voltage still exists which is affecting idle - Chiptorque double checked the tune and can't fault anything except constant low voltage.
At idle, in gear, aircon on - 11.8 volt, at 2000rpm - 12.7 volt.
The bosch alternator is brand new and only done 20k kays in about 18mths but it appears the time (possibly years) that cable has been like that meant it has not been charging properly all this time hence, the regulator or alternator itself may be damaged.
Will get it checked by sparky asap.

a fairly common problem with the VR/VS commodores. i think the cable is actaully undersized for the current output of the alternator but i guess Holden didn't think it would be very often that the full capacity of the alternator output would be used. you might want to consider upgrading the cable to the next size up. i've noticed over the years that my VN wasn't turning over as good as it use and if i had the lights on at idle and revved the engine you could see the lights brighten, i always suspected the battery was getting tired, last week i replaced the main +ve battery terminal and she's turning over faster then it ever has before. with the lower voltages in the system you might find the ignition isn't firing the strongest spark either, that might be costing you a little power


looking good though

[Raptorsc]

Immortality's suggestion is probably the go, that cabling from the alternator is pretty **** poor for carrying any decent amount of amps.

Hope you can score a decent alternator as well totq

[totq]

I went through it myself over the weekend.
I am very sure it is minor - just the regulator, most likely burnt/damaged due to the broken cable.
Whilst checking the voltage, there were instances when it was charging, and when it is not, so yeah, regulator is tempermental.
The alternator cable is good for 150 amps, so i won't worry about it.
Battery was also tested with a proper trade battery tester, and it is in perfect working order.
Thanks for advice/comments guys, mech is fixing it today while i'm at work, will post up result soon.

[adamc8302]

totq

hey bud nice work on the car looks real good. not sure if you have seen mine adamc8302 vr exec intercooled raptor with other mods i dynoed with stock box slipping big time just got over 220rwkw but box wouldnt hold so still dont know end power result would think it would be around 230 235 if your still looking for more out of yours i realy recomend intercooling nice cam and freshen her up a bit its unreal nothing beats a set of traffic lights a gen1111
beside you and all he see's is your taillights.took tim for a run in mine the other week i recon he was impressed. anyway enough from me just wanted to say well done we need more vr's with em

[XTC16]

You mean Spikey Mike the hektik habib actually worked on something other than a White over Silver Calais!

[totq]

totq

hey bud nice work on the car looks real good. not sure if you have seen mine adamc8302 vr exec intercooled raptor with other mods i dynoed with stock box slipping big time just got over 220rwkw but box wouldnt hold so still dont know end power result would think it would be around 230 235 if your still looking for more out of yours i realy recomend intercooling nice cam and freshen her up a bit its unreal nothing beats a set of traffic lights a gen1111
beside you and all he see's is your taillights.took tim for a run in mine the other week i recon he was impressed. anyway enough from me just wanted to say well done we need more vr's with em

220rkw! Damn, for buick that's huge mate, that is ecotec power territory there, good stuff.
My motor has been freshened up, with some mild head work and a crow stage 2 cam (see pics)
As for me, and for the time being, i am content with what i'm getting.
I barely get a chance to open her up to half throttle now!
Plus, i prolly sheet myself with anymore power, lol, hence i'm not riding a V8!

Back to my idle issue, a sparky has gone through it and he concludes there is nothing wrong with the charging system! except that the idle is too low that it is on the verge of stalling....Chittorque is looking at the tune now to see....

[adamc8302]

totq

hey bud the near stalling side is a problem. mine i thought had idle issues aswell it rises and drops only a small amount but quiet quickly i own my own workshop and have had my guys go right over it and could come up with no problems and we decided to put it down to cam and injectors bring the revs up at idle or sink the boot into on road and it snaps like a beauty and revs clean and fine then after taking tim for drive he agreed there is no problem its just the setup. if the guys at chiptourqe get the near stalling sorted i expect you will prob still have a similar surge

[sircruisealotVS]

totq

hey bud the near stalling side is a problem. mine i thought had idle issues aswell it rises and drops only a small amount but quiet quickly i own my own workshop and have had my guys go right over it and could come up with no problems and we decided to put it down to cam and injectors bring the revs up at idle or sink the boot into on road and it snaps like a beauty and revs clean and fine then after taking tim for drive he agreed there is no problem its just the setup. if the guys at chiptourqe get the near stalling sorted i expect you will prob still have a similar surge

that rolling idle your talking about here is from the cam, it can be fixed by putting in a small stallie if its an auto. it can also by tidied up within the tune, but pretty difficult to completely iron out.

[adamc8302]

Cheers Bud Hadn't Even Thought About That It Is Auto And Still Standard Box. Still Waiting For Tricked Up Auto To Arrive Standard Box Doesn't Like Being There At All. Im On The Second Already After About Two Months Second And Third Just Can't Hack It. The Tune Is Very Smick Tuned By Tim Sether Dont Know If You Know Him Or Not Tim(raptor) Organised It For Me I Wanted The Best So Hopefully When New Box Goes In Should Solve The Problem

[totq]

totq

hey bud the near stalling side is a problem. mine i thought had idle issues aswell it rises and drops only a small amount but quiet quickly i own my own workshop and have had my guys go right over it and could come up with no problems and we decided to put it down to cam and injectors bring the revs up at idle or sink the boot into on road and it snaps like a beauty and revs clean and fine then after taking tim for drive he agreed there is no problem its just the setup. if the guys at chiptourqe get the near stalling sorted i expect you will prob still have a similar surge

The rolling idle is part and parcel with all "cams".
It is easily fixed by just upping the base idle and/or slightly riching the air/fuel mix at idle, and it can only be done by editing the tune.
I'm not talking by a lot at all, just enough until it is stable.

My idle is now fixed, exactly as i just said about air/fuel mix by Chiptorque.
Aparently, chiptorque tuned it to be as precise as possible to give maximum fuel economy and emissions compliance.
But for a car so old, it wasn't as happy being at that "perfect" mix at idle with the cam and all, so they just richen up the mix ever so slightly until it stabelised, and now it's fine, even with aircon on and at cold start this morning.
In saying that, another car of the same age would be fine with the same tune, that's just to say no two cars are exactly the same.

Btw, you really need to beef that "stock" gearbox up before it gets left behind, literally, lol.

[adamc8302]

IM HEARING YOU THERE BUD IF THESE GUYS WOULD PULL THERE FINGER OUT AND FINISH MINE IT WOULD BE ALL GOOD. AS I HAVE ALREADY LEFT ONE BEHIND ONLY GOT 200KM OUT OF FIRST ONE WILL WAIT AND SEE IF CONVERTOR FIXES ROLLING IDLE PROBLEM IF NOT BACK TO THE DYNO AGAIN

[totq]

I already had the stalled converter when i fitted the crow stage 2 cam....the idle on my car was still rolling/chopping up and down then.
I don't think the stally will do anything to fix it.

[Raptorsc]

Now I have seen the face (totq) belonging to the voice/SMS/forum poster, a pity I didn't get to see the car etc but great to hear its running to perfection now.

Good to hear you gave it a decent squirt last night.

Been enjoying mine in the traffice since being in Bris the last couple of day , had a chuckle last night at a couple of lads in a VT V6 attempting to keep up with the stock appearing VY V6, they were sure they read V6 on the front flanks but got smashed pretty bad . They made a lot of noise trying

[adamc8302]

NICE WORK TIM

IT DOES APPEAR VERY STOCK AND VERY QUIET WOULD HAVE GIVEN THEM QUIET A SHOCK TO GET BLOWN AWAY.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK