What should i do to my Berlina

[Mad-Biker]

Gday, as you know I have a red 86 VL Berlina with the formula pack.
im keeping the engine standard until my injuries heal then will drop a new motor into it, turbo/v8, manual box etc still have to think about what yet, rb30et, rb25det, 304i etc.

But its virtually standard as you can get, even got 14 inch steel pressed rims with original hub caps. Ill need to refresh the paint eventually, it hasn’t even got tinting.


But I have about 1-2 years of being 1 armed, and ill be using it as my daily commuter the 5 minutes drive to work, since I can’t ride my bikes anymore.

But what should I do with it during this time,

I have a KnN pod filter here somewhere, so ill drop that onto it, since it’s also reusable. Mechanically she’s all fixed up, even the LPG. Although im going to have to get the ac working… and upgrade the cigi socket, which isn’t working atm. Only thing that isn’t working really.

It’s still got the original digital tune tape player in it, and just front speakers, looks like theirs speaker wiring into the boot, and 6" holes in the parcel shelf. Im not into big stereos, but I was thinking of something nice with mp3, usb/ipod etc in it, and a set of quality 6" Sony speakers or similar in the boot. I don’t want to cut the door trims up, but can you upgrade the front in dash speakers? Yes, ill be pulling the dash apart to get the tape player out, with that security screw behind it.

id like to find a momo leather steering wheel for it, 2nd hand with boss kit, but something that feels nice and looks nice too.

thinking of getting the seats reupolstered, but keeping the formula headrests, not sure how that would go getting a similar colour.

A set of mags is a must, but I don’t want anything too big, around 195-215 -15 or 16"'s will do nicely, but ill get some 2nd hand ones, any tips for finding them out in the country, northern regional nsw. Some original alloys off a later model would be nice, 5 spokes would be nice. something nice and light for good unsprung weight reducing.

id like to refresh the suspension, nanothane bushes, and fe2 height, a sporty feel to the suspension, but I want handling, not looks, so ill probably upgrade the sway bars, but I don’t think I can afford fully adjustable race type set up. What do you think I should go with?

im trying to source some VLT/v8 from calipers, which ill rebuild and put on with braded lines on the front, new rotors and sporty pads, its got drums on the back, so not sure if I should try upgrade the rear discs, or get a complete lsd diff disc to disc to drop in?

What else do you think I should do to it? And yes, I do all the work my self, its my therapy. So I can only do things with 1 armish atm.

[GTRwilson]

OK with the stereo, yes you can upgrade the 4" speakers in the dash. If i were you i would just go to auto barn or supercheap and get a $100-$200 mp3 headunit maybe even cheaper than that for a simple one. Also should be able to get a set of decent 4" speakers there too, im unsure though ive never bought them that size before. Standard speakers in the boot wouldnt work very well(if thats what you were saying) Your best bet would be to get some speaker pods for on the parcel shelf and mount some 6" or 6x9s. No holes cut and still get that full sound having speakers in the front and back. You may need to run a small 4 channel amp to power the speakers how ever. This will depend on what the headunit and speakers are rated to. Guys at the store should be able to help you with that once you pick your gear. Also dont forget to buy ample wiring to run to all the speakers.

With the retrim, theres a good chance it will be very expensive so id leave it till last unless the currrent trim is in very poor condition. For example i wouldnt expect front and rears to be re trimmed for less than $2k - $2.5K.

Wheels i would get some VL walkinshaw rims. They are a nice factory rim and suit the VL to a tee, seeing as they came off it. Or if you want something newer, then perhaps some VY calais S2 rims. Heres a pic of the two wheels:

Walkinshaw wheels:


VY Calais S2 wheels:


A VLT/V8 disc brake diff would be a great upgrade but they can be expensive and hard to find. (price range anywhere from $300 - $800ish) Also would be abit too hard to attempt a diff swap on your own.

[nasty1]

i wouldnt bother with speaker pods bolted to the rear parcel shelf to much vibration etc and sound like poo.

its easy enough to get some mdf and a jigsaw and make your own.you can also make it so you dont have to cut the metal parcel shelf.this way you would get a very very good sound from some 6*9s.i would go with kenwood speakers they have treated me well.

[VLC86]

i agree, those walkinshaw rims would suit it pretty well..
for the sound, the head unit can be real tough to get out unless you have the right tool but jb hi-fi or super cheap is your best bet to get a new one, the dash speakers are just 4" and they come out pretty easily (apparantly) and i have a set of 6 inch pioneer speaker that fit straight into the pacel rack, i dont know if you have the holes cut or not but i did and it took about ten minutes, they just wire up in the boot and the wires run along the door trim..

other than that, the car looks pretty sturdy, a nice paint job will really refresh it
post some pictures as you go

[MR_VX]

paint it make it stand out should be first off and then mags