Some Q's about my VL

[Anth1990]

hey all, I''ve been wanting one of these buggers since I was 11 haha(now near 20). I gabbed one for 700 bucks, I should be picking it up tomorrow, heres a quick run down:

The good side,
217,XXX on the clock
NO rust (aside from panel damage, which is being fixed soon as)
all windows, doors, accessories etc work ok.
engine is in decent condition
straight body
interior in good condition
duel fuel, gas has been restamped sometime recently so it still works fine

The Bad side,
Been hit on the right side (dints in right rear door, right quarter panel and smashed rear right door window, nothing too bad though)
leaking steering fluid
only starts in Neutral.

I have some questions that have most likely been asked before, but I can't find some of them so I'm outright asking now.

1. Mine's an 87 Exec, can I hook up a calais front? I heard it has no wiring for the lights but can it be done? if anyones done it before how much do parts cost and how hard is installation?

2. what could be making it start only in neutral? inhibitor switch maybe? something to do with aftermarket central locking? the previous owner said it sat in idle for 30 mins and it randomly cut out, so I'm open to suggestions and possible repair prices.

3. what engine modifications make significant difference to performance? (aside from a turbo obviously lol), I was thinking extractors for one of the first mods? but I'm completely mechanically retarded, so please help lol.

I had another question but its gone now anyway, I plan on getting it in maybe VE green over silver and chucking 19inch black rims on it. thats what I have in my head anyway.

any help appreciated

[Jezza]

a few small mods that get recommended every time are XF throttle body, full exhaust system (most people say 2 1/4inch is the best and that 2 1/2 isnt as good but i like 2 1/2), and a cold air intake are the basic ones i can think of and i good set of spark plugs and leads always help

[strgas]

My old VL wagon i was running GRA lpg system , hm headers , mod cat 3" in and out , 3 inch s/steel diflipo system , stock bottom end mild head work and mild cam , mod airbox with cold air intake . some drone from the exhaust but the stereo took care of that .

[nasty1]

run a search this gets coverd 4 times a month lol.

exhaust,extractors and save for turbo.

i personaly wouldnt have brought it if it has rear qauter damage but each to there own

[jatsvl]

Q2, A. it could be neutral safety switch playing up, or your selector linkage (cable or rod?) needs adjusting, if it is the cable they are a real pain, later models have a rod which is a piece of cake to adjust.

[Anth1990]

run a search this gets coverd 4 times a month lol.

exhaust,extractors and save for turbo.

i personaly wouldnt have brought it if it has rear qauter damage but each to there own

whats so bad about rear quarter damage? I know its something a panel beater can really only fix, but for the size of the dints and the condition of the rest of the car I figured 700 was a good price. I'll get some pics up soon I've been busy lately.


I'm also torn on if I should put my sound system into my VL or into my VY. only thing is I will most likely sell the VY this year sometime, so it'd get me a little more for it, but then I need another sound system for the VL sometime anyway.

cheers for all the input

[jatsvl]

whats so bad about rear quarter damage? I know its something a panel beater can really only fix, but for the size of the dints and the condition of the rest of the car I figured 700 was a good price. I'll get some pics up soon I've been busy lately.


I'm also torn on if I should put my sound system into my VL or into my VY?

I can't see how the sound system in the vy will get you more money (equal to what it is actually WORTH)(the sound system I mean)

as for the damaged rear quarter depends on how damaged it is, and also it is a personal choice, pics will help determine if it was worth it, $700 sounds good without pics, if it is a fence or pole scrape no problems, BUT if it is a T bONE then WELL!

[Anth1990]

I can't see how the sound system in the vy will get you more money (equal to what it is actually WORTH)(the sound system I mean)

as for the damaged rear quarter depends on how damaged it is, and also it is a personal choice, pics will help determine if it was worth it, $700 sounds good without pics, if it is a fence or pole scrape no problems, BUT if it is a T bONE then WELL!

yeah true about the sound, I think I'll chuck it in the VY, I'd drive it more often anyway.

I have another question if people still see this thread, I have the dash cluster with an analogue clock instead of a rev count, is it posible to find a berlina/calais dash cluster and replace it? is connecting everything easy or is this a bitch of a job?

[nasty1]

ahhh its just me mate.if i build a car the qauters for me have to be like new that way you know what you have.but either way $700 is good price.

theres good buys out there you just have to find them