VL Calais 5L queries

[projectaero]

Hey guys.
Just got a query.
With the VL Calais 5L's are they Power steering, unleaded fuel? electric windows and cruise ? and also did any Calais come out in Manual or did they all come out in Auto.
I also got told they are less power than the VK's because they went to 4.9l instead of the Blue 5.0 V8'S ???

[vlv8vic]

the power issues were due to shifting to unleaded fuel. that answers 2 of your questions. Mine isnt a calias but it does have the V8, power steering, ac, and a trimatic 3 speed box.
I think there were a handful of 5 speed manuals, mostly in wagons built for holden big guys. supra 5 speed box fits nicely behind the V8.

[GLD-086]

I dont think there was ever a VL 5L 5 Speed mate, apart from the Walkinshaws and HDTs.

[DenchY]

well my berlina has all calais options..

power steering, power windows, power mirrors, cruise control, back interior lights, central locking

yes some came with 5 speed, not many tho :|

[dobbie]

nice my berlina is not much beta than exec but my interior is a a maroon n is so much better looking than the other colours

[ucwepn]

Calais V8's with manuals are as rare as rocking horse sh1t. There are certainly factory calais turbo manuals around but are still very hard to find. Power steering, central locking, cruise control and full electrics were all available. The VL v8 struggled with unleaded but still has more torque than a standard turbo.

[bangers]

they still have the 5L. the 4.9L was the 304 in the brock versions goes harder than the 5L from what i've heard.

[sando_3000]

ucwepn, how do u mean the 8's struggled with the unleaded ? mine go's like a dream

[ucwepn]

Well its like this, in 1986 emissions laws were very much tightened requiring all cars to run on unleaded fuel only, carburetted cars were the hardest to get to run well with all of the extra pollution gear that was necessary. The release date for the V8 VL was around 6 months after the straight 6 for this reason and due to the change to unleaded the V8 lost a whole heap of power (around 40kw) from the VK model.

* vk ss had 177kw @4800rpm

*vl ss had 122kw @4400rpm

[vlv8vic]

very well said ucwepn. mine also runs like a dream, but lost alot of power to emissions.

Mine is also the 4.9 litre. all vls with a carbied V8 are 4.9, they are often used in the same line as a 'brock v8' because they had to be knocked back to a 4.9 so they could be used at Bathurst. Amazine what one team can do to the production of an entire car.
The injected beasties (ie the walkingshaw) were a true 5 litre engine.
99% of 5 litre parts are suitable for the 4.9 engine.

[ucwepn]

The 5 litre became a 4.9 litre to be able to compete in the under 5 litre class where there was less weight penalty (lead trophy's) added to the car to help make them more competetive. I've seen EA falcons with carby engines so holden wasn't that slack after all.

Bit of trivia: Walkinshaw VL GRP A SS SV debut'd at the sandown 500 in 1988 and took 2nd place with Larry Perkins behind the wheel as all the Sierras and skylines parked their cars due to problems. Allan moffet won the race in the ANZ sierra, Dick Johnston came 3rd using the starter motors power to push the car from the pits to the finish line. (Held it in 1st as he cranked the starter)

[vlv8vic]

ive moved my old datsun the same way...

[SL/ENUT]

Well any VL Calais V8 Manual is news to me, all were auto from factory. Actually any VL V8 built by Holden with manual is news. There is however dealer fitted manuals.
If anyone says "i have a factory manual V8 VL" can you please put up the code from the build plate?

[ucwepn]

The VL HDT's were manual from the factory then delivered to HDT to have the fruit added. You could tell the SS models as they came down the line because the blocks were red.