Suggestions for upgrading VL suspension

[madrx3boy]

hello from nz

failed my warrant of fitness on a few things one of them being the front shocks were leaking. i mite just get some second hand ones in good condition for now just so i can get a warrant, but can anyone suggest any upgrades i can do for it?

Its an 87 rb30 berlina. i was wandering if shocks/springs/struts etc from a later model commy will fit? what combinations would bolt straight in? eventually i want to put an injected v8 into it so i thought it might be a good idea to set up the suspension for that straightaway.

so if you have any ideas for either using parts off a later model commy or using aftermarket parts eg monroe koni etc please let me know.

next on the list after the suspension is upgraded is the brakes (its got the standard discs on front, drums on rear). so same here, if you have any ideas for either using parts off a later model commy or using aftermarket parts please let me know.

im not realy sure what can bolt onto what but im guessing what i can use for the brakes will depend on what i have done with the suspension and vice versa? ie if i decided to put vn discs all round then it would be a gud idea to use vn struts so the calipers can bolt straight on?

and im not sure what diff i'll be using for the v8 but i assume this will tie in with the rear suspension and rear brakes as well.

anyway thats probably enough from me for now, thanks in advance for all your help guys

[VL Berlina 5speed]

welcome to JC mate, hope you learn what you want here and enjoy iy

well suspension wise the vl uses the same as the later models ie vn/p, i also believe the vr/s is the same too (bit brain dead at the moment sorry)

so changing the struts/springs and what not wont achive anything
your best bet would be
new springs - as your old ones would of sagged, many brands around and heights too
new shocks - yours are stuffed so these will make a huge improvement, as for brand everyone swears by there own brand
bushes - would you use 20 year old rubber in bed???? its just not right, they will more then likly be chewed out and stuffed

brakes
a soft spot for me, haha
if you want a little performance most people agree the VT twin spot fronts are the go and a disc rear end
a 1" master cylinder will also make the pedal less spongy

but if you just want a slight improvment on a budget then a disc rear end would make a fair impression and try bleeding all the brakes

on my vl i will be running
VT front twin spots with curve drilled/slotted disc
VL rear disc with curve drilled/slotted disc
1" master cylinder
VL turbo brake booster
braided brake lines
call it ricey but it looks the goods ha

as for vn disc, they are the same as the vl ones.
that is vn v6 is same as vl 6
vn v8 is the same as vl turbo (bigger then standerd and finned calipers)

Diff wise a VL turbo lsd is a strong lsd. you will find most people when wanting to get some power though a diff will op for the vlt diff

[1991_Vn2nV]

^ The VLT diff is no different to the VL V8 diff, or a standard VN V6 diff. They're exactly the same except the VLT diff had 3.45 diff gears whilst the VN V6 and VL V8 diffs had 3.08 gear ratio's. Some people pay silly amounts for them cause they're from a VL Turbo, personally I wouldn't pay more than say $200 for a good condition LSD out of a VL V8 (I paid $100 for a good condition low km diff out of a VN Calais 5L). Most people ask $400+ for a VLT diff.

I would go larger than stock rear discs if upgrading. Personally if you are going to spend the money on a VT upgrade i'd just grab a VX onwards HSV Premium front and rear upgrade as its not that much difference. 343mm twin piston front and single piston 315mm rear. I went curved slotted, as drilled discs are prone to cracking and I don't fancy replacing discs of that size too often. I also went for a VX master cylinder and VX brake booster and ADR compliant braided lines.

Grab some KYB shocks, which are excellent. Also, Lovells springs are great for handling. Having run both Lovells and Kings, Lovells are better for handling and Kings seem to have better ride quality. I assume the Lovells are a stiffer spring. As said above, replace all your bushes too. Nolathane and Whiteline sell some kits, whiteline probably having the better stuff.

Depending on how far you wish to go, you could also get a strut brace (i'd reccomend Whiteline which I have), adjustable strut tops (I have Nolathane Evolution but if my budget allowed I would have gotten Noltec), a heavy duty link pin setup from Nolathane if theres one available. Sway Bars as well (i'd suggest Whiteline though I havent upgraded my sway bars).

[madrx3boy]

Originally Posted by VL Berlina 5speed

brakes
a soft spot for me, haha
if you want a little performance most people agree the VT twin spot fronts are the go and a disc rear end
a 1" master cylinder will also make the pedal less spongy

but if you just want a slight improvment on a budget then a disc rear end would make a fair impression and try bleeding all the brakes

so you mean just VT front Calipers or do you mean the discs as well? and VT rears in combination with VT fronts?

for the disc rear end im guessing you mean vl discs? like off a v8 or a calais?

thanks

[1991_Vn2nV]

Or VN rear discs even.

For VT fronts, you'll need the calipers and rotors and pads and custom brake lines, plus you'll need hub adaptors as well.

[madrx3boy]

hey guys. still havent decided what to use yet, gonna go talk to a couple of suspension shops and see what they recommend, but,

im thinking struts/shocks/springs/adjustable panhard rod/strut brace/front and rear sway bars/adjustable camber strut tops, and the bushes to go with all that.

I was thinking either of going for a complete pedders setup (because it'll work out cheaper),

or kyb (maybe even koni) shocks, lovells springs, and either nolathane or whiteline for all the rest.

what are your ideas?

and does anyone know any shops in NZ (pref Auckland) that sell lovells and whiteline stuff? doesn't have to be the same shop for both.

thanks fellas

[Gremlinz]

i had koni yellows (externally adjustable), king springs, adjustable panhard, adjustable camber/castor kit, nolathane bushes throughout and an adjustable front swaybar. with slotted/dimpled rotors and decent pads and the vt upgrade it handled very well.

prob why it was nicked lol

[ucwepn]

Originally Posted by Gremlinz

i had koni yellows (externally adjustable), king springs, adjustable panhard, adjustable camber/castor kit, nolathane bushes throughout and an adjustable front swaybar. with slotted/dimpled rotors and decent pads and the vt upgrade it handled very well.

prob why it was nicked lol

Ouch someone must have needed new suspension and seen your car and thought it was christmas. I feel for you man