I need some mod ideas for my VN Calais

[markER717]

Hey I was just wondering what performance mods I should put on my 1990 VN Calais, she is currently fully stock apart from a 2.5" sports exhaust, I am looking for extractors for her at the moment and a c.a.i system, plus taking out the bell mouth. Any other ideas?

All greatly appreciated.

[Morton]

Leave the bellmouth, get some cheaper HM Headers, then find yourself a tune on ebay from the user "nicefrog", and start losing weight

[markER717]

I was told by taking out the bellmouth I could get more air meaning better fuel economy plus better performance, is this true? what the the plus' of leaving it in?

[Morton]

It was placed in there by Holden for a specific reason - to more evenly distribute air through what was a bad intake design. Without it, cylinders 5/6 lean out a little bit. It doesn't really restrict flow for the V6 - in theory it makes the intake size smaller, but then a V6 can't breathe that much air in anyway, so if anything it would increase air velocity, which would be a good thing

[markER717]

Ah thanks for clearing that up for me, I had a feeling that it would of been there for a reason but figured he knew what he was talking about. lol, any more ideas? I'd love to do all i can with this car.

[centy]

throttle body, extractors, high flow filter, injector clean, tune, new plugs and leads.
maybe check the o2 sensor as well.

[markER717]

Thanks centy, I've done the injector clean, the plugs and leads were in fairly good condition last tune up, im trying to get someone to sell me there pacemakers for a resonable price considering there sitting in his shed doing nothing, lol.

[Morton]

I've had a reasonably quick/cheap V6 before, so here's my advice:

Make it lighter, make it more aerodynamic, and make it lighter.

That's where all your CHEAP gain is going to be, without opening the motor or going down the expensive (relatively) path of FI.

Here's what you can do to make it lighter:

manual conversion (50kg) (+10kw at the wheels)
sound deadening and rubber matting (20-30kg)
aircon (20kg)
power steering (5-10kg)
towbar setup (15kg)
spare tyre and jack (15kg)
little things here and there (10kg)

Then make it more aerodynamic

lower the front a little more than the back ($150)
front underbody diffuser (DIY)
small air diffusers in front of the wheels (DIY)

And you'll be shocked how much more fuel efficient it is, how much more stable it is at high speed, and how much quicker it picks up off the line.

Then get some BMW alloy stockies for less rotating mass. Get good sticky tyres, and then throw some 3.73 or 3.89 diff gears up the arse with an LSD, and you'll be in business Cheap, fast, and VERY enjoyable to drive.

[markER717]

Cheers will do, the cheaper the better as i am comming into some money but i want to make it last.

[markER717]

Anyone else got some ideas?

[Calaber]

Yeah. Regarding Mort's weight loss program.

How much do you weigh?

[jesse james vp calais 5.0]

Get a v8..lol

[Morton]

Yeah. Regarding Mort's weight loss program.

How much do you weigh?

What, me personally? 50kg.

Driving fast isn't just a hobby. It's a lifestyle.

[Fun_Bucket]

Replace average driver with Morton. saving a further 30kg, or more.....
I didnt know there was 10kw at the wheels between an auto, and a manaul. What would that equate to at the flywheel?

[INVSBL]

Replace average driver with Morton. saving a further 30kg, or more.....
I didnt know there was 10kw at the wheels between an auto, and a manaul. What would that equate to at the flywheel?

if ur being serious, there would be no differnce at flywheel power, just less powerloss thru manual.

[Morton]

lmao, yeah. Flywheel power is always the same. Although, if anything, a manual would be slightly down on flywheel power, because a flywheel is heavier than a flexplate. More rotating mass.

But after the fly, there's much less mechanical loss in a T5 than a T700.

[sydd131]

dude if you keen to be a dick like me, get your engine reco:

option a:
stage 5
Holden V6 Long Engine VN-VR 200 kw


Price is based on your Long engine
supplied.

Reco Stage 5
Balanced
Race Engine
2800-7000 rpm

New ACL Race Series pistons
Moly rings
Holden Head gaskets
ACL bearings
Rollmaster timing set
SRE oil pump mod's
SRE Hyd Roller cam
Specs vary with each Car Call..........
Ported VN /VR Style
200 KW Ported Heads
Large valves
New Crow Performance Valve Springs,New Chrome Moly Retainers ,
Valve Stem Seals
New Kline Bronze Valve Guides (honed)
Block fully machined
Bored 030 / 040 / 060
New cam Bearings
New Welsh plugs
Yella Terra roller rockers
Crow Pushrods .080
Etc
Fully assembled Long

Price Inl GST $6590.00 .

Penalty For non changeover Engine $330.00


option b:
stage 3
Holden V6 Long Engine VN-VR 165 kw

Price is based on your Long engine
supplied.

Reco Stage 3 Engine
New ACL pistons
Moly rings
Holden Head gaskets
ACL bearings
Rollmaster timing set
SRE oil pump mod's
SRE Hyd Roller cam
Specs vary with each Car Call..........
Ported VN /VR Style
165 KW Heads
New Crow Performance Valve Springs,New Chrome Moly Retainers ,
Valve Stem Seals
New Kline Bronze Valve Guides (honed)
Block fully machined
Bored 030 / 040
New cam Bearings
New Welsh plugs
Yella Terra roller rockers
Crow Pushrods .080
Etc
Fully assembled Long

Price Inl GST $4590.00 .

Penalty For non changeover Engine $330.00

--this is an email i received after emailing the person who will do this asking about power.

hi,the stage 5 engine has 160kw wheels and will handle a supercharger with 10 lbs.It is set up perfectly and will make over 240kw wheels with supercharger.
The stage 3 engine 129kw wheels,will work also,just pistons will hold 6lbs boost (180kw wheels).


i'm getting one in six months or so, making my vn a mean ass car for p plater, and in few years paint comin xD

like to see some pics of your car when you get it how you want it


--also, "jesse james vp calais 5.0" maybe this fellow is on his p's or is happy with the six, reguardless, that was a silly remark, generally everyone has already though about that before someone says it..

[INVSBL]

imo, thats a major waste of money, y so desperate for power on ur p plates, put that money into sus and brakes/interior and buy a v8 for when ur off ur p plates.

[VN Lukey]

mods, put in an SS induction kit, K&N pannel filter, extractors and injectors also followed by some lowered springs in the front and rear...

[markER717]

Thats.. a lot of money syyd, dont think I could afford that for a while, but if i could I would spend it on a nice 5 litre engine my mate has one and i love it. I'd love to spray it black or green, i think then put a group a body kit on her, I reckon that will dress her up nicely.

[Fun_Bucket]

if ur being serious, there would be no differnce at flywheel power, just less powerloss thru manual.

Of course i was being serious, about the power....not about Morton lol.
I just thought if there was an increase in rear wheel KW, then there may have been an inrease in power, if measured at the flywheel. I dont know a whole lot about mechanical aspects when it comes to a car..Manual conversions are something i've been interested in for a while, i know there quicker, but i didnt realaise there was a power increase to he had at the same time

[rob drag racer]

Driving fast isn't just a hobby. It's a lifestyle.

ill back that up lol

[Calaber]

What, me personally? 50kg.

Driving fast isn't just a hobby. It's a lifestyle.

No mate, not you - the OP.

But if you only weigh 50kg, why worry about stripping out the car? You've already got a weight advantage over 95% of the rest of us!

[markER717]

No mate, not you - the OP.

But if you only weigh 50kg, why worry about stripping out the car? You've already got a weight advantage over 95% of the rest of us!

I only weigh about 55kgs so im not that much heavier then him.

[markER717]

thanks all, any more?