VN Berlina

[dezrik]

Hey guys, this is my first post as I'm new to the world of Commodores.

I've set my self a project to see if I could pull off a Group A replica for as little money as possible (through pulling strings, favours and good old fashioned hard yakka) and I've got myself a 1990 Berlina in perfect nick for a total of $500 - $600 (I have to go pick it up on the weekend.)

Basically, it's straight-as (besides an ever so small dint on the front left hand panel smaller than a fist) and the roof lining is falling down.

The problem is the engine is currently in pieces (it's the 5.0 L) and that's where the fun comes in. The previous owner blew the engine compression locking with his auto gearbox...

Having said that it also has a stereo, 16" csa mags (local 'youths' stole one though so it has three of them.)

What do you reckon - $500/$600 (that's including the transport to get it up here (i.e. me putting diesel in my mate's hilux)) is that a good/average deal for a nice straight body with everything included or should I keep looking?

I thought it was a pretty good start to my project but just thought I'd double check with some pros.

P.S. Is the 1990 Series I or Series II and what was the difference? I can't find that info anywhere - even a link would help. Thanks.

[stocky]

what options has the berlina got? electrics?

[foammedia]

BARGIN!, the heads are almost worth the price of the whole car I doubt you will ever find another 5 liter Commodore for that price so yeah. Good deal, motor should be fixable

[dezrik]

what options has the berlina got? electrics?

I believe it has everything that you could get with a Berlina.

While I'm at it, can anyone tell me the difference between a Series I and II? Pretty please?

[dezrik]

BARGIN!, the heads are almost worth the price of the whole car I doubt you will ever find another 5 liter Commodore for that price so yeah. Good deal, motor should be fixable

Thanks mate, that bit of advice just sealed the deal as I was in a bit of indecision.

What is compression locking likely to blow in the motor? Bascially the previous owner was dropping it back into second or whatever on the auto when he was cruising along at like 80km/h or whatever to get that 'pwhoosh' sound...

Here's hoping it's something small.

[bush_basha]

compression locking could cause anything really, maybe a piston blow out, blah blah blah, best bet is to take it apart and stuff around with it, i drop my auto into 2nd doin bout that speed to slow down and it doesnt do any harm, so it might be caused by something else, but yeh just check it out is the best bet.

[dezrik]

Well, come Monday I'll have my chance to really dig in and play. Till then I'll be left speculating! It can be a real bitch, the unknown.

[dezrik]

Got my VN yesterday, 17 hour trip to get it but it was worth it.

So for approximately $600 - $700 (including fuel, etc. to get there and back) I got myself a VN 5.0L with a set of 16" mags.

Engine is not running (was in pieces) and so far the main problem I've found is two busted gasket ring sets which were blowing oil through two of the cylinders.

Oh, and it came with pacemaker extractors and a custom zorst.

Good deal or what? I'm a happy chappy. Even has metallic Navy Blue paint.

[stocky]

sounds like a damn good deal. get some photos up

[dezrik]

Still getting my hands on a digital still camera (got so many video cameras but not even one still!)

In the meantime I've taken the block out.

Got some more questions for the experts:

Turns out the distributor was missing - I jumped on Ebay and found this one seems pretty cheap to me/really good deal. Am I missing something? It's not dodgy brothers style merchandise is it? A distributor is a distributor right, there's no like 'super high performance shiny happy version' or anything?

So I have the block out and am about to get her to go again, as a good girl should, and I was wondering opinions on anything I should do performance wise, block-up, while it's sitting on the bench. Camshaft, stroke it, etc.? Opinions, from cheap -> expensive!

Thanks guys. Will endeavour to post piccies soon.

[foammedia]

I'd see if I could get a bosch one first but if you can't for a good price that one should do the job.

As for the rest of the motor, that depends on how fast you want to go

[dezrik]

Aiming for between 250 - 400 hp at the rear wheels. Want to avoid having to stroke or supercharge it.

Will do pretty much anything else to it though... (within reason though, no $5000 kits! )

What am I looking at?

Stock Berlina 5.0 was about 165kw at the engine right? Which is about 165 hp at the wheels...

So far it's got the pacemaker extractors and custom exhaust as mentioned above with it (haven't looked too much into the specifics of what they are yet.)

So I am considering the following basic things on top of that:

SS cai
Memcal? I have to work out exactly what this is vs. chip/computer/ecu etc. The computer side of cars is all new to me (although I have a postgraduate masters in IT! So it shouldn't be too hard to work out. Hopefully. :S)
Service, good spark plugs, open throttle body, all the basic 'freebie' stuff

So I don't know how many horses I'd be looking at with all that, but I'm wondering where to go from there to get it to the 250hp + range, working in a logical order.

Ideas?