how to spend on my vn

[Roman Hans]

i have about 2500 to spend on a vn 3.8L, 1988, series1 engine, stock other than a 2.25in exaust cats back i want to squeeze every dollar to get the most ponies i can and keep it road leagal does any1 have suggestions that could help me and prices would be great.

[fitzy2005]

cold air intake (around 50 bux) + extractors (around 600) would be a good start IMO

[CSL]

yeah then think about a K&N panel filter or pod, TB if your that way inclined. get the thing low (super low King springs) get your self a decent sterio, or get yourself a cam and chip,

[Roman Hans]

stereo already got wat is the lowest i can go?

[1991_Vn2nV]

legally or possibly?

King Springs Superlows are basically as low as you can go legally...if you want lower go Ultralows or get custom made springs or Ultralows compressed to get even lower again.

[Roman Hans]

does any1 have prices on superlow King springs?

[1991_Vn2nV]

Heres a link to a thread made by Subdue...great for choosing springs.

Commodore Suspension Guide

[1991_Vn2nV]

does any1 have prices on superlow King springs?

Superlow King Springs are around $220-$240 for a full set. You'll need shortened shocks for the rear as well. Front is not necessary.

[Roman Hans]

thanks i'll check it out.

[RVN 355]

ok here we go:

Stock VN around 100kw @ the wheels

What are u after 110-130kw $2500+? something like that

1. 65mm v8 Throttle Body
2. Di Fillipo or pacemaker good low to mid tourque
3. 8.8mm Top Gun Ignition Leads + Bosch Super 4 Spark Plugs
4. Crow Camshaft to suit including Lifters and Valve Springs - Forget the cam + chip packages
5. 2500 Dominatior Stall,Rebuilt Transmission with B & M Shift kit and Corvette Servo
6. 3.7's or 3.9.1 rebuilt LSD Diff
7. Yella Terra Roller Rockers
8. Remove Bellmouth
9. 450hp+ flowed ported and polished heads
10. VT twin Thermo Setup
11. VT Brake Conversion
12. High Flow Cat,2.5" exhaust with lukey Ultra Flow Muffler
13. Tuned to run 98 Octane with Haltech Engine Managment re map.
14. Davies Craig Electric Water pump
15. SS Induction,Holden VS Supercharged or Aunger CAI with K & N Panel Filter
16. VP Commodore Coil Pack
17. B & M Pro Ratchet Shifter

I know this is worth more than $2500 but just something i thought of in 5 minutes - with $2500 you could just do ur trans but budget,do the things that produce hp for value ie the exhaust,cai,shift kit,roller rockers,2500 stall,good service and tune and ull be happy

Don't expect high kw numbers out of the 3.8L with out forced induction but the old school 3800 responds well to the right mods and u dont need a big fat wallet to kick it with the big boyz "5litres & turbo rice out there"

[1991_Vn2nV]

Di Fillipo extractors are very large, and even a 4.2l stoker would really struggle to make the most of them. They have 2.5" outlets which means twin 2.5 inch exhaust pipes which mean BIG. Not enough back pressure so you would lose alot of low end torque. Same sized primaries as the supercharged pacemaker extractors (41mm compared to 37mm for standard extractors) but with 1/4 inch larger outlets. I was recently looking at Di Filippo for my own car til I found out the size of them.
You cant get a Crane Cam either. Crane Cams only make stock replacement cams for the V6 unfortunately. Instead go Crow Cams.

Instead go Pacemaker extractors $660 fitted or cheaper.
Crow Cam Stage 3 or if you're getting higer ratio rockers get a custom ground Crow Cam and get a memcal to suit. $1100 for cam and chip package.
Yella Terra rockers are the go if you want higher ratio rockers, looking at $600-$700.
Go for a VS S/C CAI as well, $53 from a Holden Dealer, better value for money than the SS Inductions one.
K&N panel filter if you want as well for around $100.
For a cheaper option to diff gears, grab some from an R31 skyline, they have 3.7 and 3.9 diff gears that will fit straight into a VN. Or VL diff gears if you want 3.45 ratio. Shouldnt cost you more than $100.
Transgo Stage 2 shift kit will set you back $180 or so and would be my reccomendation for a shift kit.

As Subdue said, 65mm throttle body from a V8 will fit your car and is easily the best value, but you can also go for a 71mm Throtte Body from Yella Terra for $270 if you want to spend the extra money, but I believe the plenum is only equivalent to 68mm so you wont get the full advantage of the 71mm throttle body.

All the rest of Subdues post is good as well...I dont know alot about the rest like brake conversions etc. so i will leave it at that. You can get aftermarket coils though, namely MSD but they are not worth the money and tend to be unreliable, less reliable than the genuine ones too.

Also Subdue made a good point about removing the bellmouth. I completely forgot about that. Its the plastic bit between the throttle body and the plenum. See here for instructions VN Series 2 - VR Bellmouth

In my opinion, 10mm Magnacore leads are the best leads you can get, Harder to find though than Top Gun as Repco do not sell them. Try autobarn etc. or Motoquipe. Around $240 I believe for the Magnacore leads. NGK plugs are the best brand spark plug too, NGK Iridium IX's if you have the money. $21 each for those.
But Top Gun and Bosch will give you great results as well, difference is minimal, especially on relatively stock engines.

[RVN 355]

comon 1991 vn2nv you did a good post there but whats this top gun quote. There products are good and @ a decent price and so is the bosch plugs. I saved money when i got em and i bet u wont even notice the $50 different between the 2 brands its like pacemaker and diffilipo headers - one cost more but really can u notice the difference- no! so as there is a budget involved so yeah... i do agree with you with the vs s/c c.a.i much cheaper than the other brand ones on the market and even the yella terra t.body is rich

[1991_Vn2nV]

Sorry that the post came out the way it did about top gun, I hadnt read through and done a final edit yet thats all. I edited the post to show its just my opinion. And I explained the Di Filippo headers in my post better now as well.

Emtech Automotive try to sell a 70mm throttle body for $350 and thats on an exchange basis...lol even richer.

It looks like my post came across as almost argumentative with yours subdue. Sorry man, Its not how it was meant. I was just trying to give alternative options and any extra info that I had. Unfortunately my personality tends to be aggressive/offensive at time and I apologise for the way it came across,

[greenfoam]

I've seen a dyno sheet from a 5 liter and the difilippo headers make HEAPS more low end grunt than anything else (non 4-1) ok so nothing to do with V6's but still.

My official list of things NOT to do to make a VN V6 S1 go fast.

1. Don't worry with extractors, money to $$$ ratio is crap
2. Don't worry with cat back same as above
3. Don't get a larger throttle body, waste of time

Now for my list of things to do.

1. Port heads, number one important
2. More serious cam shaft
3. LSD and 3.7 gears
4. FE2 or superlow suspension
5. Sticky tires
6. Replace rear resinator/muffler with straight pipe
7. Home made retune

If you put the parts in yourself and grind the heads yourself you could get it done on budget, should get 130-140rwkws standing on your head and an easy high 14 1/4 mile, maybe better. That's what I'd do anyway