nathans VS Calais

[nathanVY]

Thought i'd finally post up a my ride thread Bought this car from a dealer in NSW paid $3600 + $200 for a 12 month warranty and drove back home to Geelong


1996 VS Calais

Odo: 174, XXX when I got it, now it's more like 200,XXX
Colour: Black (Panther Mica) Over Silver
Engine: 3.8Ltr Ecotec, BMC Panel Filter, Mace 25mm Manifold Insulator
Transmission: 4sp Auto
Exhaust: Pacemaker Headers > Twin 2 1/4" > Twin Cats > Single 2 1/2" back
Diff: Standard 3.08
Electrics: Power Windows, Cruise Control, Climate Control
Interior: Part Leather / Velour, VS SIII Stato Dash & Centre Console, Stato Clock
Wheels: 19" VX GTS, Genuine HSV - Carbon Series 235/35/19 92W
Stereo:
- Pioneer DEH-4250SD
- Cadence XS6K splits front
- Wave Audio 6.5"" 100WRMS splits rear
- Alpine MRV-F405 4CH amp
- 2x JBL 12" Subs
- Boss Amp
- Sound Deadening installed in front doors

Suspension:
- Monroe GT Sport Shortened Struts
- Monroe GT Sport Shortened Shocks
- Super Pro Strut Bearings / Bushes
- Super Pro Castor Rod Bushes
- Nolathane Z Style Link Pins
- King Low Front
- Lovells SL Rear

Exterior:
- HID Headlights 6000K Hi/Low
- LED Parkers

Interior:
- 35%/18% Tint
- VS III Statesman Dash
- VS III Statesman Woodgrain Centre Console
- VS III Statesman Woodgrain Sunglasses Holder
- LED Interior Lighting Conversion
- Seat Covers
- LED Footwell

Engine:
- 25mm Manifold Insulator
- Reco Injectors
- Tune (98 tune from The1)
- BMC Hi Flow Filter











OLD





OLDER



OLDER









FUTURE

Exterior:
- SS Driving Lights
- Replace Chrome (Done)
- Remove Boot Lock
- Professional Detail/Cut Polish

Engine:
- L67 Conversion
- Boost Upgrade
- Hi Ratio Rockers
- Manifold Spacer
- Big Throttlebody

Diff:
- LSD

Things that need fixing:
- Cruise Control not activating (FIXED! Replaced stalk and adjusted brake switch)
- Climate Control - not blowing out of center vents (FIXED! Replaced vac solenoid box, tpiece near throttlebody & vac tank)
- Replace passenger air bag cover (Stato Dash in )
- Steering wheel moaning noise (FIXED! rp7 and rubber grease into the firewall grommet)
- Cluster/Auto/Speed Alert globes blown (Globes replaced)
- Crank Angle Sensor needs replacing (Replaced at 179, XXX kms)
- Rear main seal (replaced at 180, XXXkms)
- Idler pulleys need replacing (replaced at 182, XXXkms)
- Thermostat needs replacing (replaced at 182, XXXkms)
- Throttlebody, tps, iac, maf, etc needs cleaning (cleaned at 185, XXX kms)

Servicing, etc
- Oil & Filter change 177,XXXkms - 31/05/2010
- Plugs & Leads changed 177,XXXkms 05/06/2010
- Auto service & fluid flush 177,XXXkms - 31/05/2010
- Auto Serviced, Deep pan added, shift solenoids and selector seal replaced 179, XXXkms
- Oil & Coolant flush and change 180, XXXkms 31/07/2010
- Full coolant flush, block & radiator. Filled with 100 000 000km / 6 year coolant. (182, XXXkms
- Oil Flush, Oil & Filter Change 185, XXXkms
- Wheel alignment at 188,XXXkms - 30/10/2010
- New Injectors, Fuel filter changed & Mace 25mm Manifold Spacer fitted at 188, XXXkms - 13/11/2010
- Oil Flush, Oil & Filter Change 190,XXXkms - 25/11/2010
- Ignition barrel replaced
- Alternator changed due to bearing noise replaced with 2nd hand one at 191,XXXkms - 15/12/2010
- Coil packs & DFI module replaced at 191,XXXkms - 22/12/2010
- Struts, Shocks, Strut-Top Bearings & Mounts, Link Pins and rear brake pads all replaced at 192, XXXkms - 15/02/2011
- New radiator, heater tap, coolant temp sensor and thermostat + coolant and oil flush and oil filter change at 193,XXXkms - 5/3/2011
- New IAC fitted at 194,XXXkms - 2/4/2011
- Transmission serviced and accumulator springs removed at 194,XXXkms - 10/4/2011
- Plugs & leads replaced at 195,XXXkms - 22/04/2011
- Starter motor, handbrake cable, engine & transmission mounts replaced at 195,XXXkms - 11/05/2011
- Engine detox, oil and filter change at 197,XXXkms - 18/6/11
- Reco transmission and trans cooler fitted, auto serviced at 199,XXXkms - 14/7/2011
- Castor rod bushes changed to super pro urethane, new tyres (19s) and wheel alignment at 201,XXXkms - 10/08/2011
- Engine oil & filter change at 203,XXXkms
- 2x Cats changed to Magnaflow HiFlow Ceramics, 200CSPI at 205,XXXkms - 15/10/2011
- Oil & Filter change at 207,XXXkms - 5/11/11
- Tyre rotation at 207,XXXkms

[shifty6]

thats a great price especially from a dealer.

[nathanVY]

yeah not too bad, in hindsight i'd say probably not worth the mission of going to sydney for it but was an experience.
bit of piece of mind with the warranty will do me good too.

[nathanVY]

Update: Just had it serviced, engine flushed oil and filter replaced now running semi-synthetic penrite oil
Also had 20 litres of Dexron III flushed through the auto, the stuff that came out was filthy!! Lube Guard was added as well, the car has no shifting or thumping issues with the gearbox anymore

Air bag light was cleared (was on because I pulled stuff apart and forgot to take the battery off)
All up only cost me $275, so glad I have a mate willing to help me out

We noticed a few things while we were snooping around, crank angle sensor is on it's way out (Code 46) and there appears to be coolant leaking right at the back of the engine, could be the aluminum plate or a hose. Will need to figure that one out, coolant also needs changing.

On the upside the cars got brand new monroe GT gas shockers in it.


Will post up some interior photos tomorrow.

[ParkwayDrv]

Nice mate, pretty low k's on it too

Also what did you use to replace the exterior chrome bits?

[nathanVY]

cheers man

used this stuff for the chrome CHROME MOULD VN VQ VP VR VS COMMODORE CALAIS BERLINA - eBay Mouldings, Trim, Exterior, Car Parts, Accessories, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 07-Jun-10 08:21:47 AEST)

I did a pretty average job on the doors that I have done (drivers side), so might have to order some more and re-do that when I get the time. The strips on the doors are sikaflexed on so not fun to get off.

[nathanVY]

Got quoted $60 to fix the two tone on the doors

[nathanVY]

Seems theres still some sort of problem in the transmission region, was driving last night (hardish) and it held gear at 5krpms again like it did before the service.

Also hearing some thumps, but not as many as before. Maybe trans mounts?

[nathanVY]

added some interior photos

[nathanVY]

Replaced plugs and leads tonight, and reset the ECU runs smooth as Still is some thump in the gearbox (then again could be all the tools in the boot lol) but 100% better.

[Trayner]

Replaced plugs and leads tonight, and reset the ECU

How do you reset it mate?

[nathanVY]

How do you reset it mate?

Just leave the battery leads off for 10 mins. I started it with the new plugs and leads in and it still idled pretty average, reset ECU and smooth as

[nathanVY]

Put my new VYSS wheels on it yesterday, new pic up see first post

It seems to pull to one side (usually left) when braking now, I've had a wheel alignment but it still does it, any ideas what this could be?

[nathanVY]

Cars going in to get the thumping/rattling in the transmission/driveshaft fixed tomorrow. All repaired under warranty And in for a RWC on friday and Rego at vicroads first week of july. So mods will be put on hold for a bit moneys going elsewhere.

Ordered a VY sunnies holder/map lights!!!! so keen to put that in, will be good to not spend 30 mins looking for sunglasses everytime i'm driving.

[nathanVY]

had a bit of a play around in photoshop. what do ya reckon? think I can get that look on super lows and powdercoating the rims black?
yay or nay to the black wheels? opinions please.

[50LTRv8]

That photoshop looks sweet

I can't see the photos on the interior?

Well done

[nathanVY]

Cheers man. what did you think of the black wheels? yeah? or nah? lol

Accidentally deleted interior photos when I was editing before
will re-upload them for ya.

[nathanVY]

head unit soon being changed to Pioneer DEH-5250SD

[nathanVY]

my dodgy amp install llol

[50LTRv8]

Cheers man. what did you think of the black wheels? yeah? or nah? lol

Accidentally deleted interior photos when I was editing before
will re-upload them for ya.

The black wheels look really good with your body color combo

[nathanVY]

I might get black wheels at some point, unsure if ill stay with the VYSS ones if i go black.

[RazzaCaine]

i dont rate the black wheels to be honest. maybe some light silver/gray ones to match up with the two tone?

[Trayner]

the black looks good man , like stelth mode or something 1+

[nathanVY]

thanks for the opinions guys. unfortunately i don't think i'll be doing many mods to it for a while, RWC & Rego coming up
and apparently there's all kinds of crap wrong with it.



EDIT: after a wash the car is looking MUCH better (should have seen it, covered in mud hadn't been washed in weeks)
got a bit to get through to get it on the road which i'm not too happy about. (bought it from a dealer after all)

- water leaking from the block, rear of the engine (possibly welch plugs? anyway gearbox probably has to come out)
- leaking coolant from thermostat housing (fixed easy)
- needs coolant flush/new coolant
- some brakes issues (since i put the new wheels on it's been pulling in favour of the road camber a lot, worn front end bushes i think)
- probably some new brake pads on the front or rear, hopefully not both
- 1 new tyre (one of mine had bad camber wear when i bought it) or put stockies back on.
- passenger airbag cover will most likely be a problem (might glue that down)


so after ALL THAT, then i have to fork out $600 for my rego. wooooooo, loving it. -_-

but AFTER THAT then it's exhaust, lowering, tint!!!

[nathanVY]

guys any ideas about the water leak?