Gilbs' custom VS

[GTP 85]

Well she is now a dedicated Show/ race/ occasional drive car, as i purchased a VN v8 to take up daily duties. So i have gone a bit more extreme on her.

Name: Gilbert
Model: '97 VS II
Colour: Now Silver metallic... used to me a metallic blue
Bodykit: full VS Senator replica bodykit, genuine Senator grille and sideskirts
Engine Type: Ecotec V6 3.8
Engine Mods: Rebuilt bottom end, Rebuilt heads 90 thou off, ported/ polished, 1.8 YT Ultra-lite Rockers, YT Cromoly pushrods, Custom spec Tighe camshaft (not off the shelf), disabled balance shaft gear, Crow heavy springs, moly locks and retainers, rollmaster timing chain kit, custom enclosed pod CAI, K&N filter, 36lb injectors, ported & modified AFM & throttlebody match ported to plenum, ported intake manifold, plenum spacer
Gearbox: BW T5 manual, Exedy HD clutch kit, billet lightened flywheel
Other mods:
- Real time dyno tune
- Large powersteering cooler
- Full alloy radiator
- Walbro GSS342 fuel pump
- Xenon HID 6000k head light conversion
- Relocated coils
- Deleted Air cond compressor
- Adjustable shift light
- Autometer Air/ Fuel gauge
- Digital oil pressure/ volt gauge
- Lots of polished engine bay stuff
Power: 291rwhp (217rwkw)

Performance: 13.33 @ 101mph, Heathcote Raceway 2011
Exhaust: Pacemaker extractors into twin 2.5" pipes, twin venom metal cats, 1.5" balance pipe, twin 2.5" hotdogs, under the diff, twin inlet/ outlet 5 inch ressy, a pair of twin 2.5 polished rolled tips (so quad pipes)
Diff: built 3.89:1 Spooled
Brakes: VT front brake upgrade- slotted rotors, calipers, booster master cyl. slotted rotors all round
Suspension: Bilstein shocks pedders SL springs up front, Bilstein shocks rear, Pedders SSL touring springs in rear, front and rear Whiteline swaybars f&r and strut brace, adjustable panhard bar
Wheels/Tyres: 19x 8 VE SSV in black
Interior: Dark blue Berlina trimmings, Fixed back racing front buckets, crap Clarion IPod deck... Much prefer the sound of the cammy 6
Build Period:approx 7 years from STOCK standard
Cost: Approx 15k +, including car
Future mods: Remote oil filter and oil cooler kit, construct an all new intake manifold/tb system

This car has been my major project over the past 7 odd years. i always wanted a VS for its beautiful lines and ease of spare parts support. As ive been studying since i finished school (im 25), i havent had a huge budget so saving cash where i could was essential! Hence i learned how to turn the spanners myself with THIS VERY CAR!

Bought the car stock standard and was the highest riding VS i had EVER seen at the time haha. 200k's, auto and looking VERY ordinary, but so cheap at 4k! the first few months saw a replacement engine and me and a mate laid a fresh coat of pacific blue metallic paint from the current Mitsubishi paint chart.

The last few years have seen all the mods (as listed in specs), with 80% of the workmanship done by me, thats: another engine replacement, T5 gearbox, sunroof installation etc.. The only part i choose not to touch is the diff! let the experts do that lol


For those you cbf reading through the thread... My car used to be a bright metallic blue colour, but I have since put all my running gear into a Silver chassis that was in much better condition!!

Let me know what you guys think.. all comments will be taken aboard!!

THANKS

GILBS


Here's a video of it idling **Click the link** http://s106.photobucket.com/albums/m...t=DSCN0145.mp4

Stock

Current graph after all mods



We all love some skids!! Click the link
http://s106.photobucket.com/albums/m...4122010163.mp4

[Alan Shore]

Lookin good. Smooth...clean...simplistic. Any chance of some pics of the engine bay and the interior? Was it a Berlina to start with?

[JSTPOZN]

looks sweet as man..


Blended SS Kit????????

Rims suit it nicely specially in that colour

What are the future plans and who did the engine work?

[GTP 85]

ALAN: Its originally just a VS II Exec. But i got a hold of Berlina chrome strips and rear seat. I'll get sum engine photos up soon

JSTPOZN: Yea i had a VS SS kit that i blended into the bumpers. (will change 1st post, thanx!) but now its got VT front and VS GTS replica sides and rear. Theres only 1 future plan left to do! Manual 'box, then it will be time to move on

[THE STATESMAN]

Cars looking good mate you need to get some more pics up

[1vngal]

Thats a nice looking VS. I love it!

[NickVR]

The VS is looking good gilbs.

[VH SLE]

car looks good. seen it parked at the local shops a few times.

[JSTPOZN]

Yeah i seen it on a certain car cruise a while ago went over to it to have a chat but didnt see ya anywhere near..

Got pics of it with the SS kit ?

Manual

What would be next or take it as it comes

[1991_Vn2nV]

Ahh you sonuva... Sunroof! I wish I had a sunroof

Sweet car mate

[Blown VS]

Looking good mate and happy birthday too.

[CALAIS 6]

looks awesome dude had a suss at it on few cruises iv seen it very clean and sun rooof haha very jealous

[GTP 85]

Yeah, everyone LOVES the sunroof definitely. Even the mates who reckon "It's only a Commodore" like to hang out the roof in the hot weather lol.

JSTPOZN- Most of the engine mods. were just basic (in my opinion) so i did them myself. I've got one mate whos a tool maker and owns a machine shop and another mate who a Subaru specialist (he has hoist and all tools etc) so i guess that helps a fair bit! As they say, Its not what you know..Its who you know

[JSTPOZN]

ha yeah that is so true...

Im bringing my car down there haha whats the address im leaving now

nothing beats hangin out the sun roof

[fmlycar]

Looks good. Tough colour combination. I was checking you posted dyno sheet and noticed it was done in third. Is your dyno operator aware that a power run should be done in 4th on a manual box as it's a 1/1 ratio and will give the most accurate reading. If this is the case I would suggest getting it done again as he may have led you to believe your making more power than you are. I'm not saying your not but it might be worth looking into. More pics would be good too.

[johnvtls1]

done any time in ur car man?? ie 0-100 or quatermile?? saw u have 140 rwkws pretty impressive

[GTP 85]

Well hello again! was just browsing thru a few forum members cars when i spotted my old thread!! lol Looks as if its been just over a year since i was here last! lmao

So i guess its time for an update!

There has been HEAPS of improvements in the last 12 months i.e. replaced engine, manual conversion etc, etc...

Anyway... i have given my very 1st post a major revamp with up to date specs. and pics! so have a look, enjoy, and please leave some feedback!

Gilbs

[GTP 85]

Looks good. Tough colour combination. I was checking you posted dyno sheet and noticed it was done in third. Is your dyno operator aware that a power run should be done in 4th on a manual box as it's a 1/1 ratio and will give the most accurate reading. If this is the case I would suggest getting it done again as he may have led you to believe your making more power than you are. I'm not saying your not but it might be worth looking into. More pics would be good too.

Latest dyno run is done in 4th gear mate. pic is in 1st post

done any time in ur car man?? ie 0-100 or quatermile?? saw u have 140 rwkws pretty impressive

nah.. i dont trust the accuracy of them plug in speed/ power/ measuring thingos.. so i dont know how quick she is?? To be honest, i think she felt quicker auto and with much less power, but that could be the illusion of a fully built auto trans lol

A mate of mine with a quick commodore reckons mid 14s are a given from my current combo.. me? i dont really care haha as long as i can throttle steer it in a corner, im happy! and i can

[johnvtls1]

dude how did u get this thing up to 155?? share!!!

[NickVR]

dude how did u get this thing up to 155?? share!!!

It's all in the first post mate.

Gilbs, the car is looking good mate and goes even better with the current set up. Would be good to get A.I.R open to run some times. Oh well maybe one day.

[Cobez]

I love it!! Nice colour, kit suits nice, engine work is sweet as. Those VY wheels look mint as!!

[johnvtls1]

It's all in the first post mate.

Gilbs, the car is looking good mate and goes even better with the current set up. Would be good to get A.I.R open to run some times. Oh well maybe one day.

yeh i know but just curious mines had cam and head work and going for a tune doubt ill get close to 150

[GTP 85]

yeh i know but just curious mines had cam and head work and going for a tune doubt ill get close to 150

i have found that if you do all the right mods (they dont need to be the biggest, or most expensive either!) you can get a perfect balance of minimum expense and maximum gain!

Over the years i have researched thoroughly what works, and what doesent work for the ecotec. Those, somewhat, only minor mods coupled with a really good real time tune can gain you fantastic results.

My tuner is arguably the best commodore tuner in S.A, and these results speak for themselves! Its there in the graph.

No cam, not forced induction, no head porting, no after market ecu, no big flashy thousand dollar exhaust system, not even the highest lift rockers!

I just put a lot of thought into the RIGHT mods. I know of stroker 6's that are in the 150's at the moment, and other engines that have had much more $$$ spent on them. By no means am i mocking them for spending so much money on their mods.. i just say, you do it your way.. and il do it mine!

[johnvtls1]

man im very impressed. youve done an awesome job car must fly

[fmlycar]

Looks good. I hope you reach your power target, if there was anyone I could trust in my area I'd be getting a tune to see what is left in my combo.