Black and Chrome VR V6

[alexp36]

Howdy,

I've had my Commodore since December 2006, so about time I put up some halfway decent pics.

1994 VR Executive V8

Engine Mods: cam, headers, air filter.
Exhaust: Headers, 2 1/2 inch exhaust.
Trans: T700
Diff: Standard, non LSD.
Wheels: 17inch chrome.
Tyres: 235/40/17 front and rear, 255/35/17 rears to go on.
Sounds: Panasonic 50x4, Sony Xplod speakers in door pods, Blaupunkt 6x9s in rear. Plus cheap 100W powered sub in boot.
Interior: Custom black, with gunmetal grey on center console. Seat covers only at the moment, but plans for upgraded seats in future.

[dufus]

That a very nice looking VR, I wish mine was black and supercharged

[alexp36]

Thanks Bill! Yeah, I'm pretty happy with the overall look. Obviously, there's plenty more I'd do to it if I had the money, though

[hakhawk]

looks awesome mate, the senator grille looks good on the vt kit

[NickVR]

Nice VR mate, the kit and wheels looks very nice on it. What is the next mod planned for it?

[alexp36]

Thanks hakhawk.

NickVR - I've got the usual performance things in mind for it - limited slip diff, headers. And later, cash permitting, maybe high ratio roller rockers. One thing I don't think I'll bother with is removing the bellmouth - from what I've read the performance gains are either very small, or non-existent.
Also, I've toyed with the idea of getting the s/c pulley machined down a bit, not enough to lose the clutch operation, but hopefully there's enough meat there to get an extra pound of two of pressure.

I really like the wheels, but I wouldn't mind going for a similar style in an 18, also with a bit more "lip" if you know what I mean. Personally I don't so much like the really huge wheels like, 20s, on Commodores.

I would like to get nicer seats too, maybe black leather, or leather look vinyl
Also, after seeing lots of cars on here with no rear spoiler, I've considered taking the one off mine, but I know nothing about body work, so I'll probably just leave it on.

Finally, the paint actually needs some serious attention - it's some sort of custom paint with coloured metal flakes through it - looks really nice in the sun, but it's starting to show some wear - swirls and a few chips. So, I'm seriously considering taking it to a professional, because I don't want to bugger it up trying to fix it myself.

[beaker]

nice VR. i've always liked that shape. and 255's on the rear will look pretty mean.
that paint looks awsome in the pics.

do you polish it? i've found using a good (pricey) polish makes a differnece, particularly on darker colours.
i got surprisingly good results from mequires wextech on my black motorbike, it hid all the swirls that you get from washing with even the softest cloth.

[The Darkness]

sexy vr man. how good is that s/c. thinkin of getting one on mine

[alexp36]

Thanks for the comments.

Beaker,

Yeah, I really like this shape. I'm looking forward to putting the 255s on - I reckon the back guards need to be filled out just a bit more. Just waiting for the 235s to wear out a bit more.
I haven't polished it yet, no. I washed and waxed it a while back, and it came up pretty nice, but like I say it does have a few chips in it too, so I'm trying to decide whether to attempt fixing it myself, or just take it to a professional. Can't recommend a good auto detailer in Auckland can you?
Thanks for the tip on the Meguiars stuff tho, I might try that when I've got a spare weekend.

4BDN_VR,

The s/c is actually a lot of fun. It makes a pretty wicked noise, quite addictive really - I usually start out with it switched off, but once I switch it on for a bit of a squirt, I usually end up leaving it on 'cause it sounds so good.
CRS claim up to 30% power increase. Doesn't seem that much to me, but it does make a bit of a difference. Haven't actually been able to really hold it on through the gears cause the trans is a bit knackered. As mentioned above, I'm getting a rebuilt trans soon (shift kit, yadda yadda), so will be able to have much more fun

[beaker]

sorry mate, i haven't tried any detailers. so don't know.
i know what you mean about the chips tho.. the front of mine needs some attention too.

[alexp36]

Finally got around to putting up some different pics of the VR.

Also, I'm getting a new motor and box for my car soon - I'm buying a whole car - a VN with a 5ltr with a mild cam, a fully rebuilt trans, and a rebuilt LSD.

The VN was originally a V6, and it's never been certified since the V8 has been in it, so I'm getting it cheap, and I'm gonna swap motors over and put the V6 into the VN.

Here's some pics of the VN:

[alexp36]

Sweet, gonna go pick up the VN on Saturday. It's in a different town, about 1.5hr drive away. Got to tow it back home on a car trailer, even though it runs, cause it's currently not registered.

Comes with a heap of parts too, including an SS boot lid, and lots of other misc body and mechanical bits.

I'll try and do some pictures and words about the engine swap and post them up as we go, if anyones interested to see what's involved.

[Wagon_Wheel]

Nice man, love the color, has it got glitter crap through it?
Glad to see the 5ltr going in! You will love it

[alexp36]

Wagon_Wheel - yep you spotted it, it's PPG prismatique paint - I bought it like that. I would have done it plain old gloss black if it was me, although the shiny bits don't look too bad most of the time, and they only really show up in direct sunlight.

I'm surely looking forward to getting the 5ltr - it's got headers on it, dunno what they are yet, but it sounds nice.
Only problem is - I started out looking for a motor and box for my car, but the more I look at this VN the more I wonder if I shouldn't keep it how it is, finish it off and get it on the road. It's had quite a lot done, including rebuilt LSD, bigger swaybar, nolathane bushes, front brake upgrade, etc. Body is pretty tidy too, and so is the interior.

[Torquen]

very nice mate, i dont often like a late model kit on an older car but it suits yours. the paint looks great with the mica thru it. i rekon stay with your original idea and put the V8 in the VS. itl b fricken awsum.

[alexp36]

Thanks Torquen. Yeah, I'll probably go ahead with the engine swap - I've been saying this car needs a V8 since Dec 2006 when I bought it.

It just feels like I'm doing the VN a disservice to down-grade it to a V6. It's actually a pretty nice car, just needs a bit of finishing off
But who knows, maybe I'll eventually convince the missus that I need 2 V8s!

As regards the later model kit thing, yeah, I know what you mean, I usually don't like them either. I guess it works ok on this one partly because the front has retained the VR grille.

[alexp36]

Thanks Torquen. Yeah, I'll probably go ahead with the engine swap - I've been saying this car needs a V8 since Dec 2006 when I bought it.

It just feels like I'm doing the VN a disservice to down-grade it to a V6. It's actually a pretty nice car, just needs a bit of finishing off
But who knows, maybe I'll eventually convince the missus that I need 2 V8s!

As regards the later model kit thing, yeah, I know what you mean, I usually don't like them either. I guess it works ok on this one partly because the front has retained the VR grille.

[alexp36]

Got my VN on Monday, car was towed to my house, then backed off the trailer, and driven up the drive.
Was real loud - only has open headers at the moment, no exhaust. Could hear it before I even saw the headlights coming through the trees!

Here's some pics of it at my house:

bonnet closes, but catch needs adjusting:





bonnet closes, but catch needs adjusting:


mmmm... V8....

[UNKNOWN]

Nice! Leave the 5.0 in the VN, its tough as.

[excalibur]

yeah i agree leave the 5ltr in the vn looks sweet

[alexp36]

Yeah, I really like the VN too, it's got a pretty cool stance. Only it needs quite a few things done to finish it. The wheels on it are actually pretty crappy - the photos show the best side (unintentional - I didn't have time to turn the car round and shoot the other side) the wheels on the passenger side have all the chrome flaking off, and look pretty bad.

Plus it is de-registered. Dunno how it's done in Aussie, but here in NZ we get 1 year after the license/registration runs out, and then the car is "de-registered".
Bottom line is, to re-register it will cost in the region of a $900+ to, due to the fact it was originally a V6, so it needs an LVV (low-volume vehicle) certification for the V8, as well as the re-complicance check, and the cost of new plates, new warrant of fitness, and new license (registration).

And my VR has been sitting for about a year now, apart from being started every few weeks, and taken round the block every few months, because the trans is buggered. The whole idea was to get a nice 5ltr for the VR.

I'd love to get another V8 for the VR, and keep the VN as it is, but sadly I'm not rich, and I'm supporting a wife and two kids on one wage. Had to get a loan out just to buy this car - lucky for me the wife is keen on us having a V8
But, economics dictate I probably have to go with the original plan, do the engine swap, and then sell the VN with the V6 in it for cheap to try and get some of my money back. Then at least I'll have one sweet roadworthy Commo.

[Surfwagon]

The VN looks good but not as good as your VR, stick the V8 and trans into your VR and get it registered.
The VR has much better front suspension geometry than the VN and would be a waste not to have a sweet sounding V8 under that glorious black paint work.
Good luck with your decision and look forward to a lot of work changing over everything.

[alexp36]

Thanks Surfwagon. Yeah, that's probably how it'll happen. Luck for me my father-in-law is a mechanic, and he's real keen to help me do the swap (read: let me hand him the spanners), in fact he found the VN for me through one of his mates.

Just out of interest, here's a pic of his V8 Rover powered Trike which he is building from scratch in his garage (and I mean from scratch - he bent up the tubes for the chassis, got the front end custom made to spec, etc.) :

[LM8185]

Both cars are nice mate. Have to agree with Surfwagon, that black paint needs a V8 rumbler hiding behind it, but they are your cars, and both are hot as. Im just jealous cos i dont have a V8 and a blown 6 in my driveway.

Not sure why you would feel bad about putting a 6 back in it. Didnt you say thats what it started as. Not from NZ so correct me if im wrong, but wouldnt putting the Buick back in the VN be a good thing as it wouldnt need the low volume vehicle thing you mentioned, that would only be necessary for the VR as is my understanding. Or im an idiot and should just shutup right now!

Whatever you decide i am looking forward to seeing both cars finished. Good luck with them both mate.

[alexp36]

LM8185,

Nah mate, you've basically got it exactly right - I'm gonna go ahead with the swap, and the VN will need re-compliance and new plates, but with the V6 it won't need the LVV.

Of course I'll still have to do the LVV for the VR once the V8 is in, but what the hell, I'm gonna cop that either way. I rang a guy who does them, and he said the standard fee is $450. And this swap should be the standard, cause it's all Holden bits, shouldn't be any dramas.

"Im just jealous cos i dont have a V8 and a blown 6 in my driveway."
- Yeh - what a problem to have eh?
I'm not complaining really, I'm happy just seeing those two every time I go out to my garage.
Hanging out to know what the VR is going to be like with the 5ltr. The trans in the VN is supposed to have a Corvette servo, and the diff is LSD (checked that already), so it should go pretty bloody good after we swap it all over..