Philthy's Berlina

[Philthy]

Model: VS Berlina SII

Engine Type: Ecotec 3.8L

Engine Mods: CAI, K&N panel filter and 2.5in cat-back exhaust, Greenfoam tune

Transmission: Auto, rebuilt, strengthened and stage 2 shift kitted by RVO Automatics

Wheels: 18x8 Speedy Graphites 235/40 Neuton tyres

Brakes: DBA slotted fronts, standard rear, bendix pads

Suspension: Pedders springs and shocks from a previous owner. Sits a little lower than standard

Interior: Clubsport seats, custom headlining, parcel shelf and dash, with a few other custom touches

Stereo: Fancy JVC DVD 5.1 surround headunit (the model nummber escapes me), Alpine Type-X splits and Type-S coaxials, Schnieder 800w 4ch, 2 12" VIBE blackair subs in ported box with 600wrms amp

Other: Roof mounted dvd player, and 7" front screen, painted calipers, clear indicators, debadged etc

Build Period: Purchased with pedders suspension and crap sony cd player in September 07

Future Mods:
Lower more
Extractors
High ratio rockers
VT Brake upgrade

I will be doing most of the work myself, as I'm just a young fella and I'm keen to learn as much as I can in the process. But I'll be sure to be on here with questions all the time



Feel free to give feedback and any other ideas

[Philthy]

Recent updates:
Pulled the interior out over the last few days, and have started on fixing the headlining and painting top half of trim light grey.
I found when using the VHT vinyl dye that it is coming out a fair bit lighter than indicated on the can. Is this normal or has anyone else had this problem?
Also fixed most of the annoying little problems

[Philthy]

Been too busy socialising to do much the last few days, but started work on the parcel shelf today after runnning out of wire to do the roof lights.
It was my 1st time using firbeglass but turns out its **** easy

[Philthy]

Time for a little update:
With end of semester assignments and exams I haven't had much time to work on my car, but have managed to make a good start on the dash-mounted screen and smoothing the centre console.
Again, it is my first time doing anything like this, and it is a work in progress, but you get the idea.
Trip computer controls are going to the right of the screen. Have started installing them also. Pics are a few days old now
Attachment 48260
Attachment 48261

[NickVR]

Nice work mate, keep us updated. The car looks very neat, those wheels suit it well.

[Philthy]

Thanks, I was looking for something a bit different with the wheels and I hadn't seen these ones before.
When I got them the bloke at the tyre place told me he wanted some for his VR after seeing mine, so now I see that one around every now and then

[Pimpt6]

Looking good bro. good choice of wheels too. just wandering if you have changed the orange indicators to clear ones on the guards yet?

[Philthy]

No clear indicators yet, been too busy with other things to look around.
I am keeping half an eye out for a pair though, so if anyone is selling them cheap let me know!

[kidmavric]

looks like ts is coming along nicely champ

[ragrim]

im keen to see that screen install on the dash, i had ideas of removing my centre air vents and putting something there.

Keep up the good work and keep us updated.

[Philthy]

The screen is almost done. Just needs a bit more sanding and some paint.
I'll throw up some pics of it tomorrow for you. Next time i would just go with fold out dvd player

[Philthy]

A couple more pics as promised. I had a couple narrow vents (like the rear-view mirror ones in the doors) to go either side of the screen, but the screen took up more room than I planned.
And no, it won't be yellow. Thats just the spray putty I am using to get it as smooth as possible

Attachment 48527

The demister and hazard light buttons are going above the CD player, where some people put gauges, and the security light LED is going above the trip computer controls

[Philthy]

Well not much has been happening lately, but when I have had time I have been painting a few bits n pieces.
This is where the buttons are going...
Attachment 48639

And a few of the painted bits...

[Pimpt6]

Coming along good Philthy . Cant wait to see that screen in

[Philthy]

The door cards and parcel shelf are trimmed now.
Not happy with how the parcel shelf turned out though, so I will either be redoing it or making a full fibreglass one. Any ideas on designs? I had a look through that thread, and there are some good ideas out there.

[Philthy]

Also, what do people do with the felt-type door trims (top half)? Dye or re-trim?

[Philthy]

Got some type x splits and a schneider 4ch amp today, thanks to dom.
Will be shopping this weekend for some suede as well

[XeKToReX]

that in dash screen is awesome dude, I might have to do something along those lines!

neat ride too man!

[Philthy]

Thanks mate.
The screen has taken a bit more work than I expected. It would be much easier with a shallower, or even just slightly smaller one.
I almost have it mounted in a way I am happy with now. I just keep getting distracted with other bits

[HoZy]

love screen install mate.. im looking at doing something like that but its near impossible ro find a vs statesman caprice dash fascia to hack up!

[Philthy]

Yes it is, thats why I'm using the standard berlina dash.
After very little sleep last night, I decided to try and get it finished this morning. In my impatience I managed to but a big crack under the speed alert.
Not happy at all!! So much for the screen being almost ready

[HoZy]

ah nasty! hope you fix it man, if i was you i would of gotten rif of speed alert an put a vent there to still have atleast some heat from that section of the dash.

cheers
mat

[vsber]

i cracked the same part of my vs berlina ripped it out went to the wreckers and got anew one couldn't be bothered trying to fix it

[Philthy]

ah nasty! hope you fix it man, if i was you i would of gotten rif of speed alert an put a vent there to still have atleast some heat from that section of the dash.

cheers
mat

I would have done that too, but since it is trip computer controls and not just speed alert I am a bit keen to keep it. I will be making it so that all the air that would have gone to those middle vents is going through the door ones instead, so hopefully the heating and aircon aren't too bad

i cracked the same part of my vs berlina ripped it out went to the wreckers and got anew one couldn't be bothered trying to fix it

That was my first thought as well, but I have spent far too long on this one to give up on it. Will have a go at fixing it in the next few days. The last few days have pretty much been a blur, but hopefully I get some more time soon

[Pimpt6]

How did you go with that dash crack bro? Fixed it yet?