My First Car VX Lumina II - NEED SOME ADVICE/HELP

[Holliday15]

Hey guys, so i just bought my first car. Its a 2001 vx lumina series ii. I picked it up for under 5k because it has 215,000kms on it. It runs beautifully and is in perfevt condition besides a few tiny scratches which have been touched up. I have some cash to spend on it and i want to know the best use i can put it to.

First mods i want to complete:

-head unit
-exhaust
-new dash/dash lights
-air induction improvements

Future mods

-full sound system
-lower her with kings
-extractors


So i guess the first thing i want to know is whats the best head unit to get, exhaust, and pod filter or air induction system? I dont really want to spend heaps though. Ideas?




Ill post some more pics up soon

Cheers

[Cameron P]

exhaust just get a catbak exhaust(with 2 mufflers!!) for roughly $300-400.. research different brands to see what you want.. apparently lukey goes alright and i would get extravtors at the same time.. would sound nice

i wouldnt bother with better air induction cause $:kw is not worth it at all..

headunit is completely up to you.. make sure it has sub inlets and outlets and sub control so you dont have to change head decks later.. my gf just got a clarion head deck and it is actually really good! alot of settings for the system

and i recomend you get ssl's all round

hope this helps

[Holliday15]

What about redback? Where is the best place to get one and should i install it myself? Probs wont get extractors till later cause they would cost the same if not more than the exhaust.

What about something cheap and simple like a pod filter from repco?

Im looking at a jvc head unit for around $150. Is installation easy?

Ssl's?

[MikeCuzzy]

There are quite literally hundreds of the threads on different exhaust set ups just search, some vids too, that and go on youtube and listen to different systems see which one you like. Not that it matters, but I think I'll get getting a 2.5 redback with a rear resi.

As for installing a stereo, very easy. Again, couple of how-to's on this site. It would be a bit more difficult if you are installing a full system, but just h/u? Not hard mate. Though make sure it can support a full system so you don't have to buy another later, that would be a pain!

[Holliday15]

Also, another thing. I want to be able to control the head unit with the audio controls on the steering wheel. Does this require certain wiring? or a certain head unit? or is it impossible all together?

[paso91]

redback cat back 2.5 all through + resinator on ebay ... 200 not 400 lol install yourself in 20 mins max .

[GEN3RATD]

What about redback? Where is the best place to get one and should i install it myself? Probs wont get extractors till later cause they would cost the same if not more than the exhaust.

What about something cheap and simple like a pod filter from repco?

Im looking at a jvc head unit for around $150. Is installation easy?

Ssl's?

Redback is alright. Ebay is fairly cheap. Pod filters are a waste of time and money, they do nothing except empty your wallet. Installing a headunit is easy with the right tools/knowledge. SSL's are lowered springs.

Also, another thing. I want to be able to control the head unit with the audio controls on the steering wheel. Does this require certain wiring? or a certain head unit? or is it impossible all together?

It is possible, do some research, I think some brands offer it (Alpine).

[Holliday15]

paso91 do you have a link?

Thanks DM, what do you suggest instead of a pod filter? I have seen the ss growler kits but they are a bit pricey.

[GEN3RATD]

I will clarify that pod filters uselessness extends from the fact that noobs just slap them on without using their mind

without an enclosure they are just pointless, they just suck in hot air from the engine bay, which is bad. with an enclosure they are effective, just how so in comparison to the standard box is questionable.

i would recommend not just for the intake, but for all your mods, looking at the MACE sponsor section on this website.

[Holliday15]

yeah, well legally i have to box it. But if i wanted to improve the air induction slightly and cheaply do you think pod filter is the way to go? or something else?

[GEN3RATD]

oh really, here in WA they just have to be secure, thats probably a good law then lol.

i would highly recommend the mace cold air intake, it is better then the SS kit. if money is tight then a K&N panel filter in the stock box will help, but my money is on the mace kit.

[Holliday15]

Ha yeah it is, 9/10 cops wouldn't know what it is or where to find it anyway though ha
How much would a mace kit set me back?

[GEN3RATD]

id say between $200-$400, send them a PM and they will look after you

[Holliday15]

Found one, is this what you were talking about?

COLD AIR INTAKE TO SUIT HOLDEN VT-VY V6 - Mace Engineering Group

[GEN3RATD]

yep. they are forum sponsors on here too

all their parts are quality

[Jamiejamie]

Indeed they are. I've got one of thier CAI kits and i feel its been effective.As DM said thier only good when thier boxed, a good idea which i intend to do soon is to reconect the factory OTR that i had with the factory box and plumb it into the mace box. Thier worth $270 but i got a perspex lid so it was $310. They do offer an upgraded version wich has a 4'' filter and larger piping for around the $450 mark i think.

[Holliday15]

Ahk sweet, thanks. Heading back to the speaker stuff, im looking at a head unit, 3-ways in the front, something in the back and a sub. Any suggestions fot brands? Or how much power i should get etc. Im looking for somethinh that plays good quality sound and nice bass. Nothing over the top though. Cheers

[paso91]

2.5" CAT BACK EXHAUST VT VX VY V6 COMMODORE SEDAN + RES | eBay

theres the exhaust ....

just go to autobarn or repco and ask then for a k & n panel filter .. around 100 ....

HOLDEN VT-VX COMMODORE WIRING HARNESS LOOM PLUG NEW | eBay

thats a plug so you dont have to pay someone to chop all your original wires to put your deck in .. just join this with the plug that comes in the deck then its all plug and play

for all your audio gear , jb hifi they normally do pretty good deals

ive used all these products and very happy .. and cost alot less then others pay for exhausts and hu installs ..


u wont find cheaper .. new . trust me i am a nazi .

[Cohan]

Very nice matey.
Bought my series one for $4000 with 185000kms, and want to do the exact same thing.