VX HSV GTS (Build Number 071)

[gts071]

After being a long time member of this forum I thought I should pull my finger out and talk about my baby.

Here is my GTS's story

Back in June 2005 after looking around for a VX Clubby I came across a VX HSV GTS which was still a touch out of my price range. Well thanks to some good luck and good fortune both me and the seller came to a price we were happy with as long as I buy it within the next 5 days so I did
So I book the flights to South Australia and start driving my new pride and joy back to Tassie. Now I was upgrading from a 1.6l Toyota corolla 4wd wagon so I noticed a fair bit of difference in comfort and power. I just couldn't get the smile off my face!

Facts about the VX GTS's
287 were built (I did read else where it was 289 but HSV say 287)
They only came in a Manual (M6)
Standard features:
C4B engine which is a standard LS1 with Callaway enhanced heads, cam shaft (with upgraded valve springs)
Red anodised 78mm throttle body (Stamped with HSV)
Hydratrac LSD with 3.91 ratio diff
HSV (Harrop) 343mm front brakes with 315mm in the rear
Factory shift light
Short shifter
Coulson seats
Climate control
8 speaker stereo with CD player (Inc 2 subs in the parcel shelf)

Options were:
Leather seats
Sun Roof
Sat Nav

Here is an interesting article I came across recently about the VX HSV GTS, to my shock it was MY car in the photo shoot about 2 years before I purchase it! Click away

Anyway back on topic, the VX HSV GTS came out with 300 kilowatts (at the engine) so around the 200-220rwkw depending on the dyno and the day. When I purchased the GTS it had already been lowered (the springs were the only things that had been replaced), a twin 3" cat back exhaust and a K&N air filter. It was also claimed that the GTS's could do the 1/4 mile in 13.1 seconds and 0-100 in 5.1 seconds. Not bad for a factory car...

Here are some of the early photo's




So the time comes for me to have a run down the 1/4 mile at a local commodore club drag day and lets just say... 14.5 seconds was my fastest time for the day and I couldn't believe it, so I realised it does take some talent to drive fast in a straight line for 400m.
The other factors that didn't help are the lowered springs (stock shocks and bushes) and a really bad case of axel tramp, also due to having a lowered car and IRS.

Now since the car handled more like a canoe I decided to head off to my mate at Repco (where I got some good pricing) where got Koni shortened shocks, upgraded sway bars and Nolatec bushes and finally it start to handle like a performance vehicle. Also not to forget one of the most important additions, a rear camber kit and rolling of the rear guards to stop that dreaded tyre wear and rubbing. While I was spending money I decided to throw a 5.1 channel Alpine surround sound system with DVD player in which was pretty teccy for the day and still pumps out good quality and dB!







Now to test out the suspension I decided to go to symmons plains for a track day where I was averaging time around the 1:10-1:12 a lap with a flying lap of 1:06.45 which I was pretty happy with. I just happened to meet the organiser of the Hobart International Motor Show (HIMS). While we are on track times I payed another visit to the 1/4 mile track and managed to get a 13.779 from just changing the suspension (also becoming more familiar with the car and setup) which made me feel much better than getting a 14 something from a GTS.

So off to the HIMS I go and lucky for me I managed to win a dyno tune with Eddie Tassone, first run on the rollers and I pulled a 346rwhp and Eddie quickly advises me my car already has a tune (which is in poor shape) and he starts to tinker. A good hour or 2 later I reeled off a 371.3rwhp and the following day a 365rwhp and I certainly noticed a difference. Bear in mind these readings are inflated due to the IT AT being out by more than 2 degrees so I would guess my car was making closer to the 320rwhp so around the 235-240rwkw mark.

Now just to take a break for a moment, here is what mods my car has at this stage.
Stock GTS as above
Sunroof was added by the first owner (after market but same brand sunroof)
Lowered with King Springs, Koni shock and Nolatec bushes, sway bars and rear camber kit.
3" Cat back exhaust
K&N Air Filter
Full Alpine type X 5.1 channel surround sound system.
With an EFI Live tune done by Eddie Tassone
I also replaced the headlights with the HSV VXII 'blackened' headlights for improved looks
And I needed to roll the rear guards to prevent the tyres from rubbing.







Ok back on topic.

This is around the time I entered a local car club dyno day where I can 2nd by 0.2 of a kilowatt... where I managed to get 239.4rwkw which I was pretty happy with, well apart from being beaten by 0.2 of a kilowatt!

It's now around the end of 2006 and I replace the standard HSV rotors and pads with DBA 5000 series rotors up front and the 4000's in the rear, accompanied with the EBC red stuff pads. Oh by did my car start stopping a lot faster!
As the standard clutch was starting to show sign of age I decided to throw a Textralia Z grip clutch in for good measure. But on the bad side my tail shaft started to crack at the fingers so I had to replace that also
Shortly after this I also threw in one of the whiteline strut braces, very sexy stuff. And I also had the pleasure to meet Mr Oztrack while he was in Tassie and he retuned the GTS with one of his famous road tune!



Back to the 1/4 mile I go, after a top day of racing I finally managed to get a new PB 13.145 @ 109MPH, now one could say I was as happy as a ... you know the saying!
I should also add the purchase of some 17" VX GTS (copies) wheels sporting some second hand semi slicks helping me get the above time.
Here are some videos:
Me vs Falcon
YouTube - VX HSV GTS vs Ford XR6

Me vs a R31 skyline and I missed 2nd gear resulting in a 15.7 1/4 mile
YouTube - VX HSV GTS vs R31 Skyline. Missed 2nd gear

Me vs dwaynE in his VY Maloo
YouTube - VX HSV GTS vs VY Maloo

Anyway another dyno day comes around and I am now getting 245rwkw so also a result that I am very pleased with



Some more videos of the car prior to getting the work done.
Inside:
YouTube - VX HSV GTS In Car Footage
Outside:
YouTube - VX HSV GTS Outside footage

Well another 12 months or so pass and the power bug starts to itch again so I went out and got some Di Filippo 1 & 3/4 extractors (heat coated), Ballistic racing cats 100CPSI, 25% under driven pulley and a Harrop diff cover to reduce axel tramp.

And back to the 1/4 mile track again, and it's new PB time of 12.889 seconds @ 110.84MPH
Here is the time slip:


Here is the video:
YouTube - VX HSV GTS 12.88 second 1/4 mile drag pass.

Now the start of 2009 comes around and it is the 2nd year of power cruise and thought I can't miss this like I did last year
Here is some nice photo's of the weekend

























And a very very happy dyno run
YouTube - VX HSV GTS Dyno run at Powercruise 16

Well its May 2009 and the power bug bites again...
As many may know the GTS's (C4B engines) are prone to lifter, cam and valve spring issues and failures. Lucky for me I only had the one springs issues which was fixed without any other damage, but I was starting to get more and more worried since taking it the drags, track days, power cruise and dyno event more often I would had to see my car drop a spring north of 3500RPM. So the best solution to the problem is to get some more power and replace the cam & springs before something goes wrong when I least expect it. So after a year or more of looking I had finally decided on a cam to install in my baby and the right workshop to do it. I wanted to select a cam that sounded tough, produced good number and could still be a daily driver if needed, even though since it is no longer driven daily it could have been on the border.

The cam I have been investigating for the last 6-12 months has been the 232/234 which met my requirements (if tuned correctly) after reading countless pages of information. Most of the comments I have heard are 232/234 is the biggest you want to go in a M6 for a daily, some still think this is a touch on the large side. The comp cam by default specs are 232/234 @ .050" lift, 112 LSA (Lobe separation angle) with valve lift of 595/598, making power between 2400-7200 RPM. After talking with Phonsy from GM Motorsport they offered a similar spec’d cam (Street Racer) 232/234 @ .050" lift, making power between 2300-6700 *The rest of the specs are unknown expect by GM Motorsport. Personally I think the specs are around the valve lift is the same as the comp cams brand with a higher LSA (+2) so around the 114, therefore making idle a touch smoother and brings the power on slightly earlier.
I then realised this is common practice for people to order cams in and change the LSA either up or down anywhere between 1 and 4 to suite peoples need and car setup.

Now the hunt for the workshop / tuner began, I really wanted someone in Melbourne so I didn't have to drive for hours and there are quiet a few good workshops around that have produced good results which speaks louder than words. After reading pages and pages of results and customer feedback threads (mostly on the LS1 forum) I decided to go with GM Motorsport as Phonsy is really switched, their dyno is accurate and they have plenty of happy customers.

Just to top off the cam install I was in the hunt to track down a OTR CAI and the one I have decided on is the one from DUSpeed off the LS1 forum which looks stock (or should I say, doesn't stand out like a big pair of nuts) and performs very well.





So after jumping on the boat and rocking up at GMM I spent a fair while confirming my install (Cam, push rods and springs + retainers) and what GMM/Phonsy are going to do. So a week goes by and I pick my baby up from GMM, due to Phonsy and Wayne out doing stuff I never got to talk to them on the day (no big deal) and oh boy could I feel the power difference. I should really say here that Phonsy called me on the Sunday to discuss how everything went and to ensure I was happy with the results and to answer any questions that I may have. Like most things you don't believe it until you see it, so having a dyno sheet just wasn't enough for me (even though I could feel the power difference) I wanted to see it for myself, that chance came at the Southside Performance dyno day (27/06/2009) in Burnie.

The drive to Burnie resulted in 11.4L per 100k's with around 104kmph being the average speed, and it had 12.2 when I got back (300+ k's) and that included driving around Burnie looking for somewhere to eat and the car idling and running on the dyno, so I'm pretty happy with the fuel economy. Around town for the last week or so I was averaging around 20.1L per 100k's with the average speed being 30kmph.

Well that enough crap from me about what's been happening, here is a video from the dyno day and some dyno sheets, enjoy
YouTube - VX HSV GTS with 232/234 cam dyno run

[DARK SIDE]

Great car mate, I like what you have done with that boot install. Seen that vid of you and the xr6 ages ago on youtube

[Sphinx]

Mint GTS with power to burn. Nice.

[redcv6]

bloody awesome. no more to say

[blueV8vl]

what can i say love the GTS

[hsvpunk]

MINT. great write up too.
Best colour in the vx range.

[HRDHSV]

You know what i think of your ride Christo, very nice, gota love these VX HSV's

[gts071]

Thanks for the comments people!

A couple of future mods that I have planned are:
I have to raise my car (to fit into the drive way of the new house I bought) so the ultra lows are coming out and super lows are going in, it should just make it. So this will be done in the next few weeks.
Harrop or Eaton detroit truetrac diff to get rid of the hydracrap, oops I mean hydratrac.
Bling up the engine bay with an Elite Engineering catch can and PWR water reservoir.
Respary the front bar thanks to Mr Stone Chips!

Not sure what is on the cards after that... I'm sure something will come out that I want to have

[Sphinx]

i think a M122 magnacharger would be in order.

[Mr_Clubsport]

Ur GTS is looking very nice mate the colour is GREAT lol

[holdenhero]

Nice car, love it! I'm jealous Whats there not to be happy with!

On a side note, its great to see such a detailed post with plenty of pictures, great effort!

[gts071]

Thanks guys.

Here is another video I made of some outside and inside footage.
YouTube - VX HSV GTS outside and inside footage with 232/234 cam

[benjamino]

such a gr8 vid,
back and forth,back and forth, full thorttle..
haha sounds a mint mate
ive gotta make a vid like that for my car nowhaha

[gts071]

Well it has been a good 6 months or more so I better give this a bit of an update.

I went to powercruise 22 here in Tassie a few weeks ago and here are some photos.















Here is a video --> YouTube - VX HSV GTS at Powercruise 22 Tasmania 2010 (part 1)
There are a few more I took so look at my other videos

The other big update is I finally convinced the financial controller that I need to replace my hydratrak centre over to a truetrac for 'saftey' as the hydratrak was becoming too unpredictable as to when it would spin a single, twins or even a bit of both. The other saving grace was I managed to track down the Harrop one for $825 delivered to my door

So hopefully that should be installed within the next few weeks but I need to change a few other things over at the same time. So I will keep you all updated how it goes.

[gts071]

A new toy has arrived which I hope to install soon. Just sorting out a few things before I throw this in.

No more single spinning action

[Bravotwozero]

Awesome write up mate! Enjoy the car.

[GREMLYN]

Very nice!! I love the GTS...keep up the good work!! :-)

[1SIKR8]

i have a clubsport R8 the exact same colour and must say i am extremly jealous of what you have !

you mentioned getting the front bar re-sprayed, was wondering how that turned out ?