My 2002 VX E3.8L Calais Series 2

[motorbreth]

Hi guys,

Had her for about a year and a bit now. Picked her up for a very good price and it's been an amazing drive ever since. I'm looking at doing some more modifications for a bit more of a kick to keep me from getting bored while I wait for my V8 haha.

Name:
Kyle

Model:
2002 VX Calais SeriesII

Colour:
Black with a metallic fleck through it, not sure the exact colour name.

Bodykit:
VX Calais

Engine Type:
3.8L Ecotec

Engine Mods:
* K&N Panel Filter
* BOSCH Iridium plugs
* BOSCH B6080HP High Performance Leads

Power:
Not sure yet, plenty of modification to be done still before I have it dynod.

Exhaust:
Stock

Gearbox:
GM 4L60-E automatic

Diff:
Stock IRS

Brakes:
Drilled and slotted DBA rotors and high performance kevlar brakes on the front. Stock as a rock on the rear.

Suspension:
Pedders SportsRyders all round

Wheels/Tyres:
18" RJR Fate / Maxxis 235/40 Performance Tyres

Interior:
* Velour interior
* VX Clubsport blue instrument cluster fascia
* Aftermarket DVD player with 7" screens in the headrests.

Other mods:
* Debadged V6 Ecotec badges
* Removed rear wing
* Black headlights with projector lamps

Stereo:
* Full Alpine System ($3500 worth)
- CDA-117E Unit
- Type R SPR-17S 6" w/ Splits front doors
- Type R SPR-17C 6" rear doors
- Type R 12" Sub with box surrounding in boot
- PDX 4.100 Amp mounted in boot against rear bench
- Full Dynamatting in all door panels and rear shelf
- Had the steering wheel controls re-wired with the Alpine deck

Here's some outdated photos:



Will take some more with my girlfriends nice new professional camera at some point.

Cost: $12k about 18 months ago. Probably spent about $6k odd since then.

Future Mods:
Engine:
*Higher ratio rockers
*3.9-3.7 LSD
*Full 2.25" Exhaust system
*Throttle Body (69-70mm)
*Insulators/Spacers <- 25mm for Manifold and 12mm for Plenum
*Chip
*K&N Pod Filter <- I've got one in the workshop that I've been meaning to fit but I might just get one of MACE engineering's already made kit
*Cam
*Stage 2 Shift Kit
**Check my mod discussion thread HERE
Body:
* VZ SS side guards w/ flutes
* Chrome door handles
* MAYBE a Monaro twin snout bonnet as they're a good looking part but I think they're a bit lame on anything that isn't charged or has 8 cylinders
* Aftermarket sunroof as every Calais should have a sunroof!
* 19/20" rims (haven't 100% decided what ones yet but I'll be continuing the black and silver theme) looking at these:
http://www.tech9tyres.com.au/index.p...detail/tourer/ <- Really like these ones
http://www.tech9tyres.com.au/index.p...tail/26_black/
http://www.tech9tyres.com.au/index.p...etail/arrow_b/
http://www.tech9tyres.com.au/index.p...nze_b_c_inlay/
http://www.tech9tyres.com.au/index.p...etail/c_notes/
http://www.tech9tyres.com.au/index.p...tail/incoming/
http://www.tech9tyres.com.au/index.p...ail/kaos_gbsl/
* Wouldn't mind putting an HBD kit on or possibly a VX Clubby kit.
* Full respray in the current colour as the previous owner left it in the sun (what a twat) which caused some clear coat dulling and very minor peeling

I'd like to see numbers around 200rwkw/270bhp (pipe dream without FI but hey) which is what I'll try work towards but anything around 185rwkw/250bhp would be nice! Probably end up doing an L67 conversion if I want those numbers fairly easily without breaking the bank too much. I'm also trying to keep the body really nice and neat without too much bullshit mods. The black and silver theme is coming along nicely.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head but I feel like I've forgotten a few things.

ALL comments/suggestions appreciated!

[motorbreth]

Bump, update!

[FORGIVEME]

Bloody tidy mate good work

[james91]

last set of wheels you left link for would look good. you thought about a mace chip and cam?

[motorbreth]

Bloody tidy mate good work

Thanks mate

last set of wheels you left link for would look good. you thought about a mace chip and cam?

Yeah I'm struggling to come to a decision, tech9 have so many great choices. Yeah if you go here My VX Calais S2 - Questions about mods and what not! I'm actually having a discussion with as many people as possible about modifications and everything in between, check it out, let us know what you think.