VZ Equipe '05. Picture Heavy!

[VZequipe]

Name: Jack
Model: 2005 Holden Commodore (VZ) Equipe
Style: Sedan
Km: 200,000
Colour: Barbados Blue
Engine Type: Alloytec (3.6L)
Power: 175kW
Exhaust: Standard
Brakes: Standard
Gearbox: Auto

TOTAL SPENT: $1081.42

So just a bit of writing before the mods list; there will be more after as well! I have a few questions I hope some of you guys on here can tell me more about.

This car has been in my family since new, and seeing as I have just got my P’s I have basically inherited it. Its always been cleaned regularly, never thrashed about and always serviced on time. There are a few minor things to fix (There is a list below) but overall it is in quite immaculate condition for its age. There has never been any money put into this car in the “modification” sense, so it is completely stock with original everything. Good start for me eh? Anyway, I'm on my P Plates (in QLD) so this entails:
- No more than 200kW
- No V8’s
- No Major engine modifications

Due to the above restrictions I'm NOT doing anything engine wise (No cam’s or anything of the sort) to increase output and power for a few reasons:
- No point as 175kW is so close to 200kW already. No point for just 25kW difference.
- For the kind of money of engine mods I would rather save for the Future Plans.
- P Plates last for 3 years (until October of 2013 for me – I think.)
- May not be keeping this car after I get onto my Opens Licence.

Now, because of the above statements I have decided that I will be spending most time and money on the handling and comfort as well as aesthetics of the car. I want to create, while restricted engine wise, a clean and good looking commodore while having an enjoyable and pleasant ride. Thus if my Future Plans do come into action I will have a proper set up base skeleton to start with.

Anyway! Enough talk for now, more down the bottom! Mods time:

KEY:
[D] = Done
[IP] = In Progress
[N] = Not Started

Exterior:
[D] LED Number Plate Light
[D] Chrome Garnish
[D] SL’s Front
[D] SSL’s Rear
[N] 19’ Zest Icon’s (5Hx120 19x8.5) (Hyper Black/Machine Faced)
[N] Tyres: 245/35R19
[N] Wheel Nuts (12mm x 1.5mm) (Rota Spline’s)
[D] De-badge
[N] Paint Callipers – Red
[N] WK/WL Statesman Indicators
[N] Sunroof
[N] Pedders XA Extreme Coilovers (Upgrade in a year/when funds allow)

Interior:
[D] LED Boot Lighting
[IP] Paint Interior Plastics (matt Black)
[IP] Black Power Windows Switch
[D] HSV Floor mats
[N] HSV Steering wheel
[N] HSV/SS Pedals
[N] Calais boot carpet
[N] Navman – In front of shifter, below radio
[N] New lower centre console compartment

Audio and entertainment:
[D] Sony Xplod Headunit (CDX-GT600UI)
[D] Sony Xplod 6.5 Fronts (XSGTF1627)
[D] Sony Xplod 6x9 Rears (XSGTF6937)
[D] Sony Xplod 600W 4 Channel Amp (XMGTX6040)
[D] Sony XPlod 1000W 12 inch Sub in box (XSGTF120L)

Engine Bay:
[D] New Battery
[N] New Antenna
[D] Paint Engine Covers

Ok so now that is a list of what I'm going to or already done. Next up is the fun bit, the dreams.

Now this may seem far-fetched, but hear me out. I have always wanted to build my own car. And I don’t mean just this modification business but I mean full-blown build of my own. So I have always wanted a wagon, I was looking at an old Cressida wagon but they are very rare and hard to find, also not much power.

I was thinking this; Grab a new/good condition VZ rolling wagon shell from somewhere, the whole deal sunroof and leather trimming. Obviously stock standard everything else no drive (i.e. no engine gearbox etc.) so that I would add them myself. Some of the features I'm thinking include (But certainly not limited to):

Future Plans:
- LS1 (LS3 funds providing) engine swap
- OTR CAI
- Possible Respray
- Upgrade Exhaust
- Cam
- HSV Leather Interior
- Twin Turbo
- Strut Brace
- New Dash – Phreddied.
- HSV Diff
- Big Brake Upgrade
- Manual (6 Speed)
- By then I will want new rims/tyres; unless I have super sports, which will stay.

So I do have a few questions about these plans now and will probably have more to come. A list is easiest I would say:

- What are everyone’s opinions on LS3’s? I was leaning towards a LS1 however may as well go all out.
- What kind of price range are brand new crate LS3’s going for these days?
- Anyone ever twin turbo’d one on here?
- Should I change the colour?

Pictures:
The camera used for all of these, if anyone’s interested, is a Canon EOS 550D with 15 – 88mm lens.

Anyway. Just for extra information, possibly talking points? I’m undecided about what to do once on opens. Its either the Future Plans to this Equipe/Wagon or a whole new car. I'm thinking either:

HJ60 Landcruiser:
- 12HT Reconditioned fully.
- Old man emu suspension
- Spring over axle conversion

OR

Datsun 240Z
- Recondition Engine
- Turbocharged
- Lowered to the ground; Coilovers
- Watanabes

OR

Nissan 300ZX
- TE37’s
- Lowered to the ground; Coilovers
- Twin Turbo

I hope to update this thread regularly with what I do and what I spend, hopefully others like this and what not.

Leave comments! I like to hear what others think about my car, I really don’t know what’s around to buy and put on so I'm open to all information.

Also just thought I would throw in all tutorials and what-not I found along the way of building that I found useful, might help someone else?

- AUX Hardwire (GTO Hard Wire Tutorial)

- DIY Two-Hole Mod (http://swingtan.customer.netspace.net.au/2hole.html)

- DIY Painting with rollers (DIY Painting your car with rollers)

- DIY Splicing LED strips to parkers (Splice in LED light strips to your fog light wires.)

- Removing door trims (VY/VZ) (Removing VY/VZ door trim)

- How to remove VY/VZ Dash and centre console (How to: Remove Dash and Center Console VY-VZ)

- WK/WL side indicators onto VZ (WK / WL Statesman Indicators to VY / VZ)

- De-badging (Debadge your car in 10 minutes, WARNING dial up users)

- Dual battery system (Carliving.info - Free information about living in cars, vans and campervans.)

Don’t forget to like/rate/add your opinions thoughts blah blah all that jazz.

Right, pictures. the good part!











Sorry about this lot being dark! It's was nearly completely dark, so i shot some just to give everyone a look Also! its got no cut and polish on it at the moment, i ran out of time this afternoon :'(

[VZequipe]

Sorry to mods for the double post! My bad.

Updates: King Springs (Super Low in the front, Ultra Low in the back) have arrived. they should be going in within the next week though im thinking about geting the guards rolled first before I lower it, might save me some headache later?

I am also after black plastic interior parts and stereo (like dash and 'mode' and the light switches) to change out the silver parts in mine, If you have any for sale a PM would be really appreciated!

[VZequipe]

Just wondering if anyone knows, what type of paint should i be using for the engine covers and break calipers? Also I'm thinking about giving the dash a painting attempt.... any specific type of paint i should be using on that?

[sexyvz]

i used 3M engine paint and and then some clear coat and 3M calliper paint seem to work alright. just remember to prep the engine covers first so the paint sticks. i got pics of mine i did check em out if u want.

[VZequipe]

Ok thanks man, I will go on a search for these soon! Have to fix, or try to at least, a sticky aerial that wont fully retract

[VZequipe]

Pictures. Stick Everything except Chrome garnish around numberplate.











SL front and SSL Rear go in on sunday!

[VZequipe]

Update; Got a heap of audio gear today, new headunit, 6.5' for the front, some speakers for the rear, and a 4 channel amp. All are sony X-Plod stuff, but i got it all at a great price so no complaining from me! Will get pictures and part numbers up tomorrow/weekend when its installed hopefully.

[DSLXIK]

definantly dont get the 300zx, my mate has one, and his whole car club complain about how hard they are to work on
and not too reliable

i'd sell the equipe and get a ss
or get a 200sx s14

[VZequipe]

Yeah only like the 300ZX for the fact they are easy to stance. and i cant get a ss P-plate silly laws,

[Whitesack07]

just wait, i would rather a v8 over a 4/6 turbo any day of the week unless its a xr6 turbo, they hammer, its worth saving an buying a ss, i sold my VZ ute an bought a VX SS off my mum, so its 3 years older then my vz, but the engine was the same as a vz an the vx was alot cheaper, in a few years time you could get a nice ve ss an not pay over 20k

[aaronevolution]

Why do you need a spare set of rims?

[VZequipe]

oh I live in brisbane for uni, but drive out to Moura (central queensland) for holidays seeing as I work out there for family/others, so i really dont want to drive out there on good rims seeing as the roads are pretty terrible.....

But that plan is out of action for now, seeing as i just got a complete new set of pirelli p7's for the stock rims, so i will be keeping them for ages yet.

The spare set is more of a super precaution than a needed thing.

[VZequipe]

Sound System is slowly going in, just me mucking around for a few hours each afternoon, hopefully by the end of today however it will be done! No subs yet. I have gone with Sony Xplod everything, they were a good price and seem decent quality, so i got 2 x 6.5' for the front doors, 2 x 6x9's for the rear parcel shelf, and a 4 channel sony x plod amp, i should stop being lazy and take some photos to show it all, but that will probably be when its all done and complete..

Also starter motor died on the 4th, but was replaced new on the 7/02/2012

[VZequipe]

Right, it was lowered this weekend, on the 11th! Super Low kings springs in the front, and Ultra Lows in the rear, standard shocks and everything. Looking around at monroe sports!

Also sound system is finished and i can quietly say it goes very well, i recommend Xplod to people looking into sound system stuff as I really like my current setup, its perfect for this car. Although this gear does get a bit pricey normally, but i got a ton of discounts so mine was well worth it. Everything in my system all up was about $460 brand new from a store and i just put in 2 days work myself to get install it.

More pictures going up HOPEFULLY at the end of today! I'm going for a photo shoot somewhere hopefully!

[VZequipe]

Lowered! Finally got a photo up. its has SSL in rear and SL in front. It has sunk even a little more in the rear over the past 24 hours, but i like how its sitting now, just need some 19's

[VZequipe]

Painting the dash tonight/tomorrow! Hopefully my chosen colour scheme looks decent enough but if not it will all be matt black, minimalistic approach Will post pictures when its done! (providing it looks good) :P

[VZequipe]

Painted the engine bay and interior, im not sure if I myself like it yet, though a few people have seen it and said it looks good, so unsure.

Also, this project may be put on hold, might possibly be getting a very good deal on a 240Z..... and if that comes through i will certainly snatch it up.

[VZequipe]

Bought a new toy not much money will be spent on this now, and no it isnt a 240Z.

[burty1992]

How do the sony speakers sound?

[VZequipe]

If I was within 4 car lengths of you at traffic lights or on the freeway you would know! They are perfect for my needs, especially with how quiet my car is (stock exhaust helps) i can fit the sub comfortably in the boot, the amp is wire on the top left of the boot next to the hinges out of the way so i havent take away any boot space really, the 6x9's in the parcel shelf go well with the 6.5's in the front doors.

Would be better however if you were to run the sub's or a dedicated amp for themselves (obviously) but i dont have the money for that so its all running through one! However for a total of about $400 - $500 and a weekends work its perfect for me.

And sorry about the late reply! Havent checked this in forever.

[VZequipe]

Changed sound system due to some impulse buying :$

Now running my sony amp with 4 6 inch in-door speakers and the two 6x9's. The 6x9's and rear door speakers are back frequency, fronts are front.

Then impulse buying i got a hold of a kicker ZX350.4 (4 channel kicker amp) for a great price as well as another 1000W Sony sub so i will be running the two subs off the kicker amp. Will get up more specs/update first post soon!

[VZequipe]

Went out to get maccas at like midnight, chilling at the lights, next thing i know got rammed clean up the rear by some guy. Thole rear end of my car now looks like a flat slate.....

Hopefully fixable.

[HERONVY]

This build reminds me of devildrakes lol, similar layout of mods too....

Good luck with everything mate and i hope the guy than ran up your ass pays for all the damage caused

Al

[VZequipe]

I hope so to! He was over the limit.... so insurance is instantly void on his behalf..... This could pose serious problems the fuel tank and everything in the rear is bent out of line, not leaking amazingly but everything in the rear is bent...

[Whitesack07]

either way he was in the wrong he has gotta fix it