VZ SV6 Advice

[jamiemack89]

Hey guys,

Just bought a Impulse Blue SV6 ('05) 2 weeks ago and looking to do some mods. Its my first car so have limited experience in DIY mods however for the speakers have got a mate who can help me out.

First of all - CAI:
I've heard the K&N air filter and the 2 hole mod works well together however was wondering on everyones opinion of the following:

COLD AIR INTAKE KIT VZ V8 LS1 GENIII "STEALTH" NEW - eBay Air Filters, Induction Kits, Performance Parts, Car Parts, Accessories, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 31-May-09 22:08:22 AEST)

COLD AIR INTAKE TO SUIT HOLDEN VZ V6 - eBay Air Filters, Induction Kits, Performance Parts, Car Parts, Accessories, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 12-Jun-09 20:20:00 AEST)

or perhaps the SS Inductions Growler Kit but from what Ive heard this is overpriced for the gains you get...

Second - Exhaust
Pacemakers, highflow cats and twin 2.5" lukey exhaust? Not too experienced in this area so any help appreciated! - what sounds the best?

Third - Rims
The Monaro CV8R/VE SS ones look pretty sweet, any suggestions?

Fourth - Sound System
What setup suits this car? Will be getting a sub so probably not worth getting 6x9's in the parcel shelf. From what Ive heard Pioneer speakers are the way to go but what HU? - want to maintain a stock look so doesnt look out of place and need iPod connection/usb

Going to tint-a-car on the w/e to get tinted (Midnight Express). Also my insurance is with Aami, is there any limitations to what mods I install/how many considering Im under 25 (will be on opens in 6 months).

EDIT: Emailed Aami and there is no longer a limit on how many mods I can have - as long as I inform them they can insure accessories.

Thanks for your help!

[GTRwilson]

1: I would just go with the upgraded panel filter and 2 hole mod. Seems to work fine, never heard a bad thing about them. The two ebay links you put up seem ok, but i personally couldnt justify the money for such a simple mod. I cant see the gains being much more, if any, over the 2 hole mod.

2: Sorry cant help with exhaust. My SV6 is an auto and this has put me off looking into an exhaust too seriously as i find they always seem to sound very droany on autos. In saying that, i actually havent heard an auto SV6 with an exhaust yet so they could sound nice? If however you have the 6 speed, you shouldnt have to worry about this.

3: Im chasing a set of VY senator signatures as i think they look amazing. I cant even recall what those rims look like that you mentioned so cant say how they'd look. But i have seen a blue VZ on VE SSV's with a thin white wall and it looked VERY nice.

4: Cant tell what state your in cause you blocked out the plates, but you should look into Phreddys head unit mod. He's in NSW but he does trips to other major cities. You get to keep the stock head unit, and still hook up a monoblock(sub) and a 2 or 4 channel amp(speakers).

I currently have a 2000W mono amp powering a 15" 2000W sub, and it thunders! If you just want a nice little setup, you shouldnt need anything like that though. A nice off the shelf 12" sub should do the trick. Your local autobarn ect should be able to recommend specifics based on your budget. As for speakers, im in the market myself so cant help as of yet sorry.

Hope that all helps!

[ashbox]

EDIT: Emailed Aami and there is no longer a limit on how many mods I can have - as long as I inform them they can insure accessories.

thats interesting, i may just do a little more to mine.

You should go for the ve ss wheels, yes a few of them getting around but they look good.

another thing you should look into is VZ calais headlights thats what i'm gonna do very shortly.

[Nayla]

Well for sound system .. i have installed 6 and a half's & splits at the front and 6x9's in the rear .. with a type r sub woofer .. all alpine ..
i must say its extremely loud round the 90db mark .. enough to hurt your ears ( exact same effect after leaving a club but only after 3 minutes ) powered by two amp's.

you said you wanted to keep the stock look, as did i =p .. so i installed myself a lc7i which enables you to power all your system and
keep your stock head unit (come's with a ipod connection)

once i installed this, along with my sound deadening foam in the boot .. people tend to stare, but wonder how you make all this sound :P

as for no 6x9's LOL .. if you want a balanced sound system go for those, people in your back seat will love you for it

[Nayla]

1:

I currently have a 2000W mono amp powering a 15" 2000W sub, and it thunders! If you just want a nice little setup, you shouldnt need anything like that though. A nice off the shelf 12" sub should do the trick. Your local autobarn ect should be able to recommend specifics based on your budget. As for speakers, im in the market myself so cant help as of yet sorry.

Hope that all helps!

hehe my mate installed the pioneer 15" sub .. he cracked his rear windscreen .. take care :P

[GTRwilson]

I heard those adapter things pick up a hissing sound or something, whats your experience with them? The mod i have, is actually built into the head unit, cost a bit, but i feel it does/would do a better job that using an adapter. In saying that, i never got a chance to hear someone using one before deciding against it.

I dont know if i should be happy, or scared by the rear windscreen comment haha. I havent had anything like that YET, but it does hurt your chest in the front seats even at 3/4 volume. Have tested on a quiet night, and distance it could be heard was 1-2km+ i think.(or 5-6 streets away).

[Nayla]

sorry for off topic, but i have come across this hissing sound (sounds like a supercharger) with my lc7i.. but this was because my battery was dying (did actually die 2 days later) .. got a new one .. never come across it again (over 1.5 years so far)

[Exidor]

Careful with installing VE wheels on a VZ or earlier.
Holden claim this is dangerous!
Something to do with a smaller surface contact area
between the wheel and rotor face after machining.
Also VE wheel studs are a larger diameter.
Probably less surface area again.

[GTRwilson]

its modify the originals, or get cheap fakes. There is probably some truth to the that claim by Holden, but im sure if it was too serious, i would've heard at least one disaster story. Ive heard/seen many in elation to copies.

Also, one of the main reasons Holden changed the setup on the new models such as wheels and body designs was to stop people doing this, so they'll say anything to try and stop people doing it.

To the original poster, are you certain you want Holden rims, or are you looking into aftermarket aswell. How big do you want to go?

[f1tzy]

EDIT: Emailed Aami and there is no longer a limit on how many mods I can have - as long as I inform them they can insure accessories.

Are you sure they said mods and not accessories because mods and accessories are 2 completely different things

[jamiemack89]

Thanks everyone for all your replies. The Aami rep definately said mods could be insured, sorry for the confusion -
"There are no age restrictions applicable to modifications anymore. Premiums may be affected depending on the modification and/or accessory value."

Regarding the rims, I would be more than happy to consider aftermarkets if there is any you can recommend?

Got a quote today for exhaust - centre & rear muffler assembly (model no. VTZ225UC/UR) and d-skin ss tips installed for $1370. Is this a reasonable price?

Thanks again!

[GTRwilson]

What size are you after? Ive noticed that they seem to get better once you hit the 20" but just going from 18" or 19" up to the 20" is a big step so ive been told. Cheack out my thread in regards to this. I also linked to some very nice aftermarket wheels, but only go from 20" and up.

[jamiemack89]

4: Cant tell what state your in cause you blocked out the plates, but you should look into Phreddys head unit mod. He's in NSW but he does trips to other major cities. You get to keep the stock head unit, and still hook up a monoblock(sub) and a 2 or 4 channel amp(speakers).

I heard those adapter things pick up a hissing sound or something, whats your experience with them? The mod i have, is actually built into the head unit, cost a bit, but i feel it does/would do a better job that using an adapter. In saying that, i never got a chance to hear someone using one before deciding against it.

Im in QLD so not sure if I could get my hands on one of those adapters and Im a bit unsure on how good the sound quality will be? What mod do you have GTRwilson?

Also its an auto... wish I got a manual but there pretty hard to find up here. Probably looking at 18" or 19" rims for the question regarding the size I am looking for.

[GTRwilson]

You can get the adapters, im just not sure where from. Maybe try autobarn ect? The mod i have is, well im not to sure how to explain it haha. He just modifies the original head unit to allow you to plug RCA's into it, meaning you can run amps off it, as normally you cant do this. While he was at it, i got the ipod connector installed also.

Hes a site sponser on here, check out his section and you might find some more detailed info on it:

ASR Audio & Electronics - Just Commodores

[84dez]

Got a quote today for exhaust - centre & rear muffler assembly (model no. VTZ225UC/UR) and d-skin ss tips installed for $1370. Is this a reasonable price?

Thanks again!

if u gettign stainless not really but for mild thats expensive. if its a catback system.

twin 2.5" is to big for a NA SV6 manual or auto and to droany, get a nice twin 2.25" mandrel bent system or even a XU6 standard system and change the rear muffler to a twin thru muffler and yeah love the sound of the car.

plus both the intake u looking at are good systems will give u awsome intake growl and a fair wack in the seat of pants power boost ss inductions is crap value for money, 2 hole mod is value for money as it will cost u like $50

[jamiemack89]

Got a quote today for exhaust - centre & rear muffler assembly (model no. VTZ225UC/UR) and d-skin ss tips installed for $1370. Is this a reasonable price?

So what does everyone think of the price for the exhaust? Wont be getting it for a while yet as got other mods I want to do first but want to get a general idea of what I should get. As I said, do not have a good knowledge on exhausts so assistance would be appreciated.

Something that I will be doing soon is the speakers. From what you guys have posted should get 6 and a half's & splits at the front and 6x9's in the rear with a decent sub. How much roughly would that set me back? and any suggestions for HU's that look good in a sv6 and not out of place (with ipod compatability), as starting to go off the idea of keeping my stock HU due to the paint on a couple of the buttons faded (due to wear marks of previous owner). Im guessing would be difficult to replace as would have to replace whole unit...

another thing you should look into is VZ calais headlights thats what i'm gonna do very shortly.

Where could I pick up some VZ calais headlights and tailights? - I assume the VZ SS ones are the same?
UPDATE: Found a VZ SS pair on ebay, not sure if I can get tailights though. A forum post a while back mentions you can get headlights directly from Holden for $170 - not sure if they will still stock them though...

Thanks.

EDIT: Too fast 84dez :P thanks for the reply yeah its stainless and the guy said I would have to get twin 2.25"s anyway. Will probs just go for one of the ebay intakes as not confident in doing the 2 hole mod myself.

[Fishman88]

For Exhaust get a Set of pacemaker headers ceramic coated , Ballistic hi flow cats n shuld be good. I ordered my Mace Cold air intake already too !!

[jamiemack89]

For Exhaust get a Set of pacemaker headers ceramic coated , Ballistic hi flow cats n shuld be good. I ordered my Mace Cold air intake already too !!

Yeah going to order the Mace one today, shouldn't be that difficult to install as they are sending me out a CD that guides me through the process and not as expensive as the Growler Kit...

Anyone know of a decent place to get the above exhaust system in Brisbane (Redlands Area). Also if you dont mind me asking, what did you pay for yours Fishman88?

[XStatic64]

http://users.on.net/~ahamilton/upload/23042009046.jpg

Theres a pic of my headunit in my VZ Sv6 -- You can find the Single DIN Brackets on EBAY or your local car audio installer should have some stock.

I have all alpine stuff in mine, speakers are in the doors so they look stock - and 1 sub in the boot.

[jamiemack89]

Hey guys thinking of getting the Alpine iDA-X305 head unit as I will be using my iphone more often than CD's. If there was a 2 DIN slot version available in Australia it would be perfect as dont really want to have a spare slot (can import one from US for about $650 (iXA-W404) but think thats a bit pricey to be honest).

Here is a picture of the iDA-X305, goes with the blue theme of the impulse blue which I like and only $400 -


Here is the iXA-W404, if only it had a single CD slot , Id buy it for $650


Would be handy to have a single CD unit in the spare DIN slot but not sure what would go with the X305 model... If I could find a double DIN version with CD capability and a blue theme going, I'd buy it without hesitating lol.

What do you guys think of it?

P.S. Thanks for the tip about the bracket will be getting a single or double depending on which HU I decide to get.

[dannyabela23]

i currently own an impulse vz sv6 manual, gotta say its one of the best cars i have owned so far and has been very reliable. my currents mods are are 2.5 inch from cat back, twin centre mufflers and single rear muffler. would not have any idea what brand it is as it was already there when i purchased the car. would love something better though!!
my sound system is completly stock, have a 12 inch alpine sub in the boot powered by an 2ch 450 pioneer amp. puts out more than enough bass!!
as for the wheels, im currently rolling on 20inch ve gts and have had no dramas what so ever.
sounds like the guys are recommending the two hole mods, while mine is standard, would like to know more about this, how its done and for what price.

[GTRwilson]

Im not really a fan of after market head units in these model commodores, i think they just look out of place. Unless you went with like a DVD screen head unit of some sort, but if you like that one, then go with it.

dannyabela23, search around for 2 hole mod thread got all the info you need. May even be in the FAQ section?

[jamiemack89]

Yeah I dont want it to look out of place; only reason Im considering changing the stock HU is because of the worn buttons and I need an ipod connection.

Would something like this look better? as it would use both slots. (CDE-W203E)



My mate says there is no point installing 6x9's in the rear if I have a sub because there would be too much bass (couldn't you adjust the levels?) so have no idea now what im going to put in speaker wise - probably just the standard 6 and a half's & splits at the front and 6's in the rear with a bit of extra cash to spend on the sub. If anyone would like to suggest a speaker setup that works for them Im open to suggestions. Got a while to think about it anyway... no point rushing

[84dez]

jamie u in my town redlands, go an talk to the guys at men at work he will look after just say u know 84dez and he should give u a nice exhaust, if u want we can meet up and i can show u my setup. as i have one of the pod systems u have plus the manifold insulators from mace.

sounds systems are hard to go buy id go talk to craig at autobarn (great guy no bull crap), depends on how much u wanna spend i had all eclispe gear in my VS and dam was so nice. but yeah talk to craig autobarn capalaba look for specials and always ask if thats the best price they can do(as they will always better it if they want ur money).

witht he 6x9s it will be to much bass unless u take all the bass out of the 6x9 (but then not much use, id say nice set of spits as u already have em from standard so all the wiring is there u can leave rear speakers stock as u rarely ever have people in back so why change unless broken, and then just get a nice 12inch sub, 15 is to big and 10 is not to small but not enough power for what im guessing u want.

and for like 650 u can get a cool touch screen DVD player with ipod, but u also wanna spend some more on getting one that has a ipod control so u dont have to change the song on the ipod u change it with the head unit or with the stearing wheel controls if u get the attachment to make them work.

big read but has lotsa info
ive had 3 sound systems in my three car before my vz and all were based off sound quality not just how many parts of the car u can vibrate.

[Nitronic_12]

Yeah going to order the Mace one today, shouldn't be that difficult to install as they are sending me out a CD that guides me through the process and not as expensive as the Growler Kit...

Anyone know of a decent place to get the above exhaust system in Brisbane (Redlands Area). Also if you dont mind me asking, what did you pay for yours Fishman88?

Growler is know to not be as good on a v6 as to a v8. It causes torque loss. And thats not what you want when spending 300.