Got $1000 to spend. What to buy ?

[VZ_commo91]

So I have $1000 to spend on my VZ alloytec... I was going to buy a tune, but matt stockers ?? told me that it's basically a waste of money. He said that I will get around the corner and think ' why the #### did I just spend that money on this.'

So No go to VCM as it really doesn't do a great deal for the $1000. ( have researched it, and it doesn't do what I thought. )

So, I really don't know what to by performance wise to it. It has a K&N high flow filter, HSV R8 cat back exhaust ( well from the smaller pipes from the cat back ) 2 hole mod.

So other than the tune and CPR6 manifold ( which I cannot afford ) what else can I do to it for some more power, make it a bit better off the line.

If nothing, What do you think with visual wise ? You reckon I can get a paint job for that price ?

Thanks guys!

[Buckd1ch]

Hey mate, i used to own an ls1 and your right, the tune wont be as effective on the alloytech as it is on say an ls motor. If your absolutly set on doing something performance wise then a simple cat back would certainly be in your price range.
However i think on these motors unless your going to spend big bucks (i certainly don't plan on it) you wont really get bang for buck when it comes to performance modifications.
My SS got stolen so with the payout i decided to go down a different road and put a decent sound system in the sv6 rather than buying another SS and spending another 6 grand on performance mods.
With $1000 you could definatly make a great start to a sound system if thats something you would like to do. OR maybe save a little longer up to around 1600 total and go for a set of rims?

Just an idea
Tim

EDIT: If you are reffering to a full re spray i think youd be looking at more like $4000.

[VZ_commo91]

already have a 1K sound system lol.

It has a cat back already. I was just hoping that there might be something else out there. I'm looking into the underdriven kits, they seem to just about give the same power and torque upgrades as the VCM tune.
I just started looking at the Haltech ECU's too. But can't find price on them.

[acarmody]

already have a 1K sound system lol.

It has a cat back already. I was just hoping that there might be something else out there. I'm looking into the underdriven kits, they seem to just about give the same power and torque upgrades as the VCM tune.
I just started looking at the Haltech ECU's too. But can't find price on them.

Underdriven kits are for people who spend a fair amount of time at high rpm, probably not the first choice for street car, not saying it won't have benefits but I would definitely take a tune over it. And fon't go aftermarket ECU, a proper tune will be heaps better for your car.

[VZ_commo91]

Funny that you say that. You seem to be the only person who says that the underdriven kits are no good for street application. Everything else I have read says otherwise and with a $750 difference in price. Well, you can see where I am going with it.
Don't get me wrong, I appreciate your input, but you are the only person who has said that.

[Buckd1ch]

Another Grand into the sound system cant hurt at all

[acarmody]

Funny that you say that. You seem to be the only person who says that the underdriven kits are no good for street application. Everything else I have read says otherwise and with a $750 difference in price. Well, you can see where I am going with it.
Don't get me wrong, I appreciate your input, but you are the only person who has said that.

Oh I'm not saying they aren't any good for street application but I personally would like stuff like my coolant pump and power steering pump and alternator to spin at proper speeds, not slower.

You will get a benefit, but I personally would go the tune. Maybe underdriven kit later. This is my personal opinion.

[Gothem92]

Tunes do more then just give power. I'm more after the other features of a tune. like ####ing that rev limit of 4k off. and the torque limiter. and what ever other secret there are...

[VN_Luke]

lsd & gears.... and then a tune to correct your speedo, shift points, etc

[VZ_commo91]

Everyone tells me Tune tune tune. But, well Yes I can do things like remove torque management, that 4K rev limit ( which I never use anyways ).
But I have read that removing torque management does diff damage after a while.
Plus a Pro tuner Matt Stockers has told me that they are basicly a waste of money. ( which had me disappointed for a whole 3 hours ! :P )
Plus looking at some youtube vids of VCM tuned VZ's with the same mods as mine, doesn't seem to affect the 0 - 100 KPH time at all.
I currently get about 8 secs to get me there.

Yes I would love to get some diff gears and an LSD. I think that might be the way to go, and have it recalibrated at holden.
I was just going to buy the program myself and tune it, But Matt laughed at me, and told me good luck.

I have no idea where to set parameters too, or how to tune it. Plus then I would need to buy a wideband sensor.
GAH ! my head is full of fu*k.

[acarmody]

Tunes do more then just give power. I'm more after the other features of a tune. like ####ing that rev limit of 4k off. and the torque limiter. and what ever other secret there are...

What the hell is wrong with your car? My Brothers VZ SV6 could quite easily bounce off the 6500rpm limiter.

[Gothem92]

What the hell is wrong with your car? My Brothers VZ SV6 could quite easily bounce off the 6500rpm limiter.

Autos have a 4k limiter in park and nuetral... if its a manual the limiter doesn't exist. in drive or gears or w/e and it doesn't really bounce it kinda just stops revving and like holds it. if your sliding it or what ever you dont notice it as easily as a normal bounce. so unless your paying close attention you'll be holding 6500 the entire time. and forget to throttle.

well when i was a dud i did that... i throttle it better now. haha

[acarmody]

Autos have a 4k limiter in park and nuetral... if its a manual the limiter doesn't exist. in drive or gears or w/e and it doesn't really bounce it kinda just stops revving and like holds it. if your sliding it or what ever you dont notice it as easily as a normal bounce. so unless your paying close attention you'll be holding 6500 the entire time. and forget to throttle.

well when i was a dud i did that... i throttle it better now. haha

The real question is why are you revving it to 4000rpm in Park or Neutral? There is absolutely no reason to rev it in neutral. And my brothers was an auto.

[wattles]

i reckon diff gears and the pulley kit, thats what i would do if i had 1k to spare :P
also extractors, cats, manifold insulator..

if your into looks,
new wheels
ss kit
chrome shit up
leather trim
lower
and a whole bunch of other stuff..

[VZ_commo91]

i reckon diff gears and the pulley kit, thats what i would do if i had 1k to spare :P
also extractors, cats, manifold insulator..

if your into looks,
new wheels
ss kit
chrome shit up
leather trim
lower
and a whole bunch of other stuff..

Funny that you say that. I want to polish up the Plenum. But have no idea how. lol I was thinking some sandpaper, then go to a finer grain, then some metal polish.

[soop]

$1000 to spend?

Sway bars and bushes.

[ashbox]

agreed with soop ^^^

[VZ_commo91]

I like the straight lines more than the high speed cornering.
About the most I will do, is give it a sway bar for the looks haha.

[Vt_vic]

put the 1k towards a sc

[soop]

I like the straight lines more than the high speed cornering.
About the most I will do, is give it a sway bar for the looks haha.

Then you made a mistake buying an alloytec.

[wattles]

my mates actually done that on his storm ute with airbrushed covers with flames looks awesome.. he said it was a bitch to do so be prepared sitting there all day polishing

[GEN3RATD]

if you only have $1000 dump it as low as possible

[bogan_vk]

id have to say diff gears and lsd if you want to improve your takeoff speed.

[CRUSTIN]

Commo, what do you want? You dont want corners, you dont like tunes, and you dont want to get all the little things that improve performance.

But you want an underdriven pully? I already discussed it with a fella from work(He's been a mechanic for 30+ years and rebuilds old cars for performance), he made a point that if you get 20% back from the power lost to auxiliary's, you may get a couple extra kw's. Which is basically nothing, compared to how much they cost, and having everything underdriven(Including WaterPump).

Stick to the basics, Intake, Exhaust, Fuel, Timing. After all the little tweaks are done, get a tune, it does make a difference because every stock car is programmed for comfort and fuel economy. If you want more than a 40kw gain, get a supercharger or get a new car.

[soop]

LOL.
For he wont get anything in return.

Thus: Sway bars/bushes. He'll notice the difference at least.