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Buick and Ecotec V6 Performance Upgrades

dufus

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Alright, this basic guide will hopefully help those of you looking to get a bit more power out of your VR or VS Commodores and stop the hundreds of threads on things like Cat Back Exhausts and Cold Air Intakes. I am sure that I have made some mistakes and will work to get rid of them over the next day or two, so if you notice any mistakes, can you please tell me. Also if I have used a picture of you car as an example and you would like it removed, please PM me and I will remove it strait away. I hope this is helpful.

Buick and Ecotec V6 Performance Modifications:

Intake:

Cold air intake (CAI):

A cold air intake is used to increase the power of you engine by delivering larger amounts of cool air to the engine, compared to the stock intake. By increasing the amount of cool air making it to your engine, the amount of oxygen making it to the engine is increased, so the amount of fuel burnt can be increased, resulting in an increase in the performance of your engine. A high flow panel filter is recommended when running a cold air intake.

Ready to install Cold Air Intake options:

Holden Supercharged VS Cold Air Intake:
Intake Assembly Part Number -
GM-92053315
Intake to Air Box Piping Part Number - GM-92053314
Bottom of Air Box to suit Part Number - GM-92053006
Price - Intake Assembly and Intake to assembly Piping costs $55 from Holden Spare Parts. Bottom of Air Box (Not Necessary for installation) cost $35 from Holden Spare Parts.

SS Inductions Big Mouth Cold Air Intake Kit:
Part Number -
CAI002
Price - $262 from ModYourCar.com - Apexi, Greddy, Hybrid, Autometer, Whiteline, Buddy Club, Sparco, MOMO, TEIN, Arias, Eagle, MSD and hundreds more brands available!


Holden Supercharged VS Cold Air intake


SS Inductions Big Mouth Cold Air Intake

Holden Supercharged VS Cold Air intake installed on a VS Commodore

How to install Holden Supercharged VS Cold Air Intake (Similar process for SS Inductions CAI):
Author –
jafo
Link - https://forums.justcommodores.com.au/threads/adding-cold-air-intake-vs-v6.4477

The two Cold Air Intakes shown above are not the only options when it comes to cold air intakes. You can successfully construct your own cold air intake using products that can be found around your house such as PVC piping.

The following are the characteristics possessed by an effective home made cold intake:
  • A large opening allowing for maximum air intake
  • The air source is as cool as possible, and the piping is as far away from any sources of heat as possible, such as exhaust components and the engine
  • The material used to construct the cold air intake is smooth on the inside to prevent any resistance on the air flow
  • There is adequate air filtration of the air, so that no impurities make it to the engine
  • The cold air intake is not going to allow water to make it to the engine in the event of rain or water on the road.

Short Ram Air Intake:

A Short Ram Intake is another option when it comes to improving the intake or your engine. A Short Ram Intake consists of a metal or plastic pipe attached to the throttle body, with a pod filter on the end. A Short Ram Air intake will slightly increase the performance of your engine; however the increase in performance is less than that of a cold air intake. The problem with Short Ram Intake’s is that the air passing through the intake is often hot, because the Short Ram Intake is getting its air from in the engine bay, which has been heated by the engine. However the problem of hot air can be solved by using some form of a heat shield and collecting the air from a cool air source, such as behind the headlight.

Short Ram Air Intake Options:

A common Short Ram Air Intake in VR and VS commodores is made by replacing the standard air box with a Pod Filter. These Pod Filters come in a wide range of different colours and designs and are available from most automotive stores. See the High Flow Air Filters for prices and part numbers of common pod filters.


Short Ram Intake on a VR Commodore

With a small amount of modification, you can put a pod filter into your standard air box and run a Holden Cold Air Intake. This modification has exactly the same affect as running a Cold Air Intake with a high flow panel filter, but it is much cheaper.

How to fit a Pod Filter with a Cold Air intake:
Author -
DannyboyDS
Link - https://forums.justcommodores.com.au/threads/pod-filter-cai-vr-vs.53887

High Flow Air Filters:

In order for you engine to run properly, it requires a constant flow of air that is free of impurities. The job of an air filter is to filter the incoming air and remove any unwanted impurities such as dirt and moisture. The standard paper air filter used in VR and VS commodores while effective at removing the unwanted impurities, can become restrictive, therefore causing the engine to not run at its best. A high flow air filter overcomes this restrictiveness, achieving an almost unrestricted air flow, while at the same time filtering all of the contaminates out of the air. By having an air flow that is almost unrestricted, the velocity of the air entering the engine is greater and so is the amount of air entering the engine, therefore the performance of your engine is increased along with your fuel economy.


Lukey High Flow Panel Filter


K&N High Flow Panel Filter


K&N Range of Pod Filters

Commonly Available Panel Filters:

K&N Commodore, Calais VN-VS 3.8L V6 88-97 Panel Filter:
Part Number -
KN-33-2031-2
Price - $79 from Sorijen eBay store

Lukey Air Filter Commodore VN/VP/VR/VS:
Part Number -
LAF001
Price - $70 from Sprint Auto Parts

K&N Recharger Filter Care Service Kit:
Part Number -
KN-99-5050
Price - $26 from ModYourCar.com

K&N Recharger Filter Care Service Kit (Aerosol):
Part Number -
KN-99-5000
Price - $41 from ModYourCar.com

If you cannot afford the cost of purchasing a high flow panel filter or would just prefer to make you own, you can easily make your own with a bit of time and patience by following the link below.

Making a High Flow Panel Filter:
Author –
Frd-thmsn
Link - https://forums.justcommodores.com.au/threads/how-high-flow-washable-air-cleaner-make-yourself.20552

Commonly Available Pod Filters:

K&N Universal Inverted Top 3-Inch Air Filter:
Part Number -
RR-3003
Price - $104

A Racing 3–Inch Power Stack Filter:
Part Number – AAA-WS002
Price – $51 from ModYourCar.com

NOS 3-Inch Pod Filter:
Part Number -
UNKNOWN
Price - $30 from Autopro

K&N Recharger Filter Care Service Kit:
Part Number -
KN-99-5050
Price - $26 from ModYourCar.com

K&N Recharger Filter Care Service Kit (Aerosol):
Part Number -
KN-99-5000
Price - $41 from ModYourCar.com

* Tip – Shop around when buying pod filters, they are often on sale and can be brought for less than $30

Bellmouth Removal (VR Commodore Only):

In 1988 after the introduction of the series one VN Commodore (The first Commodore to be fitted with the 3.8L Buick Engine), a number of owners complained about excessive wheel spin and a very rough idle, Holden researchers came to the conclusion that this was because the engine was making a little to much power. Because of these issues with the series one VN engine, the series two VN was released with a plastic Bellmouth, along with other changes. The addition of the Bellmouth was successful at improving the idle quality of the engine and providing a much smoother, more controllable power delivery. This change is really good for those who just want a car to get from A to B without wanting any extra power, but if you are on the quest for extra power this modification is not so good. A lot of owners of Series Two VN Commodores up to Series Two VR Commodores have found that by removing the Bellmouth, the engine has more power down low and an increased throttle response. Removing the Bellmouth is extremely easy and can be done in next to no time by following the link below.


The Bellmouth

How to Remove the Bellmouth:
Author -
Airstrike
Link - https://forums.justcommodores.com.au/threads/vn-series-2-vr-bellmouth.5330


Exhaust:

Cat Back Exhaust System:


A “Cat Back” Exhaust is one of the most common performance modifications made to VR and VS Commodores. A Cat Back Exhaust is the section of exhaust from the outlet of the catalytic converter to the atmosphere and houses the vehicles mufflers. Cat Back Exhausts are a common performance modification, because a performance Cat Back Exhaust creates less back pressure than the stock system. Good Cat Back Exhausts are mandrel bent, and contain a single glasspack muffler (or other high flow muffler) and possibly a resonator (affects the sound of the exhaust). By allowing the engine to breathe better, a catback exhaust increases the engines performance.

There are a wide variety of bolt on Cat Back Exhaust Systems available to suit VR and VS Commodores. A 2 ½ inch system is recommended for naturally aspirated vehicles with less than 150 rwkw, after which time a 3 inch cat back system is recommended. There are a number of different bolt on Cat Back Exhaust Systems available for VR and VS commodores such as Redback and Lukey systems. The average prices for a Cat Back Exhaust without a resonator are listed below; the price of your catback will depend on your choice of mufflers, tips and whether or not you are getting a resonator.

VR Live Axel Price - $200 to $250
VR Independent Rear Suspension (IRS) Price - $250 to $300
VS Live Axel Price - $200 to $250
VS Independent Rear Suspension (IRS) Price - $250 to $300


Cat Back Exhaust System

Extractors / Headers:


The stock exhaust manifolds in VR and VS Commodores are designed to save money on the cost of materials, take up the smallest space possible and most of all have the lowest production cost. The design of the stock headers, while meeting these criteria, do not result in the most efficient emission of exhaust gasses from the engine. The exhaust gasses leave the cylinders at different times, and the exhaust gasses from one cylinder may not have vacated the header before another cylinders exhaust enters the header, so the first exhaust creates back pressure in the header which becomes a restriction on the engine.

An Extractor or Performance Header is a header designed for maximum performance. During the design process of a header, the designers concentrate on the flow of exhaust gasses through the extractor, not the cost or size, and as a result a header is produced that is better at removing exhaust gasses from the engine. The extractors used in VR and VS commodore are constructed from steel or stainless steel tubing and have a diameter of around 38 mm. Because these extractors are specifically designed for exhaust flow, the exhaust gasses are encouraged to flow through the extractor and out the exhaust, not back toward the cylinder like in a stock header, therefore reducing back pressure.

Commonly available extractors (All Prices Supply Only):

HM Headers Stainless Steel Header (VR Commodore):
Part Number -
HM77SS
Recommended Retail Price - $535.41

HM Headers Stainless Steel Header (VS Commodore):
Part Number -
HM99SS
Recommended retail Price - $554.30

Pacemaker Headers (VR Commodore):
Part Number -
PH 5029
Price - $450 to $650 depending on location

Pacemaker Headers (VS Commodore):
Part Number -
PH 5039
Price: - $450 to $650 depending on location


Extractors / Performance Headers


Automatic Transmission:

Shift Kit:


An Automatic Transmission Shift Kit is a modified valve body that is housed inside the transmission of your Commodore. The shift kit is a hydraulic product that improves your shifting by making the transmission shift much harder and quicker, therefore improving the performance of your car.
There are many different automatic transmission shift kits available on the market. Automatic transmission shift kits are normally separated into stages. Listed below is a list of the different available shift kits and what they include/involve.

Stage 0.5 Shift Kit:
What it involves - A Stage 0.5 shift kit involves a pressure control modification and the installation of a resistor in the path of the signal of the pressure control switch.
Price - $100 to $150 fully installed

Stage 1 Shift Kit:
What it involves – A Stage 1 Shift Kit involves an adjustment in the line pressure and the installation of a boost valve.
Price - $150 to $250 fully installed

Stage 1.5 Shift Kit:
What it involves – A Stage 1.5 Shift Kit involves the installation of a boost valve and boost valve spring, the installation of a drilled valve body plate, the installation of a line pressure spring and accumulator spring upgrades.
Price - $250 to $350 fully installed

Stage 2 Shift Kit:
What it involves – A Stage 2 Shift Kit involves the installation of a new boost valve and boost valve spring, the installation of a new drilled valve body plate, the installation of a new line pressure spring, the installation of new accumulator springs, the installation of a new 1-2 Shift valve, the installation of a new actuator valve spring, the installation of a new cut back valve spring, and many more small modifications to help improve performance of the transmission.
Price - $400 to $700 fully installed

Performance Shift Module:

What does it do -
A performance shift module is a module which connects to your cars transmission control module and changes the way that your transmission shifts between gears. There are two different types of performance shift modules available on the market for VR and VS commodores; they are single and two stage modules. A single stage module is controlled by a switch in the cars cabin, when this switch is engaged; the transmission shifts are firmer than when the switch is disengaged. A two stage module much like a single stage module is controlled by a switch in the cabin, however a two stage module has two different firmness settings. The firmness of the shifts in the single and two stage modules are adjustable and can be adjusted to suit your driving style or needs and when the switch is disengaged, the transmission shifts as if the module was never installed.

How does it work – The performance shift module alters the signal that the transmission control unit sends to the transmission to control the transmission line pressure, therefore altering the line pressure. By increasing your transmission line pressure, the transmission shifts harder between gears, reducing the heat generated from the clutches and bands in the transmission and increasing transmission lift. As well as reducing heat in the transmission and increasing transmission lift, the shift module reduces transmission wear.


Performance Shift Module

Average Prices for Performance Shift Modules:

Single Stage Performance Shift Module:
Price –
Approximately $80

Two Stage Performance Shift Module:
Price –
Approximately $120
 
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dufus

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Forced Induction:

Superchargers:

A supercharger is an air compressor that forces larger amounts of air and therefore oxygen into the combustion chamber of an engine. This additional air and oxygen that is forced into the engine increases the engines volumetric efficiency, allowing the engine to burn larger amounts of fuel, therefore producing more power and increasing the performance of the engine.

All superchargers are powered by the engines crankshaft. All of the supercharges used on VR and VS commodores are belt driven. There are two main types of superchargers available on the market, both of which have their positives and their negatives. These two types of superchargers are listed below:
  • Positive Displacement Superchargers:
    A Positive Displacement Supercharger delivers an almost constant volume of air to the engine at all speeds, and mechanically divides the air into particles for delivery to the engine.

    The most common Positive Displacement Supercharger used on VR and VS Commodores is the Roots Type Supercharger. The Roots Type Supercharger works because of two fast spinning meshing lobes. As these two lobes spin, air is trapped inside the pockets between the two lobes and is forced out through the other side towards the engine. This air then makes its way to the engine where it is used in the combustion process.


    The internals of a Roots Type Supercharger
Roots Type Supercharger kits:

Castlemaine Rod Shop Supercharger (Supply Only):
Boost Pressure (Stock) – 3 to 4 psi
Boost Pressure (Custom Pulley) – Up to 12 psi
Price - $1950 + freight
  • Dynamic Supercharger:

    A Dynamic Supercharger accelerates the incoming air to a high speed and then slows it down substantially, converting the velocity of the air into pressure. As a result of this method of pressurising air in a Dynamic Supercharger the volume of air delivered to the engine is dependent on the speed at which the supercharger is moving. Therefore at low speeds a low boost pressure is supplied to the engine and at high speeds a larger boost pressure is supplied to the engine.

    The most common type of Dynamic Supercharger used on VR and VS Commodores is the Centrifugal Type Supercharger. A Centrifugal Supercharger works by drawing air into the supercharger housing by using an impeller rotating at high speed. As this air is drawn into the impeller, centripetal force, forces the air outward. When this air leaves the impeller it has a high velocity, but a low pressure. To increase the pressure of the air, the velocity must be reduced; this is done by passing the air through a diffuser, which decelerates the air, which inturn increases the pressure of the air. This air is then passes to the engine where it is used in the combustion process.

    Centrifugal Superchargers are the most commonly used supercharger on VR and VS Commodores. This is mainly due to the fact that they are the most efficient of all of the supercharger systems available on the market today to suit VR and VS Commodores. Centrifugal Superchargers are small, lightweight, can be installed by people with minimal mechanical experience and attach to the front or side of the motor not the top, which helps prevent any of the clearance issues associated with top mount superchargers.


    The internals of a Centrifugal Supercharger

    There are a few different bolt on Centrifugal Supercharger kits manufactured to suit VR and VS Commodores which include all of parts needed for installation and can be installed by almost anyone.
Centrifugal Supercharger Kits (All Prices Supply Only):

VR Commodore Pro Start Kit (Stage 0):
Boost Pressure – 5.0 to 6.0 Psi
Engine Power - 170 to 180 kW
Price - $3400

VR Commodore Pro Street (Stage 1):
Boost Pressure – 9.0 Psi
Engine Power – 210 to 245 kW
Price - $4000 to $5000

VR Commodore Super Street intercooled:
Boost Pressure – 11.0 Psi
Engine Power – 250 – 275 kW
Price – POA

VS Commodore Pro Street:
Boost Pressure – 8.5 to 9.0 Psi
Engine Power – 235 – 275 kW
Price – POA

VS Commodore Pro Street intercooled:
Boost Pressure – 9.7 Psi
Engine Power – 285 to 295 kW
Price – POA

VS Commodore Super Street (Including Engine mods):
Boost Pressure – 11.0 Psi
Engine Power – 300+ kW
Price – POA

VS Vortech Supercharger (Stage 1):
Boost Pressure – 7 Psi
Engine Power – 215 kW
Price - $ 4,395.00

VS Vortech Supercharger (Stage 1):
Boost Pressure – 9 Psi
Engine Power – 225 kW
Price - $ 5,395.00

Advantages of Supercharges over Turbochargers:
  • Superchargers do not suffer from lag because they get their power from the engine crankshaft, where as a turbocharger suffers from lag because it takes a few seconds for the exhaust gasses that turn the turbine in the turbo to reach a velocity sufficient to spin the turbine.
  • Supercharger kits can be easily installed by someone with very little mechanical experience where as the installation of a turbocharger involves large amounts of modification to the exhaust system and some engine components.
  • Engines fitted with turbochargers are required to idle for thirty seconds before shutting the engine down so that oil used to lubricate the turbocharger has had an adequate time to cool down, where as an engine equipped with a supercharger requires no such procedure, when you wish to shut the engine down you can strait away.
Disadvantages of Supercharges over Turbochargers:
  • As I have talked about previously, superchargers are driven by the engines crankshaft, therefore upto 20% of the engines out put can be used just to drive the supercharger, but this is far outweighed by the increase in power produced by the supercharger.


VR Commodore Engine equipped with a Roots Type Supercharger (CRS Kit)


VS Commodore engine equipped with a Centrifugal Supercharger Kit (Raptor Kit)

Turbocharger:

Much like a supercharger a turbocharger is an air compressor which forces large amounts of air and subsequently oxygen into a cars engine, dramatically increasing the engines power. Unlike a Supercharger which is driven by the cars crankshaft, a turbocharger is driven by the exhaust produced by the engine. The turbocharger (or turbochargers) are bolted directly to the cars exhaust manifolds. The exhaust released by the engine causes a turbine inside the turbocharger to spin, which in turn causes the compressor in the turbo to spin, drawing air into the turbocharger and out towards the engine.

The major problem associated with turbochargers is lag. In order to reduce the lag associated with turbochargers, the rotating parts inside the turbo must be as light as possible, this is to reduce the inertia of these parts. By reducing the weight of all of these parts, the turbine and compressor accelerate quicker and therefore the lag is reduced. A small turbocharger will not suffer from as much lag as a larger turbocharger because it requires less for to get going because the internals weigh less.


Turbocharger Internals and Operation


Turbocharger Piping

Turbo Kits (All Prices Supply Only):

Snort Performance Stage 3 Turbo Kit (VR Only):
Price - $4999.00 + $125.00 shipping
More Information - Snort Performance Australia- Holden Commodore VN, VP, VR Turbo Kits

Snort Performance Stage 4 Turbo Kit (VR Only):
Price - $5999.00 + $125.00 shipping
More Information - Snort Performance Australia- Holden Commodore VN, VP, VR Turbo Kits

Snort Performance Stage 5 Twin Turbo Kit (VR Only):
Price - POA
More Information - Snort Performance Australia- Holden Commodore VN, VP, VR Turbo Kits

Snort Performance Stage 3 Turbo Kit (VS Only):
Price - $4999.00 + $125.00 shipping
More Information - Snort Performance Australia- Holden Commodore VS Turbo Kits

Snort Performance Stage 4 Turbo Kit (VS Only):
Price - $5999.00 + $125.00 shipping
More Information - Snort Performance Australia- Holden Commodore VS Turbo Kits

Snort Performance Stage 5 Twin Turbo Kit (VS Only):
Price - POA
More Information - Snort Performance Australia- Holden Commodore VS Turbo Kits


VR Commodore with a single Turbocharger

Intercoolers:

An intercooler is a heat exchange device that is commonly used on vehicles with forced induction to increase the density of the air used in the combustion process by cooling the air. By decreasing the temperature of the air entering the engine, the airs density is increased and therefore a larger amount of air and fuel can be combusted, therefore increasing the power output of the engine.

There are a large variety of intercoolers available on the market today and they all vary greatly in shape, size and design. The most common intercooler used on VR and VS Commodores is the front mount intercooler; however there are also other designs of intercooler such as Top Mount Intercoolers and Hybrid Mount Intercoolers. Along with the different designs of intercoolers there are also two different types of intercooler used on VR and VS Commodores, there are the air to air and water to air intercooler systems.

Universal Intercoolers:

600x300x76 Bar and Plate Intercooler (air to air):
Part Number - BAP-600
Price - $356 from ModYourCar.com

Hybrid GT-Spec Intercooler 780 x 300 x 80mm (air to air):
Part Number - HY-UNI1
Price - $578 from ModYourCar.com

Tenzo 450x300x76 Bar and Plate Intercooler (air to air):
Part Number - TEN-8092
Price - $367 from ModYourCar.com


Standard Universal Intercooler


Roller Rockers:

High Ratio Roller Rockers:

Installing higher ratio roller rockers in you VR or VS commodore has a number of positive affects. High Ratio Roller Rockers increase the bottom end torque, mid range punch and top end power of your Buick or Ecotec engine while having absolutely no affect on you engines idle quality or drivability. An increase in the rocker ratio in both VR and VS Commodores produces a substantial improvement in performance and torque delivery across the entire powerband. The major advantages of High Ratio Roller Rockers are their ease of installation and low cost. High Ratio Roller Rockers can be installed by someone with very minimal mechanical experience in around two hours, with no special tools or facilities required.

High Ratio Roller Rockers work on a simple principal, an increase in air and fuel produces an increase in power. By increasing the rocker ratio, you are increasing the valve lift of the intake and exhaust valves in your engine. This increase in valve lift of the intake valves, allows larger amounts of air to enter the cylinders of your engine, therefore more fuel can be burnt in the engine and larger amounts of power and torque are produced.

Roller Rocker Upgrade Kits (All Prices Supply Only):

FIT 1.9:1 High Ratio Roller Rocker Arms (VS Only):
Price - $685

FIT 1.97 Hybrid Rocker (VS Only):
Price - $775

Yella Terra non adjustable 1.7:1 Roller Rockers (VS Only):
Part Number - YT 6649

Yella Terra non adjustable 1.8:1 Roller Rockers (VS Only):
Part Number - YT 6650

Yella Terra non adjustable 1.9:1 Roller Rockers (VS Only):
Part Number - YT 6651

Yella Terra non adjustable 1.95:1 Roller Rockers (VS Only):
Part Number - YT 6662

Yella Terra non adjustable 3/8 - 1.7 Roller Rockers (VR Only):
Part Number - YT 6656

Yella Terra non adjustable 5/16 - 1.7 Roller Rockers (VR Only):
Part Number - YT 6658

Yella Terra non adjustable 3/8 - 1.8 Roller Rockers (VR Only):
Part Number - YT 6657

Yella Terra non adjustable 5/16 - 1.8 Roller Rockers (VR Only):
Part Number - YT 6659


High Ratio Roller Rockers fitted to a VS Commodore


Brakes:

Later Model Brakes on VR and VS Commodores:

As everyone who has ever driven a VR or VS commodore knows the standard brakes are not the best. To overcome this, a number of kits have been released on the market that allow you to fit later model brakes to your VR or VS Commodore. There are a number of different kits available on the market to fit later model rear brakes to your live axel VR or VS Commodore, but by far the most commonly used kit is the Harrop Kit. The Harrop Kit includes a modified backing plate which bolts directly to the differential which allows the mounting of later model brakes, the appropriate spacers to match the offset of VR and VS Commodores and a park brake adaptor which allow the park brake to remain fully operational. There are also a few different kits available on the market for fitting later model rear brakes to a VR or VS Commodores with independent rear suspension, the most common of which are on eBay. There are also a number of different kits available for fitting later model front brakes to VR and VS Commodores, the most common of which are available from eBay.


Harrop VB/VS Live Rear Park Brake Adaptor Kit


300mm Twin Piston Front Brake Upgrade Kit

Later Model Brake Upgrade Kits (All Prices Supply Only):

Harrop VB/VS Live Rear Park Brake Adaptor (Does not include later model brakes):
Part Number - 99-BKT7867-00
Price - $605
Installation - http://forums.justcommodores.com.au...-vt-vy-rear-brakes-vl-vs-solid-rear-axle.html

GCM Spares 300mm Twin Piston Front Brake Upgrade Kit:

Part Number – N/A
Price – Around $450
Link - eBay Australia Shop - GCM Spares: Car Parts

Mr Spares VR and VS to VT Front Big Brake Upgrade with Slotted Disks:
Part Number – N/A
Price - $600
Link - eBay Australia Shop - MR-SPARES: VB-VS Holden Commodore rotors, Suspension Steering, VT-VZ Holden Commodore rotors

Mr Spares VR and VS Rear Big Brake Upgrade (IRS Only):
Part Number – N/A
Price - $800
Link - eBay Australia Shop - MR-SPARES: VB-VS Holden Commodore rotors, Suspension Steering, VT-VZ Holden Commodore rotors

Differential:

Limited Slip Differential (LSD):

A limited Slip Differential or LSD for short is an alternative to the standard differential in VR and VS Commodores. A Limited Slip Differential is similar to the standard differential, but unlike a standard differential, a Limited Slip Differential has a spring pack and a set of clutches. The spring pack in a Limited Slip Differential pushes the side gears against the clutches, which are attached to the differentials cage. When both of the wheels are rotating at an equal speed, both of the side gears spin without the need of the clutches. The job of the clutches in a Limited Slip Differential is to keep both wheels rotating at the same speed. In order for one wheel to spin faster than the other the clutch must be overpowered. The force required to overcome the clutches is determined by the stiffness of the springs in the spring pack.

For an example on how a Limited Slip Differential works, picture a car with one wheel on a slab of ice and one wheel on a bitumen road. The wheel on the bitumen road has good traction whereas the wheel on the ice has very little traction. If the car was fitted with a standard differential the wheel on the bitumen would not spin or would spin extremely slowly and the wheel on the ice would spin at a fast speed. If the car was fitted with a Limited Slip Differential, the wheel on the bitumen will get the torque that it requires to move, this torque is equal to the amount of torque required to overpower the clutches. As a result of this the car can now move forward. It is this principal that makes Limited Slip Differentials so popular in performance cars, because the Limited Slip Differential keeps wheel spin to a minimum, therefore helping to maximise traction (They are also commonly used by people who want to do burnouts, because they help the car get both wheels spinning not just one wheel spinning which is common with a standard differential).

Limited Slip Differentials:

Reconditioned Limited Slip Differential (Fitted):
Price - $800 to $1200

Second Hand Limited Slip Differential (Supply only):

Price - $150 to $600

Limited Slip Differential Reconditioning:
Price - $250 to $500

KAAZ Limited Slip Differential (Fitted):
Part Number - KZ-DAG3820
Price - $1800 to $2300

Mini Spool:

A Mini Spool is a device fitted into the centre of your differential centre that locks your differential, causing both wheels to spin at the same speed all of the time regardless of the road surface. Because a Mini Spool keeps the differential locked all of the time, they are very popular in drag racing cars, however they are an illegal modification for cars driven on the street.

Common Mini Spool Prices:

New Mini Spool (Fitted):
Price - $250 to $500

Used Mini Spool (Supply Only):
Price - $50 to $100

Differential Gear Ratio Upgrades:

Anyone who has driven a VR or VS Commodore would know that they are very slow of the line. In order to overcome this sluggishness, the Differential Gear Ratio can be changed. The Differential Gear Ratio determines the number of times the drive shaft rotates for every full rotation of the rear wheels, for example the standard 3.08:1, the driveshaft rotates 3.08 times for every full rotation of the rear wheels. As the number in front of the 1 on the gear ratio is increased, the gear ratio is reduced. As the gear ratio is reduced, the driveshaft must spin more times for every complete rotation of the rear wheels, therefore delivering a larger amount of torque and power to the wheels. So in order to maximise the torque and power at the rear wheels, a lower differential gear ratio is selected, such as a 3.46:1 or 3.73:1 gear ratio. While you may think that getting the lowest differential gear ratio is the answer, this is not always the case. The lower the ratio that is selected, the higher the revolutions per minute of the engine will be when travelling at highway speed, therefore reducing your fuel economy. So it is important when selecting the differential gears you are going to use to factor in the amount of highway driving that you will be doing
 
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DannyboyDS

Just hand me the pliers.
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nice post,

Tbh a high flow panel filter and a CAI is exactly the same as the pod inside the airbox with a CAI,

However at the time it was somewhat cheaper, just giving some feedback on the use of my post.

All in all a nine out of ten
 

dufus

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nice post,

Tbh a high flow panel filter and a CAI is exactly the same as the pod inside the airbox with a CAI,

However at the time it was somewhat cheaper, just giving some feedback on the use of my post.

All in all a nine out of ten

Thanks for that ill add that in :thumbsup:
 

minux

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Thread stickied.
 

goat

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good thread..
 

HoldenMan7

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yeah very good thread mate
 
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