St3alth's VR Calais

[St3alth187]

St3alth's VR Calais​

Hey guys. My first ever car, paid probably a bit too much for the condition it was in.
$1000 - No RWC. Was a local purchase so no hidden travel costs.
I knew that it would need a little work, but it was love at first sight. I figured it would be something to learn on.. And learn i have.
Everything I have done and plan to do is possible because of the enormous database of information this forum has.

The 'Lais

Needs a little work, but she'll get there =)

3.8L Manual V6 Calais
Exterior

• Blue over Silver two tone.

Interior

• Leather/Velour Seats and Door trims.

• Black headlining

Engine

• HSV OTR CAI

Exhaust

• 2.25" Catback Exhaust

• Custom Extractors

Problems:

• Engine loses power on right hand turns below 1/2 a tank | Done:New fuel tank + sender

• Shifter grip is loose and needs to be replaced.| Done:Manual Conversion

• Randomly wont start when warm.| Done:New BCM + CAS

• Heater doesn't work.|Done:

New heater core + hoses and tap

• Fuel gauge is shockingly inaccurate | Done:New sender unit

• Trip computer doesn't show on dash|

• Stalled at lights| Done:New CAS

• Theft Deterrent Signal Missing| Done:Manual loom

• Terminals Loose | Done:New Terminals + Renewed starter loom

• Knock Sensor probe broken.| Done:Manual Loom

• Rough Idle | Done:Service + New fuel pump

Future Mods

• T5 Manual Conversion Done

• VE Big Brake Upgrade

• Monaro 18's Done

• Blue LED Conversion

• Clear Side Indicators Done

• Suspension Package - SL All round.

• 27mm Whiteline Sway bar

• Nolathane suspension kit

• Replace dash with a Stato dash and colour code it.

• Leather Interior

• SS Kit

• S-Pack Bobtail

• Paint garnish body colour

• HID Conversion

• Mafia Window Tint

• Sunroof

• Monaro bonnet scoop

• Complete Paint Job - BMW Blue ( Avus Blue ) over Silver/White

• Long range fuel tank

• LSx Conversion

Work Done

• Replaced center console power window switches - 23/06/11

• Replaced headlining - 23/06/11

• Replaced sun visor clips - 23/06/11

• Replaced Ignition barrel - 18/07/11

• Full Service - 12/08/11

• Installed Extractors - 10/08/11

• Installed HSV OTR CAI - 10/08/11

• Replaced Sway bar link pins - 16/09/11

• Replaced Fuel pump - 16/09/11

• Replaced O2 Sensor - 16/10/11

• Replaced Inlet manifold gasket - 01/01/12

• Coolant Change - 05/01/12

• Replaced drivers side window regulator - 10/01/12

• Replaced DFI + Coilpacks - 17/01/12

• Replaced Fuel tank + sender 07/02/12

• Replaced BCM + Keyhead 20/02/12

• Renewed Starter Motor Loom 27/02/12

• Replaced Battery Terminals 27/02/12

• Oil Change 27/02/12

• Monaro 18's + New Tyres 02/03/12

• Installed Clear side indicators 09/03/12

• Replaced CAS 21/03/12

• Replaced Rear brake pads 27/03/12

• Manual Conversion 31/03/12

• Full Service + New Leads 31/03/12

• New starter motor 31/04/12

• Reconditioned T5 + New Exedy HD clutch 25/06/12

• Installed statesman dash + door cards + heater core 09/07/12

• New heater tap + All cooling hoses 15/07/12

Thats it for now, but keep an eye out if your interested. Mods will be on the way as funds become available.

Cheers, Jake.

 

[GothicKidd]

Doesnt look like its had the best life.. but with some TLC it will come up a treat I recon!

 

[St3alth187]

Thanks mate =) The work i've put into it has really shown through already. I'd really love to clean her up =) Buff out the wrinkles; so to speak

Pictures will be up shortly.

 

[VS_Pete]

Will be a good project to work on mate.

 

[St3alth187]

Slight Improvements =)

• 
  Removed the sagging headlining and replaced with black velour following COINERS How to:

https://forums.justcommodores.com.au/threads/how-replace-headlining-very-detailed.47983

• Heat cleaned all the seats, door cards and carpet. The filth that came out of it was disgusting. Would have never been cleaned in its life.

 

[St3alth187]

Update:

On close inspection of the heater hoses, it appears that the heater has been bypassed completely.

Not fun. Will reconnect the heater some time in the near future to inspect why this has been done. Suspecting a shot up heater core.

I have also replaced my ignition barrel which did not resolve the starting problem. Im lead to believe that this is BCM related, so im going to inquire about replacing that with a brand spanka from Holden with new key.

Cheers,
Jake

 

[Mbro]

yer sounds like they have bypassed it because of a heater core.

otherwise looks good. decent base to start from.

 

[St3alth187]

Update:

Paint will be done after all the little things are done and my car is in top working order. Also after the manual conversion ! Taken a long time to decide but have ultimately chosen to go with BMW Blue. Cant wait.

Replaced the drivers side window switch, window still doesnt work... Not sure whats going on there. Thinking about taking the motor out and seeing if it allows current to flow through it.

Any suggestions ..? The Auto Mirrors dont work either... checked the loom at the hinge... Everything i could see seemed to be okay.


EDIT: Checked the power at the motor, there was none. Fuse proved to be faulty and the motor was burnt out. Replaced window regulator and its all good now. Just doesnt go up and down straight.

Cheers,
Jake.

 

[vsl67]

St3alth's VR Calais​

Things that are wrong with it:

• 
  Engine goes back to idle on fast right hand turns, below 1/4 of a tank. Depending on speed, will often stall.

Sounds like your return hose to the fuel pump has broken or come inside your tank off especially if its doing on turns or going up hills will a low tank lf it has broken it easier to replace the tank than the hose

 

[St3alth187]

Update:

Replaced the fuel pump, it no longer dies around corners. There was alot of build up around the pump.. Wasnt nice at all.

I think it may have fixed my starting problem too.

Replaced my sway bar links with Heavy Duty Selby links.


EDIT: Problem isn't fixed. There must be something internally wrong in the fuel tank, maybe a return hose disconnected. vsl67 was right Looks like a new tank is on the list too.
EDIT: New fuel tank + sender and the problem seems to be solved. When my car is hot it seems to surge a little but ... Im suspecting something electrical related.