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- HSV VS Senator, VX Calais II L67
Hey all,
We just purchased a new car for the missus so I thought I'd make a bit of a thread about it.
Ok, so she's fairly much stock as a rock (or so I thought) including factory 17" rims. The only mods I know off are factory FE2 springs fitted and a double din JVC head unit by the last owner.
So it's VX series II Calais L67 with all the options.
The missus liked the look of it but wasn't happy with the standard throttle response so that was the first issue to fix. This afternoon I fitted a 69mm TB, did a quick tune to suit (mod'd shift points and line pressures etc) pulled the PCM out and I discover an aftermarket memcal which has a HSV VX XU6 tune on it.
Plans for the car are fairly simple, it's going to be the work horse so reliability is the main concern. At this stage there is not intention to lower it or fit big wheels with low profile tyres (it's currently running 225/50/17's) as the current ride is fairly compliant, nothing in the car interior rattles and I want to keep it that way I may even go back to a 16" rim so I can run a larger side profile tyre since we have such crap roads here in NZ
The engine will probably cop a few mods although most are for reliability and economy. To that end I have already ordered a new CAI and some intake gaskets (these need doing but are the only major mechanical issue I can see and normal for this age and mileage). Going to run a 180° thermostat, fit my 1.9 high ratio rockers and then tune it all up suit. That will fairly much take care motivation for now.
Going to leave the transmission alone, the previous owner had it serviced not long ago, put in fully synthetic transmission fluid, the box shifts well, doesn't make any strange noises etc so the plan is to just look after it. The only addition will be a large external transmission fluid cooler.
Brakes are really good. The previous owner had Bendix Ultimates fitted but wasn't happy with them (to much dust), he then fitted some ceramic type pads from a local outfit (I think he said they were BNT inhouse brand) and in his opinion are as good as the Bendix pads but without the dust or cost. I agree, they work really well, the pedal is very firm and the car pulls up very well so nothing that needs doing there any time soon
I'm going to source a M80 3.46 LSD diff ( standard LS1 manual diff) as I can see traction been an issue. The diff ratio change will also help get the revs up a few hundred RPM. Generally speaking, when your cruising your off boost, so in reality your really just driving a low compression Ecotec. Previous experience shows that a small ratio change has not effected fuel economy at all (in fact it's improved in my opinion) because the engine isn't labouring at low revs under load when cruising at motorway speeds.
That's all for now. Down the road it may cop a boost increase and some sort of intercooling, probably W2A as well as porting the blower housing and LIM to suit. There are also some other mods I'm considering but I'll see where things take me. I also still need to built a new carport/deck at home so the vehicles are sheltered from the changeable weather we see here in NZ.
We just purchased a new car for the missus so I thought I'd make a bit of a thread about it.
Ok, so she's fairly much stock as a rock (or so I thought) including factory 17" rims. The only mods I know off are factory FE2 springs fitted and a double din JVC head unit by the last owner.
So it's VX series II Calais L67 with all the options.
The missus liked the look of it but wasn't happy with the standard throttle response so that was the first issue to fix. This afternoon I fitted a 69mm TB, did a quick tune to suit (mod'd shift points and line pressures etc) pulled the PCM out and I discover an aftermarket memcal which has a HSV VX XU6 tune on it.
Plans for the car are fairly simple, it's going to be the work horse so reliability is the main concern. At this stage there is not intention to lower it or fit big wheels with low profile tyres (it's currently running 225/50/17's) as the current ride is fairly compliant, nothing in the car interior rattles and I want to keep it that way I may even go back to a 16" rim so I can run a larger side profile tyre since we have such crap roads here in NZ
The engine will probably cop a few mods although most are for reliability and economy. To that end I have already ordered a new CAI and some intake gaskets (these need doing but are the only major mechanical issue I can see and normal for this age and mileage). Going to run a 180° thermostat, fit my 1.9 high ratio rockers and then tune it all up suit. That will fairly much take care motivation for now.
Going to leave the transmission alone, the previous owner had it serviced not long ago, put in fully synthetic transmission fluid, the box shifts well, doesn't make any strange noises etc so the plan is to just look after it. The only addition will be a large external transmission fluid cooler.
Brakes are really good. The previous owner had Bendix Ultimates fitted but wasn't happy with them (to much dust), he then fitted some ceramic type pads from a local outfit (I think he said they were BNT inhouse brand) and in his opinion are as good as the Bendix pads but without the dust or cost. I agree, they work really well, the pedal is very firm and the car pulls up very well so nothing that needs doing there any time soon
I'm going to source a M80 3.46 LSD diff ( standard LS1 manual diff) as I can see traction been an issue. The diff ratio change will also help get the revs up a few hundred RPM. Generally speaking, when your cruising your off boost, so in reality your really just driving a low compression Ecotec. Previous experience shows that a small ratio change has not effected fuel economy at all (in fact it's improved in my opinion) because the engine isn't labouring at low revs under load when cruising at motorway speeds.
That's all for now. Down the road it may cop a boost increase and some sort of intercooling, probably W2A as well as porting the blower housing and LIM to suit. There are also some other mods I'm considering but I'll see where things take me. I also still need to built a new carport/deck at home so the vehicles are sheltered from the changeable weather we see here in NZ.