VX 2 Calais Build (2020-2023!)

[gr33nbastad]

Welp, only 12 months overdue, but back on the tidy up at last.

• Installed the Monroe GT Gas Reflex shocks all round, with new SuperPro poly bushes, did superpro rear sway bar links as well.
  • Drives like a new car! I didn't realise how bad the old ones were - even with only 85,000 klms - 20 years on the planet will do it to you
• Put new superpro strut mounts, bump stops etc. in while I am there. The old ones were flogged!
• Replaced rear handbrake shoes
  • It suffers from the sticky shoe return issue so they have been dragging sometimes. I think in the end the actuator mechanism was just clogged up with old dirty grease, p.s. if anyone wants to know anything about the handbrake shoes and mechanism, I am now an unwilling expert!
• Replaced fuel filter
  • The back flushed fuel from that was bad!
• Flushed the diff with lots of expensive 80w-140 (no more clunking!)
• and finally - a 5000k oil flush and change with Mobil 1 synthetic, new sump plug and a Ryco syntec filter..

New hoses, pulleys, water pump etc. this week fingers crossed!

 

[Lex]

new SuperPro poly bushes

Looks like you've done a bit of work. Overdue was it?

I've just ordered super pro poly last bushes. Also new strut dust cover boots. Mine always came of from the top. Checked them out the other day, rubber feels very hard.

How were your front spring insulators? I haven't ordered new ones.

 

[gr33nbastad]

Looks like you've done a bit of work. Overdue was it?

I've just ordered super pro poly last bushes. Also new strut dust cover boots. Mine always came of from the top. Checked them out the other day, rubber feels very hard.

How were your front spring insulators? I haven't ordered new ones.

Yeah, I went on a parts ordering spree ages ago and just haven't had time to get them on!

Hopefully you ordered Holden dust cover boots as the superpro ones do not fit (not big enough at the top or long enough) and are just crappy poly plastic! My boots were in very good shape - just need a soak in degreaser and look like new again. Front spring insulators are actually in very good shape - I swapped them out for poly ones but cleaned them and put them aside, just in case

 

[Lex]

Yeah, I went on a parts ordering spree ages ago and just haven't had time to get them on!

Hopefully you ordered Holden dust cover boots as the superpro ones do not fit (not big enough at the top or long enough) and are just crappy poly plastic! My boots were in very good shape - just need a soak in degreaser and look like new again. Front spring insulators are actually in very good shape - I swapped them out for poly ones but cleaned them and put them aside, just in case

I replaced the strut top bushes & bearings, struts & covers 5 years ago. The covers where as you described, to short. The struts seem okay. They are ultima.

The bushes where just cheap crap.

This is what l have ordered.
strut top mounts https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/303083063340

strut boots https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/133882001428

Also got a new radiator coming. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/125593965216
Radiator l have now, is not leaking yet. May leak after trying to repair some damage l did to it. The new one is a back up.

 

[gr33nbastad]

I replaced the strut top bushes & bearings, struts & covers 5 years ago. The covers where as you described, to short. The struts seem okay. They are ultima.

The bushes where just cheap crap.

This is what l have ordered.
strut top mounts https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/303083063340

strut boots https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/133882001428

Also got a new radiator coming. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/125593965216
Radiator l have now, is not leaking yet. May leak after trying to repair some damage l did to it. The new one is a back up.

cool, looks the goods!

 

[Aus78Formula]

Glad it didn't become a skid pig. Look after those headlights too!

 

[gr33nbastad]

Glad it didn't become a skid pig. Look after those headlights too!

Ah mate you don't even know the half of it! I got NOS headlights back before they were going for $1600 a pair, and had them covered in Xpel film and have headlight protectors as well!

 

[Aus78Formula]

Yes, I did the same for my low mile (at the time!) VX Clubsport. New headlights, sold the barely used ones cheap and then in more recent years have purchased really poor condition used lights for spares at prices I don't want to admit. I doubt I've ever bought a spare anything that was in the condition of the parts I sold! HSV branded headlight covers anyone? Sheesh. Cars are fun.

 

[gr33nbastad]

Well, the car has been on jack stands for too long - got everything apart and have been faffing around - time to get back on track. Engine mounts done (drivers side is a massive PITA), cleaned up the sway bar bush clamps (rust removal from the one under the battery, new nuts and a coat of cold gal zinc). I planned to do the trans mount just as a "while its up" thing and I am glad I did - 22 years of sag were taking their toll. The trans mount change is probably the easiest job I have done so far on the car. Anyway, need to finally bite the bullet and touch up the engine bay after some surface rust treatment (under the battery tray, of course) and get it back together!

 

[GlennVS]

What an awesome read. Absolutely great looking car and love the colour. I had a Series 1, VX Calais 5.7 (Quicksilver colour) back 20 years ago with some beautiful modifications that produced just under 300kW, but made the biggest mistake by selling it to buy a house. Fast forward to today and two kids later, I have just brought a lovely Series 2 VX Calais (just the V6), with 101,000kms on her and she is literally mint. The colour is Quicksilver again and I too have been doing some improvements, but nowhere near your level. I wanted a 5.7 but just unable to get a good one with low mileage, so settled for the standard V6, that I am still very happy with, as it drives beautifully. Here in Melbourne, there are speed camera's everywhere now, so I am happy I just have the V6!

Thanks for the 'STICKTHIS' sticker website info, as just ordered some new ones that will really dress up the near perfect engine bay.