My 87 VL Executive

[FLY-03L]

Originally Posted by VLT222

Thanks mate, definatly took a lot of effort well worth it Im my opinion.

Its pretty simple these are the steps I followed:

1) Sand them down with 400 grit dry
2) Fill any chips or scratches with some filler/ bog and then re-sand with 400 to get it smooth
3) 1 or 2 coats of filler primer on the moulds with filler on them
4) Sand again 400 dry and all other bars moulds aswell.
5) As for paint I used those little touch up cans that supercheap auto sell, I used 'DARK GREY METALLIC' which is almost an exact match to mx grey, only it has a little bit of sparkle in it. If your doing all the bars/moulds then you wont need to match it to the others done in MX Grey.

Being acrylic, hit it with a few clear coat afterwards. Give it a buff and polish once the paints cured and itll really bring out the shine

[BigM22]

Originally Posted by VLT222

Thanks mate, definatly took a lot of effort well worth it Im my opinion.

Its pretty simple these are the steps I followed:

1) Sand them down with 400 grit dry
2) Fill any chips or scratches with some filler/ bog and then re-sand with 400 to get it smooth
3) 1 or 2 coats of filler primer on the moulds with filler on them
4) Sand again 400 dry and all other bars moulds aswell.
5) As for paint I used those little touch up cans that supercheap auto sell, I used 'DARK GREY METALLIC' which is almost an exact match to mx grey, only it has a little bit of sparkle in it. If your doing all the bars/moulds then you wont need to match it to the others done in MX Grey.


Thats pretty much a rough idea anyway. PM me if you need any tips while your doing it.

Awesome, thanks for that
As for paint, ive got a couple of cans of pre-mixed (by holden) MX Grey

[VLT222]

Originally Posted by FLY-03L

Being acrylic, hit it with a few clear coat afterwards. Give it a buff and polish once the paints cured and itll really bring out the shine

I wasn't bothered with putting clear on but it definalty make's a difference.

[VLT222]

Update.. I know its still early days, but I want to start accumulating parts for my turbo conversion. If decided to go hi-flow t3 and all the other bits VLT Spec, upgrade the gearbox, breaks and some suspension components.

So the future mods for the car:

- Standard turbo setup with hi-flow t3
- R33 gts-t manual gearbox/ w HD Clutch
- VLT break upgrade/ w 1'' master and booster
- 3'' Exhaust from dump
- Nice strong headgasket (cometic or equivalent)
- Adjustable pan-hard bar
- New rear/ front Nolathane bushes and new rear shocks
- Possibly a VLT fuel pump??
- Nistune

This is just very general for now untill I actually get the ball rolling with it so yeah, Ill be doing all the work myself or untill I get stuck with something I guess. Ive estimated about $4500 all up with other bits and pieces thrown in.

Realistically Id like to make 200rwk or close enough to it.

Anyways guys let me know what you's think, is it worth it and what not, I never really plan on selling my car so this can all be done over time.

[Mad87VL]

nice work on the diff, did you orginally start with the a "disc diff" on your VL SL? or was it drummed?

[Nukz]

Originally Posted by VLT222

Update.. I know its still early days, but I want to start accumulating parts for my turbo conversion. If decided to go hi-flow t3 and all the other bits VLT Spec, upgrade the gearbox, breaks and some suspension components.

So the future mods for the car:

- Standard turbo setup with hi-flow t3
- R33 gts-t manual gearbox/ w HD Clutch
- VLT break upgrade/ w 1'' master and booster
- 3'' Exhaust from dump
- Nice strong headgasket (cometic or equivalent)
- Adjustable pan-hard bar
- New rear/ front Nolathane bushes and new rear shocks
- Possibly a VLT fuel pump??
- Nistune

This is just very general for now untill I actually get the ball rolling with it so yeah, Ill be doing all the work myself or untill I get stuck with something I guess. Ive estimated about $4500 all up with other bits and pieces thrown in.

Realistically Id like to make 200rwk or close enough to it.

Anyways guys let me know what you's think, is it worth it and what not, I never really plan on selling my car so this can all be done over time.

Nice plan. $4500 should get you there, but only just. Do things like suspension, brakes, gearbox etc whilst you're on your P's so that once you're ready to turbo it you're good to go

[VLT222]

Originally Posted by Nukz

Nice plan. $4500 should get you there, but only just. Do things like suspension, brakes, gearbox etc whilst you're on your P's so that once you're ready to turbo it you're good to go

Thats the plan man, get all the stuff that doesn't involve the engine first, then go from there..

---------- Post added 08-11-12 at 22:09 ----------

Originally Posted by Mad87VL

nice work on the diff, did you orginally start with the a "disc diff" on your VL SL? or was it drummed?

Umm I got it with VLT diff but it was rooted lol chewed axels and a loose as lsd.. Now its heaps tight, thanks Nukz..

[VLT222]

As for head gaskets I was thinking of a cometic 1.3mm, is this too big? or would this be safer and bring down compression a little?

[Nukz]

1.3mm (0.051") is the factory gasket thickness, so it will keep your compression at 9:1 assuming you're running an A6 bottom end. I'd be going with the 0.073" gasket just in case you've had a bit taken off the head in the past.. it gives you some room to move. And even if not, then it lowers your CR down to about 8.5-1 which is a good compromise

[VLT222]

Originally Posted by Nukz

1.3mm (0.051") is the factory gasket thickness, so it will keep your compression at 9:1 assuming you're running an A6 bottom end. I'd be going with the 0.073" gasket just in case you've had a bit taken off the head in the past.. it gives you some room to move. And even if not, then it lowers your CR down to about 8.5-1 which is a good compromise

Thanks nuk, it will give me piece of mind so it doesn't start pinging off its head and will last. Im pretty sure its still got the stock head on it, no head work so it should be fine, do you know where you can get the 1.8mm size?

[VLT222]

Update time again, Ive finalised the future mods to GM03LT...

Engine/ Driveline
- Standard turbo setup with hi-flow t3
- R33 gts-t manual gearbox/ w HD Clutch (hopefully no tailshaft work will need to be done since it has an r33 manual in it
- 3'' Exhaust from dump
- Cometic headgasket 1.68mm - .066” which will bring compression down a little
- Nistune
- VLT fuel pump
- Electronic boost controller

Suspension/ Brakes
- VLT front break upgrade/ w 1'' master, booster and slotted disc's
- Adjustable pan-hard bar
- New sway bar mount and link bushes
- New rear monroe gt gas shocks

Now for a few pics..

Recent cruise to the gong with the boys from the forum..


And a gauge holder I made to sit in the sunglasses holder I wrapped it in SL trim as thats all I had, turned out well now just need some gauges to put in it. I was thinking boost and water temp?


Thats all for now untill after christmas when proper progess will start happening, hope you's are enjoying it..

[VLT222]

Not much but its a start to my turbo conversion..

VLT Injectors and fuel rail, and fuel pressure regulator!



hopefully ill have more updates soon..

[BigM22]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQxrySdfmzE&list=UL
Think i found your YouTube channel in one of my many random VL searches.
Some pretty decent shots in there, the VL scene up in sydney seems pretty strong.
Anyways lol thats my random 2 cents worth for the night.

[VLT222]

Originally Posted by BigM22

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQxrySdfmzE&list=UL
Think i found your YouTube channel in one of my many random VL searches.
Some pretty decent shots in there, the VL scene up in sydney seems pretty strong.
Anyways lol thats my random 2 cents worth for the night.

yeah thats my channel lol its actually pretty good, a lot more people came to the august one I think it was like 65 vl's.. best turnout so far.

[Steff]

Just flicked through it all mate.
Lookin' real good! Keep up all the neat DIY work!

My opinions.. Raise it, mudflaps, paint venetian black, frizbie the chrome wheel trims.
That will definatly gain more attention by giving it the one owner look.

[MUS]

Dont listen to him ^^ But i agree with painting the venetians black! Good stuff man, very clean. As for your turbo conversion, everybody starts somewhere.. Troll the f/s section and ebay, you will eventualy find what you are looking for cheap in drips and drabs. Just be patient.

Maybe im tripping but they look like n/a injectors to me.

[VLT222]

Originally Posted by MUSone

Dont listen to him ^^ But i agree with painting the venetians black! Good stuff man, very clean. As for your turbo conversion, everybody starts somewhere.. Troll the f/s section and ebay, you will eventualy find what you are looking for cheap in drips and drabs. Just be patient.

Maybe im tripping but they look like n/a injectors to me.

Im always changing my mind about the venetians lol I think i might do them in black, if i dont like it i can always change it back. The injectors are all vlt except the one on the far left which is an n/a one that i put on there just for the time being as that one was dodgy..

thanks for the feedback guys.. keeps me motivated

[VLT222]

Update time

Ok well the vl will be coming off the road in a few weeks as the gearbox has just about had it and I want to start my turbo conversion aswell
I have purchased an adjustable panhard bar and will be installing it just after the new year when it arrives. I got a bit excited and bought some gauges to go in my sunglass holder aswell (boost and water temp). Ill post up some pics real soon..

Ohh and merry christmas and a happy new year..

[VLT222]

My adjustable pan-hard rod and exhaust gasket arrived today
Ive also got my eye on a turbo kit...



And I installed my gauges (boost and water temp)


Hopefully ill have some more updates soon guys..

[VLT222]

Ok guys, pretty much a massive update, Im selling the SL as I have bought a White VL Calais, which ill most likely make a thread on... Thanks for everyones input on this project, its been a great learning experience...

Thanks everyone

[BigM22]

.

[MUS]

Originally Posted by BigM22

.

Agreed.