PDA

View Full Version : VN Bogandore



Pages : [1] 2 3 4

Jim
04-02-07, 02:17 PM
I haven't got a lot of cash so am just slowly picking away at it. It will be for circuit work, and the odd hillclimb event.

'91 model Holden Commodore VN model. Post-"P"Plater-fucked. Brocky seat covers, stereo held in by twisting all the wires together (electrical tape? What's that?) one bald rear tyre, etc etc. Couldn't possibly be more of a generic VN, except there's no rust or damage on it. Really the only reason I got it. I looked at about 15 VL's which were all rooted, beyond even gutting for a race car.

Every aftermarket part under the sun is available from the corner store. Fuck me I have never been able to buy aftermarket parts for a project car from the supermarket before! This has been so damn easy so far it's scary. It's really nice to be able to walk into a speed shop and get something over the counter instead of having to fabricate everything from scratch like all my previous projects, or have them look at you like you just stepped out of a UFO.

First thing I did was strip the interior. Then replace all the rear end bushes with neoprene. There's a couple of bushes fitted into the diff housing which I am ignoring, as I need to remove the diff at some stage to fit a mini spool anyway.

I'll do a few events with the stock V6 tractor motor, even though I pick up the LS1 in 2 weeks. I need to spend some real money on springs, shocks, brakes and the front end in general before I'd want to try and throw 230kW around.

Anyway, early days but I'll update as I go.

The ebay pic. Note the braniac that sold it managed to get his finger in the frame:

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/0bba_3.jpg

I always hated these things, but I make it a rule to race in stuff you don't like. That way you don't feel any need to baby it.

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/674d_3.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/1c56_3.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/2ca0_3.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/3f48_3.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/518a_3.jpg

Interior stripped out. I'm having trouble finding a race seat, as my shoulder height is way too high for most seats.

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/P3230379small.jpg

mmmm new stuff: New panhard rod, new lower control arms with neoprene bushes, new upper control arms with neoprene bushes.

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/P3230375small.jpg

Jim
04-02-07, 02:24 PM
oh yeah, if anyone needs any interior parts, let me know otherwise it's getting jammed into the magna wreck which the truck is taking away shortly.

Lurch
04-02-07, 03:21 PM
Good stuff Secoh :yup:

I'll be watching with interest.

HSV Senator
04-02-07, 04:19 PM
Nice project. I had thought of doing the same thing myself for a while. I have seen a few LS1 powered 6 speed VN exec's and they seem to be running low 12s without any real engine mods. With the right suspension and brakes that power to weight ratio should equate to some fantastic track times. Then some additional power is so cheap to add. What transmission are you using with the LS1? T56?

BiH
04-02-07, 04:28 PM
Secoh is a series 2 VN with the VP motor? Oh, has the roof lining drooped yet? :)

What did you pay for it?

Jim
04-02-07, 04:34 PM
cheers
it's a series II VN, and the roof lining is just starting to sag. :D
I don't want to pull it out yet until I check the class definitins. Back in the old days no roof lining immediately put you into sports sedan. Mind you, that's where it's going to end up anyway.

Jim
04-02-07, 04:38 PM
I was planning on using the 6 speed but finding any kind of manual that will cope for less than $3k is not possible it seems, so I'll be using a fully manualised TH350. I hate autos and this is a counter-intuitive move, but I'm staying open minded considering total cost for the transmission will be $500 (initially, at least. If it works and doesnt suck like a Godfry's ad, I'll pay a bit more attention to it, or if it does suck, I'll save up for a manual)

Bitza
04-02-07, 05:06 PM
How much did you steal it for !!!

PintaraPower
04-02-07, 05:10 PM
I had always thought the t56 was truck tough?

FatBoy
04-02-07, 05:13 PM
Good move Jim, i've often thought about buying an ex Saloon Car VN and throwing an LS1 at it... ;)

Will be watching your progress with interest, particularly how difficult the LS1 conversion may or may not be... :)

HSV Senator
04-02-07, 05:57 PM
I was planning on using the 6 speed but finding any kind of manual that will cope for less than $3k is not possible it seems, so I'll be using a fully manualised TH350. I hate autos and this is a counter-intuitive move, but I'm staying open minded considering total cost for the transmission will be $500 (initially, at least. If it works and doesnt suck like a Godfry's ad, I'll pay a bit more attention to it, or if it does suck, I'll save up for a manual)

Interesting choice for a car not biased towards drags but sounds like a cost effective solution. Allthough I have seen T56 for sale for less then $3k. Are there kits to mate the TH350 to the LS1?





Will be watching your progress with interest, particularly how difficult the LS1 conversion may or may not be... :)


I think Castlemain Rod shop make off the shelf kits to pop the LS1 into earlier commodores inc the VN, I don't know if this option is being used by Secoh though.

bigmuz
04-02-07, 07:36 PM
Looks excellent- cleanest VN engine bay ever.

You need to box the lower control arms. They bend like bananas at modest power levels...

ALLMTR
04-02-07, 07:41 PM
230kw???? Are you going to disconnect a lead??? Mine made 242 at the wheels with crappy tri y's. If you get CASTLE HILL EXHAUST on side high 200's should be a piece of piss.

I wouldnt run the Castlemaine kit but that is just me

A Th350 bolts up to the Ls1, just need a spacer for the convertor or let your convertor guy know it is for an Ls1/Th combo

Secoh: Can't wait for our first event...

Jim
04-02-07, 08:07 PM
Good move Jim, i've often thought about buying an ex Saloon Car VN and throwing an LS1 at it... ;)

Will be watching your progress with interest, particularly how difficult the LS1 conversion may or may not be... :)


I still fucking hate VN commodores, but all in all it makes sense for a project/race car even if it is uninteresting to look at. I'm also kinda sick of doing things the hard way and limiting myself. Time to join all the other sheep and see how my driving stacks up.


I don't know if this option is being used by Secoh though.

Me either! But it's an option I will be investigating. Other option was to find a VT gen 3 crossmember and swap that in.


Looks excellent- cleanest VN engine bay ever.

You need to box the lower control arms. They bend like bananas at modest power levels...


let's just say it's a good thing I didn't take a pic from underneath. ;)

Yeah, will look into the control arm gusseting when the diff comes out for it's mini spool.


230kw???? Are you going to disconnect a lead??? Mine made 242 at the wheels with crappy tri y's. If you get CASTLE HILL EXHAUST on side high 200's should be a piece of piss.

I wouldnt run the Castlemaine kit but that is just me

A Th350 bolts up to the Ls1, just need a spacer for the convertor or let your convertor guy know it is for an Ls1/Th combo

Secoh: Can't wait for our first event...


I was trying not to big-note myself :p

I'm definately looking forward to our first events. Any progress on the orange menace?

Jim
05-02-07, 04:26 PM
anyone know if the VT gen iii K frame is a bolt-in?

Bitza
05-02-07, 05:36 PM
anyone know if the VT gen iii K frame is a bolt-in?

It won't bolt in at all, VT's are wider between the front rails compared to the narrow VN.

Craig

bigmuz
05-02-07, 05:47 PM
Which should mean instant wide track and static negative :D

Jim
05-02-07, 06:32 PM
bugger...somehow I think it would be more engineering than it's really worth in that case. Mind you, might be able to cut the chev mounts off it for welding onto the VN one...


Stripped out all the engine bay air con this afternoon and fitted a short belt.

dhs
26-02-07, 05:38 AM
any updates?

Jim
26-02-07, 05:47 AM
yeah, i'm still poor. So all I have done is stripped the interior and started scraping the floor tar. Have fitted an auto cooler and bonnet pins, and gave it a set of 15in rims with some old rally tyres on it. everything else needs money which I don't have at the moment.

I'll get it on the track with the V6 and get the LS1 ready while I do. Just starting to investigate what is involved in fitting it.

dhs
26-02-07, 06:42 AM
I'll get it on the track with the V6 and get the LS1 ready while I do. Just starting to investigate what is involved in fitting it.

If you don't care about rego have you considered 'downgrading' to a carby fed Holden 5litre? Would drop almost straight in and still be competitive. In relation to brakes there's guys who sell kits to fit R33 4piston calipers on VT discs on the calaisturbo.com.au forums. I paid $880 delivered to my door.

Beavis
26-02-07, 07:55 AM
Nice clean engine there Jim... but by christ they're an ugly car! Put it into a wall to make it look better, wouldya?

FLI355
26-02-07, 11:41 AM
Secoh as for fitting the LS1 i've done a bit of research and it seem like you need a VS V8 cross member and custom engine mounts for CRS and it will bolt straight in.

Jim
26-02-07, 03:48 PM
Secoh as for fitting the LS1 i've done a bit of research and it seem like you need a VS V8 cross member and custom engine mounts for CRS and it will bolt straight in.


thanks, this is the sort of info I need. Whats the difference between VN V6 and VS V8 crossmembers?

Jim
26-02-07, 03:50 PM
If you don't care about rego have you considered 'downgrading' to a carby fed Holden 5litre? Would drop almost straight in and still be competitive. In relation to brakes there's guys who sell kits to fit R33 4piston calipers on VT discs on the calaisturbo.com.au forums. I paid $880 delivered to my door.


nope, I'd go 1UZ or even SR20DET before I fitted a 300kg lump in it. I want it to handle, and it takes a lot more effort to get them to do so with the 5.0.

I had the 4 piston skyline brakes on the crown (as well as the skyline LOL) and was a bit dissapointed with them. But it's an option.

Jim
26-02-07, 03:50 PM
Nice clean engine there Jim... but by christ they're an ugly car! Put it into a wall to make it look better, wouldya?


It wouldn't be my first time! :yup: :rotflol:

FLI355
27-02-07, 05:18 AM
thanks, this is the sort of info I need. Whats the difference between VN V6 and VS V8 crossmembers?

not 100% on that but I get confused because everything I have read points only to VS V8 cross members. I am putting an LSX variant in my VN SS and i'm still trying to figure out whether VN V8 cross members are the same as VS V8 etc. I think the reference may be due to the fact most people are putting them in VR/VS rather than VNs.

I'm just going to get the CRS engine mounts and try it with my VN V8 cross member and if for some reason things don't line up etc I'll buy a VS V8 one.

Word of advice don't buy the CRS extractors as everything i've read points to them not fitting properly and having to be extensively modified. Just get some custom ones made.

Jim
09-03-07, 03:11 PM
Yeah, think I'll just make some mounts up.

I got some dry ice today and started chipping the sound deadener out. The dry ice works great! Much easier than the heat gun/belligerence method.

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/icesmall.jpg

hehehe dry ice is cool hehehe
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/icebucket.jpg

bigmuz
09-03-07, 06:17 PM
The mad scientist strikes again :D

PS Love the sig mate!

ALLMTR
09-03-07, 08:00 PM
Thats some vicious shit there. A guy from a US Honda forum asked me how I took the Civics insul out and I told him. I said make sure you are careful and use gloves. He used dishwashing gloves.....

Lurch
09-03-07, 08:28 PM
He used dishwashing gloves.....
:rotflol:

Jim
10-03-07, 08:07 AM
hahaha! I used welding gloves and even then couldn't hold onto it for long.

Jim
13-03-07, 05:59 PM
Friggen reco PS rack is leaking everywhere. Stupid PS POS.

ALLMTR
13-03-07, 07:02 PM
Where did you get it from? Warranty?

Jim
13-03-07, 07:28 PM
yeah warranty. got it from a mob in cardiff, will call them tomorrow.

Jim
15-03-07, 04:37 PM
Spoke to them, they said no worries, pull it out and exchange it. I pull it out yesterday arvo, then phone them today, and the phone is off the hook. I'm getting that sinking feeling.

Chad
15-03-07, 05:29 PM
hehehe dry ice is cool hehehe
http://loud-noises.com/Carstuff/Commodore/icebucket.JPG
Do you have an air compressor?
If so, go to super cheap, buy and air chisel for 20 bucks, and then strip all the sound deadening!
Worked wonders in the mazda. Didn't even use the dry ice (i hadn't heard of it as an option at the time)

Chad

The-Kid
15-03-07, 09:23 PM
Got after photos of the dry ice attempt? Does it strip paint with it?

ALLMTR
21-03-07, 07:27 PM
Do you have an air compressor?
If so, go to super cheap, buy and air chisel for 20 bucks, and then strip all the sound deadening!
Worked wonders in the mazda. Didn't even use the dry ice (i hadn't heard of it as an option at the time)

Chad

Man there is NO way I would do that. You'd lose feeling in your hands and be deaf as a post

Jim
22-03-07, 05:01 PM
Do you have an air compressor?
If so, go to super cheap, buy and air chisel for 20 bucks, and then strip all the sound deadening!
Worked wonders in the mazda. Didn't even use the dry ice (i hadn't heard of it as an option at the time)

Chad


yeah fuck that. I'd be more likely to chisel a hole in the floor.

Jim
22-03-07, 05:02 PM
Got after photos of the dry ice attempt? Does it strip paint with it?


Under the bucket is basically what it looks like once the tar has been bopped off. no damage to paint or metal except for what you do with hammer and chisel.

You still need to wipe the leftovers away with a petrol soaked rag though, but it's a much easier job all round!

ALLMTR
13-04-07, 11:56 PM
So????

Surely you've been up to something on this. I assume, seeing tho I have the standard shifter, you have fitted the B & M?

Jim
14-04-07, 09:03 AM
floor is painted, shifter grifter lifter made and if all goes well the B&M goes in today.

Jim
16-04-07, 06:32 PM
Righto, shifter is in place, and cabled in. Now I need to find the position indicator (it's missing) and some way of mounting the inhibitor switch.

bigmuz
16-04-07, 07:39 PM
picsorban

Jim
16-04-07, 08:02 PM
but its dark and cold and scary out there :(

Jim
16-04-07, 08:25 PM
righto, here ya go. I'm going to self tapper the tin cover down tomorrow, and grommet up the cable hole, then look at the inhibitor switch.

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/shiftersml.jpg

ALLMTR
17-04-07, 08:45 PM
Man that's the ticket. Ready for Street Commodores!!!

neonasty
25-07-07, 09:35 PM
Love it!

I also have a VN that I am making into a hill climb/track/whatever car. As it sits at the moment, its without interior, waiting for me to adapt the race seat for it.

The engine is out of the bay and a 1JZ is waiting to go in. Im keeping the 1JZ auto but it'll be shift kitted and maybe manualized. Im trying to make the engine mounts using the Soarer Cast arms and rubber mounts. I'll need a bonnet hump by the looks of it.

Have you done anymore on the bogandore?

ALLMTR
25-07-07, 10:34 PM
Yeah what is happening with this????

(I know, I know it's no Mark 47 Jag....or whatever)

Jim
26-07-07, 05:16 PM
I got some wheels and tyres for it, other than that - nothing. It occurred to me that until I get the concreting done out the back I have nowhere flat to work on it, and nowhere secure to store it. Not a problem while it's not driveable at the moment, but once it actually looks like a race car will be a problem.

Unless someone in Newy has a spare garage or shed I can work on it and store it in, it's a suspended project until I get the house done.

Jim
11-09-07, 09:32 PM
seat is in. got the roll cage yesterday, primered it up this arvo. Still waiting for the shocks. Other than that no real progress.

msmola2002
11-09-07, 11:27 PM
Nice work!

Who made the cage? Bond? What kind of seat? Picsorban?

Jim
12-09-07, 06:48 AM
cage is bond, seat is velo. (fatass model :p)

Jim
15-09-07, 11:23 AM
doing the cage today, but here's how the office is looking at the moment.

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/commoint1.jpg

Jim
29-09-07, 03:04 PM
cage is finally done


http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/cage2-1.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/cage1-1.jpg

msmola2002
29-09-07, 06:08 PM
awesome.

So your first event is when?????


ps,

kep 21-22 oct :p If you volunteer to run on the state round day and be an official on the sunday you would probably get a run, it appears they have zero crowd control and the only trackies at this stage are me, and my old boy who is 50/50 gonna be working...

Lurch
29-09-07, 06:30 PM
Pity it's a bolt in job.
Better then nothing I suppose...

Keep at it Jim ;)

Euroboost
29-09-07, 09:41 PM
Friggen reco PS rack is leaking everywhere. Stupid PS POS.

Do you need PS? I do recall seeing a non powersteer rack for VN listed awhile ago.

Jim
29-09-07, 10:05 PM
Pity it's a bolt in job.
Better then nothing I suppose...

Keep at it Jim ;)

if you have the extra $2k to cough up for a weld-in, I take donations....

Lurch
30-09-07, 10:10 AM
Only if you run in a National series & I get my name full-lengh down both sides of the car :D

Jim
30-09-07, 03:11 PM
righto, but I'll need to know what to tell people when they ask why I have "Lurch" written down the side! :p

jzx83
01-10-07, 06:35 AM
Just tell em to look at the styling job on the car. ;)

HTH

Jim
06-11-07, 06:07 PM
right, front struts are done, and halfway through fitting up the mega dodgey rear adjustable springs.

To do:

Fit mini spool (need somewhere flat to work to pull the diff)
Fit V8 (pfft - next year)
Buy decent semi slicks. Can't find a retailer in Newcastle that will sell me competition tyres.

ALLMTR
06-11-07, 06:14 PM
Sounds good


skidz?

Jim
06-11-07, 06:20 PM
skidz TBA

will be ready for events after the weekend I recon!

Jason Broadhurst
06-11-07, 06:25 PM
Auto track car? How does the shifter go for that?

Jim
06-11-07, 06:37 PM
dunno, bit dubious on it, but we'll see

ALLMTR
06-11-07, 06:59 PM
Dutton?

SLO78U
06-11-07, 07:16 PM
is it alive yet Jim ??

total cost so far ??

Jim
06-11-07, 07:21 PM
total cost...hmmm...will have to sit down and add it all up. Not counting the not fitted motor, probably in all reality about the $6k mark

SLO78U
06-11-07, 08:14 PM
built for any particular class or just for fun ??

FatBoy
06-11-07, 08:35 PM
Impossible. He has no class...

Jim
07-11-07, 03:11 PM
:lol:

Jim
08-11-07, 05:48 PM
right, suspension all back in. now it needs ride height set and a wheel alignment, then it's skidz!

ALLMTR
08-11-07, 07:18 PM
Debut meeting?

Jim
08-11-07, 07:25 PM
umm....ummm....


prob nothing on until next year now.

msmola2002
08-11-07, 07:26 PM
hmm, checking my calendars there ain't much local on for the rest of this year :(

Ringworm, sorry, RingWOOD khanacross *cough avoid cough* on the 11th nov (Think there is a MK at oran that day?)

and hillclimb at ringwood on the 18th nov.

although there is a dyno day at turbotechics coming up :p

ALLMTR
08-11-07, 07:31 PM
Summernats?

Jim
19-11-07, 06:08 PM
String wheel alignment done, ride height set (still a bit high at 120mm but it'll have to do).

Now I need to wait until january so I can re-join the clubs and do some events (farked if I'm going to join now and only get 1 event in by the end of the year)

Once it's had a punt around the track I'll move this thread into the racecar section, considering it's no longer a road car.

rowdytoot
19-11-07, 07:43 PM
good clubs let you carry over you membership into the next year if you join after October..:D

msmola2002
19-11-07, 08:51 PM
I think MG will do that but be careful what you write on the membership form, I had mine returned to me by the registrar along with an earful of abuse. Apparently if you write "fat chance " on the bit where it asks what kind of MG you own it goes down like a lead balloon, amongst the other things I wrote. Good to see a sense of humour is alive and well int he MG polishing faction

Euroboost
20-11-07, 03:30 AM
That would upset them abit. Almost as much as saying you own a Triumph, that REALLY pisses them off.

Jim
20-11-07, 04:55 AM
I was thinking of putting MG badges on the commodore and calling it a Continental Import and ticking Yes to everything MG related.

ALLMTR
20-11-07, 11:33 AM
Didn't know it had that much rust?????

Euroboost
20-11-07, 07:08 PM
British cars don't rust.
They have factory rust proofing. They also mark your parking spaces.
And give you a shower when you don't need it.

Ben Wilson
20-11-07, 08:50 PM
British cars don't rust.

You've obviously never looked at an MGB above the oil line...

ALLMTR
17-01-08, 03:42 PM
umm....ummm....


prob nothing on until next year now.

It's now next year....

Have you decided whether we are doing custom conversion or kit?

Jim
17-01-08, 04:27 PM
righto, it's ready except for wheel alignment, set seat height and fit the tyres. Did Dale ever give you a set of wheels I had to pay for Chuck?

Sorry about shitty phone pics.

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/commofront0108.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/commorear0108.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/commoint0108.jpg

Lurch
17-01-08, 04:30 PM
Looks good Secoh!

So whens it's first outing?

Jim
17-01-08, 04:33 PM
needs more V8 and loudness (and possibly a TAXI roof light), but at least I can throw it at corners now. We fitted the LSD the other afternoon.

the plan is a track day next month, and be ready for supersprints in march. Have sent away my membership applications so if there's no delays there then all sweet.

Potsy
17-01-08, 05:02 PM
Taxi light ready to make trip to Newcastle,as soon as i get to Newcastle.....:(

Jim
17-01-08, 05:09 PM
sweet :D:D:D Just let me know when you're planning on the trip up. I have to come down to Sydney mid feb so if that's more convenient let me know.

Euroboost
17-01-08, 07:36 PM
You've obviously never looked at an MGB above the oil line...

I missed that comment. I owned a Triumph, I wouldn't stoop to look at an MG:rotflol:

The VN looks tidy, for a VN.

Potsy
20-01-08, 08:04 PM
sweet :D:D:D Just let me know when you're planning on the trip up. I have to come down to Sydney mid feb so if that's more convenient let me know.

We shall work something out.:)

Jim
21-01-08, 03:34 PM
sweet. :)


D01J's fuck yeah! Pics on the weekend of semi slick goodness.

Jim
17-03-08, 04:17 PM
Right, amazing how much work you can do when you have somewhere to do it!

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/commodore01.jpg

This is the first time in my life I have had somewhere flat and level to work on my car!

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/commodore02.jpg

mmm DO1J's

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/commodore03.jpg

This is a problem... there's only a 1mm gap between spring and tyre. Will have to run a spacer and longer studs in the front.

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/commodore05.jpg

I decided I'd give it a quick and dirty sports exhaust. What a mistake, it turned into a bigger-than-Ben-Hur effort of trying to convince the desk jockey at the local place of what I needed and what I needed it for. I went down there and told them what I wanted. They promised to phone me back when the pipe was cut and the bends made. Had to tell him 3 times why I wasn't prepared to bring the car in for them to do it. They never phoned back. Today I go down there again and the next guy on the desk tells me they don't know anything about it and the other dude is new. Whatever, give me my shit. I asked a simple question and the reply was "How the fuck would I know, I'm not an exhaust expert!" I'm like, WTF? Why the fuck am I here again?

Finally he does the bends, digs up the hot dog, cuts the pipe (fucks up one of the expansions) and by then I just wanted to get out of there. They had a couple of Pintara exhaust hangers that were perfect tho. Sure doesn't look like $160 worth to me. It's been a few years since I dealt with this mob and while my opinion is formed by only two members of their staff, I don't think I will be back again.

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/commodore06.jpg

dodgey loud goodness

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/commodore07.jpg

With side pipe!

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/commodore08.jpg

Right, ready to race! Now all I need is a suit and get it wheel aligned. And save up for the V8 rebuild.

ALLMTR
17-03-08, 04:55 PM
First meeting?

Jim
17-03-08, 08:00 PM
supersprint on the 5th.

SLO78U
17-03-08, 08:14 PM
fuck yeah.

good work Jim.

when are we going to have a PFWTFCARRACINGDAY ??

maybe the end of the year. Jamie ( hoonboy ), Garry ( GAZ914 ), you, me, Dale will all have to meet up for a track day/skidpan day at the end of the year !!

are there any good hill climb tracks in newie ??? maybe we could make the trip up for a weekend !!

Jim
17-03-08, 08:20 PM
Well, I have just read that the Ringwood hillclimb track can be rented for as little as $25 a car... with conditions (unspecified)

HoonBoy
17-03-08, 08:35 PM
Looking good! Was a good weekend to rip out the stupid mufflers and have a side exit exhaust ;)

Where is the supersprint?

SLO78U
17-03-08, 09:26 PM
Well, I have just read that the Ringwood hillclimb track can be rented for as little as $25 a day... with conditions (unspecified)

well that seams like a good plan of attack for a saturday at the end of the year. alternativly if you want to get dirty i know i can hire the HDCC property for about $150 for a day. and there is plenty of nice smooth dirt roads there. with plenty of just in case run off. but it's not going to be any good there with semi slicks !!!

Jim
17-03-08, 09:28 PM
I have rally tyres that the commo rolls around on to keep the good tyres good, but I don't fancy cleaning it considering it has no door seals haha

FatBoy
18-03-08, 05:02 PM
I reckon my suit / helmet / gloves etc would fit if it saves you a few bucks mate ?? You are welcome to borrow them if you want...

adamRSLC
18-03-08, 06:39 PM
Secoh , what offset are the 16's ? . There a few different offsets in factory commo wheels that could find you the room to clear the strut . Ive got a similiar coil over as you with walky rims ( 16 x 7 ) and they clear fine . You will find anything from a VP irs car has a +10mm different offset to std commo rims.

adam

Jim
18-03-08, 08:31 PM
Adam, oh ok I didn't know that! I just grabbed the first set of 16's that came along (VT I think?)

Paul, I wouldn't mind the suit if you don't mind, that would be tops!

FatBoy
19-03-08, 09:04 PM
No sweat mate, you're more than welcome to borrow it if it saves you buying one upfront. Let me know when you need it. A trial fit might be a good idea though, don't leave it until the day before... :)

ALLMTR
19-03-08, 09:11 PM
Bit tough asking for no sweat....

Why am I having visions of "American Stig"

Jim
19-03-08, 09:12 PM
it'd be a nice change from racing in jeans and a wooly-pully. Might even upgrade the blundstones race boots too

Jim
19-03-08, 09:13 PM
Why am I having visions of "American Stig"

you're a cruel man.

cruel but accurate.

Next costume party I go to I'll be Fat Stig. Already gone to one dressed as a Mythbuster

FatBoy
19-03-08, 09:19 PM
Shit your pants in my suit and you own it. Just remember that... :ugh2:

:D

Jim
19-03-08, 09:21 PM
pfft it's a commodore, how scary fast do you think it's going to be? :lol:

Jay_G
20-03-08, 12:26 AM
this super sprint could be a good excuse to get out the porta bbq and put on my Heckling trousers and pluggers. :yup:

7HEAVN
20-03-08, 08:30 AM
Never paid much attention to this thread but went in with the attitude of fucken v6 vn why would you bother . After seeing the pics though it looks friggen cool for a budget build nice one mate .

Jim
20-03-08, 08:36 AM
Jay, don't forget your bucket hat :)

7Heav, the point of this car is budget and performance part availability vs speed and fun. It's been the easiest build on earth all in all. Commo stuff is so cheap and easy to get! Never been able to buy performance parts from Woolworths before.

7HEAVN
20-03-08, 02:44 PM
Haha yeh your right mate

Sketchy
20-03-08, 04:46 PM
I hate to agree but that actually is rather neat and tidy for a VN and it at least has the right gear in the right places. Enjoy and hopefully set some good times.

LS1 ftw later on?

Euroboost
20-03-08, 07:11 PM
pfft it's a commodore, how scary fast do you think it's going to be? :lol:

It's not the speed he's worried about. It's the fact it's a VN. Might decide to go all "P" plate on you and jump off the road.

dhs
21-03-08, 03:15 PM
Trick stuff Jim
Don't rule out the injected 5 litres, my old VN had one and went pretty hard with just a tricked auto and extractors let alone a stripped interior like yours

Could pick one up for almost nothing nowdays

Jim
21-03-08, 07:35 PM
yeah, I had a VQ stato, went pretty well. The weight is the factor though not straight line speed I have an LS1 just waiting for a cash injection and insertion lol

ALLMTR
21-03-08, 10:14 PM
When are we fitting the LS1 hotness?

Jim
22-03-08, 09:48 AM
sometime near the end of the year I recon. it's going to take that long just to save up for a set of bearings :(

Potsy
22-03-08, 09:22 PM
supersprint on the 5th.

I'll have to get that TAXI light to you by then, otherwise i might even deliver it to you at Oran Park on the day:)

Crash Dummy
27-03-08, 07:50 PM
I've only just stumbled upon this thread.
You've done some great work Jim. I can't wait to see you get out there and have a play in this thing.

I know your planning on getting the v8 soon but would you consider running with the v6 and just see how far you can go with it ? I've always been curious as to the durability of the old 3.8. I've never heard of them going bad other than the usual stuff like head gaskets and corrosion from lack of maintance etc.

I'm afraid to say this as it may be used against me in the future, but I actually like the look of your VN racer.

Gary

SLO78U
27-03-08, 10:18 PM
when is the first outing Jim ??

Jim
01-04-08, 07:07 PM
I don't know :( everything is booked out the day after entries open!

Jim
28-04-08, 08:06 PM
fuck me CAMS makes things hard. I renewed my licence, no longer a $50 fee for a bit of tear off paper to the club for a basic licence, it now has to be a Level 2 non speed licence for club events and Level 2 Speed for state level ($95 - 2 month turnaround time) now I find it has to be log-booked for all CAMS events! So that means a ROPS inspection ($75 and a 4 page form), a scrutineer inspection ($50 bribe) and the log book form ($75). I have a stack of papers to fill out (about 10 or so pages), a dozen photos of the car and fitted cage, a form from the cage manufacturer and fuck knows what else.

So, the entry form for the 18th I have in front of me is no good because there's no way I'll get all this shit done and back from CAMS by then!


dammit!

on the plus side the car is done, except for anything the scrutineer doesnt like.

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/commodore22.jpg

Lurch
28-04-08, 08:09 PM
Or you could just by a CAMS 'Come & Try 'Licence'.
Or Get a AASA Licence?

Edit: Since when do you need a Log Book for a caged car for doing Sprints/Hillclimbs?

Jim
28-04-08, 08:13 PM
"No events for 2008"

Looks great....

*edit*... since stuffed if I know but thats whats in this year's CAMS manual, and the CAMS guy repeated it on the phone today. Could be because it's a state round, but thats not the impression I got.

Guido
28-04-08, 08:19 PM
Or you could just by a CAMS 'Come & Try 'Licence'.
Or Get a AASA Licence?

Edit: Since when do you need a Log Book for a caged car for doing Sprints/Hillclimbs?


AFAIK you always have for state and national level events.

Lurch
28-04-08, 08:25 PM
Ahh, State events - most likely a LB is needed.
But not for Club/Interclub/Multiclub events.

msmola2002
28-04-08, 10:50 PM
for the scrute deal, try bringing it to an event at ringworm and seeing if it can be done. I'll hit up one of the guys in the next few days and see what can be sorted out, I took the 02 to a hillclimb and had it checked there, I paid nothing.

You won't need a logbook to run at ringwood.

F|sh
28-04-08, 11:50 PM
mate fitted a LS1 in his Vk. only need some mounts or something made and they fit on the standard cross member. i think he is on the LS1 forums.

Fatboy knows more

Jim
29-04-08, 07:36 AM
for the scrute deal, try bringing it to an event at ringworm and seeing if it can be done. I'll hit up one of the guys in the next few days and see what can be sorted out, I took the 02 to a hillclimb and had it checked there, I paid nothing.

You won't need a logbook to run at ringwood.

Cheers mate. When's the next one?



mate fitted a LS1 in his Vk. only need some mounts or something made and they fit on the standard cross member. i think he is on the LS1 forums.

Fatboy knows more



my cat's name is Mittens

msmola2002
29-04-08, 08:47 AM
Um, have to check for you. Actually, is this weekend, big arse trichallenge event, you know 11ty cars and more odds of geting struck by lightning than getting an entry :D I think you need a scrute off a list, and if jimbo is going, he would be the guy to see, he ain't on the intarweb tho methinks, I'll have to check the form.

http://mgcarclub.com.au/htmpages/cmpEvn/Supp%20Regs/HILLCLIMB_4_05_08_Triclub.pdf

yep jimbo is the scrute, give him a call, and see if he can check it out for you, his number is in the above set of regs, I'm not gonna type a home number in here.

other thing is tht I didn't pay a cage rego fee either. It was part of the pacjkage kinda thing. I had a 3 layer carbon paper sheet thing and filled that out, cost me nuthin'. Then again it was signed off by the guy who sold me the cage.

http://www.bmwclubnsw.asn.au/other_docs/2008-01-21_Roll_Cage_Form_example.pdf was this form

http://www.bmwclubnsw.asn.au/other_docs/2008-01-21_Roll_Cage_Rego-Logbook%20.pdf from, this, if you are prepared to sign your life away as the builder and ,merely a buyer of bent pipes, take ownership of the thing and off ya go.

So, ring cams, et em to send you a carbon 3 layer form with whatevernumber is on the one above or actually, hit up geoff thomas at newy revo racegear/monaco performance as he flogged me my cage, and had the forms on hand, he may be able to help you, 49 570 999


Hope this helps!!!
Michael

F|sh
29-04-08, 11:37 AM
my cat's name is Mittens

my cats name is nitrous.What he did was use the standard mounts with new adaptors.

Jim
01-05-08, 07:28 AM
awesome name for a cat dude.
mounts look good, are they the dellow ones or home made?

Anyone around sat arvo to help me clean this thing up ready for it's scrutineer inspection on sunday at the hillclimb?

F|sh
01-05-08, 01:41 PM
home made jobs. The crs mounts also ment you had to make your your own adaptors still. Now CRS are selling the adaptors.

ALLMTR
05-05-08, 01:53 PM
How'd ya go?

Jim
05-05-08, 02:06 PM
good! scrutineer said I done a really good job, and signed off on it no worries. I will now apply for the log book and be ready for the Oran Park supersprint on the 1st!


*edit*

I think I might try and do the brakes before then :lol:

HoonBoy
05-05-08, 02:31 PM
Good luck with getting in to the Oran Park supersprint.. possibly the last full circuit supersprint there ever... There is a Wakefield one on the same day that you would get in to without any issues.

What EXACTLY did you have to do for the log book? I need to do the same before the 1st at Wakefield..

Jim
05-05-08, 02:35 PM
I hear tell that Oran will be open next year, but only for club events. After that it will probably be gone. Oh yeah NSWRRC have 4 more Oran events listed for this year.

Wakefield is a 6 hour drive for me. Who's running that one, in case I can't get into Oran?

Log Book is a case of getting the 3 page carbon form for the ROPS from CAMS, filling out the log book form, and getting a pre log book inspection by a CAMS scrutineer, as listed on the CAMS form. I was lucky there was a local guy.
Then take 2 pics of the car and pay your monies.

HoonBoy
05-05-08, 02:39 PM
I hope it is open next year, at the moment the only thing I will be able to do there this year is practice days :( No news on the replacement track they promised when they first announced the closure either :(

Thanks for the info, will get my act together and sort it out (who am I kidding, I will stuff about and do it last minute and blame CAMS for it all...)

http://www.thornleighcarclub.org/tcc.net/EntryRegs.aspx?a=29&s=68&c=248

Jim
05-05-08, 02:44 PM
:lol:

is that an open event? I'm not a member of any of those clubs...

HoonBoy
05-05-08, 02:49 PM
From one of the organisers


Although this is a round of the HDCC/NSSCC/NVCC/TCC/Toyosports Interclub Challenge, any and all other clubs are most welcome to attend. No favouritism here, any paid entry is a good one

Jim
05-05-08, 02:54 PM
sweet :D

Oran is my 1st choice of course.

Jim
05-05-08, 03:43 PM
oh yeah, who sells flannelette race suits? :lol:

HoonBoy
05-05-08, 04:51 PM
Getting race ugg boots and skulling a beer whilst going down the straight will be the problem!

Jim
05-05-08, 05:57 PM
like every commodore driving bogan, my BS skills are exceptional*









*may be a lie

Jim
17-05-08, 10:20 AM
right, got it back from having a wheel alignment. Paid my $20 and got a UVP. I was nervous as hell driving it, because what the UVP legally covers is very ambiuous, and the few cops I have asked have never even heard of a UVP, meaning if I got pulled over I'd be relying on them believing the paperwork.

It drove really well, though the gearbox is mushy and I nneed to fix an exhaust leak that has developed. Everything else is good! Drove great on the way back... fuck I got some looks :lol:

wheel alignment guy had a whinge because I had jammed the adjustable strut tops hard over to set the camber from "upright" to "aircraft wings" and it bent the needle on the wheel alignment machine, because it only measures to 3 degrees negative haha! They set it to 3 1/4 degrees neg which will do me fine to start with. I can see I'm going to have to invest in some aligning gear though.

Lurch
17-05-08, 11:42 AM
Pyrometer is all you need Jim...

Jim
17-05-08, 12:54 PM
pyrometer?

ALLMTR
17-05-08, 04:45 PM
It measures how damn hot your VN really is...

HoonBoy
17-05-08, 04:52 PM
Measure tyre temp at the track, lean in more if the outside is hot, straighten up if the inside is hot, leave as is if it is even heat from side to side.

Jim
17-05-08, 05:15 PM
ahh okay.

changing camber messes up the toe tho, cbf'd doing a full alignment at the track.

Lurch
18-05-08, 11:58 AM
Need adjustable strut tops then.

Jim
18-05-08, 01:11 PM
it has adjustable tops, but it will still change the toe

Jim
21-05-08, 09:56 AM
anyone around on satuday to help me fit the clutch in the applause and fix the exhaust on the commo? Also need to replace battery terminals and fix the seat mount I forgot to finish off but remembered at 4am last night.

F|sh
21-05-08, 12:08 PM
right, got it back from having a wheel alignment. Paid my $20 and got a UVP. I was nervous as hell driving it, because what the UVP legally covers is very ambiuous, and the few cops I have asked have never even heard of a UVP, meaning if I got pulled over I'd be relying on them believing the paperwork.

It drove really well, though the gearbox is mushy and I nneed to fix an exhaust leak that has developed. Everything else is good! Drove great on the way back... fuck I got some looks :lol:

wheel alignment guy had a whinge because I had jammed the adjustable strut tops hard over to set the camber from "upright" to "aircraft wings" and it bent the needle on the wheel alignment machine, because it only measures to 3 degrees negative haha! They set it to 3 1/4 degrees neg which will do me fine to start with. I can see I'm going to have to invest in some aligning gear though.

two bits of bar and some string?

slk-gtr
21-05-08, 08:06 PM
my brother has just finished putting a gen 3 in his VN was a pretty straight forward swap only thing he is waiting for now is his powerglide to be built, if you run into any problems let me know and i might be able to help!!!


When are we fitting the LS1 hotness?

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/SLK-200/l_3c22a4b2d463f2ce104e8ffab6625813.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/SLK-200/l_1951e638daccb256064f8c4b49a9ee87.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/SLK-200/l_e144b2508f68879cf8ee952e3d8ea4c6.jpg
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j112/SLK-200/calder_070511_111b.jpg

BoganDAVE
21-05-08, 08:15 PM
um, fuck yeah!

Jim
21-05-08, 09:50 PM
looks awesome! (except for the yellow and the carby lol)

Was there a reason why the motor wasn't moved back further in the bay?

Peter...
23-05-08, 05:49 PM
anyone around on satuday to help me fit the clutch in the applause and fix the exhaust on the commo? Also need to replace battery terminals and fix the seat mount I forgot to finish off but remembered at 4am last night.

Fuck I'd offer my limited assistance but I'm doing a clutch in my Ford. Sorry...

Jim
23-05-08, 06:19 PM
fix your shitty ford on sunday then. priorities man!

adamRSLC
23-05-08, 07:19 PM
looks awesome! (except for the yellow and the carby lol)

Was there a reason why the motor wasn't moved back further in the bay?

Secoh , a few people using the CRS engine mounts are finding that the motor sits pretty far forward , i thinks it helps with the alignment for the auto or manual shifter to come out in a useable spot inside the car.

Also whats this car using for ignition , is their a distributor tucked right at the back ?

adam

Euroboost
23-05-08, 07:21 PM
Coil packs on chassis rails by the looks of things.

Peter...
23-05-08, 08:59 PM
fix your shitty ford on sunday then. priorities man!

You realise I'd just go looking for the biggest hammer you had and then stare blankly at shit that was bolted in and go "hrm, that doesn't look straight"...

Besides it's my birthday on Sunday and I intend on getting more than a little slotted.

Lurch
23-05-08, 10:03 PM
it has adjustable tops, but it will still change the toe
:rolleyes: :knock:

Jay_G
24-05-08, 12:31 PM
fix your shitty ford on sunday then. priorities man!

said shitbox is parked in my driveway without gearbox and flywheel, getting put back together tomorrow, somebody had a lunch date they had to go to, oh and p.s fuck you Mr ford for using 15mm and 13 mm headed bolts everywhere.

and all the other hardware stores that dont carry a 3/8 drive 15mm socket, bloke at one shop said shit mate you cannot use 15mm on 3/8 you will shear it off, i just walked out, kinchrome must not know what they are doing when they put a 19mm in the kit.

Jim
24-05-08, 04:23 PM
:lol:

that was me trying to undo the exhaust today. In the end I said fuck it and bogged it with putty.

Car is ready to go, all that's left to do is confirm my entry and get my logbook from cams, due last thursday.

Jim
26-05-08, 02:48 PM
Just spoke to CAMS. Turns out the CAMS lady is also the secetary for NSWRRC, so I better stop whingeing about them haha

Logbook is done and ok, entry form is recieved (for some reason it took 2 weeks to get there, so now she has 2 of them lol) and I am definately entered in the OP supersprint on this sunday.

FUCKEN YES! about damn time!

HoonBoy
26-05-08, 03:43 PM
If I get the wheel bearing and rotors and pads changed in time, I might come out for a look. Not going to make Wakefield for flag marshalling :(

Jim
26-05-08, 03:44 PM
Cool, be good to catch up. You still right for wednesday night?

HoonBoy
26-05-08, 03:46 PM
I'm still on, changed the order of the day so I am at Charlestown first and then Newcastle rather then the other way around. Won't be staying too late, got a long drive home!

Jim
30-05-08, 08:13 AM
did you throw that box of crap in the bin Hoonboy, or did you leave it in the pub? :p

HoonBoy
30-05-08, 10:29 AM
It's sitting on the kitchen table at the moment, waiting for the wife to complain and make me move them! The carb spacers are very different to what I have, I'll take some comparison photos sometime if I remember and get motivated

Jim
30-05-08, 11:07 AM
I believe they were off a GTO but they may have been Ralliart Lancer twin cam ones.

Jim
01-06-08, 06:31 PM
Well, it's maiden voyage was limitedly successful. As in it performed as well as I was expecting. Unfortunately the rain set in at midday and demolished any hope of bettering my times and tweaking the car with tyre pressures and so on.

The tyres were barely getting warm, and there was no noticable wear to them at all. They were'nt melting and beading or anything which says to me they just weren't working like they should. The car was very twitchy with traction coming and going. It wasn't until after the second run I twigged and checked the tyre pressures and found they were at 40 hot!! Dropped them down to 28 on the front and 26 on the back, but then it pissed rain so no idea if this helped or not :(

In the wet it was a tail happy monster and I couldn't stop laughing.

The brakes are rubbish. The pedal goes down halfway now, and they fade out by the second lap.

The gearbox is rubbish. I gave up manually shifting as it would get oil surge and run out of go, and wouldn't change up from 2nd to 3rd on the straight resulting in rev limiting badness. I ended up jamming it into 3rd and leaving it there. It desperately needs a manual or a full manual valve body.

The engine is rubbish. Even stock MX5s were walking past it down the straight. Very embarrassing! Stupid daihatsu charade trying to put the pressure on me will he! damn. He just passed me on the straight :(

But all in all I'm happy. I had no mechanical issues I didn't already now about, and I got to drive the Grand Prix circuit at Oran Park which I have never done bafore!

The GP circuit was like never having been to Oran ever before all over again! I had absolutely no idea where the lines were and was sent out first meaning I had no-one to follow. My dismal lap times reflected this.

First everestest OP GP lap was a pathetic 1:40, and I was dropping 2 or 3 seconds every lap until the rain set in with a best time (on over inflated tyres) of 1:31.

That put me second last in my class of 8 cars, but then the other people in my class were two heavily modified V8 commodores, a distrubingly quick civic, an MX5, and a Porsche 993. The front runner was doing 1:21 in my class and FTD at midday was 1:15.

I have absolutely no doubt that I could have shaved another 4 seconds off my times today if it hadn't rained, as the car is now, and with decent brakes and a decent gearbox probably another 4 seconds again.

The Rodeo had no problems towing the trailer and used two tanks of LPG ($80 heheheh). 3hr trip each way :(

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/oran1.jpg

loaded and ready to go

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/oran2.jpg

damn heavy rental trailer. Commo has it's yard wheels and tyres on.

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/oran3.jpg

MX5 displaying lack of dorifto wet weather skillz.

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/oran4.jpg

"Hai, how iz yew?"

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/oran5.jpg

msmola2002
01-06-08, 06:48 PM
Nice work. That is totally worth a 56 or so on the south :D

SLO78U
01-06-08, 07:19 PM
Good job Jim.

good to see it out and getting used.

so when is the 5L and dog box going in ??

Jim
01-06-08, 07:20 PM
I dunno, I recon it'd crack a 58 at the moment but my aim of a SP 55 might be a little high as it is.

Was good to meet Potsy and catch up with Hoonboy again. Thanks Potsy for the taxi light! :lol:

James, 5.7L soon! I was going to do it christmas time but the V6 really is poo.

HoonBoy
01-06-08, 07:43 PM
Good to see you out there having fun! I got a few pics

http://www.hoonboy.com/tmp/pics/IMG_4071.jpg
http://www.hoonboy.com/tmp/pics/IMG_4079.jpg
http://www.hoonboy.com/tmp/pics/IMG_4084.jpg
http://www.hoonboy.com/tmp/pics/IMG_4092.jpg

Jim
01-06-08, 07:48 PM
Great pics, thanks! I hope Potsy's taxi light photos turned out ok too :D

Yeah it was a heap of fun.

Grunt
01-06-08, 07:49 PM
good to see jim,

i was munching on a double qtr pounder at the twin servo maccas on sat and just missed you as you drove past - tried to get out to say hi but didn't want to leave my burger.

looks like plenty of fun! when is the next outing?

bigmuz
01-06-08, 07:53 PM
Sits really nice man. Good Job.

Jim
01-06-08, 07:55 PM
Cheers Muz

Grant, bummer! I only stopped at the twin caltex for a coffee and to check the straps and chains. Next outing is Wakefield ( :( ) in about 6 weeks time. Might try and do a track day before then and see if it's a little better sorted.

Grunt
01-06-08, 07:59 PM
Jim,
I have still got that sign writing machine/sticker maker and software here (bought it off Dale a while ago)

if the situation arises let me know if you need any stickering done, happy to lend it to you. Or i will make you stickers of my choosing!

Jim
01-06-08, 08:11 PM
cool, I dont know what I would need unless someone wants to sponsor me :D

Currently uploading a short youtube vid. sounds fucking terrible changing gear along the straight :lol:

Potsy
01-06-08, 08:21 PM
I dont think my PIC's are as good as HoonBoys, however i did get a nice one of both HoonBoy and Secoh looking.......well looking like motorsport enthusiasts.
And Yes the Taxi sign suited the big white barge, especially so, that it read vacant...ha.ha :D
Hope you had a good day, despite the rain after i left.

Jim
01-06-08, 08:36 PM
haha love it!

SLO78U
01-06-08, 08:45 PM
Hoonboy is a bit of a car whore.

one weekend he is out with me the next he is out with Jim.

sooner or later he's going to have to get his car going !!!!

good work Jim, Do you have any details on the hill climb that happens in newie ? the one that goes from the beach to the top of the park ??

Jim
01-06-08, 08:51 PM
James, yeah Matara festival. it's on at the end of each year. I plan on being in it!

Euroboost
01-06-08, 09:24 PM
I had forgotten this was a V6, no wonder you got owned by an MX5.

Jim
01-06-08, 09:28 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42dBCfBe40k

haha yep

msmola2002
01-06-08, 09:29 PM
James, yeah Matara festival. it's on at the end of each year. I plan on being in it!

sunday and monday of the long weekend in october. your best bet for an entry is on the state round day :)

Potsy
01-06-08, 09:40 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42dBCfBe40k

OH NOES, you got owned by the Charade.......:knock:

Jim
02-06-08, 07:44 AM
I let him past, I was feeling charitable :cool:

jzx83
02-06-08, 07:53 AM
Hey Secoh, how long have you had the racing number?

Was it deliberate that you got 333?






Suggest car could be called the Gherkin or the Pickle - see if three threes company will sponsor. ;)

Jim
02-06-08, 08:04 AM
aahahah like your thinking!

Picked triple three for two reasons. Primarily because some friends that race all run double numbers (Steve Shipway's crown is 77 for example) and most of them were taken, so I figured 333 would be the next best thing. If it's double entered it makes it easier too.

Also, it's only half evil so 666 wasn't appropriate.

Potsy
02-06-08, 07:20 PM
I think you got the pesky Charade after all....well done!

http://www.natsoft.com.au/cgi-bin/results.cgi?01/06/2008.ORAN.SS

Jim
02-06-08, 07:38 PM
hahahahahhahahaha awesome! I even beat a "Cordia Torbo"

74th out of 87 is pretty poor but hell i'll take it.

go the V6 powah! POWAH!!

Potsy
02-06-08, 07:43 PM
That is a "Quick Taxi" with V6 POWAH thanks, get it right!

Michael
02-06-08, 08:02 PM
How do the track times becon thing work? Do you need to buy a becon thing for your car? Im going to Wakefield in August and would like to know my times.

10sec rx7
02-06-08, 08:54 PM
hahahahahhahahaha awesome! I even beat a "Cordia Torbo"

74th out of 87 is pretty poor but hell i'll take it.

go the V6 powah! POWAH!!

the guy that came 5th is one of my customers.. good to see that the old 20v has still got it and my tune must be ok :)

ALLMTR
02-06-08, 09:01 PM
Well done dude!

Hope I can make the next one. Considered putting a manual behind the V6 to tie you over. There would HAVE to be a couple of seconds in it...

Jim
02-06-08, 09:34 PM
How do the track times becon thing work? Do you need to buy a becon thing for your car? Im going to Wakefield in August and would like to know my times.

no idea. some cars had them and some didn't. There was never any mention about them so NFI...

Jim
02-06-08, 09:36 PM
Dale, he was almost beaten by a Toyota Crown though! :lol:

Chuck, yeah, for sure. But I really want to try the manualised auto thing before I commit to a gearbox for the V8. I've decided I'll manualise the V6 box and if it breaks before the big motor is ready I'll scrounge a manual for the V6.

Peter...
03-06-08, 09:36 PM
OoooOOOhhh look Jim's finally got the abo-dore on the track, ooo000OOhh lets move it to the racers section!

Bitch please!




:D

Jim
04-06-08, 05:52 AM
that's funny coming from a fellow taxi driver! :lol: Join a car club and do some sprints so I can kick your arse :p

Jim
05-06-08, 03:05 PM
Right brakes are on order. Cost a lot less than I expected which is farken nice!

R32 4 spots I bought off GTSboy ages ago, some EBC red stuff, and 019 slotted rotors, and braided brake lines. Nice to see braided lines have become fairly affordable now.

Coolie
05-06-08, 08:07 PM
You bastard! Thats my alternator! :D

Potsy
05-06-08, 08:15 PM
Where did you get the Braided lines?
How much $$$, PM me if necessary.
Will be the next mod on Team Corolla.

ALLMTR
05-06-08, 08:18 PM
BTW Do you know you cant just bolt a manual into an auto equipped VN?

Jim
05-06-08, 08:32 PM
chuck, yeah but it requires crawling around under yet another friggen car which would make 4 gearbox jobs in a month and i'm over it.

Potsy, $75 each, carter's clutches east maitland

Jim
05-06-08, 08:52 PM
so who sells the bearing spacers for the front wheel bearings?

And there was a guy on here ages ago offered me a set of caliper brackets for the skyline calipers - anyone got any leads there?

Steve
05-06-08, 09:16 PM
BTW Do you know you cant just bolt a manual into an auto equipped VN?

Yeah you can. I did. One little mod needs doing at the computer so it doesn't think it's in park all the time, and the neutral safety switch needs bypassing is all. That and the cranks are different, but Castlemaine rod shop (and probably others) are able to supply a flywheel that bolts up but will need your flex plate's ring gear cut off and fitted to it which is a bastard job.
;)

Jim
06-06-08, 11:30 AM
anyone around tomorrow? Will be building brakes and reloacating the battery.

ALLMTR
06-06-08, 02:30 PM
Sorta... I'm stuck with the Ton-a-fun. Sunday arvo I'm free tho

HoonBoy
06-06-08, 03:37 PM
I need to get busy with the welder, Flanders next door bought home a 43 Chev (in two ute loads...) and wants his welder back!

Jim
06-06-08, 06:57 PM
Fucking flanders. Have some speed-dents.

I took all the brakes off. I picked up the new rotors (farken huge!) and test fitted them in the rim. With the spacers, it looks like the calipers will clear if only just. I need to recess the inside of the bridge sections a little to make the pads fit perfectly on the disc.

Then it's bracket making time. I think i'll make a dodgey weldup jobbie to get the shape and spacing then have it milled from billet.

One of the front calipers was sticking anyway so it's all good timing.

Should get my braided hoses early next week.

Jim
09-06-08, 08:34 PM
Weekend's progress:
rotors fitted, rear calipers overhauled.
Rear pads found to be cracked and burnt to fuck so I need some of them too.
Front caliper kits on order.
master cylinder is fucked and leaking. Have a VT one Uncle was kind enough to give me, but it won't fit the VN booster. I dunno if a VT booster will fit so it looks like the easiest option is a new 1" master cyl.
Battery isolator switch done, complete with external cable pull.
Relocated battery to rear passenger footwell (mostly for the isolator switch, it was just easier to move the whole lot)
Boot clips fitted and all the lock mechanism binned.
Caliper brackets measured and drawn up in Inventor. Will get someone with a mill to make one during the week to see if I fucked up :lol:

http://s183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/bracket.jpg

I'm an Inventor nub and this is my first effort.

ALLMTR
09-06-08, 09:04 PM
Maybe an adjustable bias valve is in order to ease the load on the rears especially with the bigger fronts

Jim
09-06-08, 09:08 PM
may have to. Have never had much success with those things though.

SLO78U
09-06-08, 09:55 PM
just get a proportioning (sp) valve that ensures the brakes fill rears first.

the old RX7 had one and i kept it for when B1 gets the 4 pots !!

give a good brake place a call and ask them !!!

Jim
10-06-08, 09:00 AM
yeah will talk to them when I go pick up the hoses tonight.

Jim
15-06-08, 06:26 PM
I gave the commo V6 a powah upgrade. Note it doesn't have any extra "power" but instead I opted for POWAH! in the form of an old pod filter I had under the bench. I shook all the spiders out of it and jammed it on. Might as well use it.

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/Commodore/P8031361.jpg


Have finished the caliper bracket design so just need to tidy it up and hand it over to the machine shop.

New discs look the goods and are chalk and cheese to the old ones.


http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/Commodore/P8031362.jpg

The scrutineer said I needed an externally accessible battery isolator switch, so I ripped out the boot release cable and rigged it up to an isolator switch, and relocated the battery while I was at it.

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/Commodore/P8031353.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/Commodore/P8031354.jpg

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/Commodore/P8031355.jpg

Fitted a shift light, and remembered I had Fatboys old tacho lying around too so I put that in. an 11000rpm tacho in a VN that has a rev limiter at 5800 is a bit silly but hey, it was there might as well use it.

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x289/SpamDragon/Commodore/P8031357.jpg

ALLMTR
15-06-08, 10:48 PM
Wrecker has a VR Ecotec + manual avail :)

FatBoy
15-06-08, 11:44 PM
Fitted a shift light, and remembered I had Fatboys old tacho lying around too so I put that in. an 11000rpm tacho in a VN that has a rev limiter at 5800 is a bit silly but hey, it was there might as well use it.

That tacho saw 10,000rpm more than once Jim, i remember it fondly... :D

You realise you can run this in I.P right ?? We have a couple of 6cyl ex "Saloon cars" running with us at the moment, and you'd still have plenty of people to race with. Is the intention to eventually race it or just do sprints, trackdays etc ??

BTW - I've washed the suit, when are you calling past to grab it ?? :)
And do you need gloves, boots, helmet etc ??

2ofdem
16-06-08, 12:48 AM
Wrecker has a VR Ecotec + manual avail :)

VRs werent Ecotech.

ALLMTR
16-06-08, 01:20 AM
ok vs then :)

Jim
16-06-08, 07:35 AM
That tacho saw 10,000rpm more than once Jim, i remember it fondly... :D

You realise you can run this in I.P right ?? We have a couple of 6cyl ex "Saloon cars" running with us at the moment, and you'd still have plenty of people to race with. Is the intention to eventually race it or just do sprints, trackdays etc ??

BTW - I've washed the suit, when are you calling past to grab it ?? :)
And do you need gloves, boots, helmet etc ??

I want to get competitive at sprints as it's much cheaper and doesn't piss anyone off if i'm slow. If I can do the times to keep up with IPRA guys then I'll do some real races, but unless I can be at least mid field competitive then there's no point. I'm not going to all this effort and expense to enter in events I know I'll come dead last in.

Cheers mate, at this stage I'm planning on a sunday trip down to Sydney next weekend if you're around.

I got a good helmet, and don't think anyone else's shoes or gloves would fit me to be honest. Thanks tho!

Jim
16-06-08, 07:42 AM
Wrecker has a VR Ecotec + manual avail :)

nah, V8 in 6 months!

"All I want for christmas is my Gen III V8; Gen III V8; Gen III V8..."

adamRSLC
16-06-08, 03:47 PM
Weekend's progress:
rotors fitted, rear calipers overhauled.
Rear pads found to be cracked and burnt to fuck so I need some of them too.
Front caliper kits on order.
master cylinder is fucked and leaking. Have a VT one Uncle was kind enough to give me, but it won't fit the VN booster. I dunno if a VT booster will fit so it looks like the easiest option is a new 1" master cyl.
.


Hey jim , If you run the VT master , the VT booster is also required as they dont fit . You can change the whole thing but mods to the firewall holes are required to get it to bolt up , no biggie though . My mates VH has it done but i stuck with the 1 inch master and its good enough for now. The VT master can move more oil though so might help achieveing a good pedal with the nissan 4 spots.

Ive also had a proportioning valve fitted to stop locking rear brakes which is pretty common when the fronts have been upgraded , a by product of not having to much rear bias is the car stopped moving around in the rear on heavy braking.

adam

F|sh
16-06-08, 03:56 PM
Fuck The Booster Off And Just Run The Master Cylinder?

Jim
16-06-08, 06:14 PM
Adam, thanks that's good info! I was wondering if I should use skyline rear calipers to match the front ones but looks like a proportioning valve will be the go after all.

I found the VT master wouldn't fit so invested in a 1" bore VN one.

What sort of proportioning valve do you use? I fitted a knob type to the Crown years ago and was unimpressed with it.

SLO78U
16-06-08, 06:16 PM
jim is to lazy to use the brakes without the booster fish !!!

Peter...
16-06-08, 06:26 PM
Hey jim , If you run the VT master , the VT booster is also required as they dont fit . You can change the whole thing but mods to the firewall holes are required to get it to bolt up , no biggie though . My mates VH has it done but i stuck with the 1 inch master and its good enough for now. The VT master can move more oil though so might help achieveing a good pedal with the nissan 4 spots.

Ive also had a proportioning valve fitted to stop locking rear brakes which is pretty common when the fronts have been upgraded , a by product of not having to much rear bias is the car stopped moving around in the rear on heavy braking.

adam

Stupid question, but why would rear lock up be MORE of an issue with upgraded front brakes? Is it the nosedive factor or what?

charged
16-06-08, 06:45 PM
Stupid question, but why would rear lock up be MORE of an issue with upgraded front brakes? Is it the nosedive factor or what?

Greater weight transfer because of bigger brakes and better tyres

Jim I have the same problem with rears locking, Ive just ordered a wilwood one off ebay from the US, it works out at about $50aud landed here which is a 1/3 the price that revolution and autosport charge for them. A few guys I race with seem to favour the knob style over the lever type as you can adjust it the rears more precisley.

Whats the pedal like now Jim is it long in travel and spongy or short that feels like your standing on a brick so to speak ?

Jim
16-06-08, 06:52 PM
jim is to lazy to use the brakes without the booster fish !!!

pretty much.... :yup:

Jim
16-06-08, 06:56 PM
charged, no idea I haven't got it back together yet.

But the stock brakes were like jamming one boot into a bucket of tapioca. Almost as messy too as the stock master was leaking, which explained why they got progressively worse through the day.

adamRSLC
16-06-08, 07:00 PM
Stupid question, but why would rear lock up be MORE of an issue with upgraded front brakes? Is it the nosedive factor or what?

Its a combination of what charged said and also the fact once the brake pedal gets spongy and you have to really lean on it all you end up doing is forcing more fluid to the rear brakes as the piston travels further up the master cylinder . This obviously also happens with std brakes , but unless mega bucks are spent you are always chasing a spongy pedal after a few quick laps on the track .

adam

Jim , ive got the knob type and its a pretty much set and forget type of deal untill i change pads and simply re adjust again . In my car i get some axel tramp as the rears start to lock so i just adjust untill it stops.

charged
16-06-08, 08:14 PM
charged, no idea I haven't got it back together yet.

But the stock brakes were like jamming one boot into a bucket of tapioca. Almost as messy too as the stock master was leaking, which explained why they got progressively worse through the day.


Fuck I hate brakes Jim, last state round on my first lap qualifying the the master bottomed out I think and bent the actuating arm, got that fixed but the rears kept locking all day even with the lever on the bias set to minimum. I had to brake like a nana or the rears would lock and want to send me round. Im going to go like you with a bigger MC and some decent Hawk HT10s pads, Im running EBC yellows but not real impressed by them.

Hope you get yours sorted sounds like your having a ball anyway, there is nothing better than get a car you built out on the track. I will be watching your progress

Jim
16-06-08, 08:51 PM
I know EBC seem to polarise people - either love them or hate them there's no middle ground. I went with reds as I'm only doing 4 laps at a time and need them to warm up in half a lap. Hopefully they will do the job until I learn what me and the car is able to do.

Yeah, it's been great fun so far! It's nice to have a project where everything pretty much just fits.

F|sh
17-06-08, 03:06 PM
pretty much.... :yup:

well you would save about 5kilo's.....

Jim
17-06-08, 07:58 PM
nah, i'd replace it with a plastic one if I was to do anything. If I ran without a booster I'd push the master cyl thru the firewall. Holden didn't make these things real strong.

ALLMTR
17-06-08, 08:05 PM
Polariser?

charged
17-06-08, 08:55 PM
nah, i'd replace it with a plastic one if I was to do anything. If I ran without a booster I'd push the master cyl thru the firewall. Holden didn't make these things real strong.

Jim I put 10mm aluminium plate for extra strength and that certainly helped, also there are brackets that give extra rigidity if it still flexes.

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l269/toyocharged/brake-clutchmodfirewallbrace6mmroll.jpg

Jim
18-06-08, 09:11 AM
yeah it's an option but in all reality for the weight of the bracing I'd have to put in I might as well run a plastic booster.

Eventually I'll go a custom pedal box anyway and it'll be a moot point.

Jim
18-06-08, 01:44 PM
Rear pads are in, braided brake lines all fitted except the front ones, as I need to confirm the length is right once the calipers are mounted.

In the absence of available brackets I have gone ahead with my locally made ones with the calipers I have. Should be done next week I hope. I also hope I have not fucked up, there's only so much I can check with paper templates.

Rear tow eye is done, I need to remake the front one next.

Arrgh it's so close to being sorted! :D